The Suwannee River is one of Florida’s most beautiful rivers and is perfect for a multi-stage canoe trek. Canoeing or kayaking through this wonderful landscape gets you up close and personal with the most gorgeous natural scenery in North Florida, and the quiet surroundings of Florida’s state parks will transport you to a more peaceful, simpler world.
The river trail from White Springs to Branford boasts an unusual series of 5 river campsites, offering screened wooden platforms with roofs and electricity, bringing a touch of comfort to your adventures in the great outdoors. The camps are spaced at around 10-mile intervals along the river, are only accessible by water, and can be reserved in advance for free!
The wild natural beauty of the Suwannee River is best experienced from the water, and boating along this river camp series offers the best way to explore this beautiful part of the world.
Woods Ferry
Sitting high above the Suwannee River on a set of imposing bluffs, Woods Ferry is a picturesque campground about 10 miles from White Springs. A charming and elaborate system of boardwalks takes you up from the river to the camp, while screened platforms offer protection from the weather.
Woods Ferry is the first in the series of Suwannee River camps. The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park is easily reachable by canoe, just 10.8 river miles away, while the next river camp, Holton Creek, is 18.4 river miles downstream but can still be reached easily while canoeing.
Amenities
Woods Ferry provides 5 sleeping platforms, a picnic pavilion equipped with a picnic table, fire rings, restrooms with hot showers, and a tent camping area.
How to get there
From Live Oak, take the US 129 north, turn right on CR 136A, then left on 57th Drive. The entrance is one mile straight ahead.
From White Springs, take CR 136 southwest, and turn right on CR 136A. Travel 3 miles to 57th Drive and turn right.
Contact
Phone: +1 800-868-9914
Holton Creek
Holton Creek is situated on the river bank, right in front of an expanse of white sandy beach nestled in the curve of the Suwannee River. The camp is set in a heavily wooded area, shaded by cypress trees, mature oaks, hickories, and magnolias. Holton Creek is a wonderful spot for hikers, located within a 2,500-acre Suwannee River Water Management District tract and right along the Florida Trail.
The next river camp, Dowling Park, is a marathon 27.9-mile paddle downriver, however, the Suwannee River State Park offers a useful stopping-off point just 13.2 miles away.
From Holton Creek, many kayakers/canoers choose to travel 13.2 miles to Suwannee River State Park rather than trying to tackle 27.9 miles to the next river camp, Dowling Park.
Amenities
Hunting and fishing are available on the property during the appropriate seasons. Hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing are also possible.
Holton Creek provides 5 screened shelters, a picnic pavilion, restrooms, a bathhouse with hot showers, and a tent-camping area for campers of all ages. 30 amp and 50 amp electric hook-ups are available.
How to get there
From Jasper, head south on CR 249 for 11 miles to SW 64th Terrace, then turn left into Holton Creek.
From Live Oak, head north on CR 249 until you cross the Suwannee River and the road becomes CR 751. Turn right on CR 249, and travel one mile before turning right on SW 64th Terrace into Holton Creek.
Contact
Phone: +1 800-868-9914
Dowling Park
A unique and memorable campground, Dowling Park is one of the highlights of the Suwannee River Camping series. Just across the river from the Advent Christian Village in the town of Dowling Park, this cozy camp features four screened in platforms raised high into the treetops, for an exciting experience and great view.
Lafayette Blue Springs State Park is a gentle 9.7 river miles from Dowling Park, or strong paddlers can do the entire 18 miles to the next river camp at Peacock Slough.
Amenities
Dowling Park provides 5 screened shelters, a picnic pavilion, restrooms with hot showers, and a tent-camping area. There is a canoe launch at the Christian tract north river access point and a parking area overlooking Shirley Springs.
Fishing, biking, hiking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing are all available around the campground.
How to get there
From Live Oak, take the SR 51 south, before turning right on CR 250. Take the CR 250 10 miles, then turn left onto 225th Road. After 3 miles, turn right on 132nd Street, then drive until you cross 233rd Road to the entrance of the Christian tract.
Contact
Phone: +1 800-868-9914
Peacock Slough
A more remote camp with a lovely view of the spring system, Peacock Slough is a great place to relax. Just south of Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park, it is right in the heart of North Florida’s natural springs country, and offers the chance to really get back to nature for those not looking for luxury.
Peacock Slough is just 9.7 river miles from the final camp on the Suwannee River, Adams Tract.
Amenities
Peacock Slough is on the primitive camping side and provides 5 sleeping platforms, a picnic pavilion, restrooms with hot showers, and a tent-camping area. Note that there are no electric hookups, and no drinking water provided.
How to get there
From Live Oak, take the SR 51 south to Luraville, turn left on 180th Street then right on 203rd Road. Head south for half a mile and the entrance is on the left.
Contact
Phone: +1 800-868-9914
Adams Tract
A picturesque spot just upriver from Troy Springs State Park, Adams Tract campground is surrounded by glorious longleaf pine woods, making it perfect for hiking and seeing an alternative side to Florida’s landscape and scenery. Several breaks in the forest canopy allow campers to enjoy magnificent stargazing from the camp as well.
Adams Tract is a short 9.3-mile paddle to Branford to complete the river journey from White Springs.
Amenities
Adams Tract offers 5 sleeping platforms, a picnic pavilion, restrooms with hot showers, and a group camping area.
Fishing, biking, hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife viewing are all available, as is small game hunting during the season.
How to get there
From Mayo, take CR 410 northeast. At the right-angle turn, continue straight on the dirt road 100 yards to the entrance.
Contact
Phone: +1 800-868-9914
