Backpack Trail Guide

Trails / Florida / North Florida

Florida Trail along the Suwannee River (Suwannee Springs to Holton Creek)

Suwannee River Water Management District lands and Holton Creek Wildlife Management Area (near Live Oak and Jasper)

The old bridge over the Suwannee River at Suwannee Springs
“The old bridge over the Suwannee River at Suwannee Springs” by Janet Nix , CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source · Resized for the web

For about 78 miles in North Florida, the Florida Trail follows the Suwannee River, clinging to limestone bluffs and scrambling through ravines. Florida Hikes describes the 10.3 miles from historic Suwannee Springs to the forests of Holton Creek as some of the section’s most immersive landscapes, with stunning views of the limestone-bordered river. Upstream, near White Springs, the trail passes Big Shoals, Florida’s only Class III whitewater.

The Suwannee section has plenty of places to camp, but its best-known river camp is still closed after Hurricane Helene.

The hike

Florida Hikes calls the Suwannee section one of the few places on the Florida Trail where you can stay in cabins and bed-and-breakfasts along the entire route. It says the section has ample designated campsites, all with benches and a fire ring, and that random camping is also allowed on Suwannee River Water Management District land.

The hike starts at Suwannee Springs, near Live Oak. Florida Hikes describes the trail following tall river bluffs with geologic wonders between Suwannee Springs and Holton Creek, ending inside the Holton Creek Wildlife Management Area. Florida DEP’s Suwannee River Wilderness Trail data book describes the river as beginning in Georgia’s Okefenokee Swamp and flowing 246 miles to the Gulf of Mexico, one of the longest undammed rivers in the country, with the highest concentration of freshwater springs in the nation.

The Holton Creek River Camp is the section’s showpiece. Florida Hikes says it’s the only river camp on the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail directly adjacent to the Florida Trail. Campflare describes a white sandy beach on a scenic curve of the river and screened sleeping platforms with ceiling fans, hammock hooks, and a water spigot, picnic table, and fire ring outside each one. But Florida State Parks and Florida Hikes both report that the camp has been closed because of damage from Hurricane Helene.

Florida DEP’s data book says the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail’s five river camps each feature screened sleeping pavilions, primitive campsites, and restrooms, and the Florida RV Trade Association says each platform can hold up to eight people. Florida Hikes adds that paddlers can share many of the Florida Trail’s designated campsites, since the trail follows the river’s north shore from White Springs toward Dowling Park.

Bears are around. Florida Hikes says bears have been seen at Holton Creek.

Beyond Holton Creek, Florida Hikes lists Gibson Park, a riverfront campground north of the creek, at mile 51.4 of its Suwannee section, and Suwannee River State Park at Ellaville farther on. Florida DEP’s data book shows overnight options along the river at roughly 10- to 15-mile intervals.

Upstream, Big Shoals offers a shorter overnight. Florida Hikes describes a 4.6-mile round trip from Bell Springs to Big Shoals, a rugged section with a tricky water crossing. It says backpackers can stay at a designated campsite on a level bluff just below the paddlers’ portage take-out, with the rumble of the rapids as a lullaby. The trailhead itself is day use only.

Florida Hikes also notes that Holton Creek’s section crosses scenic karst landscape, with sinkholes and a namesake spring.

For another North Florida Florida Trail section, see St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.

Tips

Camping

Florida Hikes says the Suwannee section of the Florida Trail has ample designated campsites with benches and fire rings, and that random camping is permitted on Suwannee River Water Management District land. The Holton Creek River Camp, normally a hikers’ and paddlers’ camp, has been closed after Hurricane Helene. Developed campgrounds at Gibson Park and Suwannee River State Park are nearby options.

Inside Intel: If Holton Creek River Camp reopens, it’s the one to aim for: Campflare describes screened platforms with ceiling fans and hammock hooks on a white sandy beach. Until then, Florida Hikes’ Big Shoals campsite, on a level bluff by Florida’s only Class III rapids, is a memorable alternative.

Trail facts

The Lowdown

A bluff camp on the Suwannee:

With the river camp closed, you'll want your own shelter for the Suwannee's designated sites. See which tents testers rate highest.

See the picks →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.