For the spectacle of seeing Florida’s only Class III whitewater, the south side of Big Shoals State Park shows it off the best.
A 3.4 mile linear segment of the Florida Trail enters the park via a forest road off NW Cansa Rd not far from US 441, reaching the bluff above the shoals after 1.9 miles.
Walking to Big Shoals from Cansa RdThere’s no parking at that end, so a round-trip trek from the trailhead at Bell Springs is a must for day hikers.
Along it are the spring run for Bell Springs, a beach at its outflow, a waterfall at Robinson Branch, and interesting erosional features along the river’s edge.
Upper end of Big ShoalsOur Florida Trail Books & Guides
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Overview
Location: White Springs
Length: 4.6 mile round-trip
Trailhead: 30.329298, -82.689613
Fees: Free
Restroom: None
Land manager: Suwannee River Water Management District, Florida State Parks
Phone: 386-362-1001 (District), 386-397-4331 (State Park)
Leashed dogs welcome. This is a rugged section of trail involving a tricky water crossing. A hiking stick is recommended. Poison ivy and ticks are hazards.
The trailhead is day use only. Camping is not permitted at the trailhead, but otherwise allowed along the orange blazes.
Backpackers passing through can overnight at a designated campsite on the bluffs with the steady rumble of the tumbling waters as a lullaby from the river.
Always check river levels before hiking along the Suwannee River. At flood stage, the river can flow over the trail and make hiking dangerous.
Directions
Trailhead for access to Big Shoals
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 kiosk inside the Bell Springs trailhead, follow the unmarked forest road into the forest.
Meet the orange-blazed Florida Trail at a clearing with a historic marker commemorating the preservation of this land for the public.
Historic MarkerContinue 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.
Undulating landscapeDip through and circle around swales filled with saw palmetto. 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 FallsA mile in, the footpath drops down to river level, passing under the cage-line roots of a towering pine tree.
A little farther up, the rough water in the river marks the lower end of Big Shoals.
Looking back at the roof of rootsThe trail scrambles back up to the bluffs. Enjoy views of the whitewater over the next half mile, including a panorama at a curve in the river.
A worn path leads to the base of that curve, where unique limestone “flowerpot” formations protrude from the bluff.
Eroding bluffs on curveThe trail becomes the width of a forest road when it meets the portage route, used for paddlers to portage around the shoals.
A level bluff a little below the portage take-out serves as the primitive campsite.
River viewScramble to the river here for a sweeping view downstream of tannic water tumbling over massive moss-covered boulders.
Since the Suwannee River drains the Okefenokee Swamp, there are times when the boulders may be under water. It can also dry up to mere puddles.
Paddlers puzzling through way through the rocksThis is your turn-around point. Return along the same route, following the orange blazes.
When you reach the sharp turn to follow Bell Springs Run upstream, take the beaten path to the right.
Beach on the SuwanneeIt leads to a small beach next to where Bell Springs Run flows into the river, a beauty spot where waters mingle.
Backtrack to the orange blazes, crossing Bell Springs Run on the bridge.
Where the blazes turn right at the historic marker, continue straight ahead. Emerge at Bell Springs trailhead after a 4.6 mile hike.
Bell Springs RunFor backpackers tackling a linear hike on the Florida Trail, the turnoff at the historic marker takes the trail northbound to Little Shoals and the town of White Springs.
Southbound, hikers follow the orange blazes from Cansa Rd on a roadwalk 4.6 miles east, crossing US 441 to join Drew Rd to reach Deep Creek trailhead in Osceola National Forest.
Southbound
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See our photos from this hike
Nearby Adventures
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