The Weeki Wachee River doesn’t need a marketing pitch — it’s spring-fed, clear enough to see straight to the bottom, and runs six miles from the springs to the Gulf. Weeki Fresh Water Adventures, the only kayak and paddleboard outfitter actually on the river at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, handles the put-in; most paddlers run the full six miles downstream to take out at Rogers Park, with Bayport Park as a further option where the river meets the Gulf.
For a different kind of trip, the Withlacoochee River offers public launches at Withlacoochee River Park near Lee and at Lacoochee within Withlacoochee State Forest — both plain public boat ramps rather than outfitted rental spots, so bring your own gear or rent elsewhere first.
Between the two rivers, Hernando County covers both ends of the paddling spectrum: a famous, easy, guided spring run on the Weeki Wachee, and quieter, bring-your-own-boat river access on the Withlacoochee.
Good to know: Weeki Fresh Water Adventures operates at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill. The standard run is springs to Rogers Park, about 6 miles.