Big Shoals State Park

[reellis67]

Has anyone in the area been to this park? The description states that there are 80 foot limestone bluffs. It sounds like an interesting place, with class III rapids, a trail that follows the river, and the possibility of some very unFlorida-like views.

http://www.floridastateparks.org/bigshoals/default.cfm

If anyone has an info, I'd be very interested in hearing it.

- Randy

 

[doughowk]

Randy, there is Big Shoals, Little Shoals & Falling Creek Falls all in same general area - just North of Lake City. For kayaking/canoeing, high water at Big Shoals is best; but for scenic views dry spells are better. The area is heavily forrested so mid-winter might be a good time for visit. We had a LF outing there about 1-2 years ago, but the water level was high so didn't get any keepers. It definitely is different from most of Florida I've seen.

 

[reellis67]

Thanks for the tip Doug. That Falling Creek park is over 6 hours away from here, but it looks really interesting. I'd like to make the trip at some point, but that's an all day (and then some) one day-er. I'm thinking of hitting Big Shoals on one day (a bit of a longer drive for me) and then O'Leno/River Rise and Troy Springs on another day before the end of the year. I've never been to any of these but each trip could be done and back in one day from here. O'Leno and River Rise should be short trips trail-time wise (same park - different spots), just out to where the river sinks and then where it comes back up, then on to Troy Springs (~1 hour away) in the afternoon to see more of the river. I'll post the dates as soon as I work something out in case anyone want to meet up.

- Randy

 

[doughowk]

Falling Creek Falls is opposite to Big Shoals - you want some water. I've been there several times & have yet to hit it right - either just a trickle or flooded so bad from the hurricanes that the boardwalk approach was impassable. So far, this Winter looks better for both locations. You might also consider the South entrance to Okeefenokee Swamp (its the source for most of the rivers in NE Florida). It's not too far from Big Shoals. Keep us posted when you plan to come up.

 

[reellis67]

Hmm.. I guess the park that I found is something different then. I think my search returned this park rather than what you are talking about since it's 3 hours from Big Shoals. I'll be sure to post when I think I'll be going up that way.

- Randy

 

[doughowk]

Falling Creek Falls is a County Park located just North of Lake City & a few miles SouthEast of Big Shoals and White Springs area. Going West of that area, you get into the Big Bend region that Todd Bertolaet photographed for his Crescent Rivers book. The book is all panoramic views of the region, and it motivated me to get into that format. The Big Bend region is on my list of areas to explore.

 

[reellis67]

I just made an Interlibrary Loan request for that book - it looks like something I might want to add to my personal library. I've not spent any time in this part of Florida and wanted to take time this Fall/Winter to check out what's there, so I really appreciate the info.

- Randy