"It's hard to encapsulate what you experience here," said Park Ranger Rianna Elliott.

     Located roughly 20 minutes west of Live Oak the Suwannee River State Park is one of the great hidden gems of North Central Florida.
     Containing nearly two thousand acres of land, that has roughly 12 thousand years of history, Park Ranger Rianna Elliott says the park has lots to offer.

"The Suwannee River State Park is 30 full service camp sites. It has full hook-up including septic, we've got 5 fully furnished cabins."

     But it's not the camping alone that keeps families coming back year after year.

"Lots of hiking trails, two youth group areas, and boating and canoeing galore."

     With all of the activities the state park has to offer, Elliott says this isn't your average vacation.
     She says if you are looking for long lines and crowds, you won't find them here.

"You can do Disney World and see the tourism, but you come here and you get nature in every form."

     Elliott says that she enjoys it out here because when you hear the phrase "go take a hike", it doesn't carry a negative message.

"I have the coolest job on the planet. I have one of those jobs where you can literally go for a hike."

     So if camping, boating, canoeing, and hiking aren't sparking your interest, what else can Suwannee River State Park offer you?

"Just nature, you can come out here and get away and not see anybody for an entire day if you want to."

     When asked to describe the park in one sentence Elliott had this to say.

"We like to say, it's the real Florida."

     And it's hard to argue with that.
     Mike Gismondi, TV20 News