Paddle Suwannee River Wilderness Trail

Along its 266-mile meandering route from the Okeefenokee Swamp to the Gulf of Mexico, the Suwannee River is home to countless springs, sandy beaches, and tributaries that drop into the river down steep slopes as waterfalls.

Florida’s first long-distance paddling trail, the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail sets up an incredible adventure of launching above White Springs to paddle your way to the Gulf of Mexico.

Paddlers at Big Shoals

A partnership between Florida State Parks, Suwannee River Water Management District, and small towns along its route, the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail follows the river for more than 170 miles.

Resources

North Florida Panhandle Explorers Guide book cover

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Overview

Location: Suwannee River
Length: 170 miles
Fees: Launch and day use fees applies at state parks.
Land Manager: Florida State Parks
Address: 4298 NW CR 292, Mayo, FL 32066
Phone: 800-868-9914

No permit required to paddle.

Open hours vary by access point. River open 24 hours.

Always check river levels before paddling the Suwannee River. High water, especially nearing or exceeding flood stage, is too dangerous to attempt a paddle.

Trip Planning

To plan your trip, you’ll want to determine your starting and ending points and roughly where you plan to camp.

On some parts of the river, you can camp wherever you like. Sandy beaches beckon around curves protected by public land. Coves and spring runs contain first and second-magnitude springs.

Rock Springs, along the Suwannee River in Gilchrist County

Paddlers can share many of the designated campsites along the Florida Trail Suwannee section, which follows the north shore of the river from White Springs through Twin Rivers State Forest near Dowling Park.

Big Shoals campsite

Convenience stores are within an easy walk of the river at Suwannee Springs, Suwannee River State Park in Ellaville, Branford, and Fanning Springs.

View a map of boat launches along the river

Boy Scouts portaging around Big Shoals

Camping

State Park Campgrounds and Cabins

The following state parks have camping facilities that you can use along the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. Each has a fee associated with it, and reservations should be made in advance.

Manatee Springs State Park

Fanning Springs State Park

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

Fall colors on trees framing Suwannee River view

Suwannee River State Park

Lafayette Blue Springs State Park

Big Shoals State Park

River Camps

In addition to facilities at state and county parks and campgrounds, the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail has five River Camps.

Each of these hosted backcountry campsites has five screened sleeping platforms that sleep 6-8 people, plus additional space for tents.

Shelter at Holton River Camp

They are along the river at Woods Ferry, Holton Creek, Dowling Park, Peacock Slough and Adams Tract.

These facilities are free and include restrooms and showers. Reservations recommended. Call 800-868-9914.

Exploring the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail

The main reason to take on this trail is a week’s worth of paddling with the Suwannee River’s flow, with river camps, campgrounds, lodges, and primitive camping on sandy beaches along the way.

Parks and Trails

Depending on where you are along the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail, you can get out of your canoe or kayak and go exploring.

Stop and swim in a spring, or explore one of the many nature trails at the state parks along the route. These trails and parks can be found along the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail.

Big Shoals State Park

At Big Shoals State Park, see Florida’s largest series of rapids, churning the Suwannee River with hydraulics in Class III whitewater at certain times of year.

Fanning Springs State Park

One of the Suwannee River’s largest swimming holes is the clear, cool reflecting pool of Fanning Springs, located along the edge of its namesake town

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.

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.

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.

Hart Springs

A beauty spot along the Suwannee River north of Fanning Springs, Hart Springs offers swimming, hiking, camping, and cave diving in a rural setting near Trenton.

Lafayette Blue Springs State Park

Lafayette Blue Springs was an old swimming hole for folks in Mayo and the rural communities west of Live Oak, a hidden beauty spot along the Suwannee River that is now a state park.

River flowing through salt marsh to the Gulf

Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge

One of Florida’s more remote National Wildlife Refuges, the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge spans two counties, protecting a sweep of more than 53,000 acres and 30 miles of coastline along the Big Bend

Manatee Springs State Park

Showcasing the lower Suwannee River, Manatee Springs State Park centers around a clear blue spring, one of Florida’s largest and most picturesque

Otter Springs

West of Trenton along the Suwannee River, Otter Springs is a second magnitude spring surrounded by clusters of ancient oaks and towering cypress. It is a Gilchrist County Park.

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 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

Communities

Nearby towns also serve as hubs for exploring not just the river but its surroundings as well. From north to south, communities directly on the river include White Springs, Suwannee Springs, Ellaville, Dowling Park, Branford, Fanning Springs, and Suwannee.