Chassahowitzka means "pumpkin hanging place." There aren't any of these rare pumpkins to see anymore, but there are some cool sights to see along this 5-mile river. Cave tunnels to swim through, tropical jungles, swimming holes with tree swings, and more! Read and take some notes on where to chill on "The Chaz".
The Chassahowitzka Campground is the easiest place to launch your kayak, boat, or paddleboard onto the river. Parking for just a car is $5 and $7 for cars with boat trailers.
You can also rent a kayak for $25 a day! What a deal!
The campground is a little hard to find. When driving down W. Miss Maggie Dr., you will pass the Chasshowitzka River Lodge and the hotel. When you see a few small signs about the campground on your right, take the right turn immediately after them.
The shop keeper gave us a map, but we also talked to the guy who helped us with our kayaks about where we should go to see the sights of "The Chaz". He told us about "The Crack" and Seven Sisters Springs. "The Crack" was the furthest from the dock so we headed there first.
Taking a left out of the campground we kayaked about half a mile down the river. We were instructed to keep to the sides of the river, due to boats passing by and watching out for the wakes they created.
To get to "The Crack" you will take the second stream that appears on your left. This tributary gets very shallow at points, and the current is a bit odd. It comes from the side trying to push you into the bank. You will come to the big opening before moving into the narrowest part of the stream.
The hardest section is kayaking through the tall reedy grass. I felt like I was kayaking in Vietnam. It also gets very buggy around here, so spray up. This section can also be difficult if a kayak is coming from the opposite direction trying to pass through. Going earlier in the day can help you avoid crowded river traffic.
After that, the kayaking eases up a bit, but then you will arrive at a section where it is too shallow and you will have to pull your kayak the rest of the way. This means you very close.
You will be able to see a clearing a ways off, and you won't be able to get your kayak any closer. Park it securely on the bank and grab anything of you want to have with you. Climbing over a few fallen tree branches, the swimming hole and this orb of natural serenity will flood your sight.
It's called "The Crack" because at the far end of the swimming hole there is a deep crevice where saltwater flows into the freshwater. There is a swing you can use to fly over the swimming hole. It is very shallow water, so I wouldn't suggest jumping off the swing into the water. You can either pull your self onto the seat and have someone push you. Or if you climb the tree branches towards the side of the swimming hole and have someone toss you the swing you can fly off from there.
The large tree that arches over has some rungs nailed to it. If you feel adventurous and are not afraid of heights, you can climb up and take in the stunning view from above.
Can't come to "The Crack" and not swim in it! The clarity is pretty poor, but it is cool and you can see some fishes.
After conquering "The Crack," we headed back up the river towards the campground to head to Seven Sisters Springs. The kayaking out "The Crack" was easier than kayaking in. As we paddled back up the river we saw tons of fish leaping out of the water into the air!
Once you reach the campground you will keep kayaking a little bit further. You will see an abandoned-looking house on your right and an option to follow the river to the left. On your left will be Seven Sisters Springs. There isn't any sign to notify you, but you will see other kayaks and boats. The Seven Sisters Spring is where all these cave-like swim-throughs are. Park your kayak up on the bank and get ready to dive in.
I always did a little recon before diving and swimming through the cave tunnels, so I knew where I was going. Most of them are decently sized, but you have to use your arms to pull yourself through rather than kicking your legs. In the first group of cave tunnels, there are about 4 that are connected. You can swim through them individually or go from start to finish.
There is also a fifth one you can see down, but it is too narrow to dive into.
Further down the way are two holes by a giant log that are wider than the first few. This swim-through is a little different because it is kind of at a slant.
If you can dive and swim through theses tunnels, I highly suggest doing so but be smart and safe.
We rented our kayaks for the day and started our adventure at 10:30 a.m. You have to return your kayak by 4 p.m. and we made our way back at 3:30 p.m. It is so easy to waste day away with water filled fun on "The Chaz!"
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