Ready for a lazy good time?

You can have a lazy good time by floating down the local waterway known as Econfina Creek. High banks and very tall trees surround this river. This winding river gently flows past sprawling live oak trees, vibrant robust magnolia trees, and moss-covered cypress trees. The sun shining through the leaves glistening on the water is a beautiful sight to behold. There is something so calming and peaceful about gently gliding down a river. Econfina gets its name from an abbreviation of two terms. The first part is ekana that means “earthy”. The second part is based on feno. Feno means “footlong” or “bridge”. This refers to a natural bridge that once crossed the river upstream. Built in the 1820’s “The Belammy Road” that went from Pensacola to St. Augustine once crossed this natural bridge. The natural bridge collapsed during the 19th century. Over 120 archeological sites have been identified in the Econfina area and some are even prehistoric. Paleo-Indian arrowheads dating 7,000 years old have been found in some of the dig sites. The Choctaw and Creek peoples inhabited this area until they were forced to leave during the 1830s. This was due to the Native Indian relocation by the United States government called the “Trail of Tears”. This is a unique place to visit and to experience a special part of Florida. Econfina Creek is a nice change of pace from the beaches and salt water of the Panama City Beach area. This park is a short 30-minute drive north from Panama City Florida on State Road 77 then east on State Road 20 for around 8.5 miles. This massive property consists of 41,363 acres. Most of the property can be found in between State Road 77 and State Road 231, North of State Road 20. It inhabits the Bay and Washington counties. The Econfina Creek eventually makes its way into Deer Point Lake. This recreation area features ample opportunities to hike, tube, swim, canoe, kayak, horseback ride, hunt, fish and even camp. There is no charge to enter the recreation area. However, there is Econfina Canoe Livery near Williford Springs that offers kayak and canoe rentals with return shuttle service included with the rental fee. The park opens at sunrise and closes at sunset. No pets are allowed here with the exception of service animals. One of the easiest and most accessible areas of this Econfina Creek Recreation Area is a section directly off State Road 20 called Pitt and Sylvan Springs Park. This is a small park that mainly features Pitt springs with trails to Sylvan and Williford Springs. Pitt spring is 11 feet deep with a 40-foot diameter. The crystal clear 68-degree water churns out a constant steady flow of water from the aquifer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The clear water bubbles up and gently rolls out about 50 feet to join the brackish waters of the Econfina Creek. At Pitt spring there are several picnic tables with a pavilion suitable for having a picnic or party. They even have grills. The tables are first come first serve. There are benches and a walkway that descends into the spring. There is a boardwalk that takes you out to the creek to a floating dock. This is one place a tuber or kayaker can exit the creek. There are many educational signs explaining the springs and other natural phenomena in the area. There are bathrooms close to the parking lot. A boardwalk goes beyond the bathrooms. This boardwalk takes you to a trail that leads to a tube launch, Sylvan springs, and Williford spring. The tube launch provides a short tube ride back to the Pitt spring creek exit at the floating dock. If you opt not to go to the tube launch you will come to another boardwalk that travels across a swampy area and to an overlook of another beautiful spring called Sylvan springs. From here you can go back to Pitt Park or if you want a longer tube ride and do not mind hiking, you can continue to the Williford spring. This trail eventually takes you further upstream. The trail is somewhat challenging with some inclines and declines through hills. One highlight of this trail is a nice overlook view from bluffs standing approximately 100 feet above the Econfina Creek. After around a mile, the trail will arrive at Williford spring. Here there is another park similar to Pitt spring. There are picnic tables, bathrooms, and educational signs here as well. This spring is a little larger at 57 feet in diameter and 10 feet deep. Williford Spring has a 450 feet clear stream that winds its way to Econfina. There a long boardwalk that parallels the clear creek on one side and features a swamp with cypress knees on the other. This boardwalk takes you to another floating dock. Launching a tube, raft, or kayak from here provides a long enjoyable ride back to the Pitt spring exit dock. This is an amazing place to visit and a nice change of pace from the usual beach activities. The best part of this whole experience is that it is free. You can just bring a tube or raft and have a fun free lazy good time.