A NOTE FROM THE MANAGER

  What's the perfect way to spend your spring break with gorgeous Florida weather? It's not the beach! It's at Big Shoals! Big Shoals offers just about every outdoor activity you can imagine, hiking, biking, paddling, birding, and more! There are flowers blooming everywhere and wildlife galore! Pack a picnic lunch and don't forget your camera!

There are over 6 miles of river frontage in the park where visitors can hike the trails running along the riverbanks. Being so far from the main highways means the park is always quiet. Only the sounds of nature are heard as you walk the beautiful nature trails or have a nice picnic under the oaks. This is a day you'll long remember, the ideal family outing. So stick around and plan for a fun filled day out at Big Shoals State Park! Big Shoals State Park also offers you a chance to be able to view numerous birding and wildlife opportunities while hiking, biking or horseback riding some of the 28 miles of trails within the park.

When the Suwannee River water levels are on the rise, the Shoals are the place to be. When the water level on the Suwannee River is between 59 and 61 feet above mean sea level, the Big Shoals rapids earn a Class III Whitewater classification. Therefore, if you feel like taking a wet and wild trip down the famous Suwannee River, Big Shoals State Park offers a great canoe launching area and provides a wonderful fun filled trip for experienced paddlers or kayakers. Please contact the Ranger Station for accurate river levels.

For those people that like to hike in the late afternoon, we have a new bat house at the Big Shoals entrance, which everyone should see. Anyone that sticks around for the sunset will be able to see hundreds of Mexican Free-Tailed Bats fly out of the bat house at sunset. 

Please remember to exercise caution while visiting the park and spending time in any outdoor setting.  Ticks are prevalent in many outdoor environments; including State Parks, especially during the summer season. We strongly encourage you to use repellant while visiting our park for your safety. Typical tick borne diseases include Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme Disease and the more common, Ehrichliosis. Repellant is sold at the Stephen Foster State Park Gift Shop.  According to the Florida Dept. of Health, Most tick bites do not result in illness; therefore treatment is not recommended unless a person becomes ill.

There is new Volunteer Host site at Big Shoals entrance of the park. This site will provide a volunteer with very nice concrete pad with hook-ups for an RV or Motor home. So if you are in the mood for a change of pace, then consider volunteering and living in the middle of the Real Florida.

Please be aware that there is hunting occurring in certain areas of Big Shoals Public Lands. For further information visit the Wildlife Conservation Commission Webpage at http://myfwc.com/recreation.

For more information on canoeing and kayaking on the Suwannee please visit the http://floridastateparks.org/wilderness/Suwannee River Wilderness Trail web page.

See our Activities page for a complete listing of all Big Shoals has to offer you and your family. For additional information call Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park Ranger Station at 386-397-4331.

DESIGNATIONS

GETTING HERE

GET INVOLVED

• For forms, information and benefits of volunteering visit Get Involved.

CONCESSIONAIRES

PET POLICY

• Florida State Parks Pet Policy

Florida State Parks Information Center (850) 245-2157
Florida Division of Recreation and Parks
3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL 32399