Big Shoals State Park

About Big Shoals State Park

The limestone cliffs, which rise 80 feet above the banks of the Suwannee River, offer a magnificent view that is not found anywhere else in Florida. The park has the largest white water river in all of Florida and a small group of rapids downstream is called Little Shoals. As an attraction for canoeing and kayaking fans, the Big Shoals Rapid deserves a Class III whitewater classification.

The river offers excellent freshwater fishing opportunities, and at the entrance to Little Shoals there is a picnic pavilion for up to 40 people. A 28 km long wooded trail offers a picturesque view of the river and its rapids, as well as the great shallows. The entrance to a small Great Shallows Park is connected to the park by a 1.5 km long hiking trail, the Great Shores Trail, a 2 km long hiking trail and a 8 km long hike.

Bird lovers will find a wide variety of species in the Big Shoals, including birds of prey, as well as a large number of mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Wild turkeys are usually abundant, and waders visit the area regularly, but many other bird species such as owls, eagles, falcons, owls and other migratory birds are also found here.

White, black and white-footed deer are some of the more densely populated species found in large swarms in the landscape. Black bears, coyotes, lynxes, foxes, raccoons, elks, elks and other wild animals as well as a variety of birds are also counted.

Maps are available at the kiosk at the entrance to the Little Shallows, and a marked path offers the opportunity to observe wildlife at the entrances to large and small shallows.

Archaeological findings suggest that the land on both sides of the river has supported human settlement since prehistoric times. A cowman named B. Hooker built a homestead on the crest of a ridge above the Suwannee River. The Old Godwin Bridge was built in the mid-19th century to span the river for residential and commercial use, but a flood washed away the bridge and the remaining concrete pile remained.

The Downing-Tuppins Terpentine Camp was the site of an African American community from 1910 to 1930. The land was purchased to protect against a possible spill of the Suwannee River into the Okefenokee Marsh. It was also designated a protected area by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. In the 1930s, the land on the east side of the Okeechobee River, between the Okesha River and Big Shores State Park, was permanently protected as part of a national park.

Traditionally, many visitors are drawn to the area for recreational activities - related activities such as fishing, kayaking, boating and canoeing, which have made the Shoals a popular spot for canoeing and kayaking. There is a canoe start at the entrance to the Big Shoals, but canoeists should be aware that the shallows can be dangerous at both low and high tide.

Portage areas are planned on the left bank and downstream, and canoe rentals are available in the area. Visit this link to learn more about the Big Shoals State Park Portage Area and its portage capabilities for kayaks and canoes.

The upper reaches of the Suwannee River provide great water for kayakers all year round, but the water level determines whether the shallows can be safely crossed or whether kayaks and canoeists should be able to navigate. Great shallows deserve a whitewater category III in kayaking because the water levels are at or above the permitted maximum levels of the state's Class II and III.

Suwannee River Water Management has set daily river level records in the upper reaches of the river for the past two weeks, with the highest water level being 51 feet above sea level. Although the water is 51% of the sea level, exposed rocks make it relatively impossible to move in the shallows of rivers. 70% of the flats are shallow and the low water levels below 50 feet cause problems for kayaks and canoes.

Take a morning hike or canoe tour and then enjoy a peaceful picnic on a large or small shallow. A picnic table and a wooden barbecue are located on the south side of the shallows, right at the main entrance to Big Shoals State Park. The picnic tables are also housed in a covered gazebo at the north end of Big Shores, next to the river.

Garbage cans and toilets are available at both sites, as well as a garbage can and toilet on the south side of the shoals on the Big Shores.

The extensive routes offer a variety of challenges for thick - mature cyclists, with steep walls overlooking the Suwannee River. Several rides are sponsored each year by the Suwanee Bicycle Association, such as the Big Shores Bike Ride and the Great Lakes Bike Race.

Big Shoals offers over 33 km of hiking trails for visitors, and the topography ranges from flat areas to steep slopes and canyons. Check out the links on this page to learn more and enjoy some of the state's most popular hiking trails, such as the Great Lakes Trail, Big Shoals Trail and Big Shores Trail.

Fifteen different natural communities are included within the park, from protected areas such as sloping forests, gorges, lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands to the Great Lakes and Great Lakes.

Woodpecker Trail is still in the development phase and will be one of the most popular hiking trails in Big Shoals State Park. Take Exit 439 off I-75 and Highway 136 East and go a short way south. Part of this landscape is the Big Shoals National Wildlife Refuge, a national park with over 1,000 hectares.

Drive to the entrance of the Shoals and turn right onto Highway 135 and continue for 2.5 miles on Highway 135 until you reach US 41 for three miles. Turn right onto Highway 136 East and travel two miles before turning right and turning left onto US-41. At 10: 00 am, take Exit 301 and travel 8 miles on US - 41 North and take the exit at the intersection of I-75 and Interstate 10.