Big Shoals State Park In Florida: The Largest Whitewater Rapids

Anyone familiar with Florida knows we don’t have too many waterfalls worth bragging about. Sure, we may have theme parks and world-renowned beaches, but when it comes to cascading water dropping into a beautiful pool below, we’re a little sparse. However, we do have one naturally cascading spot worth mentioning, as well as worth trekking through – Big Shoals State Park. Filled with adventurous hiking trails, various wildlife, and the largest whitewater rapids in Florida, this state park is a nature lover’s dream.

Big Shoals State Park in White Springs, Florida, is one of the coolest natural attractions we have in the state.

For starters, there are tons of ways to enjoy the park, whether hiking the various nature trails, bird-watching, ATVing, horseback riding, mountain biking, and so much more.

But what’s really exciting for many visitors is seeing the largest whitewater rapids in the state of Florida. Big Shoals has been an attraction for thousands of years for people looking to heal in the mineral spring waters or adventurers looking to kayak the rapids.

Many indigenous tribes, including the Apalachee and Timucuan, lived in this area for centuries, using the nearby limestone quarry for stone-chipped tools or fishing in the water.

Today, visitors can still enjoy all the same natural beauty within the area, including the rusty-tea-colored blackwater river, which is usually tranquil in flow and owes its unique color to the tannic acid released by nearby decaying vegetation.

Anyone who’s into hiking can enjoy over 28 miles of trails throughout the state park. There is room for all skill levels, including a gentle afternoon walk to an exciting trail run.

Just make sure you stop along the unique vistas within the park, including those atop the limestone bluffs, in order to see the beauty of the Suwannee River below.

As always, before you visit Big Shoals State Park, make sure you check the website for closures and weather conditions.

Have you ever been to Big Shoals State Park in Florida? What did you think of the whitewater rapids? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section! Or, if you want to learn more about visiting this park, including current conditions, check out the Big Shoals State Park webpage.

For anyone curious about what we do have working in The Sunshine State in terms of cascades, make sure to check out these seven incredible waterfall hikes in Florida.

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Big Shoals State Park, Southeast Co Road 135, White Springs, FL, USA

Big Shoals State Park In Florida Is A Nature-Lover’s Perfect Outing

Marisa Roman

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