🌤 Weather at Suwannee River State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 52–90 °F | 72–94 °F | 52–90 °F | 45–72 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Live Oak, 13 mi away, elevation 120 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
‘Way down upon the Suwannee River, Far, far away, There’s where my heart is turning ever, There’s where the old folks stay’. Written by Stephen Foster in 1851, the song ‘Old Folks at Home’ put the Suwannee River on the map. Now Florida’s official state song, if you fancy checking out what inspired these lyrics, you should pay a visit to Suwannee River State Park. Situated about a 75 minute drive to downtown Tallahassee, the river is the main attraction of the 1800-acre park. Providing plenty of opportunity for swimming, fishing and paddling, those into hiking can also explore several trails. Showcasing a topography of limestone cliffs, dense forest and verdant woodland, these trails house vibrant birds and wildlife. This Florida state park is also home to several camping options, including cabins and full hookup sites that come with water, electricity and sewage connections for RVs and trailers.
Activities
Visitors can partake in a wide range of outdoor recreational pursuits during their time at Suwannee River State Park. Presented below is a quick rundown of some of the various things you can see and do during your time there.
Paddling at Suwannee River State Park
Running from south Georgia, the Suwannee River stretches for the best part of 246 miles until it reaches the Gulf of Mexico. Subsequently there are several backcountry trips you can take via canoe, kayak or SUP from the campground. The rainfall significantly changes your experience and what you see, so it is worth checking with the ranger station to ascertain the current water status. At the park, the boat ramp easily lets you access the Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers. You can also hire watercraft out from several private companies if you didn’t bring any to the park with you. 
Swimming at Suwannee River State Park
Several springs, including the Little Gem and Suwanacoochee Springs feed into both rivers within the park. As a result there are several spots within it where you can enjoy a cooling dip in the water. This is a particularly good thing to do during the intense heat of summer, so be sure to bring your costume with you when you visit the park. When you do go for a swim you will have to do so at your own risk as the park is not lifeguarded. Make sure you wear plenty of sunscreen as well.
Hiking at Suwannee River State Park
For those who enjoy hiking, the park offers six different trails you can explore. Ranging in length from less than a mile to more than 12 miles long they all showcase the park’s outstanding natural environment. Giving you a close up view of everything from oak trees and the rivers to ghost towns and Civil War defenses. Here are some of the most popular trails at Suwannee River State Park:
- Lime Sink Trail – Length: 0.75 miles. Degree of Difficulty: easy
- Sandhill Trail – Length: 0.8 miles. Degree of Difficulty: moderate
- Big Oak Trail – Length: 12.5 miles Degree of Difficulty: challenging
Birding and Wildlife Viewing at Suwannee River State Park
The Suwannee River State Park is renowned for being an outstanding destination for wildlife watching and birding. Throughout the park several forested and aquatic areas merge to create a natural habitat for numerous species of flora and fauna. As a result several breeds of wading birds including the Suwannee River Cooter call the park home. The likes of common nighthawks, egrets, herons, eastern screech-owl and woodpeckers all live there too. At ground level, you can expect to see plenty of turtles, white-tailed deer, snakes and alligators .
Pets at Suwannee River State Park
If your dog is well-behaved they are welcome to join you at the park. However, you will need to keep them on a 6-foot leash and clean up after them. Pets are not allowed entry into the cabins or any of the park’s buildings. Service dogs, by contrast, can accompany you anywhere in the park.
Camping at Suwannee River State Park
For those who want to stay at the park overnight there are several options available to visitors. This includes 30 sites that come with full hookups for water, electricity and sewage. Three of which are completely ADA accessible. Shaded by several oak trees, these sites are mainly on gravel pads that can accommodate RVs and trailers between 12 and 45 feet in length. Amenities at the campground include a laundry, playground and picnic area. There is also a dump station for those who want to empty out the contents of their black tank. As well as these sites, there are also five cabins available for hire. Situated within the woods you will find them along the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. Relatively modern in nature, they feature five beds which can sleep up to six people. They are also furnished with a kitchenette, air-conditioning and indoor heating. If you are visiting the park in a large group there are two additional campsites that are specifically set up for group camping. One of them can house groups of up to 45 campers while the other can host 30 people. Each of these campsites comes with connections for electricity and water. They also have individual picnic tables and campfire grills you can cook on. If you stay at either of these campgrounds there is also a bathhouse you can use that comes with modern restrooms and hot showers.
Park Location
Suwannee River State Park 3631 201st Path Live Oak, FL 32060 Phone: 386.362.2746 Park Website Reservations
Map
Video
Here is a short YouTube video showcasing several attractions at Suwannee River State Park:
Explore More Florida State Parks
Suwannee River State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Florida. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Florida guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
Keep exploring: The closest neighbors are Madison Blue Spring State Park (a short drive away) and Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park (within about an hour’s drive).
⛺ Camping at Suwannee River State Park: Campgrounds & Cabins
| Campsites | 30 sites — 30 oak-shaded campsites with electricity, water and sewer hookups, each with a picnic table and fire ring; three campsites are ADA accessible, with an ADA-accessible restroom and showers nearby; maximum RV length is 45 feet. |
|---|---|
| Cabins & Lodging | Five riverside cabins, each accommodating up to four people. The two-bedroom cabins have heating and cooling, an electric fireplace, a screened porch, a kitchen and a bathroom with towels, and come fully equipped with linens and kitchen utensils; picnic tables and grills are at each cabin. One cabin is ADA accessible. Televisions and phones are not provided, and pets are not permitted in the cabins. |
| Pets | Pets are welcome in the campground on a 6-foot leash controlled by the owner; pets are not permitted in cabins or park buildings. |
| Reservations | Campsite and cabin reservations can be made through the Florida State Parks reservation website or by calling 800-326-3521 (TDD 888-433-0287). Cabin rentals require a two-night minimum stay and cost $100 per night plus tax, a $7 nightly utility fee and a nonrefundable $6.70 reservation fee. |
| Special sites | One group camp option, Lime Sink Group Camp along Lime Sink Run, with restrooms, showers, picnic tables, a fire ring, and water and electricity; fees are $5 per adult and $1 per youth per night. |
| Season notes | As of July 2026, effective June 3, 2026 the campground is closed to all reservations and walk-ins for a campground upgrade project, with only cabin walk-ins being accepted. Separately, effective Nov. 25, 2025, the bridge, overlook, day-use picnic area and River Trail are temporarily closed. |
Camping questions about Suwannee River State Park
Can you camp at Suwannee River State Park?
Yes. Suwannee River State Park has 30 campsites. 30 oak-shaded campsites with electricity, water and sewer hookups, each with a picnic table and fire ring; three campsites are ADA accessible, with an ADA-accessible restroom and showers nearby; maximum RV length is 45 feet.
How do you reserve a campsite at Suwannee River State Park?
Campsite and cabin reservations can be made through the Florida State Parks reservation website or by calling 800-326-3521 (TDD 888-433-0287). Cabin rentals require a two-night minimum stay and cost $100 per night plus tax, a $7 nightly utility fee and a nonrefundable $6.70 reservation fee.
Are there cabins at Suwannee River State Park?
Five riverside cabins, each accommodating up to four people. The two-bedroom cabins have heating and cooling, an electric fireplace, a screened porch, a kitchen and a bathroom with towels, and come fully equipped with linens and kitchen utensils; picnic tables and grills are at each cabin. One cabin is ADA accessible. Televisions and phones are not provided, and pets are not permitted in the cabins.
Are pets allowed at the Suwannee River State Park campground?
Pets are welcome in the campground on a 6-foot leash controlled by the owner; pets are not permitted in cabins or park buildings.
Source: floridastateparks.org (verified July 2026). Details change seasonally — confirm when booking.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Suwannee River State Park
Park policy: Suwannee River State Park says well-behaved pets are welcome and must be kept on a 6-foot leash at all times. That includes the 30-site riverside campground, where the leash has to stay under the owner's control.
- Pets allowed?
- Yes, on a 6-foot leash; welcome in the campground but not in cabins
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leashes may not exceed 6 feet; pets must be under physical control at all times.
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are not permitted on beaches, boardwalks or playgrounds, or in bathing areas — swimming pets can be viewed as prey by alligators.
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets are not allowed in any state park buildings, cabins or cabin areas.
- Park-specific rules
- Pets are not permitted in the park's five riverside cabins or in any park building.
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Pets prohibited at several parks including Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs (free kennels at the entrance), Weeki Wachee Springs and Egmont Key; in campgrounds pets must be confined in the camping unit 11 p.m.-7 a.m.
- Dogs & wildlife
- Pets must be kept on a 6-foot leash at all times, and FWC advises keeping pets leashed and away from the water's edge in alligator habitat.
Are dogs allowed at Suwannee River State Park?
Yes, on a 6-foot leash; welcome in the campground but not in cabins.
Beyond that, Florida’s statewide rules apply.
Rules verified July 2026 via floridastateparks.org. More: Florida state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
🐻 Wildlife at Suwannee River State Park: What to Watch For — and Watch Out For
Worth watching for: The park is a hub of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, with herons and egrets, wood ducks, red-tailed and red-shouldered hawks, woodpeckers, barred owls, warblers, vireos, wrens, swallows and thrashers recorded here. Its sandhill wilderness at the meeting of the Suwannee and Withlacoochee rivers is home to diverse and imperiled native species, best seen from the trails along the high river banks.
Watch out for: Alligators inhabit rivers and lakes in all 67 Florida counties, so treat both rivers here as alligator habitat: FWC guidance is to never feed an alligator, keep your distance if you see one, and swim only in designated swimming areas during daylight hours.
Are there alligators at Suwannee River State Park?
Yes — see above for where they occur in the park and how to behave. Sightings are a normal part of a healthy park; incidents are rare when visitors keep distance and store food properly.
Wildlife information verified July 2026 via web.archive.org.
Park Location
Plan your gear for Suwannee River State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
