Suwannee River State Park History
Park Overview
Off Highway 90 in a sleepy little town called Live Oak, one of Florida’s first state parks awaits. Suwannee River State Park spans 1,800-acres and features 6 hiking/biking trails, ranging from 0.25 miles to 12.5 miles. The park is also a popular recreational spot for fishing, boating, kayaking, and camping.
The Suwannee River rises from the Okeefenokee Swamp in southern Georgia and winds 246 miles through north Florida woodlands, spilling out into the Gulf of Mexico. Part of the Floridan aquifer, hundreds of springs in the Suwannee River basin spawn millions of gallons of freshwater every day.
At certain times of year, the river can rapidly fluctuate 20-40 feet. During high water levels, trails may be flooded and the river may be closed to kayaking, canoeing, and swimming. If the river runs gently and the tide permits, grab a rental canoe at Old Town Discovery, just 1 mile east of the park, and paddle along numerous springs and small shoals.
Suwannee River looking north
Park History
Suwannee River State Park traverses 3 counties with a lot of surprising Florida history. Life on this land began with the Paleo Indians who fished and hunted there nearly 12,000 years ago. Spanish explorers and Confederate soldiers followed who also called the river their home.
Today, Stagecoach Road is a dirt covered path that runs through what is now Suwannee River State Park. In the early 1800s, this was a popular route for people to travel to and from the ferry on horseback, foot, stagecoach, or wagon to enter the historic town of Columbus. Along the park’s Sandhill Trail (0.8 miles), the only remnant of Columbus is a cemetery amid the wilderness.
Civil War Earthworks
Earthworks Trail
Along the Earthworks Trail (0.25 miles), there remains Civil War earth mounds built by the Confederate Army in 1863 to protect the railroad bridge that served as a primary supply line. The historic wooden covered bridge required workers to extinguish embers from passing trains so the bridge would not catch a blaze. In 1864, Union Navy troops were dispatched from Jacksonville to destroy the connector at Columbus, but they were defeated in the Battle of Olustee, just east of Lake City. The wilderness was spared from battle and all that remains today are the earthwork forts.
Withlacoochee and Suwannee Confluence Overlook
Along the trail, a wooden path leads to an overlook area for viewing the passenger bridge (reconstructed in 1908 and now part of the CSX Railroad). Watch the water change colors where the Withlacoochee River flows into the Suwannee River at the Ferry Landing & Confluence Overlook. The Withlacoochee River travels along the east end of Twin Rivers State Forest.
Steamboats of Suwannee River (Florida Memory)
From 1835 to 1906, Suwannee River steamboats carried passengers and freight from Cedar Key to Columbus. The Columbus ferry crossing served as the terminal port for Suwannee, Hamilton, and Madison Counties. You can check out preserved artifacts from this 19th-century steamship along the Earthworks Trail at Suwannee River State Park.
Balanced Rock Trail
Along with exploring the Earthworks Trail, we hiked the Suwannee River Trail to Balanced Rock Trail to Lime Sink Run Trail (total of 3 miles). Read more here:
Suwannee River State Park Trail System
Suwannee River Trail – 0.7 miles
Balanced Rock Trail – 3 miles
Lime Sink Run Trail – 0.75 miles
Sandhill Trail – 0.8 miles
Earthworks Trail – 0.25 miles
Big Oak Trail – 12.5 miles (features a spur of the Florida National Scenic Trail with primitive camping)
More Things to Do
Hiking/Biking
Boating/Fishing
Kayak/Canoe
Swimming (when tide conditions are safe)
Playground & Picnic Areas
Camping – RV/tent, primitive, and private group sites, along with rental cabins
Suwannee River Wilderness Trail - enjoy lazy day trips or multi-day adventures on the Suwannee
Explore More: