Suwannee River State Park

Way down upon the Suwannee River

Suwannee River State Park encompasses 1,800 acres in north-central Florida near the small town of Ellaville, adjacent to U.S. 90 and Interstate 10 (exit #275). Located at the junction of the Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers the park contains a wide variety of natural, cultural and historic features to interest the visitor. Set aside in 1936 it comemorates one of America's most romantic and storied rivers and is one of the oldest state parks in Florida.

Emanating from the depths of the Okefonokee Swamp in southeastern Georgia, the Suwannee River meanders for some 250 miles in a southwesterly direction into the Gulf of Mexico. According to researchers at the University of South Florida the name appears to be derived from the Timucuan Indian word Suwani which means "Echo River". Others say Suwannee means River of Reeds, Deep Water, or Crooked Black Water. Tannic acid from decaying palmetto roots and vegetation causes the blackness of the water.

The river became immortalized in song by Stephen Foster who penned the classic "Old Folks At Home" in 1851. Since 1935 it has been the official state song of Florida.

Copy of lyrics for a minstrel show.

There are many trails in the park for the hiker to choose from. All have interpretive signs explaining the geology, ecological life zones and plants encountered along the way. One of the most scenic trails is Lime Sink Run, which parallels a creek that flows through craggy limestone outcrops and is dammed in places by beaver.

Cypress trees grace the banks of Lime Sink Run.

The Lime Sink Run Trail eventually connects with the Suwannee River Trail which hugs the bank of the river along a series of scenic high bluffs affording oustanding views of the river and dense hardwood hammocks floored with live oak, palmetto and cypress. Halfway along this track there are stairs leading down to Lime Spring. It rises up through the porous limestone of this area and empties directly into the river. Fed by the Floridian Aquifer it flows year-round.

Lime Spring gushes forth into the Suwannee River.


Lime Spring viewed from the trail on the bluff.

There are interesting historical sites within the park that include the remnants of a former logging town (Columbus) and a plantation which hummed with activity when this part of Florida was connected to the outside world by paddle-wheeled steamboats which regularly plied the Suwannee between here and the Gulf of Mexico. The remains of the Columbus Cemetary is within the park boundaries and is believed to be one the oldest in the state. The Sandhills Trail, which leads to the cemetary, is a segment of the old stage road which linked Pensacola to Jacksonville and was constructed in the early 1800s.

Just south of the main ranger station, is an earthen embankment constructed by the Confederate Army during the Civil War to protect the railroad bridge that crosses the Suwannee at this point. Florida provided essential supplies to the Confederacy such as beef, salt, sugar and grain. These vital commodities were shipped via rail to Georgia on this main trunk line from the interior of the state. Union troops dispatched from Jacksonville to capture the bridge were repulsed near the town of Olustee in a bloody hard fought battle on February 20, 1864.

Remains of the Confederate earthworks can still be seen today.

There are also oppourtunities for fishing, canoeing and camping. Two picnic pavilions, a playground and nice modern cabins are available for those who don't want to rough it too hard in this rustic woodsy setting. This park is suited to visitors of all stripes and levels of intended exertion. All trails are for foot traffic only, vehicles and horses are not permitted.

Colorful fungus grows on a downed log along Lime Sink Run.

Suwannee River State Park is a great place to experience the beauty of nature and the rich historical heritage of northern Florida. If you like it quiet and laid back than this is the place for you. Y'all come on down, ya heah?

Come sit a spell and enjoy the splendor that is the Suwannee.

For more information: http://www.floridastateparks.org/suwanneeriver/

The author posing by Lime Spring.