The 16 Best Things to Do in Lafayette County and the Suwannee River

The Suwannee River runs through South Georgia into Florida and down to the Gulf of Mexico. The Suwannee is a 235-mile black-water river that hides artifacts and fossils. Although the river became well-known because of Stephen Foster’s “Old Folks at Home,” it remains well-known because of the wildness it discloses. You can travel for miles along the Suwannee and not see signs of civilization. The river borders the longest side of Lafayette County, and the Steinhatchee River has its beginnings in the county, so it should come as no surprise that many of the activities in the county are water-related. A beautiful photo is a morning fog laying over the Suwannee as the sun begins to burn through. Still, it pales compared to the picture in my memory on those early-morning walks.

Lafayette County is rural, quiet, and a great place to relax. They claim it will even lower your stress level (we all need that, right?) Named in honor of the Revolutionary War hero, the Marquise de Lafayette. Locals pronounce it La-FAY-it (like the girl’s name, Faye.) Say it correctly or be marked as a tourist! Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

1. The Suwannee River Wilderness Trail

The SRWT starts at WhiteSprings and follows the river for 171 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. It travelsover private and public lands and the river, with eight “hubs” along the way.These hubs (or stops) are mostly state parks and towns that offeraccommodations to folks enjoying the blueway trail. Lafayette Blue Springsserves as the SRWT headquarters.

2. Your Place On the River

SuwanneeRiver Rendezvous Resort & Campground has 1,500 feet of Suwannee Rivershoreline and more than 40 acres to wander. There are paved streets, and eachcampsite has a picnic table, a star-gazer lounge chair, and a fire ring to makeyour stay more enjoyable. With three pools, a conversation pool, and a hot tub,you have choices for every night. There is a large dog park, with five separatesections for dogs, large and small, and two agility courses. Plans for the nextphase call for campsites with individually-fenced dog yards. Camping not youridea of a vacation? (not mine either!) Just give them a call and reserve a roomin the Lodge or one of the houses on the property.

TheLodge’s Outdoor Dining Deck overlooks historic Convict Spring. In the early1900s, chain gang prisoners working on road projects were too far to return tothe jail, so they stayed at remote camps, including this area. The naturalfreshwater spring has 70-degree clear water and was used by the prisoners tocool off after work. The spring has a mapped underwater cave system, but arecent cave-in has rendered it unsafe for cave-diving.

TheLodge has an on-premises restaurant (and if you are there for Thanksgivingdinner, bring stretchy pants…just saying!) They have activities to keep peopleentertained all week. The Catch and Release Pond is stocked, and no fishinglicense is required. Fridays there is Bingo; Saturdays Pigeon Races and ChickenPoo Bingo, then karaoke & trivia; Fridays and Saturdays live entertainmentrocks the Lodge. The concept of Chicken Poo Bingo was invented in a New Orleansbar during the 1980s. It is exclusive to the Rendezvous in the state ofFlorida. Various other activities come up, so be sure to check the schedule andcalendar. On my last visit, I saw Elvis performing!

3. Horses, Parks, and Picnics

Nearbyis the DragonflyRanch.Although it is 11 miles over the county line in Suwannee County, it is just ashort drive to go horseback riding with Georges. The Dragonfly offers trailrides designed for riders of varying levels of ability. There is a 30-minuteride in the woods and pastures for beginners. More advanced riders will enjoythe 1.5, 2, 2.5 and even 6-hour trail rides through the Christian Tract park(338 acres of woods along the Suwannee), the Suwannee River trails, and theall-day Charles Springs trail ride, with a lunch break at the spring. As youride the trail with Georges, he will spin tails about the wilderness, hiddensprings, and sinkholes along the Suwannee. His tours are educational andentertaining. If you don’t ride, you can still enjoy a day with the horses—hehas a great buggy and the perfect spot for a picnic!

The R. O. Ranch and the SuwanneeRiver Water Management District are developing a 2,500-acre equestrian park inLafayette County. Trails are closed during hunting season, so be sure to checkthe website before loading your horses! Also, overnight stays are no longerpermitted, so you will need to make alternate plans for sleeping arrangementsfor you as well as your horse.

4. Go With the Flow

Troy Springs State Park is situated on the Suwannee River. The 70-foot deep spring is what they call a “1st magnitude” spring. That classification means that this is one of the largest springs, and it discharges more than 64 million gallons of water EVERY DAY!! I’ll help you with that math—that calculates to 100 cubic feet per second! When you visit a spring, you can look down through that clear water and see the “boil” where the water is bubbling up into the pool. Troy Springs attracts swimmers, snorkelers, and scuba divers (no solos allowed.) For the history buff, there is a Civil War-era steamboat, the Madison, scuttled by her captain in 1863 to prevent her capture. Tip:  For the non-swimming visitor, there is an interpretive nature trail.

The LafayetteBlue Springs State Park is also located on the Suwannee River, and it is also a1st magnitude spring. The park allows you to enjoy birding; swimming; launchingyour kayak, canoe, or boat; primitive camping; fishing; horseback riding; andscuba diving. The Green Sink is an underwater cave system at Blue Springs withover 12,000 feet of surveyed and documented passageways for the certified cavediver. Non-divers can still enjoy a stunning view of various fish, turtles, andbeautiful rock formations.

5. Star Gazing

LafayetteCounty has excellent dark sky locations. The remote locations and lack of majorcities in the area allow visitors to enjoy stargazing and astrophotography.Pack your telescope and/or your camera tripod. Tip:  takealong a jacket (the nights get pretty nippy even during the summer.)

6. Take a Factory Tour

Fishermenprobably know just who the Bass Assassin is, but whether you know about thisMayo-based company or not, call Liz and book a tour. This local companycreates Bass Assassin Lures, soft plastic lures thathave provided anglers with the right “ammo” to assassinate fish for over 30years. They say that no matter what type of fish you’re trying to catch, theyhave what you need. They certainly have every color of plastic and glitter thatyou can imagine. During my tour, I spotted some of my favorite colors beingused to make saltwater and freshwater lures. I even spotted a shrimp that canfool the local trout!

7. Pick Your Pigeon

A Rendezvous highlight for visitors is the weekly homing pigeon race. Since 2012, visitors have picked out what they believe will be a fast flyer. The chosen competitors march from the coop into the pigeon limousine and take a ride about four miles down the road. The birds are released, and the first ones back to the coop win medals and money for their sponsors, and the Pokey Pigeon Prize goes to the very last bird back in the coop. Tip:  Pick one who looks “ready to go.” I picked out one that appeared to be eager to fly, with a “Pick me! Pick me!” expression on her face. There was a method to my madness—and it paid off—my pigeon, Skye, was the second one to arrive back at the barn! The resort awarded me my first-ever medal! 

8. Waaay Down Upon the Suwannee River

TheSuwannee River borders Lafayette County, providing the perfect locale forkayaking, canoeing, and fishing. The Suwannee was flowing slowly during myvisit. It made for an ideal afternoon floating lazily downstream in my kayak.The water was as smooth as glass and provided mirror-like reflections for myphotographs. Kayak or canoe trips are available for a 4- or 6-hour tour, alongwith drop-off and pickup shuttle services. These can be arranged at theRendezvous.

9. Fishing

Fishingin the Suwannee River means pulling in Large Mouth Bass, Suwannee Bass, Mullet,Blue Gill, Sun Fish, and Channel Catfish. You may even hook a massive Sturgeon(200 lbs.), but they are protected by state law, so you can’t keep them—butwhat a story you’ll have to tell about the fish that got away!!

Youcan also fish in the Catch-and-Release Pond at the Suwannee River Rendezvous.This stocked pond is also home to a flock of Peking Ducks who love to play inthe fountain’s spray.

10. Sportsmen’s Paradise

Floridasportsmen can hunt for wild hogs year-round. The 31,318-acre  Mallory Swamp WildlifeManagement Area offers cypress swamps and peat bogs. Fishing, wildlife, andbird viewing spots and trails for horseback riding, biking, and hiking are allavailable in Mallory Swamp. Birders may record their observations on the Mallory Swamp WMA eBirdHotspot.

The Suwannee River Ranch is a year-roundhunting ranch that offers specialized hunts, guaranteed hunts, and youth hunts.The ranch’s terrain ranges from old river bottom to palmetto scrub and varioussinkholes. Provisions are made for both shooting and archery. The huntingpreserve license will cover all of your hunting activities, so no other permitsare needed.

11. Dining Out

TheMayo Café has been serving up country cookin’ since 1988. I’m drooling justthinking about those fall-off-the-bone ribs. Oh, my goodness!! And they wereheaped up right there on the buffet—all mine! 

In the mood for Mexican? Mayo’s Casa Frias is right downtown. They have excellent food, healthy servings, and friendly servers.  The seafood platter was scrumptious!

The Hornet Café is a family-owned and family-run operation. It opened in March 2020 in a building that started life in 1914 as a corner drug store. Drop-in for breakfast or lunch—or a specialty coffee or fruit smoothie. Their homemade soups and sandwiches (on fresh-baked bread) are delicious. Tip:  Be sure to ask about the daily specials!

12. Visit THE Bridge

TheHal W. Adams Bridge straddles Lafayette and Suwannee Counties over the SuwanneeRiver. This bridge, built-in 1947, is unusual in its construction because it isboth metal Pony Trusses and Stiffened Wire Cables. It has the distinction ofbeing the only suspension bridge in Florida. Tip: There is a boat ramp justbelow this bridge and several excellent spots for a photograph.

13. Maybe It’s Miracle Whip?

Afew years ago, the town of Mayo had an official name change—for one day! Eventhe water tank had a banner across it, covering the name with the new name“Miracle Whip.” The townspeople took it all in good fun; after all, they weretreated to a BBQ luncheon, complete with Miracle Whip Slaw! Explore the townand enjoy the shops, historic buildings, and courthouse. The MayoChamber has up-to-date information on its website.

14. Slow Down and Pedal

Takea ride on one of the two on-road bicycle trails. Peacock Springs State Park hasfour great access points to the springs and is an easy ride from Mayo. Put thatride together with another path that meanders along back roads, crossing theSuwannee River, and ending at Convict Spring for a heart-pumping 24-mile loop. Anotherride is a 21-mile out-and-back from Mayo to R. O. Ranch. Check the NorthFlorida website for an interactive map.

There is also a route from Mayo to Steinhatchee, so that bikers can pedal to a Gulf Coast fishing village.

15. Enjoy an Antique Hunt

Whileyou are shopping in the historic section of Mayo, check out theantique/collectible shop. You might find just what you “need” to take home. Idid!

16. Join in the Festivities

Lafayette County celebrates at the drop of a hat—or the jump of a fish. The Jumpin’ Sturgeon Festival is in April. July 4th will see fireworks light up the sky. The annual Poker Run happens in September, and October doubles down for the Pioneer Day Festival and the Suwannee River Rendezvous sponsored River Clean-up (kayaks and canoes provided for volunteers and pickups are included.) The Christmas Parade kicks off the holiday season in November. Make your plans early and join in the fun.

Final Tip:  Lafayette is one of Florida’s last three “dry”counties. If you want something stronger than the beer or wine (alcohol contentless than 6.243% of volume), then you’ll have to bring it with you—assuming youare over 21! And you can’t walk around with an open container.

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