The Crack! Kayaking the Chassahowitzka River

The Chassahowitzka River, on Florida's Nature Coast, is one of those spring-fed rivers that stays crystal clear and cool no matter how hot it gets on the surface. Over Memorial Day weekend 2022 we paddled out from the campground in search of a spot known simply as The Crack. Watch the video below, then read on for the full story.

Launching from the Campground

We put the kayaks in at Chassahowitzka River Campground, a straightforward launch right on the river. From there it's about a 1.2 mile paddle downstream to reach The Crack - a short enough distance to make it an easy half-day trip, even with plenty of time to poke around once you get there.

Finding The Crack

The Crack is a spring along the river where the current pushes up through a narrow fissure in the limestone, and it's become a popular hangout for paddlers looking to cool off. Being Memorial Day weekend, it was busy - plenty of other boats and swimmers had the same idea, and the spring had that lively, social atmosphere that comes with a holiday weekend on the water.

The River and Its Wildlife

Beyond The Crack, the Chassahowitzka itself is the real draw - clear spring water winding through overhanging cypress and dense Florida jungle, with the kind of visibility that makes it easy to watch fish move beneath the kayak. It's classic Nature Coast scenery, and a reminder of why this stretch of Florida is worth paddling slowly.

A Stop at 7 Sisters Spring

After exploring more of the river, we swung by 7 Sisters Spring for a short visit before heading back. It's a smaller, quieter cluster of spring vents nearby, and a nice contrast to the crowds back at The Crack - a good last stop before pointing the kayaks back toward the campground.