5 Fun Things to do at Suwannee River State Park

Here’s a quick quiz for you, dear reader. (Don’t worry, you won’t be graded on it—think of it like those “what kind of pizza would you be” quizzes.) Are you ready? Here we go!

1. Are you looking for a fun and educational trip for the family this summer?
2. Do you want to make memories that will last a lifetime?
3. Do you love being outdoors?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, you absolutely have to visit Suwannee River State Park this summer! (See, I told you it was easy!)

Located just outside of Live Oak, FL, Suwannee River State Park is not only a natural wonder but also a historical wonder as well. The visitor’s center is full of fun facts and information about the natural and historical treasures lovingly curated by the park and its staff. If you’re on the hunt for a trip your family will be talking about for years, then Suwannee River State Park has you covered. Here’s how to make the most of your trip!

1. Camp

One of the best parts about summer is camping. Staying up late, gazing at the stars, chatting around the campfire… that’s what good memories are made of! (ProTip: add in some smores to make your memories extra sweet!)

Suwannee River State Park maintains 30 excellent campsites right alongside the Suwannee River. The campground also gives you access to a bathhouse, complete with flush toilets and showers! 

Each campsite is ADA accessible, so you can rest assured that everyone in your family will enjoy camping here. Each campsite comes fully equipped with full hook-ups. Water, electricity, and sewer hook-ups to be exact! Additionally, each campsite is also furnished with a fire ring and a picnic table—paramount to making those smores at the end of a fun day! To reserve your campsite, simply book your stay through the Florida State Parks website.

Oh, and don’t forget your furry friends at home! Dogs are welcome as long as they are on a six-foot leash and supervised. (Yay!)

2. Fish

Got anglers in your family? Suwannee River State Park is an excellent spot to drop a line and catch some fish! There are plenty of fishing opportunities from both the shore and on the river. Chain pickerel, longnose gar, Florida gar, bowfin, and catfish are all pretty common finds in this river. 

And if the fish in the Suwannee River keep giving you the slip, no worries! Located within Suwannee River State Park is the confluence of the Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers, and the Withlacoochee is also open for fishers. So, if you’re not getting bites on the Suwannee, you can easily switch to the Withlacoochee and try your luck there instead!

3. Hike

There’s nothing quite as wonderful as taking a long walk through the woods. And thankfully, you can find plenty of opportunities for hiking in Suwannee River State Park. There are several trails to explore, so you’re sure to find one that suits everyone in your group.

For a shorter hike, be sure to hit up one of the following trails:

• Earthworks Trail—0.25 miles
• Suwannee River Trail—0.7 miles
• Lime Sink Run Trail—0.75 miles
• Sandhill Trail—0.8 miles

For a medium-length hike, you’ll want to take the Balanced Rock Trail. This one is much longer than the short hikes, clocking in with a total length of three miles. You’ll enjoy the serenity that can only be found on a trail, taking in the beauty of the plants and wildflowers as you go.

And for those who might be looking for a challenge, try tackling the Big Oak Trail! You’ll cover 12.5 miles while hiking along both the Suwannee River and the Withlacoochee River. Bring plenty of water with you for this one—you’ll likely be out all day! But let me tell you, the views are so worth the work!

4. Bike

Life is better behind bars! Bicycle handlebars, that is.

Suwannee River State Park offers a large variety of cycling opportunities within the park. From paved roads and trails for road cyclists to the trails we covered in the hiking section for mountain bikers, you can find something for every cyclist in your family when visiting Suwannee River State Park. 

Something to keep in mind is that if you are going to be riding in the park, it’s highly recommended that you wear a helmet. In fact, if your kids are riding with you and they are under the age of 17, they are required by Florida state law to wear a helmet when riding a bike. So be sure to have fun, but also be safe! (We don’t want to hear about any hospital visits in the comments—that would make us sad.)

5. Paddle

Last, but certainly not least, are the paddling opportunities at Suwannee River State Park!

Whether you canoe, stand up paddleboard, or kayak, you’ll love floating down the slow-moving Suwannee River. You’ll gain a new perspective of the park as you’ll be in one of the lowest parts of the park while traversing the river. Looking up at the trees and the shore, and being level with the wildlife that calls the river home, is such a neat experience!

Something to know before you go paddling at Suwannee River State Park is that the park does not offer rentals for paddling gear. You can easily rent canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and kayaks from towns near the park though! Remember to pick up a personal flotation device (PFD) when renting your choice of watercraft to stay safe while on the river!

Final Thoughts

All right! Now that we’ve covered a few awesome things to do at Suwannee River State Park, it’s time to start planning your trip. Be sure to bring plenty of bug spray, sunscreen, and water for when you’re out adventuring. And always be sure to be respectful of the plants, animals, and historical artifacts that you come across. Just remember: leave only footprints and take only pictures.

Which activity will you do first? Let us know in the comments below! We can’t wait to hear about your trip!

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