3 Reasons to Visit Three Rivers State Park

As we mentioned last week, we spent the New Year’s weekend camping and exploring Three Rivers State Park in Sneads, Florida. Located where Florida meets the southwest corner of Georgia, this peaceful park offers visitors a variety of outdoor activities and interesting Florida history.

Three Rivers State Park is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail, a network of 510 premier wildlife viewing sites across the State. The Trail is a program of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission which encourages conservation of both Florida’s native habitats and native species. Three Rivers has bountiful bird watching opportunities which include many species of waterfowl and American Bald Eagles, the latter making their nests within the park.

While we didn’t see any American Bald Eagles during our visit, we still had a great time camping, exploring and viewing other wildlife species. If you are ever in the area, here are our top three reasons to visit Three Rivers State Park.

1. Friendly Campground with Beautiful Lake Views.

What can we say?! Three Rivers has one of the friendliest campgrounds we have been to in the State Park system. The Park Ranger, we believe his name is Jacob, is never too busy to stop and chat. He knows so much about the park and the flora and fauna that call the park home and he is always happy to share it with you. In addition, the campground hosts keep everything so clean, from the campsites to the bathroom facilities.

Our campsite was on the outer side of the camp road and was one of the 30 campsites that are situated with a direct view of Lake Seminole. Many of the campsites have an indirect view of the Lake, which is still nice but it was amazing to wake up each morning, look out the tent and see the sun rise on the Lake.

The campsites are partially shaded with a picnic table, a fire ring with grill and both water and electric hook ups. Campsites welcome both RV and tent campers. Within the campground is a small boat ramp with canoe rentals and a large fishing pier as boating and fishing are popular activities at Three Rivers.

2. Hiking Among and With Wildlife.

There are four self-guided hiking trails that total five miles of trails. And yes, the trails do not provide a lot of mileage but they do provide the opportunity to see some amazing wildlife. While hiking the Dry Creek Trail to the Eagle Trail, we made a wrong turn and ended up on the Bike Trail. However, if we did not make that wrong turn, we would not have been able to hike among a family of White-Tail Deer. We followed their tracks and were happily surprised that one was still sharing the trail with us.

We finally retraced our steps and made it to the Eagle Trail but unfortunately did not see any American Bald Eagles. Jacob told us later in the day that the nest is about 100 yards off the trail between two of the trail markers so it is possible to see eagles while on that trail.

3. Located in an Area filled with History.

Founded in 1955, the park’s name is a tribute to the Flint, Chattahoochee and Apalachicola Rivers – the first two which flow into Lake Seminole above the Jim Woodruff Dam and the latter which empties from the lake to Apalachicola Bay and eventually, the Gulf of Mexico.

• The area surrounding the park is among the most historically and archaeologically significant in the South. Early Native Americans found the area rich in food and an important area for trade and transportation.
• Spanish missionaries settled in the area in 1674. They were followed by both British and American settlers. Important military events occurred in the area during the War of 1812 and the First Seminole War.
• One of the early residents of the nearby Pope settlement was Dr. John Gorrie, who later moved to Apalachicola where he invented air conditioning and the mechanical ice machine.

Though a wide variety of historic and archaeological sites are now submerged by the lake, Three Rivers State Park still preserves the unique Florida landscape of high hills overlooking Lake Seminole. The park is a great place for visitors to enjoy many activities including bird watching, boating, kayaking/canoeing, fishing, picnicking, camping, hiking and walking. If you are ever in Northwest Florida, Three Rivers State Park is a must-visit park!