Named after iconic rocky rapids on the Suwannee River, Big Shoals State Park is a truly wild outdoor space in North Florida.
Co-managed by multiple agencies, the state park flanks Big Shoals State Forest, where seasonal hunting is allowed.
Two trails depart the day use area at the Big Shoals Entrance. A hiking-only trail leads to the shoals and this multi-use loop explores the north end of the park.
A canoe launch is situated along the Long Branch Trail slightly upriver from the shoals.
Trailhead for the Long Branch TrailResources
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Overview
Location: White Springs
Length: 2.4 miles
Trailhead: 30.353139, -82.687917
Address: 18738 S.E. 94th St, White Springs
Fees: $4 per vehicle
Restrooms: At the trailhead
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 386-397-4331
Open 8 AM to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome. The park closes when the Suwannee overflows its banks.
Directions
From Interstate 75, head east on SR 136 E for 3 miles into the town of White Springs. Turn right onto US 41. In a half mile, turn left onto SE CR 135. Drive 3.7 miles before turning right onto SE 94 St, a dirt road. Follow the road 1.6 miles to the park entrance at the end. The trailhead for the Long Branch Trail is on the north end of the paved circle near the restrooms.
Hike
From the parking area, follow blue blazed posts leading down a steep sandy slope. Dense clusters of saw palmetto line the trail as it approaches a fork in less than 0.1 mile.
To the right, a short path dips down to the riverbank where a sturdy platform provides access to the tannic waters of the Suwannee River.
Canoe launchContinuing along the main trail, the leaf-strewn pathway winds through the floodplain forest, crossing a creek on a wooden bridge.
Descend into a seasonally flooded swamp. Strung-together pallets form a boardwalk over a tributary lined with cypress knees.
Pallet boardwalkSeparated from the water by a small ridge, the trail heads northward, following a low spot alongside the river.
Reaching 0.9 mile, the path takes a sharp turn to the left, passing through a patch of mesic flatwoods.
Palmetto-lined pathEnter a floodplain forest crisscrossed with tiny, slow-moving creeks.
After rounding a bend at the northwest corner of the loop, trail markers are particularly useful as the path becomes less defined.
Floodplain forestThe thick canopy allows for dappled sunlight to reach the forest floor where only a few small shrubs and palmettos take root.
Cross a dark stream on a larger wooden bridge. Keep an eye on the blue blazes as the winding trail ascends a gradual slope, reaching the park road at 2.3 miles.
Creek bridgeTrail Map
Explore More!
Learn more about Big Shoals State Park
Big Shoals State Park Florida's largest series of rapids churn the Suwannee River into Class III whitewater along the stretch of river bounded by Big Shoals State Park.Video
A walk through the Long Branch Trail
Nearby Adventures
Big Shoals Trail Traverse tall bluffs above the Suwannee River for spectacular views of Florida's only Class III whitewater rapids from the Big Shoals Trail.
Big Shoals Woodpecker Trail Spanning 3.5 miles between the entrances to Big Shoals State Park, the paved Woodpecker Trail makes for an easy 7 mile round-trip when it's not wet.
Florida Trail, White Springs 3.6 miles. Spanning from one end of White Springs to the other along a bend in the Suwannee River, this Florida Trail segment is an easy day hike through a historic community.
Florida Trail, Big Shoals 4.6 miles. Showcasing Florida's only Class III whitewater, the hike from Bell Springs to Big Shoals is one of the most scenic segments of the Florida Trail along the Suwannee River.
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