Live Oak

Exploring Live Oak

Founded in 1878, Live Oak is centered around a historic downtown district with a Deep South feel. Adding to that rural character are farms and country roads surrounding the town.

In town, a paved bike path along a former rail line spans from downtown south paralleling US 129. Most public lands lie along the Suwannee River, about a 20 minute drive away.

The Florida Trail follows the north shore of the river from White Springs through Dowling Park, an outstanding scenic destination for backpackers.

Thanks to its quiet back roads, Live Oak is also the annual destination for the Florida Bicycle Safari each April.

Trails and Parks near Live Oak

Big Oak Trail The Big Oak Trail is one of the most scenic hikes in North Florida. Much of the hiking parallels the Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers, which meet here at a confluence.

Disappearing Creek at Camp Branch On the Disappearing Creek Loop off the Florida Trail along the Suwannee River, watch Camp Branch burble through rapids and cascade into a giant sinkhole.

Ellaville Trail Part of the Florida State Forests Trailwalker System, the Ellaville Trail features floodplain forests and a spectacularly scenic section of the Florida Trail along the Suwannee River.

Florida Trail Suwannee Springs to Holton Creek Following tall river bluffs with geologic wonders, the Suwannee Springs to Holton Creek section of the Florida Trail provides stunning views of the limestone-bordered waters of the Suwannee.

Florida Trail, Alapaha 7.7 miles. Along the limestone-bordered waters of the Alapaha and Suwannee Rivers, the Alapaha section of the Florida Trail explores unique geography within a densely forested landscape.

Florida Trail, Camp Branch to Suwannee Springs 7.8 miles. Rugged climbs through abandoned river channels and along the highest elevations along the Suwannee River make this hike a roller-coaster through river bluff forests and sandy beaches.

Florida Trail, Holton Creek Crossing scenic karst landscapes alongside sinkholes and around its namesake spring, the Holton Creek section of the Florida Trail provides botanical and geologic immersion.

Florida Trail, Stephen Foster to CR 25A 4.7 miles. Roly-poly and rugged, the Florida Trail across Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park showcases the beauty of the Suwannee River from its bluffs.

Florida Trail, Suwannee For 78 miles along the Suwannee River, the Florida Trail clings to bluffs and scrambles through ravines for physical challenges and great scenery.

Lafayette Blue Springs State Park A beauty spot along the western shore of the Suwannee River, Lafayette Blue Spring is both a swimming hole and a lesson in the curious nature of karst.

Madison Blue Spring State Park A long-time Old Florida swimming hole along SR 6 between the towns of Lee and Jasper, Madison Blue Spring is a sinkhole pouring out a first-magnitude spring into the Withlacoochee River.

Royal Springs Staring into Royal Springs, it feels like looking into a bottomless pit. Steep and broad, it drops 42 feet into shimmering waters of turquoise and royal blue.

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park At Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, Florida pioneer crafts and Florida folk music are as important as the lovely setting on the Suwannee River.

Suwannee River State Park Perched on rugged limestone bluffs along one of Florida’s most iconic waterways, Suwannee River State Park preserves significant historical sites in stunning natural landscapes.

Suwannee River Wilderness Trail Showcasing springs, sandy beaches, waterfalls, and haunting swamp forests where manatees gather, the 170-mile Suwannee River Wilderness Trail is a paddling trip of a lifetime

Troy Spring Nature Trail At Troy Spring State Park, the nature trail isn't quite a mile long but provides a good introduction to habitats found along the bluffs of the Suwannee River.

Troy Spring State Park A first-magnitude spring along the Suwannee River, Troy Spring State Park has the remains of a Civil War steamboat cradled in its rocky waters.

Tubing the Ichetucknee Tubing the Ichetucknee River means letting go and going with the flow, letting the waters carry you past beautiful springs and through ever-changing habitats. Here's how.

Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park A top international destination for cave divers, Peacock Springs also offers a unique interpretive hike for non-divers to trace the watery passages beneath the surface.

Articles

I Did A (Bit of) I Did-A-Hike (3/15/2019) Despite pouring rain and thunderstorms, nearly 240 people showed up to tackle the Florida Trail along the Suwannee River for the annual I-Did-A-Hike, and it made for a memorable experience.

Tubing the Ichetucknee (8/30/2015) Tubing the Ichetucknee River means letting go and going with the flow, letting the waters carry you past beautiful springs and through ever-changing habitats. Here's how.