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Big Shoals State Park
P.O. Drawer G
White Springs, 32096
(386) 397-2733
Driving Directions
Take Interstate 75 to Hwy 136 East (Milepost Exit 439 - Old Exit 84). Go three miles to Hwy 41. Turn right and travel less than a mile to Hwy 135. Turn left on Hwy 135. Little Shoals entrance is approximately 5 miles on the right. To enter through the Big Shoals entrance, continue past the Little Shoals entrance for another 4.5 miles. Big Shoals entrance is on the right.
Big Shoals Public Lands is a 3,782 acre land preserve that features the largest whitewater rapids in Florida. The park has 33 miles of wooded trails for daytime recreational use. Bird watching, picnicking, bicycling, hiking, canoeing, kayaking and horseback riding are encouraged. Fishing is permitted with proper licensing. Limited hunting is permitted in designated areas and is administered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Park Activities
Bicycling
Extensive trails offer a variety of challenges to fat tire bicyclers through hardwood canopies, pine and palmetto forests and alongside the bluffs overlooking the Suwannee River. The Suwannee Bicycle Association sponsors several rides throughout the year. Visit our links page to learn more.
Fishing
The Suwannee River offers excellent opportunities for fresh water fishing. Large mouth bass, black crappie, several types of sunfish and bream, and channel catfish are plentiful. A fishing permit is required.
Horse Trails
Ride on marked trails with friends, or join a ride sponsored by the Santa Fe Trail Riders. Proof of a negative Coggins test is required.
Limited hunting is permitted inside the Wildlife Management Area for archery, muzzle loading, small game and turkey seasons. Contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at (386) 758-0525 for additional information. Hunting is prohibited in recreational use areas.
Nature Trails
Big Shoals offers 33 miles of trails for use by visitors. Hike along the ridgeline for unique vistas of the Suwannee River that are uncommon in Florida’s otherwise flat terrain. The topography ranges from flat expanses to steep slopes and ravines. Fifteen distinct natural communities are contained within the land preserve, from highland hammocks and sloping forests to pine flatwoods and the nearly primeval forest of the baygall. Ferns, palmettos, swamps, and the springtime beauty of wild azaleas in bloom are part of the scenery. Still in the development stage, the Woodpecker Trail will be a winding, four-mile paved route from the Little Shoals to Big Shoals entrance.
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State ParkCross Creek, Florida 32640The United States Postal Service released a commemorative stamp in 2008 honoring Rawlings and the literary arts. In 2007, the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings house and farm yard was designated as a National Historic Landmark. Visitors may tour the house with a ranger in period costume from October through July. Picnic facilities and a playground are located in the adjacent county park. Read more
Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State ParkKeystone Heights, Florida 32656
Visitors to the park can enjoy hiking and wildlife viewing along the park´s nature trails and a three-mile stretch of the Florida Trail. For aquatic recreation, visitors can swim or fish in the lake, or spend a lazy afternoon canoeing. A large picnic area, with tables and grills, overlooks Little Lake Johnson. Nestled under the trees is a full-facility campground. Read more
Paynes Prairie Preserve State ParkMicanopy, Florida 32667Eight trails provide opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and bicycling. Ranger-led activities are offered on weekends, November through April. Fishing on Lake Wauberg is allowed and a boat ramp provides access for canoes and boats with electric motors. Gasoline powered boats are not allowed. Full-facility campsites are available for overnight visitors. Read more
San Felasco Hammock Preserve State ParkAlachua, Florida 32615The park offers outdoor adventure to hikers, off-road bicyclists, horseback riders, and nature lovers. To ensure solitude and quiet for a true wilderness experience, the southern two-thirds of the park is designated for hiking only. The northern third of the park has horse trails, off-road cycling, and hiking. Equestrians must carry proof of a negative Coggins test. Read more
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