Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WORTH A TRIP
UPON THE SUWANNEE RIVER
Flowing 207 miles, the Suwannee River was immortalized by Stephen Foster in Florida's
state song, 'Old Folks at Home.' Foster himself never set eyes on the river but thought
'Suwannee' (or 'Swannee', as his map apparently stated, hence his corruption of the
spelling) sounded suitably Southern. As it happened he was right; the river winds through
wild Spanish-moss-draped countryside from the far north of the state to the Gulf of Mex-
ico in the curve of the Big Bend. See it for yourself along the
Suwannee River Wilderness
Trail
(
www.suwanneeriver.com
), which covers 169 miles of the river to the gulf, with nine
'hubs' - cabins - spaced one day's paddle apart. They book up fast, so reserve as early as
possible. River camps along the banks of the trail are also in the pipeline.
The trail starts at the
Stephen Foster State Folk Cultural Center
( 386-397-2733;
www.floridastateparks.org/stephenfoster
; Hwy 41 N, White Springs; vehicle $5, camp sites $20, cabins
$100; park 8am-sunset, museum 9am-5pm), north of White Springs. With lush green hills
and monolithic live oak trees, the park has a museum of Florida history that you'd swear
is a 19th-century plantation. The three-day Florida Folk Festival, a celebration of tradition-
al Floridian music, crafts, food and culture, takes place here every Memorial Day week-
end. Next door to the park, canoe rentals are available from
American Canoe Adven-
tures
( 386-397-1309;
www.aca1.com
;
10610 Bridge St, White Springs; 10am-4pm), which of-
fers day trips ($35 to $60, depending on mileage and terrain) where you're transported
upstream and then paddle down. Overnight canoe rentals are $25.
river
; 20185 CR 132, Live Oak; vehicle $5, camp sites $22, cabins $100; 8am-sunset), at the con-
fluence of the Withlacoochee and Suwannee Rivers, has Civil War fortifications. Camping
is available, as well as basic cabins which sleep up to six people. The park is 13 miles west
of Live Oak, just off US 90 - follow the signs.
Manatee Springs State Park
Between Cedar Key and Steinhatchee,
Manatee Springs State Park
( 352-493-6072;
www.floridastateparks.org/manateesprings
; 11650 NW 115th St; vehicle $6; 8am-sundown)
is
worth a stop, especially for a dip into the 72˚F (22°C) crystalline waters of the beautiful
spring.
