Four-mile paddle offers views of native flora and fauna
Located in the historic Point Washington area of Walton County, Peach Creek offers a pleasant paddle exploring nature.
The enjoyable, four-mile journey takes you along a wetland forest shoreline of TiTi, red maple, and slash pine trees along with highbush blueberries and saw palmetto. Coastal water birds such as pelicans, gulls, cormorants and seagulls are abundant along with raptors such as osprey and swallow-tailed kites. You might also discover an alligator or two along the way.
Parking and launch area is located at the north end of CR 395. Limited parking is available along the county easement area on each the side of the road.
You will head north towards the Intracoastal Waterway, and pass homes nestled along the marshy grass shoreline. Traveling about 700 yards, you will turn east for a short jaunt on the Intracoastal Waterway for about another 700 yards where you will turn south unto Peach Creek. Peach Creek is about 1.25 miles to the U.S. Hwy. 98 bridge. The creek continues further, however gets quite narrow and difficult to navigate.
There are a few submerged pilings in the Tucker Bayou area, so keeping an eye on where they are will prevent unwanted encounters. The pilings are remnants of a sawmill operation, which cut yellow heart pine forested in the area between the 1890s and 1930s.
This is a fairly easy paddle. Occasionally winds may pick up in the open Tucker bayou area, presenting a small challenge. It is suited for all types of paddlers.