Twists and turns keep you paddling on Turkey Creek

Swift and clear, Turkey Creek brings lots of paddling action. Lori Ceier/WaltonOutdoors.com

Turkey Creek paddle full of beautiful surprises

Located on Eglin AFB Reservation, just off of SR 85, the Turkey Creek paddle is approximately 9 miles long.

Swift and clear, the first two thirds of the paddle is tight, as the creek is only about 25 ft. wide, full of logs and sandy, shallow bottoms. Trees hang over the water, providing good shade and cool water for the journey.

About 5 miles into the paddle, Turkey Creek joins with Juniper Creek where it widens, and eventually empties into Boggy Bayou in Valparaiso, just west of Niceville.

Floating through the tunnel on Turkey Creek. Lori Ceier/WaltonOutdoors.com

This paddle will bring you under a few bridges and a double tunnel which one time supported railway tracks. There is a bit of a rapid as the creek forces into the narrow tunnels, providing a fun place to stop, get out and float through.

Before you get to Boggy Bayou, you will pass through the Turkey Creek Recreation area. This is a popular place for cooling off on a warm day.

Paddling Turkey Creek requires a recreation permit from Eglin AFB. You can acquire one by calling the Jackson Guard Natural Resources Facility at (850) 882-4164 or (850) 882-4165.

The West Florida Canoe and Kayak Club offers many paddles in the Northwest Florida Panhandle. For more information, go to: www.clubkayak.com/wfckc or Green Wave Forum at: www.clubkayak.com/greenwave

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How to get there:
The put in is located on Eglin Reservation 5 miles north of Hwy. 20, in Niceville off SR 85.
I-10 Crestview Exit 56 Hwy 85 South 15 mi. Turn right 0.2 mi before 85-123 Y [N30 34.102 W86 31.773]. AFB 232 0.5 mi Canoe Launch bridge [N30 33.708 W86 32.178]. Continue 1.5 mi. Turn right AFB 233 1.5 mi to Hippie Hole bridge [N30 34.870 W86 34.473].
A good take out is on Boggy Bayou in Valpariaso at a small public park next to the cement plant on Hwy 20.