Tomoka River

The Tomoka River is a north-flowing river in Volusia County, Florida, United States. It drains an area of about 110 square miles (280 km²) and has a length of 19.6 miles (31.5 km).

The Tomoka rises in the forests of Volusia County between Port Orange and Daytona Beach at an elevation of 23 feet (7.0 m). The river then flows north-northeast, passing through the cities of Daytona Beach and Ormond Beach until it empties into the Halifax River. Near its mouth the river passes through the Tomoka Marsh Aquatic Preserve and Tomoka State Park. It also runs next to the Ormond Beach Municipal Airport and Addison Blockhouse Historic State Park.

The river and several of its tributaries (Strickland, Thompson and Dodson Creek) are designated as a manatee sanctuary. Other threatened species that inhabit the river basin include the wood stork and Atlantic salt marsh snake. The bald eagle can also be found in and around the river basin.

There is a 13 miles (21 km) long designated paddling trail from the Riverbend Nature Park to the Tomoka State Park. This trail is unusual as it actually leads 4 miles (6.4 km) upstream from the put-in point, until the river becomes too narrow to continue, then turns around to continue 8 miles (13 km) to the end. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection recommends this paddling trail for beginners.