A real nice park on the famous Suwannee River. Didn't have time to see it all, but caught some highlights.
The road entrance to the park. One can also enter from the river.
This is a small park campground-wise with only 30 sites for tenting or RVs. The sites are all shaded, level sand with water and 50/30/20 amp electric. Site #6.
Little side foliage for privacy, but enough space between sites that it doesn't really matter. The sites are all well defined. The restrooms, showers and laundry area are well maintained and as the rest of the park are very neat and clean. The paved roads in the park provide excellent biking and walking. Of course, there are plenty of sandy trails to bike or hike.
There are 5 very nice cabins if you choose not to bring an rv or tent.
A short walk from the cabins and campsite loop is a playground and large picnic area with restrooms and pavilions for day use. The Suwannee River Trail ends, or begins, here.
Walking along the Earthworks Trail, .25 miles, from the picnic area to the Ferry Landing & Confluence Overlook one passes through the former site of a saw mill.
A few machine remnants and parts of the foundation remain.
Interesting bridge along this trial. It appears to have been purposely built this way. But there are sink holes along one side, so maybe not.
From the bridge is a view of the Suwanacoochee Spring, bubbling spring water from the aquifer into the Withlacoochee River just before it joins the Suwannee River. It has an outflow of 19 million gallons per day.
Attached to the bridge is a piece of hull from a ferry boat that once made landing near this point.
The view from Confluence Overlook. On the left is the Withlacoochee River, which joins, on the right, the Suwannee River. The Suwannee River continues south to the Gulf of Mexico. The rivers are brackish. Notice how blue the sky reflects.
Back up stream near the entrance to the campsite loop is a boat ramp, entrance to the cabins and the midway point of the Suwannee River Trail, .7 miles, along the river.
Cross the bridge at the boat ramp to continue on the river trail. The bridge crosses Lime Sink Dry Run.
A calm Suwannee River.
Traveling north along the river.
Two came by canoe to camp for a night as they traveled the Suwannee.
The river trail ends at Little Gem Spring Overlook and becomes Balanced Rock Trail. One can carefully ease down to the water's edge to get a better look.
Looking down on the spring you can see the spring head in the right hand lower corner.
Continuing on, now Balanced Rock Trail, a three mile loop trail that follows the river to Hickory Bend, a group camp site, and returns to Balanced Rock.
Balanced Rock. Well, once balanced. Along about April or May, 1915, the rock toppled. It lays on its side on top of other rocks.
Just enjoying reflections in the river and moss covered limestone formations.
A short cut back to the river trail puts you midpoint on the Lime Sink Run Trail, .75 miles long, then back to the River Trail. Or, you can continue on the Lime Sink Run Trail loop.
Watch your head.
Some "tree art" on the trail.
Back to the bridge again where the Lime Sink Dry Run empties into the Suwannee River.
While the Lime Sink Run Trail starts out moderate, there are parts that are riddled with roots and with elevation changes. But, still not a bad hike.
Some of the sink holes contain water, while others along the run are dry.
Huge rotted section. I believe 4-5 adults could squeeze inside. And, stand up.
Obviously an old dam on this run. Wonder what the purpose.
Another wet area.
A recently built bridge marks the turning point in the trail loop. It provides a good view of the run.
There are six trails in the park ranging from .25 to 18 miles. Two are not connected to the others - Sandhill Trail which is a loop starting at the picnic area parking lot and Big Oak Trail, which is on the other side of the Suwannee River. On that trail is a primitive camp site right where the Withlacoochee joins the Suwannee.
Some things seen along the way.
The rangers are ready for Halloween. Wings flap, eyes light up red.
The canoe on the river. The two guys overnighted in the site in front of us. Freewheeling down the Suwannee. Stopping wherever and whenever. Life is good. Homebuilt from Western Cedar. Beautiful in the sunlight. Carried a ton of camping stuff in it.
Did I mention a train track skirts the park? No matter. The trains are few, short, fast and pretty quiet. None of that clickety-clack stuff.
Scrub land along the entrance road.
Chalky Bluestem (?)
Purple and White Muhly Grass
Crow's Poison
Dorantes Longtail
Gulf Fritillary (topside)
Gulf Fritillary (Underside)
