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.
Paddlers at Big ShoalsResources
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.
Big Shoals campsiteConvenience 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 ShoalsCamping
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.
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
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.
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
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
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.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 CampThey 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.
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. 
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 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.
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. 
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 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.
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.
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.Communities
Towns along the river serve as hubs for exploring not just the river but its surroundings as well.
Cedar Key Perhaps the most popular getaway on Florida's Nature Coast, Cedar Key is at the end of a 24-mile highway that follows a railroad bed which naturalist John Muir walked.
Chiefland Home of Manatee Springs and a terminus on the Nature Coast Trail, Chiefland provides access to public lands along the Suwannee River.
Dowling Park Home of Advent Christian Village and a quiet base camp for outdoor adventures along the Suwannee River, Dowling Park is along the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail
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.
Madison Nestled against the Georgia border, the easternmost corner of Northwest Florida is Madison County, with its county line defined on one side by the Suwannee River.
Mayo The county seat of rural Lafayette County, Mayo is centrally located for explorations along the Suwannee River and its many springs
Trenton The county seat of Gilchrist County, Trenton is one of the termini for the Nature Coast Trail and the access point for springs along the Suwannee River.
White Springs Florida's original spa town is now an outdoor mecca on the Suwannee River for hikers, cyclists, and paddlers, a Florida Trail Gateway Community, and a launch point for adventure. Articles
Our articles touching on aspects of the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail
Springs of the Suwannee River Valley (8/27/2015) It's August. It's Florida. Where do you go to cool off? The springs of the Suwannee River Valley. No matter the size, these natural swimming holes are a delight. 
Three Days of Lower Suwannee Springs (10/14/2014) Not so busy thanks to their locations on the lower Suwannee River, this series of four major springs provide another 3-day weekend getaway option for active outdoor recreation in FloridaSuwannee River Wilderness Trail Paddling Guide (PDF) Official Website