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TIM DRISKELL'S ADVENTURES

Turkey Creek at Eglin Air Force Base

A fast, narrow and winding spring-creek paddle with RockADock

This was another excellent RockADock paddle, led by Jimi DaBeard and Sue Pitra. Turkey Creek flows through the Eglin Air Force Base reservation in Florida’s western Panhandle, and it delivers a kind of paddling experience that feels completely different from the broad rivers, bays and coastal waters found elsewhere in the state.

The creek is spring-fed, clear and surprisingly quick. It is not whitewater, but the steady current is strong enough to keep a kayak moving and to demand attention when the channel narrows, bends sharply or slips beneath low branches. Much of the route winds through an intimate corridor of trees where the next turn is only a few boat lengths away.

Gathering for the Paddle

As with most RockADock trips, the day began with boats, gear, conversation and plenty of laughter. Jimi and Sue organized the group and helped everyone get ready for a creek that rewards maneuverable boats and alert paddlers.

The RockADock paddlers gather before launching for a day on Turkey Creek.
The RockADock paddlers gather with Jimi and Sue before shuttling for a day on Turkey Creek.
Paddle leaders Jimi DaBeard and Sue Pitra visit with the group before everyone heads to the water.
Paddle leaders Jimi DaBeard and Sue Pitra speak with the group before everyone heads to the water.
A blue kayak waits at the wooded launch beside the clear spring-fed creek.
A blue kayak waits at the wooded launch beside the clear spring-fed creek.
Kayaks are unloaded and carried toward the launch at Eglin Air Force Base.
Cops checking permits while boats are unloaded and carried toward the launch at Eglin Air Force Base. No permit, no paddle. No exceptions!
A colorful line of kayaks rests in the shallow, transparent water at the launch.
A colorful line of kayaks rests in the shallow, transparent water at the launch.
Boats crowd the sandy edge beneath the small wooden boardwalk as the group prepares to depart.
Boats crowd the sandy edge beneath the bridge as the group prepares to depart.

Eglin Recreation Permit System

Because much of Turkey Creek lies within the Eglin reservation, visitors need to follow Eglin’s outdoor-recreation access system. Paddlers should obtain the required recreation permit, check the current public-access map and verify that the intended area is open before entering. Military training can temporarily close portions of the reservation, so conditions and access should always be confirmed close to the trip date.

The permit system adds a little preparation, but it also helps protect the reservation’s natural resources and keeps paddlers away from active training areas. Current permit rules, closures and access instructions should be checked directly with Eglin’s official outdoor-recreation program before a visit.

Into the Narrow, Winding Creek

Once underway, the character of Turkey Creek became obvious. The water was shallow enough in places to reveal the pale sandy bottom, yet the current moved with real purpose. Tight bends arrived one after another, often beneath arching limbs that turned the creek into a living tunnel.

The group enters the narrow creek beneath low, arching branches.
The group enters the narrow creek beneath low, arching branches.
Paddlers weave carefully through one of Turkey Creek’s tight, shaded bends.
Paddlers weave carefully through one of Turkey Creek’s tight, shaded bends.
Tim enjoys the clear water and intimate forest setting of Turkey Creek.
Tim enjoys the clear water and intimate forest setting of Turkey Creek.
The bow of the blue kayak points into another tunnel of overhanging trees.
The bow of the blue kayak points into another tunnel of overhanging trees. Cold, sand and gravel, the perfect spring run.
A paddler in a green kayak rounds a narrow bend beneath the dense canopy.
A paddler in a green kayak rounds a narrow bend beneath the dense canopy.
Clear spring water and a sandy bottom remain visible through the winding forest passage.
Clear spring water and a sandy bottom remain visible through the winding forest passage.
The creek’s current quickens over a shallow riffle, adding excitement to the paddle.
The creek’s current quickens over a shallow riffle, adding excitement to the paddle.
A paddler threads through fallen limbs and tight vegetation along the creek.
A paddler threads through fallen limbs and tight vegetation along the creek.

Fast Water and Constant Turns

The faster sections were never extreme, but they required good boat control. A paddler had to read the current, set up early for each turn and avoid being pushed toward submerged limbs or the outside bank. That combination of speed, clarity and close forest made the creek playful and engaging from beginning to end.

The RockADock group reaches a wider stretch after navigating the narrow upper creek.
The RockADock group reaches a wider stretch after navigating the narrow upper creek.
The paddlers regroup in a calm opening surrounded by dark forest.
The paddlers regroup in a calm opening surrounded by dark forest.
The group follows the green kayak through another beautiful sunlit stretch.
The group follows the green kayak through another beautiful sunlit stretch.
Tim pauses for a photograph while the group continues downstream behind him.
Tim pauses for a photograph while the group continues downstream behind him.

A Fine Finish to Another RockADock Adventure

Eventually the channel broadened, the group relaxed and the trip began to wind down. It had been an ideal day: clear water, mild conditions, a lively current and a good group of paddlers sharing one of the Florida Panhandle’s most distinctive waterways. Jimi DaBeard and Sue Pitra once again led an excellent outing and introduced the group to a creek well worth the extra planning required to reach it.

The Turkey Creek shuttle vehicle is a welcome sight near the end of the trip.
The Turkey Creek shuttle vehicle is a welcome sight near the end of the trip.
The Turkey Creek Walk sign marks the recreation area in Niceville.
The Turkey Creek Walk sign marks the recreation area in Niceville.
The group relaxes together after another excellent RockADock paddle.
The group relaxes together after another excellent RockADock paddle.

Complete Turkey Creek Photo Gallery

Every photograph from this adventure is included below. Click any image to open the full-size JPEG.

The RockADock paddlers gather before launching for a day on Turkey Creek.
The RockADock paddlers gather before launching for a day on Turkey Creek.
Paddle leaders Jimi DaBeard and Sue Pitra visit with the group before everyone heads to the water.
Paddle leaders Jimi DaBeard and Sue Pitra visit with the group before everyone heads to the water.
A blue kayak waits at the wooded launch beside the clear spring-fed creek.
A blue kayak waits at the wooded launch beside the clear spring-fed creek.
Kayaks are unloaded and carried toward the launch at Eglin Air Force Base.
Kayaks are unloaded and carried toward the launch at Eglin Air Force Base.
A colorful line of kayaks rests in the shallow, transparent water at the launch.
A colorful line of kayaks rests in the shallow, transparent water at the launch.
Boats crowd the sandy edge beneath the small wooden boardwalk as the group prepares to depart.
Boats crowd the sandy edge beneath the small wooden boardwalk as the group prepares to depart.
The group enters the narrow creek beneath low, arching branches.
The group enters the narrow creek beneath low, arching branches.
Paddlers weave carefully through one of Turkey Creek’s tight, shaded bends.
Paddlers weave carefully through one of Turkey Creek’s tight, shaded bends.
Tim enjoys the clear water and intimate forest setting of Turkey Creek.
Tim enjoys the clear water and intimate forest setting of Turkey Creek.
The bow of the blue kayak points into another tunnel of overhanging trees.
The bow of the blue kayak points into another tunnel of overhanging trees.
A paddler in a green kayak rounds a narrow bend beneath the dense canopy.
A paddler in a green kayak rounds a narrow bend beneath the dense canopy.
Clear spring water and a sandy bottom remain visible through the winding forest passage.
Clear spring water and a sandy bottom remain visible through the winding forest passage.
The creek’s current quickens over a shallow riffle, adding excitement to the paddle.
The creek’s current quickens over a shallow riffle, adding excitement to the paddle.
A paddler threads through fallen limbs and tight vegetation along the creek.
A paddler threads through fallen limbs and tight vegetation along the creek.
The RockADock group reaches a wider stretch after navigating the narrow upper creek.
The RockADock group reaches a wider stretch after navigating the narrow upper creek.
The paddlers regroup in a calm opening surrounded by dark forest.
The paddlers regroup in a calm opening surrounded by dark forest.
The group follows the green kayak through another beautiful sunlit stretch.
The group follows the green kayak through another beautiful sunlit stretch.
Tim pauses for a photograph while the group continues downstream behind him.
Tim pauses for a photograph while the group continues downstream behind him.
The Turkey Creek shuttle vehicle is a welcome sight near the end of the trip.
The Turkey Creek shuttle vehicle is a welcome sight near the end of the trip.
The Turkey Creek Walk sign marks the recreation area in Niceville.
The Turkey Creek Walk sign marks the recreation area in Niceville.
The group relaxes together after another excellent RockADock paddle.
The group relaxes together after another excellent RockADock paddle.