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Paddlers attempting Big Shoals

Florida Trail, Bell Springs to Big Shoals

4.6 miles. Showcasing Florida’s only Class III whitewater and other spectacular geologic features, this is one of the most scenic segments of the Florida Trail along the Suwannee River.

Florida Trail, Suwannee  |  White Springs
( 30.329298, -82.689613 )      4.6 miles

325 shares

For the spectacle of seeing Florida’s only Class III whitewater, it’s well worth a hike up to Big Shoals.

This round-trip trek showcases not just the shoals but also the spring run for Bell Springs, a waterfall at Robinson Branch, and interesting erosional features along the river’s edge.


Resources

Florida Trail Hikes book cover The Florida Trail Guide book cover North Florida Panhandle Explorers Guide book cover Florida Trail history book
Full details on this hike, including a trail map, are in our full-color guidebook Florida Trail Hikes.

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

 
Guthook GuidesGuthook Guides GPS-driven map-based guide to the Florida National Scenic Trail with thousands of waypoints from The Florida Trail Guide. Works offline. For iPhone and Android.



Overview

Location: White Springs
Length: 4.6-mile round-trip
Trailhead: 30.329298, -82.689613
Fees / Permits: none
Restroom: none
Land Manager: Suwannee River Water Management District
Phone: 386-362-1001

IMPORTANT: Camping is NOT permitted at the trailhead

Ticks can be a serious problem on any hike along the Suwannee River. Protect yourself by using bug spray and wearing light clothing. This is a rugged section of trail involving a tricky water crossing. There is a lot of poison ivy along the trail. A hiking stick is recommended.

Always check river levels before hiking the Florida Trail along the Suwannee River. At flood stage, the river can flow over the trail and make hiking dangerous.


Directions

 
From the Interstate 10 interchange at US 41 between Lake City and White Springs, drive north 5.3 miles to Lassie Black Road. Turn right and drive 1.8 miles.
 
Turn left onto Morrell Drive. Follow this road until it ends at a cul-de-sac turnaround in front of a house. Continue through the gate in the middle of the cul-de-sac to the parking area for Bell Springs.

Hike

Starting at the Bell Springs trailhead at the end of Morrell Drive, follow the unmarked forest road into the forest.

Meet the Florida Trail at a clearing with a historic marker commemorating the preservation of this land for the public.

Historic marker near Bell Springs
Historic marker near Bell Springs

Continue north along the orange blazes, crossing a bridge over a clear stream that is the outflow from Bell Springs.

The trail parallels the spring run before turning away from it to start following the river upstream. Cross a handful of bog bridges under towering trees.

Bog bridges near Bell Springs
Bog bridges near Bell Springs

The footpath becomes rocky and rooty as you approach Robinson Branch Falls.

The trail turns to lead you upstream along this tributary to a spot where it crosses it, then loops back along it to the river for another look at the falls.

Robinson Branch Falls
Robinson Branch Falls drops more than ten feet

A mile in, the footpath drops down to river level, passing under the roots of a pine tree.

The rough water in the river is the lower end of Big Shoals.

Florida Trail Big Shoals section
The trail traverses a dense bluff forest with a lot of saw palmetto

Over the next half mile, the trail scrambles back up to the bluffs, affording good views of the whitewater.

One spot offers a sweeping view over a curve in the river.

Florida Trail view of Big Shoals
View of Big Shoals from the very lower end of the shoals

On a level part of the bluff, the campsite is at 1.8 miles.

Beyond it, the trail opens up to the width of a forest road and is used for paddlers to portage around the shoals.

Boy Scouts portaging around Big Shoals
Boy Scouts portaging around Big Shoals

A second campsite is just before the paddler take-out above the shoals.

Scramble down to the river here for a sweeping view downstream to be impressed at the view of tannic water tumbling over boulders.

Campsite near Big Shoals
Campsite near Big Shoals

Since the Suwannee is a floodplain river draining the Okefenokee Swamp, there are times when the boulders may be under water.

At other times, they may be entirely exposed and the rapids drop to Class II or Class I.

Paddlers attempting Big Shoals
View from the rocks by the portage take-out spot

This is your turn-around point. Return along the same route along the orange blazes for a 4.6-mile hike.

On your return trip, be sure to take a side trip down to the Suwannee River where Bell Springs Run flows out into the river. It’s a beauty spot.

Suwannee River at Bell Springs outflow
Suwannee River at Bell Springs outflow

NORTHBOUND: Bell Springs to Little Shoals
SOUTHBOUND: Deep Creek to Big Shoals Roadwalk


Trail Map


Explore More

Slideshow

Our slides from hiking this segment of the Florida Trail


Nearby Trails

Other nearby trails and parks in the area

Stephen Foster Carillion

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

At Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, Florida pioneer crafts and Florida folk music are as important as the lovely setting on the Suwannee River

Holton River Camp beach

Suwannee River Wilderness Trail

Showcasing springs, sandy beaches, waterfalls, and haunting swamp forests where manatees gather, the 170-mile Suwannee River Wilderness Trail is a paddling trip of a lifetime

Falling Creek Falls

Falling Creek Falls

A boardwalk trail at Falling Creek Falls north of Lake City leads you to overlooks on a waterfall with a twelve-foot drop in a picturesque setting

Woodpecker Trail at Big Shoals

Woodpecker Trail

The Woodpecker Trail at Big Shoals State Park provides a 7-mile wildlife-rich round trip ride, but watch out for those puddles! John plunges in anyway to get the story.



Official Website

Category: Backpacking, Day Hikes, Florida Trail, Hikes, North Florida, Trails, Water Management AreasTag: Big Shoals State Park, Birding, Dog-friendly, Favorites, Florida State Parks, Florida Trail, FT Suwannee, Geology, Hilly, Historic Sites, Lake City, Picnic, Primitive Camping, Riverfront, Scenic Hikes, Sinkholes, Springs, Suwannee River, Waterfalls, White Springs, Wildlife Viewing

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The Florida Trail Guide

The Florida Trail GuideThe comprehensive mile-by-mile guidebook to planning section and thru-hikes along the entire length of the Florida Trail. 356 pages, $19.95 + tax and shipping.

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Florida Trail HikesFifty of the best day hikes, overnights, and weekend trips on the Florida Trail, plus nine of the best section hikes. Full hike descriptions and maps, full color. 376 pages. $24.95 + tax and shipping.

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Discovering the Florida Trail

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Our virtual walk along the length of the Florida Trail, covering more than 1,500 miles from the Everglades to Pensacola Beach. Hardcover, 196 pages. $24.95 + tax and shipping.

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The Florida Trail

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Our history of the first 50 years of the Florida Trail, from its founding in 1966 to becoming a National Scenic Trail to volunteer efforts today.

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The Florida Trail App

Comprehensive logistics and offline maps all in one: The Florida Trail Guide is now also an interactive map-based mile-by-mile app by Guthook Guides.

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Florida Trail Updates


Get periodic recaps of changes to the Florida Trail, which we accumulate between editions of our guidebook. Find all official Trail Closures & Notices here.

Hiking the Florida Trail

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