Steinhatchee River

The Steinhatchee River is a blackwater river in the Big Bend region of Florida. It rises in Mallory Swamp just south of Mayo in Lafayette County, with headwaters in the San Pedro Bay wetlands. From there it flows 34.5 miles to the Gulf of Mexico, forming the boundary between Dixie and Taylor counties, and drains 586 square miles. Near the U.S. Route 19 crossing, about 1 mile of the river runs underground. Steinhatchee Falls lies 8 miles from the mouth, where the river drops over a limestone ledge. The drop ranges from 4 to 5 feet to almost nothing when the water is high. The only communities on the river are Steinhatchee and Jena, near its mouth on Deadman Bay. The river is also used as a port for commercial fish and crab landings.

In 2014 the Florida Department of Environmental Protection designated the river the state's 50th state paddling trail. The trail starts just below Steinhatchee Falls and ends at the Gulf, where wind and tides can affect conditions. The Suwannee River Water Management District runs the free launch at Steinhatchee Falls Park. It is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and takes canoes, kayaks and small boats launched by hand. The district also lists a launch at Stephens Landing. Near the mouth, the Steinhatchee Boat Ramp has several concrete lanes, charges a launch fee and does not allow overnight parking. The Jena Boat Ramp across the river has two lanes and no fee.

Anglers catch both freshwater and saltwater fish, with panfish upriver and saltwater species near the Gulf. Native Americans, Spanish explorers and settlers crossed the river at the falls, where old wagon ruts can still be seen. Fort Frank Brook stood on the river from 1838 to 1840.