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Big Shoals WMA

Managed in cooperation with
Florida Division of Forestry
Suwannee River Water Management District
Department of Environmental Protection

Big Shoals WMA encompasses more than 2,000 acres in southeastern Hamilton County, northeast of White Springs. This area extends along three miles of bluffs above the Suwannee River and features the largest whitewater rapids in the state. The floodplain consists of basin swamps and slope forests. The uplands include high-quality pine flatwoods and mixed hardwood forests. Hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, hiking, bicycling, canoeing, picnicking, and horseback riding are permitted on this area. Turkey, white-tailed deer, gray squirrel, eastern cottontail, gopher tortoise, raccoon, American kestrel, and barred owl are a few of the wildlife species found on the area.  Children under the age of 16 are required to wear a helmet when horseback riding on public lands.  For more detailed information go to Nicole's Law .  All horseback riders must have proof of current negative Coggins Test results for their horses when on state lands. This area is a site on the Great Florida Birding Trail.

• Visit Florida Division of Forestry's At-a-Glance Guide to Recreation on State Forests in Florida for information on Big Shoals State Forest.

• View FWC's Regulations Summary for Big Shoals for an area map, hunting seasons, permits, fees, and area regulations.