Suwannee River State Park, Live Oak FL
Big Oak Trail
LOCATION:
3631 201st Path Live Oak, FL PHONE: 386-362-2746 RESERVE: 800-326-3521 RATES: $22 Reservations can be made for a particular site. CHECK IN/OUT: Check in at 3 pm/Check out at 1 pm. ACCESS: 8 am - Sundown MAPS: At Entry Gate SITES: 30 PULL THRUS: Yes WATERFRONT: No PICNIC SHELTERS: Yes SITE SURFACE: Dirt HOOK-UPS: Water & 30/50 Amp WIFI: No CABLE: No SEWER: Yes BATH: Yes LAUNDRY: Yes DUMP STATION: Yes SHADE TREES: Yes POOL: No BOAT RAMP: Yes FEATURES: Suwannee River for fishing, canoeing, kayaking. Trails for hiking RANKING: 8 PET FRIENDLY: Yes TRAIL INFO NAME: Suwannee River Trail LENGTH: .7 Miles TYPE: In and Out USAGE: Moderate SURFACE: Dirt ACCESS: 8 am - Sundown FEES: Park Entrance unless camping PET FRIENDLY: Yes NAME: Balanced Rock Trail LENGTH: 3 Miles TYPE: Loop USAGE: Moderate SURFACE: Dirt ACCESS: 8 am - Sundown FEES: Park Entrance unless camping PET FRIENDLY: Yes NAME: Lime Sink Run Trail LENGTH: .75 Miles TYPE: Loop USAGE: Moderate SURFACE: Dirt ACCESS: 8 am - Sundown FEES: Park Entrance unless camping PET FRIENDLY: Yes NAME: Sandhill Trail LENGTH: .8 Miles TYPE: Loop USAGE: Moderate SURFACE: Dirt ACCESS: 8 am - Sundown FEES: Park Entrance unless camping PET FRIENDLY: Yes NAME: Earthworks Trail LENGTH: .25 Miles TYPE: Dirt USAGE: Moderate SURFACE: Dirt ACCESS: 8 am - Sundown FEES: Park Entrance unless camping PET FRIENDLY: Yes NAME: Big Oak Trail LENGTH: 11.2 Miles TYPE: Loop USAGE: Moderate SURFACE: Dirt ACCESS: 8 am - Sundown FEES: Park Entrance unless camping PET FRIENDLY: Yes NEARBY ATTRACTIONS Spirit of Suwannee Music Park |
Suwannee River State Park was developed by the Stephen Foster Memorial Commission and officially opened in 1950. The park was funded by contributions of land from the Florida Federation of Music Clubs. The park spans 1,800-acres and features 6 hiking/biking trails. It is a popular 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 spilling out into the Gulf of Mexico. The park offers access to the Suwannee and Withlacoochee rivers for boating. During 1818, Andrew Jackson led U.S. forces through this area searching for American Indian strongholds believed responsible for raiding settlers. Vestiges of history in the park show how important the Suwannee River was to Florida history. In the early 1800's a popular route for people to travel to the historic town of Columbus was Stagecoach Road. This was a dirt road that runs through the state park and remnants can still be seen along the Sandhill Trail. The only remnant of Columbus is the Columbus Cemetery, established in 1860 consisting of 23 graves. The earliest recorded grave is in 1862 and the last known burial was in1973. In 1862 the Confederate Army build earth mounds to protect the railroad bridge that served as a primary supply line. Remnants can be seen along the short Earthworks Trail. The Big Oak Trail is 11.2 miles and begins at the Ranger Station. The trail can be shortened by starting at the Picnic Area Annex Trailhead, the Withlacoochee River campsite, or the CR 141 bridge. Do not park cars overnight anywhere except inside the state park. We camped here in January 2023 in our Coachmen Beyond van. We rode our bikes and hiked the trails. The history in this park is very interesting. PLEASE NOTE: Effective July 1, 2024: The campground at Suwannee River State Park is closed to all reservations and walk-ins due to a campground upgrade project. Anticipated to last until August 2025. New cabin reservations are still closed. DIRECTIONS:
Traveling I-75 S take exit 460 to FL-6W Take FL-6 W in Hamilton County Take SW Co Rd 1141 to park Google Maps |
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