SUWANNEE RIVER STATE PARK

By  Mike Miller July 14, 2025

Suwannee River State Park covers 1,800 acres in Live Oak, Florida. It lies where the Suwannee and Withlacoochee rivers meet.

The park offers hiking, camping, and paddling. Visitors explore trails, rivers, and history. It’s a quiet spot to connect with nature. 

Spring Run to the River at Suwannee River State Park

The park was established in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It was one of Florida’s first state parks.

The Suwannee River was vital during the Civil War. Confederate earthworks, built in 1863, protected a railroad bridge.

The ghost town of Columbus once thrived here with over 500 residents. Paddlewheel steamboats docked at Columbus in the 1800s.

The Columbus Cemetery remains a key historical site. 

The park is at 3631 201st Path, Live Oak, FL 32060, off U.S. Highway 90. It’s 13 miles west of Live Oak. The park opens at 8 AM and closes at sunset, year-round.

Bring sturdy shoes for hiking, as trails can be uneven. Stock up on supplies in Live Oak, 7 miles away. Check river levels before paddling, as they can rise quickly.

Canoe rentals are available nearby at Old Town Discovery. The campground has full hookups, but some sites are close together. Cabins are available for rent.

The campground at Suwannee River State Park is currently closed to all reservations and walk-ins due to a campground upgrade project.

This closure is anticipated to last until August 2025. New cabin reservations are still closed. Check their website for updates. 

• The Suwannee River inspired Florida’s state song, “Old Folks at Home,” by Stephen Foster. 

• The park’s earthworks trail shows Confederate defenses from the Civil War. 

• Columbus Cemetery, one of Florida’s oldest, dates to the 1800s. 

• The Suwannee River stretches 246 miles from Georgia to the Gulf of Mexico. 

• Lime Sink Spring connects to one of the world’s longest underwater cave systems. 

• The park has six trails, ranging from 0.25 to 12.5 miles. 

• A paddlewheel shaft from a 19th-century steamboat is displayed near the Earthworks Trail. 

• The Balanced Rock, a 20-foot limestone formation, collapsed into the river in 2015. 

SUWANNEE RIVER STATE PARK WEBSITE