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Aquamarine bowl of spring surrounded by forest

Live Oak

A historic city in rural North Florida, Live Oak is circled by the Suwannee River to the north, south, and west, with its showy springs and the Florida Trail.


Resources

Resources for exploring the area
Florida Trail Hikes book cover The Florida Trail Guide book cover North Florida Panhandle Explorers Guide book cover 50 Hikes in North Florida book cover Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover  
Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.


Exploring Live Oak

Founded in 1878, Live Oak is centered around a historic downtown district with a Deep South feel. Adding to that rural character are farms and country roads surrounding the town.

In town, a paved bike path along a former rail line spans from downtown south paralleling US 129. Most public lands lie along the Suwannee River, about a 20 minute drive away.

The Florida Trail follows the north shore of the river from White Springs through Dowling Park, an outstanding scenic destination for backpackers.

Thanks to its quiet back roads, Live Oak is also the annual destination for the Florida Bicycle Safari each April.


Trails and Parks near Live Oak

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.
Swallet on Camp Branch Disappearing Creek at Camp Branch On the Disappearing Creek Loop off the Florida Trail along the Suwannee River, watch Camp Branch burble through rapids and cascade into a giant sinkhole
Suwannee River view through trees Florida Trail Suwannee Springs to Holton Creek Following tall river bluffs with geologic wonders, the Suwannee Springs to Holton Creek section of the Florida Trail provides stunning views of the limestone-bordered waters of the Suwannee.
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 Florida Trail, Camp Branch to Suwannee Springs 7.8 miles. Rugged climbs through abandoned river channels and along the highest elevations along the Suwannee River make this hike a serious roller-coaster through river bluff forests and sandy beaches.
Orange blaze on large tree next to creek Florida Trail, Holton Creek Crossing scenic karst landscapes alongside sinkholes and around its namesake spring, the Holton Creek section of the Florida Trail provides botanical and geologic immersion.
FT Stephen Foster Florida Trail, Stephen Foster to CR 25A 4.7 miles. Roly-poly and rugged, the Florida Trail across Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park showcases the beauty of the Suwannee River from its bluffs.
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
Natural bridge at Lafayette Blue Spring Lafayette Blue Springs State Park A beauty spot along the western shore of the Suwannee River, Lafayette Blue Spring is both a swimming hole and a lesson in the curious nature of karst.
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.
Royal Springs Royal Springs Staring into Royal Springs, it feels like looking into a bottomless pit. Steep and broad, it drops 42 feet into shimmering waters of turquoise and royal blue
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
Fall colors on trees framing Suwannee River view Suwannee River State Park Perched at the confluence of the Withlacoochee and Suwannee Rivers, Suwannee River State Park melds major historic sites with unusual karst topography.
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
Broad grassy path in shady forest Troy Spring Nature Trail At Troy Spring State Park, the nature trail isn't quite a mile long but provides a good introduction to habitats found along the bluffs of the Suwannee River.
Expanse of large spring Troy Spring State Park A first-magnitude spring along the Suwannee River, Troy Spring State Park has the remains of a Civil War steamboat cradled in its rocky waters.
Tubing the Ichetucknee Tubing the Ichetucknee Tubing the Ichetucknee River means letting go and going with the flow, letting the waters carry you past beautiful springs and through ever-changing habitats. Here's how.
Aquamarine tinted water surrounded by cypress trees Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park A top international destination for cave divers, Peacock Springs also offers a unique interpretive hike for non-divers to trace the watery passages beneath the surface.

Articles

2019 I-Did-A-Hike I Did A (Bit of) I Did-A-Hike (3/15/2019) Despite pouring rain and thunderstorms, nearly 240 people showed up to tackle the Florida Trail along the Suwannee River for the annual I-Did-A-Hike, and it made for a memorable experience.
Tubing the Ichetucknee Tubing the Ichetucknee (8/30/2015) Tubing the Ichetucknee River means letting go and going with the flow, letting the waters carry you past beautiful springs and through ever-changing habitats. Here's how.

More Articles More Parks



NEARBY: Madison, Mayo, Lake City | ALONG: Suwannee River | PART OF: North Florida

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