Entire Visitor's Guide - Natural North Florida

4For the Birds1910• Suwannee RiverState ParkRiver Rd.• Twin RiversState Park51• PeacockSpringsLuraville Rd.DAILY ITINERARY/INCLUSIONS• Historic White Springs – Enjoy Florida’sfi rst tourism destination• Stephen Foster Folk Culture State Park –Learn the story of the man who madethe Suwannee River famous• Big Shoals Public Lands – 3,700 acrenatural area named for the rocky part ofthe river that passes through it• Falling Creek – So uncommon in Florida,the shoals here could be called waterfalls• Osceola National Forest – Explore thismassive land preserve while adding toyour bird list• Lake Historic Driving Tour/Lake City –Tour the wealthiest and most soughtafter historic neighborhood in Lake City• Suwannee River State Park –Spectacular views where the Suwanneemeets the Withlacoochee• Holton Creek Conservation Area –Follow the trail through old growthbottomland forest75• HoltonCreekSuwannee River41LiveOakBranford• OsceolaNat. For.129• BigShoals27• Stephen FosterCulture Center90• O’Leno State Park,River Rise Preserve• Ichetucknee SpringsState ParkItchetuckneeRiverSanta Fe RiverFortWhiteHighSprings• Jennings Bluff – Savor this trail along theslow moving Alapaha River• Twin Rivers State Forest – Explore two ofthe 14 non-contiguous areas of the forest• Peacock Springs State Park – Follow atrail that twists and turns following theunderground limestone springs• Ichetucknee Springs State Park –Springs here pour 233 million gallons ofwater each day into the river• River Rise Preserve State Park – A naturalbridge on top of the river when it fl owsunderground only to reappear six mileslater• O'Leno State Park – Surrounding theremains of the frontier town of LenoYou can use this itinerary as a suggestedstarting point for an adventure of your owncreation. If, instead you want someone todo all the planning for you, please see thead for American Travel Center in the backof this guide.• HistoricWhite SpringsEven though the 2,000mile Great Florida Birding Trailgoes near here and the SuwanneeRiver Wilderness Trail hasbirding opportunities, birdersin the Suwannee River Valleyfelt that bird watching in theirarea was so good, they decidedto create an experience of theirown to display the best of thebest to birdwatchers from aacross the country.Instead of creating a Trail,they created four HUBS, to congregatethe best locations forbirding into groups that can bevisited in one day. Each of theHUBS is focused on a historicarea, so between bird watchingstops you can explore and enjoythe culture and heritage of thearea as well.We’ve suggest you try accom-modations in White Springs sothat when you venture out to engagein bird watching and otheractivities, you will be returning tothe same lodging each evening.Since the HUBS are so closegeographically, our approachwill save you the time and hassle of packingeach morning.Beginning at the White Springs HUB, you’llbe venturing out fi rst to the Big Shoals PublicLands with more than 3,700 acres and 33miles of trails. The river entrance is closest tothe best birding trail. Also in this HUB, FallingCreek is outfi tted with a boardwalk through alowland forest for up close viewing.At the Ellaville HUB, just outside of Live Oak,you’ll be visiting Suwannee River State Park,Twin Rivers State Park, Peacock Springs Park,Jennings Bluff and the Holton Creek ConservationArea.Further east at the Lake City HUB, yourstops will include Alligator Lake and theOsceola National Forest. Further south at theFort White HUB, the Ichetucknee Springs andO’Leno State Park and River Rise PreserveState Park await.With all of this bird watching in store, enjoyyour trip, Original Florida’s heritage and thegood southern hospitality you’ll encounter.136Falling CreekOsceola Nat.ForestLakeCity20 Natural North Florida