Journey with us on an old fashion "float trip" down the historic Suwannee River. Our relaxed pace gives us time to play on beaches, hike side trails, and observe wildlife. We set up camp early enough each afternoon so that guests can relax riverside and the guides can prepare an amazing campfire dinner.
We begin with a shuttle 2.5 hours north to the Okefenokee Swamp. After sometime packing and arranging boats we will explore the swamp as we make our way southwest to the headwaters of the Suwannee River. Blooming Tupelos , twisted cypress, peeling river birch, and stoic Live oaks draped with Spanish moss shade our path as we twist and turn our way downstream. Have your cameras ready for the throngs of alligators basking in the sunshine.
Day 2:
Enjoying our return to Florida, we will start to encounter limestone outcrops and higher defined riverbanks. White sand beaches are found at almost every large bend in the river. Early mornings are spent watching huge woodpeckers, swallow tailed kites, and soaring buzzards.
Day 3:
Nice wilderness stretch of river in the morning. Frequent coyote sightings in this area. Just prior to lunch the group will get to experience some faster water at a small set of shoals. Higher banks begin to form, reminents of the ancient coral reef that once stood here. Fossilized sea fans, brain coral, and sea bisquits are evident near every cliff.
Day 4:
Long paddle today and if history repeats itself, expect a strong head wind. The pay off is Florida’s only stretch of whitewater, The Big Shoals. Nice big bouncy class 3 rapids. We will of course portage around them. Since camp is at the shoals everyone will get a chance to swim and possibly shoot the rapids.
Day 5:
After the portage we will get a few small shoals to shoot as we make our way into the Historic town of White Springs. Lunch will be in town. With stuffed guts everyone will drift a mile down to the Stephen Foster Cultural Center to get a chance to walk it off. This is one of Florida’s finest state parks. It also has the best gift shop filled with locally made folk art and food.
Day 6:
Nice easy day with lots of drifting, swimming, day hikes, and a good rope swing or two. Lots of chances to stop and go exploring on the Florida Trail, birding in the high scrub, or look for swamp creatures in the sloughs.
Day 7:
We will float the rest of the way to the Suwannee River Canoe Outpost by noon. Your guides will shuttle everyone back to the Jacksonville airport arriving usually by 4pm.
Accommodations and Food: The leaders will prepare and serve all meals. Meals included in the trip fee begin with lunch on the first day and lunch on the last day. Meals served on the trip will honor and reflect local cuisine. A typical dinner would consist of shrimp and crawfish Creole, white rice, garlic bread, fresh salad, and something chocolate for dessert.
Accommodations are backcountry and primitive.
Trip details:
Enjoying our return to Florida, we will start to encounter limestone outcrops and higher defined riverbanks. White sand beaches are found at almost every large bend in the river. Early mornings are spent watching huge woodpeckers, swallow tailed kites, and soaring buzzards.
Day 3:
Nice wilderness stretch of river in the morning. Frequent coyote sightings in this area. Just prior to lunch the group will get to experience some faster water at a small set of shoals. Higher banks begin to form, reminents of the ancient coral reef that once stood here. Fossilized sea fans, brain coral, and sea bisquits are evident near every cliff.
Day 4:
Long paddle today and if history repeats itself, expect a strong head wind. The pay off is Florida’s only stretch of whitewater, The Big Shoals. Nice big bouncy class 3 rapids. We will of course portage around them. Since camp is at the shoals everyone will get a chance to swim and possibly shoot the rapids.
Day 5:
After the portage we will get a few small shoals to shoot as we make our way into the Historic town of White Springs. Lunch will be in town. With stuffed guts everyone will drift a mile down to the Stephen Foster Cultural Center to get a chance to walk it off. This is one of Florida’s finest state parks. It also has the best gift shop filled with locally made folk art and food.
Day 6:
Nice easy day with lots of drifting, swimming, day hikes, and a good rope swing or two. Lots of chances to stop and go exploring on the Florida Trail, birding in the high scrub, or look for swamp creatures in the sloughs.
Day 7:
We will float the rest of the way to the Suwannee River Canoe Outpost by noon. Your guides will shuttle everyone back to the Jacksonville airport arriving usually by 4pm.
Accommodations and Food: The leaders will prepare and serve all meals. Meals included in the trip fee begin with lunch on the first day and lunch on the last day. Meals served on the trip will honor and reflect local cuisine. A typical dinner would consist of shrimp and crawfish Creole, white rice, garlic bread, fresh salad, and something chocolate for dessert.
Accommodations are backcountry and primitive.
Trip details:
Guests flying in should fly in a day early and will be picked up at 3pm by our private van. You will then camp out at our official meeting spot Suwannee River Canoe Outpost in Live Oak, FL. Guests driving should arrive the day before and camp or arrive the day of the tour before 8am.
