2025 St. Johns River Bartram Frolic Paddling Tours

There are three St. Johns River Bartram Frolic Paddling Tours with author, Master Naturalist and professional river guide, Lars Andersen and Bartram expert Dean Campbell along the shoreline of the St. Johns River. Tours are $30/person for paddlers using their own kayak/canoe or stand-up paddle board. Kayak rentals are available for an additional cost of $5/person. Full refunds will be given if cancellation is done in writing 24 hours or more before the scheduled tour. In the event that the tour is cancelled due to inclement weather, a full refund will be offered. Please be sure to check the email address you provided with your reservation the evening before each scheduled tour for any weather-related updates.

#1 - Friday APR 11 12:30 PM – 4:00 PM - Paddling the Shoreline of Bartram's Four Spring Journey

Paddle with author, Master Naturalist and professional river guide, Lars Andersen and Bartram expert Dean Campbell along the shoreline of the St. Johns River parallel to the path hiked by John and William Bartram in 1765 as they visited four springs on their hike to present-day Welaka. Visit 4 Bartram Trail sites - Satsuma Spring (BT15),Nashua Spring (BT16), Welaka Spring (BT17), and Johnsons Bluff (BT18). Launch from Shell Harbor Boat Ramp. Shell Harbor Boat Ramp

#2 - Saturday APR 12 8:30 AM –1 1:00 AM - Paddling the Palatka to Rollestown Loop

On Saturday, join author, Master Naturalist and professional river guide, Lars Andersen and Bartram expert Dean Campbell as he follows in the wake of John and William Bartram's1765 voyage from the Pico Road Boat ramp in East Palatka to the location of historic Rollestown where the Bartrams spent Christmas night on the banks of the St. Johns River in present-day East Palatka. This 2-mile, 2.5-hour tour to the site of Historic Rollestown (BT7) finishes early enough to participate in the other Frolic activities. Launch from Pico Road Boat Ramp. Pico Road Boat Ramp

#3 - Sunday APR 13 8:30 AM – 12:00 AM - Paddle, Peregrination and Prayer Tour

Paddle, hike and pray atop historic Mount Royal with author, Master Naturalist and professional river guide, Lars Andersen and Bartram expert Dean Campbell. Tour participants will launch from Renegades on the River and paddle (1 mile) to Beecher Spring Run. After a brief excursion up the run, we will proceed to the Mount Royal Subdivision dock. We will leave our kayaks at the dock and hike .6 mile to historic Mount Royal where Bartram’s Prayer for the Environment will be read by a Quaker Friend at the exact location where Bartram himself delivered his prayer. Following the reading, we will hike back to the dock and paddle back to the launch site. Tour participants are welcome to have lunch at Renegades Restaurant before returning to Palatka with plenty of time to attend the Bartram Symposium at 3:00. We will visit three Bartram sites on this tour: BTS 20 Beecher Spring; BTS21 Mount Royal and BTS 22 Beecher Springs Run. Launch from Renegades on the River in Georgetown. Renegades by the river

Host or Publisher Bartram Trail Society of Florida