Big Shoals State Park: Little Shoals & Big Shoals

Trail towards the "Little Shoals"
Big Shoals State Park

A wonderful place to explore in White Springs are the Shoals which may be confusing because the park area is called Big Shoals State Park but the easiest access from White Springs is through the Little Shoals entrance. 

Previous visitor

Actually the park is onlhy part of “Florida Public Lands” as the 3919 acres are managed by the Florida State Parks, Florida Division of Forestry, Suwannee RiverWater Management District, and Florida Fish and WildlifeConservation Commission. This is not an uncommon situation in Florida as water becomes scarce, forests are threatened, and Tallahassee continues to cut budgets. The symbiotic relationship makes perfect sense.

Guess the resident of this egg has
Flown the Coop

Now we are really discussing Florida's only Class III White Water Rapids which are know as “Big Shoals” on the Suwannee River. The smaller rapids are “Little Shoals”. The park is named Big Shoals and with many trails between the main entrance at “Little Shoals” and the more round about entrance at “Big Shoals”.

Trees reflect on the high water.
Could not hike to the Shoals

Alright, enough of this. In either case you must hike from the entrances to see the shoals or paddle down the river. Since the water is high due to atypical rains paddling is not recommended so we chose to hike the trails and around the flooded areas to the river. 

High water this year 

 Normally you can also bicycle or horseback ride to the river – with the rain, mud, and flooded trails our boots were the logical choice.

It has been a bit damp as of late

The trails are well marked and scenic as you walk through beautiful north Florida forests along the river bank.

These are more than flat-woods
the trails cross hills and valleys
offering river access.

I look forward to returning for long hikes, off-road bicycling, and a paddle on the river when the Suwannee returns to it's banks.