Lafayette Passage Paddling Trail
Update on Conditions
The City Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Affairs Department (PRNA) is assisting the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to accomplish a major maintenance operation on the Lafayette Passage Paddle Trail. Specialized equipment is being used to shred decades of accumulated muck and floating islands of vegetation that clog much of Lower Lake Lafayette, create open areas for fishing and wildlife viewing, and assure long term navigability on the trail. In the short term, this work creates floating debris and muddy patches that may temporarily block the trail corridor but will continue to be treated and will ultimately be removed from the trail. During this project, paddlers will find navigating some muddy patches to be very challenging but will find long stretches of clear water beyond with occasional muddy spots that will again be difficult to navigate. Work is expected to continue through 05/26. Paddling will remain difficult in some areas of the trail during that time and for two weeks following. Paddling in Piney Z Lake is unaffected by this work. For more information call PRNA at 891-3866 or 933-6631.
- Lafayette Paddling Trail Video (9MB WMV)
- Lafayette Passage Paddling Guide (1MB PDF)
- View the online map of this trail (1.24MB SWF)
General Information
This trail is a 7.8 mile round trip from the boat ramp at Piney Z Lake, or a 6 mile round trip from the boat ramp at the end of "Road to The Lake" in Chaires. Be sure to plan your trip accordingly. Have plenty of water, snacks, proper clothing and know your ability. Paddling the entire trail from Piney Z Lake will take about 4 hours or more. Currently, there are no dry land rest areas provided along the trail.
Entering Lower Lake Lafayette from Piney Z Lake requires a portage over the earthen dam between the lakes. The portage includes a 25' slope from the Piney Z take-out to the top of the dam, and a similar decline to the put-in area on Lower Lake Lafayette. The entire distance is roughly 50'' over a grassed earth. A beach area, covered with small gravel, is located at each end of the portage to facilitate exiting and entering boats.
The "Road to the Lake" is an actual road that follows the railroad track in Chaires. Follow the road to the end, it will enter a wooded area, to a small dirt ramp and small parking area. Boats may be trailer launched. To enter the trail from Piney Z Lake, take Heritage Park Blvd., which goes through the Piney Z Plantation neighborhood, off of Conner Blvd. Heritage Park Blvd. will end at the Lafayette Heritage Trail Park parking area. A large dirt parking area is provided at the south end of the parking lot and signs show how to reach the hand boat launch located there. Boats must be carried 120' to the launch.
For information please call the Tallahassee Parks and Recreation Department Trail Supervisor, Chuck Goodheart, at 933-6631.