At Suwannee River State Park, waves of history have washed across the confluence of the Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers.
Remnants of ghost towns blend into the rural forested countryside as smoothly as the river’s dark, tannic waters flow towards the Gulf of Mexico.
Suwannee RiverA boat ramp allows access to the Suwannee River, a popular paddling destination.
The park has rustic cabins and a developed campground for a quiet overnight stay under the stars.
Hikers can easily spend a weekend exploring over fifteen miles of trail spread out across both sides of the river.
Lime Sink RunResources
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Overview
Location: Ellaville
Main entrance: 30.378833, -83.165833
Address: 3631 201st Path, Live Oak
Fees: $5 per vehicle
Restroom: At the day use area
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 386-362-2746
Open 8 AM to sunset. Leashed dogs welcome except in cabins.
Directions
From the intersection of US 90 and Interstate 10 north of Live Oak, head west on US 90 for 4.9 miles. Turn right onto Stagecoach Rd. Immediately after crossing over the railroad tracks, continue straight into the park entrance.
About the Park
From the entrance station, Columbus Cemetery can be seen in the distance in a grassy pine savanna.
This is one of the only remaining parts of a town that stood here almost two centuries ago.
Town of Columbus cemeteryThe paved park road leads to a day use parking alongside the river. Picnic benches sit next to majestic live oaks at the edge of a grassy field.
The trail network on the south side of the Suwannee radiates from this day use area.
Historic artifacts near the earthworksAn easy stroll from the parking area, the Earthworks Trail leads past a display of steamboat parts to a platform overlooking earthworks built by Confederate soldiers during the Civil War.
The trail continues a short distance to an observation platform on a high bluff offering a panoramic view of the confluence of the Withlacoochee with the Suwannee.
River confluenceAcross the Suwannee, a bustling town named Ellaville sat on the north bank near Suwannacoochee Springs.
The settlement was home to hundreds of people and had a train station, post office, school, and sawmill.
Most of the structures have crumbled and nature has retaken the landscape, although a few are still visible such as the wall around the spring.
The Florida Trail passes through this ghost town as it leads up the western side of the Withlachoochee River to connect with the Big Oak Trail loop on the north side of the park.
Suwannacoochee SpringAt the end of the park road, a paved boat ramp dips towards the water near the cabins and campground.
An official stop along the 170-mile Suwannee River Wilderness Trail, this park is a popular launch for paddlers starting or ending a trip on the river.
Adjacent to the ramp, an accessible concrete sidewalk leads to a bridge overlooking Lime Sink Run, one of the most impressive geological formations along the hiking trail system.
Accessible bridge over Lime Sink RunIn August 2023, Hurricane Idalia swept over the area, downing many large trees. Park staff cleaned up the south side trails, now widened and significantly rerouted.
The Big Oak Trail was cleared by teams of Florida Trail Association volunteers who spent many hours with chainsaws to open the corridor after the storm.
Storm damageHiking
Western Side
From the main parking area, the Earthworks Trail travels westward for 0.2 miles to the River Overlook and a connector for the Big Oak Trail.
The connector trail leads down a few roads before crossing the Suwannee on the Hillman Bridge, an old structure that used to be part of nearby US 90.
Hillman BridgeContinue across the bridge to join the Florida Trail passing through the park and to hike the Big Oak Trail along the confluence 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.
Florida Trail, Suwannee For 78 miles along the Suwannee River, the Florida Trail clings to bluffs and scrambles through ravines for physical challenges and great scenery.Sandhill Trail
A sign on the south end of the main parking area marks the start of the Sandhill Trail, a charming 0.8 mile loop through a beautiful sandhill habitat.
Sporadic pines and turkey oaks dot the open landscape as the trail winds past several gated sections of the Columbus Cemetery.
Sandhill TrailRiver Trails
The River Trail starts at the day use area, leading upriver along the Suwannee for 0.2 mile before crossing the boat ramp and a bridge over Lime Sink Run.
Across the run, the River Trail continues for 0.3 mile to an intersection with the Balanced Rock Trail and a connector trail.
Picnic bench along the River TrailHeading further north along the river, the Balanced Rock Trail traces scenic limestone bluffs for a quarter mile to the formerly balanced rock.
It passes an overlook for Little Gem Spring along the way. A connector trail provides a side path to the Lime Sink Run Trail.
The Balanced Rock trail extends along a longer loop for 3 miles before ending at the Lime Sink Run Trail to the east.
Balanced Rock, fallen off its natural pedestalThe Lime Sink Run Trail circumnavigates the perimeter of its namesake run, showcasing incredible karst formations and ancient cypress trees.
A bridge crosses the run at each end, offering spectacular views from high vantage points.
In the springtime, the limestone formations are covered with hundreds of white atamasco lilies.
Rugged karst at Lime SinkPaddling
As part of the Suwannee Wilderness Trail, the park offers overnight parking for paddlers.
Holton Creek River Camp is located 13.2 miles upriver, and the Dowling Park River Camp is 14.7 miles downriver.
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 lifetimeSeveral small springs flow from karst topography along the edges of the Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers.
Paddling provides the best opportunity to get close to these intriguing hydrological features.
Boat LaunchCamping
The campground has thirty tent or RV sites available for reservation, each with a fire ring, picnic table, water, and electricity.
An accessible bathhouse with showers is located near the center of the campground. Two primitive group camps are available, with a capacity of 25 people each.
CampgroundFive furnished cabins can be rented for a minimum of two nights’ stay. Four are on stilts to lift them out of the floodplain.
One ground-level cabin is fully accessible, with parking outside its door. All are an easy walk from the launch and day use area.
Rustic cabinTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
A walk through Suwannee River State Park
Nearby Adventures
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.
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, 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.
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.
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