Suwannee River State Park Website
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This is one of our all time favorite state parks for a variety of reasons. In no particular order; the camping sites are all pretty decent especially those on the outside loop having the desirable trait of privacy. This park hits all of our desirable activity areas–> hiking, biking, and water sports. Added bonus: you are able to reserve site specific sites.
Brief History
This park is situated where the Withlacoochee River joins the Suwannee River on its way to the Gulf of Mexico. There are remnants of its place in history with long mounds of earthworks that were built to guard against Union boats during the Civil War. There are some old cemeteries and decrepit paddle wheels. You may be a history buff so here is a link where you can find some meatier tidbits than what I am mentioning.
Activity overview
Hiking
Here is the official park trail map.
Lime sink area- the green is not algae but rather green seeds/pods
Ginnie Springs on the river trail
Balance Rock on the River trail and this trail can continue along the river for about another mile before it loops back into the park for a 6 mile loop
At this park there are 18 miles of trails which have dual purpose of hiking and single track biking. A blogger named Beverly Hill has done a great job of highlighting the park trails. Click her for her link. However-since she has been there the park has created some connectors and the it is now possible to create the most awesome @5mile loop by doing a combo of suwannee river trail, balanced rock trail and lime springs using the new connector trails . Another great hike that is accessed near this park is “Big Oak Trail” that we find easiest to access by kayaking across the river and jumping on the trail there. Lastly- the Florida trail intersects this park but my research has shown that this is a bit complicated going thru private land and such. We have also found a multitude of trails crossing the pedestrian bridge from the park.
pedestrian bridge that takes you to some awesome hikes. You can see the bridge for the train from here.
Suwanacoochee Spring – at the conjunction of the suwannee and the withlacoochee river. Take the pedestrian bridge to the picnic area on the right and follow the trail that leads to the withlacoochee. You will go under the railroad track.
Here is a description of the trail from AllTrails that will take you from the earthworks trail in the park to the suwanacoochee spring. This means you will see the ghost town of ellaville, have access to orange and red trails, have access to hiking the trail that goes along side the withlacoohee and if you go to the parking lot at that elllaville location and find one of the trails that leads down to the suwannee side of the river you will be on another trail. SIDE NOTE: (When you take the this trail, as you exit the park –>you will go over some railroad tracks….. walk to your right like you are going to the river AFTER you go over the tracks and look for a path on your left that will take you down what looks like a ravine…. THERE IS THE BEST SPRING hiding THERE!!! )
Water sports
For paddlers, fisherpeople and water lovers there are miles of rivers in 3 directions. There is on site canoe rentals and access to outfitters who provides your group with kayaks/canoes and you can arrange to paddle downstream and they bring you back to your starting point. Here is a link to the list. I personally have done the trip from Gibson park (big thank you to our friends at campendium which was one of the only sites I could find info on this park!!) which is about 7 miles upriver and if you have a vehicle it is a very easy drop off. (this is a city park and it has rv camping too) The campground is about 1/4 mile from the water. We have wheels that easily attach to our kayaks and make transporting them very easy.
kayaking down the suwannee river
The RIVER! This is part of the Florida paddlers network of parks. Here is a link to the official site for the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail and here is the link to the River Wilderness Trail PDF. In the past, I had an inflatable Hobie SUP and Keith had his ORU kayak. This was before we got the Yakup hookup for our previous Class C motorhome and that we currently use on our Class A motorhome. We both can paddle for hours safely and feel transported to another world. In my limited world of river activity (prior ocean only girl here!) , We are in awe of the natural beauty of this park. Just 500 yards downstream… paddle/float and take that first right turn where the Suwannee River meets the Withlacoochee River. This segment is often crystal clear and there is swimming spring where you can utlize the current as your very own endless pool! (see the information above about the suwanacooche spring) Wait until you see one of those 4-5 foot Sturgeons belly flop into the water. We see bass and catfish all over the rivers. Depending on the water level, boat activity changes but we have found the boaters very respectful. Boaters beware- there are lots of trees and rocks hidden just below the surface. Like most rivers and lakes you do need to have a current fishing license. Boat Ramp is user friendly to all and has a staging area and large parking lot nearby.
Boat launch- a little steep and the water exposed areas are a bit slippery.
Biking
Biking is permitted on all the hiking trails here. I personally find them to have too many roots in some locations to be enjoyable but those sections are easily walkable. For biking enthusiasts that want a good long ride: Keith is enjoying the 30 mile round trip road/hard packed clay back roads he discovered that takes him from Suwannee River State Park to Suwannee Music Park. There is a nice convenience store at the turnaround point.
Here is Keith’s input about Activities in the Dark: I love getting out after we arrive on Friday evening and going for a bike ride or walk, as well as waking up early before the sun rises and having the place all to my self and watching the sun breaking over the horizon. Therefore, lighting becomes an important part of my equipment. I have a black diamond headset that is rechargeable and gives great light for hiking or just walking to the bathhouse in the middle of the night. For my bike, I have brighter lights using a Serfas True 1000+ lumens and a Cat Eye Volt1200, both do a great job. I learned the hard way to make sure they are fully charged before heading out. One evening after we set up camp, I decided to do some single track and my light went out with only about 30 seconds of warning. I was caught in pitch black, walking carefully as I pushed my bike back to camp. Fortunately, did not go down, but now I charge everything before we leave on Fridays.
MISC.
Familes and other: For those not in RVs or Tents there are some great cabins near the water but not water view. There is a nice playground for children and a picnic area overlooking the river. Here is the link to Reserve America where all the reservations take place for cabins and campsites.
Campground details
Here is the link to Reserve America to book your campsite.
Unless you have a popup/tramp/rpod or tent DO NOT CHOOSE SITE 16.
There is 30 and 50 amp and max size for vehicle is 45 feet. Most sites have two poles for hanging laundry, picnic table, fire pit. The newly renovated reserve america site has pictures of the campsites and more detailed information. This campground does keep a couple of sites open for Walk Ins and this included TWO handicap Sites that are not “reservable online but can be reserved in person or maybe even phone” . The sites are sand, so a mat be desired to keep RV from getting sand tracked in. The bathrooms are clean, heated in winter and fan cooled in the warmer months. Washer and dryer available- $1.50 quarters only and no change machine. All sites have sewer but make sure you have an extension, several of the sites have the sewer in an awkward position. The ground cover is firm and pretty level, but truthfully we aren’t real picky about that because our RV is forgiving with some unevenness. We have sprint cell service and found that even with a booster we struggled to get more than 2 bars until we got our verizon jetpacks and now we are able to function pretty normal.
Weather
This park is awesome in all weather and seasons.
– Middle of winter and I am able to paddle down the river with just a light jacket and bare feet. I did buy a full wet suit future use under 50$. Keith and I both prescribe to wearing layers to address the weather. This weekend for me it was The North Face hiking pants (picked up at Goodwill for $3.95) The North Face short sleeve shirt, Craft base layer and in the early morning my favorite Arcteryx jacket. Keith tends toward Craft base layer with a windbreaker and shorts (he is tough!)
–In the Summer, we tend to hike in the early morning and it never seems as hot by the river (which is fed by ice cold springs) even though it is the same temperatures. We each have a personal fan for summer- 2 reasons- cooler outside and blows bugs away! I hibernate the hottest parts of the day and paddle and swim intermittently. Keith goes off on his road bike and will bike 30 miles at noon to the Suwannee Music Park and back. p.s There are great music groups, concerts and events at this park which also offers camping and cabins.
Final Word
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