Manager's Message

Erica Lewis, Manager

If you are looking for a peaceful vacation with numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation, Suwannee River State Park is the perfect destination. The park protects cultural resources representing portions of Florida history from the Paleo-Indian period to the historical era, including 13 archaeological sites, remnants of past communities and a Civil War-era Earthworks. Trails meander along the river for hiking enthusiasts, a boat launch is available for an adventure on the Suwannee River, and there is a playground for younger visitors. If you want to simply relax and view the river, look for the swinging benches situated near the bank of the river.

The park protects 11 significant springs, including Seven Sisters Spring (Five Hole Spring), Little Sister Spring, three unnamed springs in Hamilton County, two unnamed springs in Suwannee County, Little Gem Springs, Lime Sink and numerous karst windows scattered throughout the park. Lime Sink is directly connected to one of the longest well-explored cave systems in the world, the Cathedral Falmouth system. While there are no swimming areas located within the park, Madison Blue Spring State Park is just a few miles down the road and offers swimming and snorkeling.

Six different trail options provide hiking opportunities — do one or do them all. You might see a few rare and endemic species such as the pallid cave crayfish (Procambarus pallidus), Suwannee mocassin shell (Medionidus walkeeri), and Suwannee cooter (Pseudemys concinna suwanniensis), which are considered imperiled. The park also protects imperiled plants such as the Eastern sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus), and Florida mountainmint (Pycnanthemum floridanum) that are vulnerable to extinction and rare within the range. You may also see red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks, gopher tortoises, deer and other wildlife. The trail system provides a wonderful opportunity to photograph many species of flora and fauna.

See the Suwannee and Withlacoochee rivers at their confluence, and numerous geological sites such as springs and other karst features. Get a glimpse into the early history of Florida and past ways of life along the river. Whether you’re looking for an adventure, a quiet retreat, or a look into Florida’s unique history, you can find it all at Suwannee River State Park.