Camping in Suwannee River State Park
The Withlacoochee (left) and the Suwannee River (right) merging their waters at Suwannee River State Park - License our images here. |
Third time camping by the Suwannee River. This time around the
middle of its journey to the Gulf of Mexico - before was upriver at
White Springs
and near the river delta at
Manatee Springs.
The campground of Suwannee River State Park is covered by a dense forest. 30
full-hookup sites limited to RVs of less than 45 feet. The sites are close to each
other. Not much privacy.
Most of the trails are short easy hikes.
Sandhills Trail goes through the remains of a town named Columbus. Only the
cemetery survived and it's one of the oldest in Florida. This Columbus was
founded in 1842 and got 500 residents at its peak. The sandy Stagecoach Road crossed by the Sandhills Trail was the supply route of this town - or ghost town.
Earthworks Trail goes to the confluence of the rivers. There are some trenches from the times of the Civil War along the trail. This Confederate position defended the railroad bridge.
The Suwannee River Trail is the longest hike on this side of the river.
Combined with the Balanced Rock Trail almost reaches four miles. There is a
nice spring throwing fresh water into the river by the Little River Gem
Overlook. This trail connects to Lime Sink Run. The sink is in a humid area where mosquitoes
are at home, but nature looks nice there.
Big Oak Trail is the longest one in this park but it's across the river. This trail runs for over 12
miles. We didn't go there.
(Check a short video we uploaded to YouTube - you can see the spring at the end.)
Now for some photos.
The truck camper in our covered campsite. Good that there is electricity in this campground. No way that our solar panels work here. |
The only thing left from the town of Columbus is accessed through the Sandhills Trail. There is not much. A few tombs surrounded by pines. |
The old military trenches from the times of the Civil War in Earthworks Trail. They were supposed to defend the railroad bridge, navigation in the Suwannee River, and the town of Columbus. |
Hiking the shores of the Suwannee River. This blackwater river is 246 miles long. It's the site of the prehistoric Suwanee Straits. |
The waters of Lime Sink Spring falling to the Suwannee River. |
The water barely moves at the sinkhole in the Lime Sink Run Trail. |
Some trails are very sandy in Swannee River State Park. |
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