Choctawhatchee River
The Choctawhatchee River is a 141-mile river that runs through southeast Alabama and the Florida Panhandle and empties into Choctawhatchee Bay in Okaloosa and Walton counties. It suits paddlers who want a long, mostly forested river with clean water and few buildings along the banks. Our internal record, verified 15 Oct 2026, lists it as a state-designated paddling route managed by FWC and NWFWMD, with free entry and open all year, but the sources we used do not give ramp locations, so check the FWC or NWFWMD pages before you go.
Should you go to Choctawhatchee River tomorrow?
Go, but check conditions first
- Breezy, up to 15 mph.
- Dry daytime forecast.
- Up to 75°F.
- Tue 20Light wind, up to 10 mph
- Wed 21Light wind, up to 10 mph
- Thu 22Light wind, up to 5 mph
- Fri 23Light wind, up to 10 mph
- Sat 24Breezy, up to 15 mph
Weather at Choctawhatchee River, tomorrow
| Time | Sky | Temp | Wind | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 am | Sunny | 56°F | NE 15 mph | 0% |
| 9 am | Sunny | 58°F | ENE 15 mph | 0% |
| 11 am | Sunny | 65°F | NE 15 mph | 0% |
| 1 pm | Sunny | 73°F | NE 10 mph | 0% |
| 3 pm | Sunny | 75°F | NE 10 mph | 0% |
| 5 pm | Sunny | 73°F | NNE 10 mph | 0% |
Daylight
| Sunrise | 6:49 am |
|---|---|
| Sunset | 6:09 pm |
| Question visitors ask | Where can you paddle the Choctawhatchee River in Florida? |
|---|---|
| County | Walton County |
| Official site | myfwc.com |
What kind of river is the Choctawhatchee?
The Choctawhatchee River is 141 miles (227 km) long. It starts as two forks in Barbour County, Alabama, flows into Florida, and then continues southwest through Holmes, Walton and Bay counties before reaching Choctawhatchee Bay. Major Florida tributaries include the Holmes, Wright, Sandy, Pine Log, Seven Run and Bruce creeks.
The Choctawhatchee River has little industry along its banks. Its water is generally clean, with excess turbidity as the main problem, usually from runoff from unpaved county roads. The Florida section has more wastewater treatment plants, animal-waste sites and erosion than the Alabama section.
What wildlife can you see on the Choctawhatchee River?
The lower Choctawhatchee River has pitcher-plant bog and swamp habitat, with cypress trees draped in Spanish moss. Alligators are found in the lower reaches of the river. Gulf sturgeon, Alabama shad and skipjack shad use the river for spawning, and sunfish, channel catfish and spotted bass are among the fish species that live there.
About 70% of the river's watershed is forested. Trees along the river include southern pine, beech, magnolia, laurel oak and American holly. Paddlers should expect a wild setting with few signs of development.
Does the Choctawhatchee River flood?
The Choctawhatchee River has flooded before. It flooded Geneva in the Lincoln Freshet of 1865 and in the Hoover Flood of 1929. In the March 1990 flood, damage exceeded $88 million, according to Wikipedia, and in July 1994 the river rose to 29 feet at Caryville, submerging most of the town.
Flood conditions change how the river runs, so check the current river level and any official advisories before you go. This page does not give a current level.
Choctawhatchee River: questions visitors ask
Where can you paddle the Choctawhatchee River in Florida?
The Choctawhatchee River runs through Holmes, Walton and Bay counties in Florida before reaching Choctawhatchee Bay in Okaloosa and Walton counties. Our internal record lists it as a state-designated paddling route managed by FWC and NWFWMD, but the sources we used do not name specific put-in or take-out points, so check the FWC or NWFWMD pages before you go.
Is there an entry fee to paddle the Choctawhatchee River?
Our internal record, verified 15 Oct 2026, lists entry as free. The sources we used do not cover fees or access rules, so check the FWC or NWFWMD pages before you go.
Is the Choctawhatchee River clean enough to paddle?
According to Wikipedia, the Choctawhatchee River has little industry along its banks and generally clean water, with excess turbidity as the main issue, usually from runoff from unpaved county roads. Some Florida tributaries and sections have wastewater and erosion problems, so check current water conditions before you go.
Are there alligators in the Choctawhatchee River?
Yes. According to Wikipedia, alligators are found in the lower reaches of the Choctawhatchee River. Paddlers should keep a safe distance from wildlife.
Where does the Choctawhatchee River end?
The Choctawhatchee River empties into Choctawhatchee Bay in Okaloosa and Walton counties. According to Wikipedia, the bay drains into the Gulf of Mexico at East Pass near Destin.
News about Choctawhatchee River
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