CLOSED while damage is assessed from Hurricane Idalia.
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.
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
Resources for exploring the area
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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.

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.

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

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.






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.

They are along the river at Woods Ferry, Holton Creek, Dowling Park, Peacock Slough and Adams Tract.
These facilities have a nominal fee 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.















Communities
Towns along the river serve as hubs for exploring not just the river but its surroundings as well.








Articles
Our articles touching on aspects of the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail


Suwannee River Wilderness Trail Paddling Guide (PDF) Official Website