Edgewater Paddling Trails
Click for Interactive Paddling Trail Map.
A member of the Florida Paddling Trails Association, the City of Edgewater is the first designated Blueway Community in Volusia County.
ALL TRAILS
All the trails shown below utilize the beach area of Menard-May Park as the launch point. Menard-May Park is located at 413 S. Riverside Drive, Edgewater, FL 32132. This park features, restrooms, beach launch point, fishing pier and parking. Menard-May Park is within walking distance of a U.S. Post Office, City Hall, hardware store and restaurants.
You can paddle around these Mangrove Islands and see many species of birds including, Blue Herons, Snowy Egrets, Brown and White Pelicans, Rosette Spoonbills and Osprey, just to name a few. You may also spot, sea turtles, dolphin, manatee along with various species of crabs and rays. There are quite a few Oyster Beds, so closed-toed water shoes are recommended.
Safety Tips:
- Always cross the ICW in a tight knit group
- Be sure to paddle close to the islands
- Be careful as you paddle any of the deep water channels used by power boats
- Be sure to wear life jacket
- Bring an emergency signaling device such as a plastic whistle
THREE SISTERS TRAIL - Approximately 5 Miles
Launch from the beach area of Menard-May Park, paddle across the ICW to “Firecracker Island", note there is a large sandbar at low tide. Paddle around the sandbar and stay to the right beside the island. Three Sisters is a cluster of three sandy islands at low tide with some Mangroves on each. On your way back, stay to one side or the other of the channel, as this area is also a main thoroughfare for local boaters, fisherman and water sports enthusiasts.
BROWNS BAY TRAIL - Approximately 2.6 Miles
Launch at the beach area of Menard-May Park. Paddle across the ICW to Firecracker Island, note the large sandbar at low tide. Be careful as you paddle off of the sandbar and across the deep water channel. This channel is the only course that power boats can use. This is not a slow zone for power boats. Stay to the right so you can safely enter Brown’s Bay. You will see some of the markers for this trail – an Eagle Scout project for a local young man a few years ago. As you enter back into the river, take precautions as you cross the deep water channel and ICW back to Menard-May Park.
NORTH TRAIL - Approximately 2.6 Miles
Launch from the beach at Menard-May Park. Cross the ICW and Firecracker Island, note the large sand bar at low tide. As you exit the sandbar and cross the narrow deep water channel, be careful of power boats. This is not a no-wake zone. Once you cross, stay on the left next to the island. Power boats do travel through this area. Most are moving quickly so be sure the stay close to the island.
PINE ISLAND BAY TRAIL - Approximately 3 Miles
Launch from the beach at Menard-May Park. Paddle across the ICW to Firecracker Island, note the large sandbar at low tide. Turn right and stay right as you paddle next to the island. Paddle across the deep water channel mindful of powerboats to the trail on the left. When you turn around and exit trail, be careful of power boats and stay close to the island until you cross the channel and ICW as your return back to Menard-May Park.
SOUTH TRAIL - Approximately 2.5 Miles
Launch from the beach at Menard-May Park, paddle across the ICW, note the large sandbar at low tide. Keep to your right as you paddle alongside the island. Power boats, fisherman, personal watercrafts are plentiful and moving quickly as this is not a no-wake zone. As you enter the narrow channel and cross the ICW watch for power boats and stay to one side so you can be seen and out of harm’s way. Turn north and paddle outside of the main channel of the ICW for safety.
SOUTHEAST TRAIL - Approximately 2.85 Miles
Launch from the beach at Menard-May Park, paddle across the ICW and Firecracker Island, and note the large sandbar at low tide. Turn right and stay to the right as you paddle south just past the cut on the right, and paddle left around the Mangrove island on the east side of the channel. Be mindful of the power boats, the deep water channels are not in a no-wake zone.
Click for more information about Florida Paddling Trails Association.
