Perhaps you are old enough or historically in tune with the old “Swanee” River song (also known as Old Folks at Home) written back in 1851. Maybe you thought the song was fictional so Florida Travel Blog answers the question where is the Suwannee River?
Performed and made famous by Bing Crosby in the early 1950s, the “Swanee” River song brings visions of people relaxing along the banks of a beautiful wandering river. Those visions are not only true but the same experiences can be recreated today!
Where is Suwannee River in Florida
The Suwannee River location in Florida, after starting in the Okefenokee Swamp in southern Georgia, is a relatively small river with a mind of its own that flows into Florida between Columbia and Hamilton counties as the border between them. Named the Suwannee River, there are few rivers in Florida that have greater name recognition and historical significance.
The Suwannee River trickles into Florida as a “blackwater” river and gains strength as it is fed by smaller tributaries and natural springs until it empties into the Gulf of Mexico a couple hundred miles southwest of its origins.
Florida Suwannee River History
Native Americans made the Florida Suwannee River a division between the northern Florida tribes. The Timucuan on the east and the Creek tribes on the west.
The Suwannee gets its name from the Timucuan word Swani, meaning “echo river”.
During the Civil War, the Suwannee River was a major waterway for moving supplies for the Confederacy. The Union tried to stop the flow of goods without success even at the very end of the war.
In the late 1800s, the Suwannee River had paddle wheel boats taking tourists to the various springs along the river’s basin and selling goods to settlers along the way.
How Long is The Suwannee River
Totally, the Suwannee is 246 miles long from southern Georgia to the Gulf of Mexico.
Following the Suwannee, by kayak or car, is a fun way to see some of Florida’s natural magnificence as you travel. The history of the Suwannee River is a significant part of Florida’s history.
The place to start your Suwannee adventure, if you are a kayaker, is the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail.
The state of Florida, private campgrounds and boat launching facilities have cooperated to document places to accommodate kayaks and canoes. See the map of the trail here from the start of the Suwannee River to the end.
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