Big Shoals State Park

Big Shoals State Park is located in White Springs, FL on the Suwannee River.  It features the largest whitewater rapids in the state of Florida.  Surrounded by 80 ft Limestone bluffs above the banks of the Suwannee river Big Shoals is a beautiful sight.  When the water level on the Suwannee river is between
59 to 61 feet above sea level Big Shoals is classified as a Class III rapid and canoe and kayakers enjoy riding the rapids on this part of the Suwannee river.  Yesterday the level of the Suwannee was 49 feet above sea level so it was running a little slow. There are over 28 miles of hiking, biking and horseback trails through Big Shoals State Park and the only way to view Big Shoals is by boat or taking the one mile hiking trail to it.
It is well worth the hike and there is a nice beach to sit at while down on the Suwannee River enjoying the rapids.  We make Big Shoals an annual hike every year while we are at Stephen Foster State Park.  We have seen the rapids when they are flowing hard and we have seen them when they are just a trickel.  Yesterday, with the water level being down Big Shoals was closer to a trickle.  I posted a couple of pictures.  The top picture is what Big Shoals looked like yesterday and the second picture is what Big Shoals looks like when the water level is up.  We had a good day of hiking.  All the dogs enjoyed running on the trail and then swimming in the Suwannee.  It was a good day!