Photo by Cathy Salustri
Fun fact: Florida’s state song, “Old Folks at Home”, was written by a man who chose it not because of the sheer beauty of the Suwannee River, but because the word “Suwannee” fit his rhyme scheme.
Nevertheless, we have dedicated a park to this man: Stephen Foster Folk Culture State Park, in White Springs.
But that’s not the best place to experience the celebrated river.
No, the best place for that is Suwannee River State Park. It’s an oft-overlooked gem in Florida’s amazing state parks system. Its history? Not so much: It was on the route Andrew Jackson took to invade Spanish Florida to find and murder the Seminole and Miccosukee, and later was part of the Confederacy’s strategic defense of the railroad.
But nature doesn’t care about history, and the nature at Suwannee River State Park is stunning.
A Day at the Park
From the Tampa Bay area, a day visit to Suwannee River State Park is possible, but exhausting, but if you’re passing through and only have a few hours, here’s my must-do experiences at the park:
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A short hike.
Suwannee River State Parks has hikes of varying lengths, making it ideal for hard-core hikers as well as those seeking a casual walk in the woods.
Trail map via the Florida Department of Environmental Protection
There’s no shortage of trails (here’s a map), some near the river. The Sandhill Trail takes you past the old Columbus cemetery with fascinating graves; the Suwannee River Trail takes you along the river, where you have the opportunity to see some massive cypress trees.
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Paddle the river.
You’ll need to bring your kayak or canoe, or find a livery outside the park, but you can put in here. It’s a blackwater river and an easy paddle, offering great wildlife viewing.
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Ray Charles’ childhood home.
If you want to tour Ray Charles’ childhood home, you can do so for free — but you’ll need to make an appointment first.
Photo by Cathy Salustri
This isn’t inside the park, but about a 40-minute drive from the park, in nearby Greenville. If you want to drive by the home, find it at 443 SW Ray Charles Ave., Greenville. The Town of Greenville offers free tours, but you need to call and make an appointment: 850-948-2251.
Camping at Suwannee River State Park
Camping at Suwannee River State Park is an option for everyone: the campsites all have water, sewer, and electric, but if RV or tent camping isn’t your thing, the park also has cabins.
If you’re thinking about your old summer camp cabins, just… no. These two bedroom, two bath cabins have air conditioning, screened porches, electric fireplaces, kitchens with everything but ice makers and ovens (although they do have cooktops), and a comfortable living space.
Please note: The campsites are dog-friendly, but the cabins are not.
Photo by Cathy Salustri
Visit Suwannee River State Park
Suwannee River State Park, 3631 201st Path, Live Oak. 8 a.m.-sunset. $5; campsites, $22; cabins, $100. FloridaStateParks.org, 386-362-2746. Make camping reservations.
(Florida) Adventure Awaits!
Find more Florida adventures at GreatFloridaRoadTrip.com.
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