Stay Safe on the Suwannee River With These Helpful Tips

KayakersThere’s no better way to explore the Suwannee River than by canoe or kayak. Paddling down the river is a uniquely relaxing experience that we look forward to every year. It also offers a great opportunity to get an up-close look at the local wildlife in our area.

But to make sure you have a good time, it’s important to keep a few important safety tips in mind when you’re out on the water.

Don’t Drink and Paddle

Stowing a few beers in your canoe might seem like a nice idea, but trust us: alcohol and boating don’t mix. Inebriation will make it much harder to react quickly if you get into a dangerous situation on the water.  In fact, alcohol is the number one contributing factor in recreational boating deaths.

Rather than drinking while you paddle, wait till you get back to shore to enjoy a well-earned beer and a hot meal.

Always Wear Your Personal Flotation Device

Keep your life jacket on at all times, even if you’re a strong swimmer. Not only will it keep you afloat in strong currents, it will also make you more visible to your fellow canoers and kayakers. This way, if your boat tips over, you can get back in sooner rather than later.

Dress for the Weather

Wet clothing can cause you to lose body heat at a rapid pace, making it possible to get hypothermia even in relatively warm weather. In general you should wear light, water-resistant layers, and avoid cotton garments whenever possible.

Bring a Buddy

It’s always best to paddle with at least one other person, especially if you don’t have a lot of boating experience. The more people you travel with, the easier it will be to spot potential hazards and help each other out in the event of an emergency.

Ready to get outside and paddle down the beautiful waters of the Suwannee River? We’d love to see you at our resort and campground conveniently located in Mayo, Florida. Give us a call or contact us online to book your reservation today!

RV Security Tips for Your Next Big Adventure

Family in RVAt the Suwannee River Rendezvous, we welcome RV travelers from all over the country. Our smallest RV site is 40 by 80 feet, so we can accommodate RVs of all shapes and sizes. Visitors are welcome to park either on the original campground, or at the new Rendezvous resort, where guests can wake up to our beautiful pool complex and spa.

But as every RV owner knows, it’s important to protect your vehicle against unwanted intruders when you’re on the road. Today we’ll look at a few security tips to help you get started.

Upgrade Your Locks

An RV is more than just a mode of transportation; it’s also your home away from home. With this in mind, consider upgrading your RV’s standard locks with high-quality padlocks or cylinder locks that can’t be easily broken. It’s generally a good idea to add locks to your hitch and steering wheel, as well. That way, you can enjoy your trip without having to worry about whether or not your belongings are safe.

Invest in Security Lights

Motion-activated security lights are great theft deterrents at night. You may even use similar lights to protect your house when you’re not on the road. Modern LED security lights are inexpensive, energy efficient and easy to install. They’re also bright enough to scare off anyone who might think about trying to break into your RV under cover of darkness.

Park Smarter

With an RV, you should back into campsites to make it easy to get out, right? Well, not necessarily. Pulling forward into campsites can make it much harder for thieves to make a quick getaway with your vehicle. It may add a few minutes to your exit, but your RV’s security is worth it.

Next time you’re traveling in Florida, be sure to visit us on the Suwannee River! Reserve your site online, or give us a call today to learn more.

Money-Saving Tips for your Next RV Camping Adventure

Gas PricesTaking a camping trip in an RV can be a great experience, but it can also put a dent in your bank account if you aren’t careful. From gas and food to highway tolls, there are many expenses that will crop up along your adventure. Fortunately, with a little preparation, you can have a wonderful trip without breaking your budget.

Consider your destination.

Where are you going on your next RV trip? Your options are virtually limitless, but some destinations will be more expensive than others. If you’re on a tight budget, consider making a list of potential destinations and then narrowing it down based on their fees and expenses. At Suwannee River Rendezvous, you can find affordable RV camping rates all year ‘round.

Shop around for the best gas prices.

In 2018, it’s easier than ever to track local gas prices. Smartphone apps like Waze and GasBuddy are designed to help drivers find the lowest gas prices in a given area. Rather than stopping at the first gas station you see, you can often hold out for a better deal down the road.

Eat in whenever you can.

If your RV has a kitchen in it, use it. It can be tempting to pull over at a rest stop for a bite to eat, but that will cost you more money in the long run. It will also promote unhealthy eating habits. You’re much better off preparing meals in your mobile kitchen instead.

Ready to embark on your next camping adventure? We have more than 100 full hook-up sites so you can always find room at Suwannee River Rendezvous. Give us a call or contact us online to reserve your spot today!

Gift Ideas for the Camping Enthusiast in Your Life

Is there someone in your life who loves to go camping? If so, there are plenty of great gifts to consider this holiday season. To help get you started, we put together a few of our favorite gifts for camping enthusiasts. Check them out below.

Portable stoves

Cooking on a campfire certainly has its charms, but it’s not always a practical option. That’s why a good camping stove is nearly essential for overnight backpacking trips. This compact stove from MSR, for example, is small enough to fit in a cargo pocket, but powerful enough to boil water in under 4 minutes.

Camping hammocks

It’s not always easy to find a comfortable place to rest when you’re out in the wilderness, so a camping hammock is a great accessory to keep in your pack. Just anchor one of these lightweight, portable hammocks to two trees and you’ve got a comfortable place to take a nap and watch the world go by.

Water purifiers

It’s always a good idea to have one of these on hand when camping in remote areas. In the past, you may have had to purchase water purification tablets. Nowadays, however, you can find hand-operated pumps that filter water without chemicals. With one of these handy tools, you can always find potable water at the nearest stream.

If you’re still struggling to find the right gift, why not treat your loved one to a camping trip on the beautiful Suwannee River? Book your reservation today, or give us a call to learn more!

Research Finds Camping Can Help Reset Our Body Clocks

If you love the great outdoors, than you know how restorative spending time in nature can be. But did you know it can even help you overcome sleep problems? New research shows that camping can help reset our internal body clocks.

Reset

Due to our frequent exposure to artificial light, many humans stray from a natural sleeping pattern. But one week of camping outdoors and getting away from artificial light sources is enough to return a person’s body clock to its natural sleep rhythms, according to a recent study published in Current Biology. These findings demonstrate that our internal biological clocks will quickly synchronize to a natural light-dark cycle if the opportunity arises.

Easier to wake up

During their one week of camping, the study participants’ average light exposure increased by more than four times. This added exposure to natural light caused changes in their brains’ melatonin production, which made it easier to wake up from a restful sleep.

Better Sleep

Many of the participants who usually experienced sleep issues claimed this was the only time they were able to get uninterrupted sleep by going to bed early and waking up early. This suggests that carefully controlling our exposure to artificial light, particularly at night, could help successfully treat sleep problems.

For a relaxing and rejuvenating camping experience to get your sleep schedule back on track, come visit us here at Suwannee River Rendezvous in Mayo, Florida! We offer a variety of primitive, water/electric and full hook-up sites. Contact us today for more information!

Helpful Tools to Keep In Your Tackle Box

You’ve got your reel and your bait, and you’re excited and ready to head out for your fishing trip.

But wait! A little extra preparation can go a long way toward helping you have a good time on your adventure. Make sure you keep a few extra tools in your tackle box so you can be ready for whatever the river brings your way!

Needlenose Pliers

Sometimes you need a little help to get your bait and tackle ready to go. Sometimes it’s tough getting a hook from your fish’s lips – especially if it has long teeth. Sometimes, your cast might not go as planned, leaving you with a hook caught in your jeans. A good pair of needlenose pliers can help you in all these situations and more.

Fillet Knife

This one may go without saying. A good rust-resistant knife can help you clean fish, cut lines, slice bait, and accomplish any number of other common tasks you might face during a fishing trip.

Insect Repellant, Sunscreen and Pain Relievers

These items are guaranteed to come in handy, but they can be easy to forget. Don’t let your day be ruined by mosquitos, sunburn and headaches. You can stop these issues in their tracks, even if you’re miles away from your medicine cabinet.

Lip Grip with Scale and a Ruler

Most anglers don’t intend to ignore length and weight restrictions when they go fishing, but let’s face it: sometimes even our best estimates can be a little inaccurate. Pack a good lip grip with a scale to measure your catch’s weight, and a cheap old ruler to check its length. You can even take photos with your ruler for friends who may doubt your fish tales later!

Flashlight

This is a great item to have around on evening fishing trips, especially when you wait just a little too long to call it quits for the night. A little extra light can go a long way.

First Aid Kit

No one plans on getting hurt, but cuts, bumps and bruises are a fact of life. It’s always better to be safe, rather than sorry!

Gloves

While you’re at it, go ahead and prevent those cuts and scrapes with a good, strong pair of gloves. It’s nice to have a first aid kit, but it’s better if you don’t need it in the first place.

Ready to put your tackle box to good use? Give us a call today to schedule your next fishing trip on the beautiful Suwannee River!

Give Dad Something He’ll Remember this Father’s Day

When you think of presents to give dad for Father’s Day, what comes to mind? A tie? A coffee mug? Nice gestures for sure, but probably not something dad will forever cherish.

People today value experiences more than things, especially when you’re spending time with those closest to you.

Okay, so Father’s Day is coming up. What are you getting dad? How about this year you arrange for a hunting/fishing trip at Suwannee River Rendezvous Resort & Campground?

How’d you like a picture of your dad smiling as he reels in a 12-pound bass off the bank of the resort? Or maybe a picture of him capturing a wild hog in the Mallory Swamp WLR?

Located in Mayo, Florida, Suwannee River Rendezvous is a great place for dads to “escape” their everyday lives. Too many dads today “work, work, work” and are always worrying about paying bills. Dads need a break from that now and then; it’s good for their sanity! What better way for a dad to unwind his mind and have some fun than to fish off the dock at Suwannee, take a boat ride, or explore the swamp looking for hogs? It’s time to get dad back to nature where he can grunt, sweat, fart and feel free!

Meanwhile, back at the resort/campground, dad can check out the cool Convict Spring, a natural, freshwater spring that actually feeds into the Suwannee River. If the weather’s decent, dad can go for a swim in the spring. But wait…there’s more: dad can dive down into the spring to find an underwater cave system entrance. That’s something he’d be talking about for years to come, right?

Men crave adventure. They have an inner need to explore. And many men want to fish and hunt– being “out on the land” or “out on the water” is their time to enjoy being male. It’s in the DNA.

So this Father’s day, surprise your old man with a hunting/fishing trip at Suwannee River Rendezvous Resort & Campground. Call 386-294-2510 to make arrangements today.

Explore the Natural Springs of Suwannee River

When visiting us at Suwannee River Rendezvous, guests get to see the beautiful Suwannee River and take in the beautiful water and scenic sights of northern Florida. However, have you ever wondered where it all comes from? Well, the answer lies in the Suwannee Springs.

For those who may not know, the Suwannee network of springs covers a vast span throughout the region and feeds into the river network, providing the waters that sustain the river as it flows from the headwaters in Georgia all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.

One of the most prominent places to see these springs is the Suwannee Springs State Park, managed by the Suwannee River Water Management District. Located about 40 minutes from Suwannee River Rendezvous, the site features six different springs for people to take in and enjoy.

Once you arrive, you will notice all of the springs flow outward in a southwest direction, which funnels them into the Suwannee River itself. You will also notice that all six are clustered within the same 100-foot span of sandy terrain at the base of a 35-foot high bank stretching right along the south shore of the Suwannee River. The main spring is something to behold as well with its unique location. You can’t miss the sight of this spring, notably located within rock walls constructed as part of a bathhouse from the late 19th century.

The Suwannee Springs are more than just a historic site. Visitors can also enjoy swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and canoeing, hiking, a picnic area and trails for horse riding. All of these activities offer the perfect opportunity to get out and explore the area. Along with those great activities, the Suwannee Springs also are home to a wide variety of wildlife as well. Some of the animals you may see while there include gopher tortoise, gopher frog, Suwannee cooter, deer, turkeys and squirrels.

The river itself is also lined with rich history tracing back through generations of settlers in the region. As the state park’s brochure notes, Native American tribes in the region relied on the river for fresh water and access to game as far back as 12,000 years ago. In the 1500s, Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto passed through the region, and in the 1800s, the region became populated by American settlers. There are also remnants of the Civil War that can be seen in places, including earthworks and other constructions that formerly were part of bridges and defense positions manned by Confederate troops.

If you want to explore the Suwannee River area and it’s great history, make your reservations at Suwannee River Rendezvous today. We have one of the springs that feed the river right here on site – Convict Spring – and several more within a short drive from the resort. We have plenty of space for RV and tent camping as well as a range of cabins and lodges for guests. For more information or to book your stay, call us at 386-294-2510!

Plan Your Reunion Rendezvous at Our Camping and RV Resort!

While it may still be winter, that doesn’t mean it’s too early to start planning your outdoor fun for the summer. Before you know it, spring and summer will be upon us – the perfect time to hold your family or class reunion. Suwannee River Rendezvous can accommodate activities and has plenty of lodging options, camping space and RV sites that makes it the perfect destination to hold your event. Let’s take a look at how you can plan large get-togethers on our campgrounds.

Reunion weekends are always chock full of bonding activities, and we offer an array of outdoorsy events such as canoeing, fishing and hunting for everyone – young and old – to enjoy. For those who prefer to take it a little slower, we also offer bingo, live music and drawing activities, giving you options for all ages – and all weather conditions. Suwannee River Rendezvous has something for everyone, and with plenty of space, you won’t be crammed together for space while enjoying time catching up with old classmates or bonding with rarely seen relatives.

Suwannee River Rendezvous is also home to Convict Spring, where many of our guests enjoy cooling off. This freshwater spring is home to turtles, fish and other fascinating marine life, and is a great place for children to swim and play while you catch up with other attendees on the shore.

We also have many areas that you and your guests can take advantage of during your event. Our picnic pavilion can provide a convenient gathering place for everyone to enjoy a big meal together, while the playground and heated pool can serve as a wonderful place for children to play.

If you are interested in organizing a reunion or large camping trip, Suwannee River Rendezvous has everything you can imagine. Bond with your friends and family at our beautiful grounds and enjoy a great vacation and reunion all at once. If you’re planning a reunion, let us know and we can work with you to try to group all guests together to create a community atmosphere during your stay. To learn more, call us today at 386-294-2510.

Help Keep Suwannee Clean

The Suwannee River The Suwannee River offers plenty of excellent sights and fun activities. Unfortunately, it does become dirty as debris and trash from careless campers, drivers and others finds their way into it. That’s why we here at Suwannee River Rendezvous hold an event to help clean it up.

The sixth annual Great Suwannee River Basin Cleanup will take place Oct. 29, 2016, and offers a great opportunity for volunteers to join together to clean up the river that gives us so much. The event begins at 9 a.m. and all volunteers are encouraged to come help us and others from the community and area to clean the Suwannee River. The more people who come to help, the more we will be able to accomplish together!

Last year’s cleanup was a huge success, with Suwannee River Rendezvous staff and volunteers able to remove more than 700 pounds of trash from the river. For anyone interested in heading out on the river to help clean up, boats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Shuttles will also be provided at no charge for volunteers to get from location to location throughout the cleanup.

Once the cleanup is done, there will be a Costume or Not Dance Party for all volunteers to enjoy as a reward for their hard work throughout the day. The event will feature food and drinks and music by the band Salt Water Cowboys.

Guests can also plan a stay at Suwannee River Rendezvous and enjoy our lodgings for the weekend. With space for families, single volunteers or groups, there’s no shortage of comfortable accommodations to rest after a long day helping to keep the Suwannee River Basin clean.

Suwannee River Rendezvous in Mayo, Florida, offering camping, fishing and kayaking and more for the whole family can enjoy. The Suwannee River is a beautiful body of water and it is truly something to behold when you stay with us. For more information on the Great Suwannee River Basin Cleanup or to book your stay, call us today at 386-294-2510!