Dunns Creek, Florida - Info?

[Jim Hawkins]

I'm planning a little excursion for my wife and I. I'd like to see Cresent lake from the water side as well as the St. Johns river. Dunns creek which connects the two looks like a very nice ride. I'm wondering,

Are there No Wake/ Sea Slug, er I mean Manatee zones on Dunns creek?
What is the closest public ramp to Dunns Creek? Coming from Flagler Beach I may use Shell Bluff off Hwy 100.
Any other waterfront restaurants (besides 3 Bananas)?

Thanks for any help, comments.

 

[sphelps]

Re: Dunns Creek, Florida - Info?

I went about half way through dunns creek many years ago from Cresent lake . We were camping and I can,t remember the name of the place we were at. I don,t remember any M/Z but the creek gets a little narrow in places so watch out for approaching boats . It,s a nice ride and very beautiful through there ! If you make the trip take some pics and post them for us . This is a trip I would enjoy doing also one day..

 

[Jim Hawkins]

Re: Dunns Creek, Florida - Info?

Will do SP

So far the plan is to put in at Shell Bluff park near the Putnam Flagler line. Head over and up Dunns creek for a picnic lunch of fried chicken (the perfect boat food). Continue to the St. Johns for a look about then back to Crescent Lake and a stop at 3 Bananas for a bite and a small quick one, then back to the put in.

I enjoy cruising on a winding waterway. Makes me think back to Tavernier Creek in the keys.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Dunns Creek, Florida - Info?

Dunn's creek is a beautiful slow cruise area....but afterwards head down to Welaka for a few good restaurants and then into the Ocklawaha River for some really beautiful and primitive boating...it runs about 9 miles up to the Rodman Dam.....Also stop at the public boat dock at Welaka and check out the very nice Wooden Boat Museum a couple of blocks walk....great stuff!

 

[Jim Hawkins]

Re: Dunns Creek, Florida - Info?

Thanks Robert. I just pulled Ocklawaha River up on Google maps. Looks like another great spot. Now I want to do that too but I think I will give your itinerary a day by itself. I use FloridaByWater.com to find waterfront restaurants but I don't see any for Welaka. A different search brought up Marker 48 but their site says it is closed. Any others?

 

[robert graham]

Re: Dunns Creek, Florida - Info?

Thanks Robert. I just pulled Ocklawaha River up on Google maps. Looks like another great spot. Now I want to do that too but I think I will give your itinerary a day by itself. I use FloridaByWater.com to find waterfront restaurants but I don't see any for Welaka. A different search brought up Marker 48 but their site says it is closed. Any others?

Bleu's Restaurant(gourmet quality food) is right next to public dock, also a nice fish restaurant a short walk down the road. Welaka has a very nice public boat ramp, shady, big live oak trees, lots of history in the area....directly across the river is the mouth of the Ocklawaha River. Welaka also has a nice public park with tennis courts, rest rooms and public showers(which are really nice after a day on the river). Good luck!,

 

[robert graham]

Re: Dunns Creek, Florida - Info?

Also, suggest Googling up Welaka, fl. For more info regarding history, lodging, food, etc.....before roads, railways, planes, etc. Welaka/Ocklawaha River was sorta the nautical point of entrance into early Florida's dark/untamed wilderness...steamboats from Jacksonville, Palatka,etc. brought tourists and commerce up and down the river....of course the roads and railways put an end to the steamboats, but it must have been a romantic and adventurous time in Florida's history!....There's a good book called "Ocklawaha River Steamboats" if you're into history....good luck!

 

[Jim Hawkins]

Re: Dunns Creek, Florida - Info?

Sounds Good Robert, my wife and I enjoy that stuff. The key to arriving by boat and doing a walking tour is a nice public dock to tie up to. My wife wants to go there first but I said Dunns creek is first. And I'm the Captain so,

 

[robert graham]

Re: Dunns Creek, Florida - Info?

You could cruise up and down Dunn's creek from Crescent Lake to St. John's River in about an hour, then cruise down to Welaka to check it out....hope you folks enjoy it! Wife and I are dragging boat to Welaka about 2nd week in October....we camp on boat...cruise the Ocklawaha then South to Lake George, Silver Glen Springs, Hontoons, Lake Monroe/Sanford....lots to see and do!...good dockside restaurant in Astor!....

 

[Jim Hawkins]

Re: Dunns Creek, Florida - Info?

good dockside restaurant in Astor!....

Funny you should mention it. This photo is from last years excursion by land. We were sitting at the outside deck, (is it blackwater Inn or something like that?) and saw this rainbow on the other side of the river.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Dunns Creek, Florida - Info?

Yep, pretty darn good seafood and great burgers!.....on down below Hontoon's is Highbanks restaurant/resort.....more good food!...

 

[sphelps]

Re: Dunns Creek, Florida - Info?

All this food talk is making me hungry ! LOL

 

[robert graham]

Re: Dunns Creek, Florida - Info?

All this food talk is making me hungry ! LOL

Well, you know everything's better on the river!....

 

[Jim Hawkins]

Re: Dunns Creek, Florida - Info?

Well today, Sept 27 was our excursion to Dunns Creek and it was great. The creek was as nice as I expected. No Manatee zones. We got to the St. Johns River and I considered heading down to Welaka but the weather was changing. Wind was picking up, (weather said 22 MPH and Lake Wind Advisory) so we headed back East on Dunn's Creek. Stopped for a while at Dunns Creek State Park, then past world famous Lawn Chair Point and on to 3 Bananas restaurant in Crescent City (see below)








Funny thing, in post #10 I told about last years excursion (same day) where we saw a rainbow low over the water while eating riverside in Astor and this year it was like seeing the same rainbow different restaurant. (last photo) I said it was a sign and my wife said yeah, a sign we're going to get wet going back across the lake.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Dunns Creek, Florida - Info?

We spent last week at the Welaka Resort and Lodge....very nice cottages, pool, hot tubs, covered boat slips...if you want to score some points with the boss-lady take here over there for a few days....they have a nice web site to check out!....