Econfina River

The Econfina River is a minor blackwater river in the Big Bend region of Florida. It rises in San Pedro Bay near the boundary between Madison and Taylor counties. From there it flows 44 miles through Taylor County to Apalachee Bay and drains a watershed of 239 square miles. The river lies within the Suwannee River Water Management District. Along its lower course it passes through the 3,004-acre Lower Econfina River Wildlife Management Area, about 16 miles west of Perry. That area includes the Cabbage Creek and Scanlon tracts. Near the mouth is Econfina River State Park, a 4,528-acre park near Lamont that opened in 1989.

The Econfina River Water Trail runs 16 miles and is split into two segments of about 8 miles at the US 98 bridge. The upper half has several access points. Within the wildlife management area, the district's river access points are set up for canoes and small boats. They include the Highway 98 Wayside Park ramp, the Scanlon Tract Paddle Craft Launch and launches off Loughridge Road, Cemetary Road and Whiddon Road. Below US 98 the river has few access points and is described as rugged. Econfina River State Park has two small boat ramps, and the park entrance fee covers launching. The river reaches the Gulf 2.2 miles south of the park ramp. Limestone outcroppings make navigation difficult, and the park describes the river as unsuited to water skiing or wakeboarding. Rocky shoals upstream of the ramp keep power boats out of the more remote stretches.

The upper river has freshwater fishing and the lower river and coast have saltwater fishing. In April 1818, during the First Seminole War, troops under Andrew Jackson fought Red Stick refugees in the Econfina River area.