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Tannic colored river with sand banks

Florida Trail, Alapaha

7.7 miles. Along the limestone-bordered waters of the Alapaha and Suwannee Rivers, the Alapaha section of the Florida Trail explores unique geography within a densely forested landscape.

Florida Trail, Suwannee  |  Live Oak
( 30.438848, -83.092925 )      7.7 miles

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The Alapaha and Suwannee Rivers both have origins in southern Georgia, where they flow south into the Florida peninsula.

At the confluence of these rivers, much of the land is protected by the Suwannee River Water Management District, after which the trail enters Suwannee River State Park.

Outstanding views of the waterways and surrounding woodland occur throughout this hike, along with notable geologic features and one designated campsite.

Benches around a stone fire ring under trees Alapaha Campsite


Resources

Resources for exploring the area

Florida Trail Hikes book cover The Florida Trail Guide book cover Florida Trail small coffee table book

Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.


Overview

Location: Jasper
Length: 7.7 miles linear
Trailhead: 30.438848, -83.092925
Address: CR 249, Jasper
Fees: Free
Restrooms: At Gibson Park
Land managers: Hamilton County, Suwannee River Water Management District, Florida State Parks
Phone: 386-792-1631

Dogs are allowed on a leash. Backpackers welcome. Check on river levels in advance to ensure the trail will not be flooded through this section.

No permits required for the Alapaha campsite, which has access to the river confluence for water.

Limited space for tenting.

River view

 
Campsites are available at Gibson Park for a fee. Overnight parking permitted. Please see the camp host for a site or if leaving your car overnight.
 
Vandalism has been reported at the Big Oak Parking area on SW 46th Ave. Do not leave cars overnight there.


Directions

 
From Interstate 75 in Jasper, head southwest on SR 6 for 3.2 miles, then turn left onto CR 751. Continue for 3.6 mile, the county park and parking lot will be on the right side of the road.

Hike

From the parking area at Gibson Park, follow CR 751 north. This brief roadwalk crosses a bridge over the Alapaha River before leaving the road at a Florida Trail sign.

After the trail drops down an embankment adjacent to the bridge, the river immediately becomes visible alongside it.

FNST sign with orange blazes beneath Turn off CR 751 to enter the Alapaha section


The woodland pathway parallels this waterway downstream towards the Suwannee River.

Water volume for both rivers fluctuates greatly, carving a winding path through sand and limestone at low levels.

Winding river Winding Alapaha


After a mile, a former land management boundary is evidenced by a stile that once took hikers over a barbed wire fence.

Although it is no longer necessary, the stile serves as a reminder of the constantly evolving nature of conservation lands.

Wooden ladder next to footpath Old stile


Near the two-mile mark, a blue blazed side trail leads to the Alapaha campsite, a designated camping area at the confluence of the Alapaha and Suwannee Rivers.

The turn towards this spot is marked with a post and campsite symbol.

Trail sign with campsite symbol Sign pointing to Alapaha campsite


Even if you are not camping, the brief side trip is worth the ramble for a view of where the Alapaha flows into the Suwannee River.

A trail leads from the campsite to this rocky peninsula between the rivers.

Rock face with holes at tannic confluence The Alapaha flows from behind this rock face into the Suwannee


Sweeping to the right, the path begins to follow the majestic Suwannee, though it is not yet visible through the bankside vegetation.

Orange blazes adorn large oak trees under an established canopy, leading to a short walk along a dirt road before the trail again cuts towards the river.

Orange blazed oak Orange blazed oak


Intriguing geological formations abound in this area, owing to the exposed limestone in the karst landscape.

The trail heads away from the river momentarily, circling the first of these noticeable topographies, a curious rocky depression resembling a slough.

Swirl of water in sinkhole Karst formation


Turning away from the river, the trail shoots northwest for a short jaunt before taking a sharp left turn off Alapaha Rd.

Blazes indicate the way through an established hardwood hammock for 0.7 mile to the first glimpse of the river atop a limestone bluff.

River view between trees Suwannee bluff


In a quarter mile, weather-worn signs indicate you have entered the northern shore of Suwannee River State Park.

The trail delivers stunning vistas of rocky embankments alongside the river while continuing to negotiate the forested bluffs.

River view from bluff Limestone boulders alongside the river


Continue for 1.6 miles, and if the conditions are right, crystal clear waters flow from a spring alongside the river.

A short, root-bordered ravine is carved from the bluff where the cool waters rush out to a beach alongside the tannic Suwannee.

Cascading water Small riverside spring


After another half mile, the trail passes a geological formation known as Five Holes.

The sinkholes themselves have been fenced off by the state due to safety concerns.

Sign on tree next to footpath FNST sign on tree


A short roadwalk begins in a quarter mile, where the trail leaves the woodlands next to a large sign affixed to an oak tree.

Continue following blazes for 0.2 mile, finishing the hike at the Big Oak Trail parking area.

winding dirt road in forest SW 46th Ave is a dirt road through river forest to the Big Oak Parking area


NORTHBOUND: Florida Trail, Big Oak Trail
SOUTHBOUND: Florida Trail, Holton Creek WMA

Trail Map

Florida Trail Alapaha Trail Map


Explore More!

Learn more about the Suwannee section of the Florida Trail

No Name Creek

Florida Trail, Suwannee

74.8 miles. Along the Suwannee River, the Florida Trail clings to bluffs and scrambles through ravines for physical challenges and great scenery


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

View of railroad bridge and rivers from peninsula

Big Oak Trail

The Big Oak Trail is one of the most scenic hikes in North Florida. Much of the hiking parallels the Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers, which meet here at a confluence.

Limestone formation along the Suwannee River

Suwannee River State Park

Perched on the bluffs at the confluence of the Withlacoochee and Suwannee Rivers, Suwannee River State Park is one of those don’t-miss Florida outdoors experiences, with two ghost towns, Civil War battlements that once protected a strategic railroad bridge, and the ruins of a former governor’s riverfront mansion.

Madison Blue Springs

Madison Blue Spring State Park

A long-time Old Florida swimming hole along SR 6 between the towns of Lee and Jasper, Madison Blue Spring is a sinkhole pouring out a first-magnitude spring into the Withlacoochee River.

Lafayette Blue Springs

Lafayette Blue Springs State Park

Lafayette Blue Springs was an old swimming hole for folks in Mayo and the rural communities west of Live Oak, a hidden beauty spot along the Suwannee River that is now a state park.

Official Website

Category: Backpacking, Day Hikes, Florida Trail, Hikes, Trails, Water Management AreasTag: Ellaville, Florida State Parks, Florida Trail, Geology, Jasper, Live Oak, Sinkholes, Suwannee River, Suwannee River State Park, Suwannee River Wilderness Trail

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Our recent park & trail updates in this region

Pine forest with blue blazed pine tree

Buck Bay Flatwoods Preserve

Buck Bay Flatwoods Preserve
Teal blazes on footpath in sandhill habitat

Belmore State Forest

Belmore State Forest
White sand trail between sand pines

Prices Scrub State Park

Prices Scrub State Park
Sinkhole pond with cypress knees and duckweed

Manatee Springs North End Trails

Manatee Springs North End Trails

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