They make nice places to stop and swim. Santa Fe River Canoe Outpost in High Springs is one of the largest canoe outfitters in the area. On a busy summer Saturday, as many as 100 canoes may go down river from there. All trips leave from the Outpost, which is on the banks of the river 1 miles north of High Springs on U.S. 441. That's about two hours from Jacksonville.
Camping trips can go all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico.
They usually include 15 to 25 canoes and feature bonfires made by Ed Watts, the wild man of Lily Springs. The canoes are aluminum. Kayaks are available, too. The St. Marys River forms the border between Georgia and Northeast Florida. It's a dark and twisty river, especially on the north prong where the Hidden River Ranch is.