No Camper? No Problem! Log Cabin Rentals and More!

There is no better time than now to plan an escape from the upcoming cold weather by booking the perfect outdoor vacation in sunny Florida. The perfect vacation site, Suwannee River Rendezvous, offers fun-filled adventures for the entire family.

If you love the idea of an outdoor vacation, but don’t like traditional camping, don’t worry – the list of camping alternatives is endless. Here are few ways you can enjoy all the best parts of camping without “going camping” at Suwannee River Rendezvous.

A-Frame House

Our A-Frame House can accommodate a large family or group of friends. It will also make you feel like you haven’t left home, equipped with a full kitchen with dishes, pots and pans, a dining room, central heat and air conditioning to keep you comfortable year round, plus satellite TV. The A-frame also has to full bathrooms, fully furnished bedrooms with linens and a large screened-in porch to relax and enjoy the weather during your stay.

Motel Room

Our motel rooms along Suwannee River offer a clean and affordable alternative to camping, as well. Each motel room is equipped with a refrigerator, microwave, coffee pot, satellite TV, AC and heat. Rooms also each have a private bathroom, and double beds, queen beds or a king bed option are available.

Chalet Cabin

There is no better way to feel at home while exploring the great outdoors than by renting the beautiful Chalet Cabin. This 1,200-square-foot cabin features both master and guest bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fireplaces for the colder months, plus a full kitchen and large screened-in front porch.

Log Cabin

Our log cabins are also a great option. Each cabin can sleep up to six people thanks to a large bedroom, loft area and a sleeper sofa. They also feature heat and air conditioning, a private bathroom, satellite TV and a small kitchen with linens, a cook top, refrigerator, pots and pans and more.

Tree House

The Tree House is a private home featuring a large covered back patio that’s perfect for the family to share nightly marshmallow roasts. It boasts three bedrooms and two bathrooms, and can accommodate up to 10 people with plenty of parking for all.

Other camper alternatives include our river rooms, lodge rooms, the Spring House and our lodge suite – a massive room that sleeps six. For more information on any of our lodging options, prices or to book your perfect outdoor getaway, call Suwannee River Rendezvous today at 386-294-2510.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding on the Suwannee River

Stand up paddle boarding (or “SUP) is one of the world’s fastest-growing water sports, and the Sunshine State is a top-ranked place to paddle. The state of Florida has an abundance of amazing paddle boarding spots, and one of them is right here on our very own Suwannee River!

So why is the relatively new sport of paddle boarding catching on like wildfire? There are several reasons, and in this article we’ll take a look at a few of them.

Reason #1: It’s easy.

Stand up paddle boarding is a sport that is very beginner-friendly. There really isn’t much of a learning curve, and literally anyone can be up and paddling in no time at all.

Reason #2: It’s for all ages.

Paddlers of all ages are enjoying this wonderful sport. It’s a low-impact activity that is safe and can be enjoyed by the entire family.

Reason #3: It’s a great way to meet new people.

SUP is a social sport, and there are an abundance of local paddling meetups that you can attend. Most paddle boarding enthusiasts are laid-back and friendly, and it won’t take long for you to make plenty of new paddling friends.

Reason #4: It’s dog-friendly.

Many paddle boarders enjoy bringing their dogs along when they go out on the water. It’s a great way to get your pup out of the house, and most dogs absolutely love coming along for the ride!

Reason #5: It’s healthy.

Stand up paddle boarding is a great way to get into shape, and it’s an excellent activity for increasing strength and overall conditioning. Whether your goal is muscle toning, weight loss, or simply some tranquil time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life — SUP is something that will have a positive impact on your overall health and well-being.

As you can see, stand up paddle boarding is a sport that has a lot going for it. It’s something that anyone can enjoy, and can have a very positive impact on your social, mental, and physical well-being. If you haven’t already tried paddle boarding, we encourage you to give it a shot!

If you want to learn more, our friends at InflatableBoarder.com have a free guide about Florida paddle boarding that we would recommend checking out. It covers the top spots in the state for paddle boarding, and even lists the Suwannee River as one of them! They also have a lot of inflatable SUP reviews published on their website, if you’re interested in buying a board of your own.

Happy paddling!

The History of Convict Spring

More than a hundred years ago, the serene site of Convict Spring looked mighty different, and not just because there were no cars, no planes overhead, no cellphones and certainly no TVs.
Instead, right here at the Suwannee River Rendezvous, if you were taking in the sights, there’s a very high probability you were working on a chain gang.

Back in the early 1900s, our spring was used by Lafayette County’s incarceration system, notes Florida Caves. Their prisoners worked on road construction projects – often called chain gangs – and when it was too late or too far to get the inmates back to the county jail, they would spend the night at remote camps scattered throughout the county, and Convict Springs was one of those remote camps.

It’s hard to imagine grizzled criminals gathered around campfires, the light reflecting in the spring, but history doesn’t lie. Every once in a while, someone will turn up an artifact of one kind or another that further confirms the property’s colorful past.

Convict Spring sits atop a fascinating underwater cave system as well, one we’re certain the convicts didn’t spend any time exploring. This particular cave system is a dangerous one, with a restricted entrance and the need for a side-mounted style of diving through extremely narrow passages, notes Cave Survey in its assessment of the spring.

In 2001, Dell Moats, John Moseley, Michael Poucher and Bill Rennaker swam through Convict Spring Cave to take a full survey. They captured extraordinary video footage showing the beautiful yet dangerous conditions inside the cave. We have DVD footage of their excursion, and in the lodge.

We invite you to come enjoy the spring – from the surface, of course – for swimming during the sultry summertime at Suwannee River Rendezvous. In the evening, over the sound of crickets and frogs, you might just hear the faint rhythm of a chain gang.

Convict Spring is just one of the many amenities and conveniences that makes our resort and campground such a popular destination for visitors from all across the country. To plan your trip, call us today at 386-294-2510.

Rosie

Rosie and I played in the office and at the spring.  She loves to swim.  I only like to get my feet wet.  Too much bother having all that wet hair to take care of.rosi and charlie girl

4 Must Have Travel Games This Summer

If you are heading out on the open road this summer and are always trying to come up with the next best game for your kids to play, we have a few ideas for you.

If you are on your way to visit us at Suwanee River, even better! We can’t wait to see you this summer.

Travel Bingo – this themed game is great for time spent on the road. It keeps your kids focused on the trip, and not on how many minutes till they get to the destination.

This game will have road signs and other common items that people will see while on the road.

Movie and Name Games – this will test your and your children’s knowledge of pop culture. You will start by naming a movie for example “Finding Nemo” and then the next person would name a movie that starts with the last letter of the previous movie so a correct answer would be “Oliver and Company”.

You can do the same thing with celebrity names and go on for hours on end.

KanJam – this will get everyone up and out of the lawn chairs and out of the RV. If you have not heard of this game, it is so easy to setup – there are two goals and a Frisbee. The objective of the game is to score 21 points by throwing the Frisbee into the goals. Check out KanJam’s website or watch this video:

Farkle – if you are faced with a rainy day or a cold night and are looking for something that everyone will enjoy indoors, you should try Farkle, it is a dice game where the goal is to be the first player to get 10,000 points. Buy Farkle for your trip now.

At Suwannee River Rendezvous, we know how to have fun this summer with games, kayaking, fishing, entertainment and more. Contact us at 386-294-2510 and reserve your vacation spot today!

Looking To Vacation During Spring Break? Head out to the Suwannee River Rendezvous

With the spring semester just about half-way over, that means spring break isn’t too far away.

During this time, many will simply head home for some rest and relaxation while others will be looking to get away and enjoy themselves.

If you are a part of the latter, then the Suwannee River Rendezvous might be just what you’re looking for.

Now, at first, heading out to the wilderness might not be the first choice for college students but we offer a wide variety of fun activities that are sure to keep you and your friends more than entertained.

If you want to hit the water, we offer canoe and kayak rentals that will allow you to travel along the river. While on the river, you will be able to take in all of the beautiful sights that surround it.

There is also a great deal of wildlife around the river as well-meaning you might be able to get a glimpse of some of the animals that call the area home.

We also offer fishing for anyone looking for something more adventurous during their break.

While on the boat you will have an opportunity to catch numerous different fish including Large Mouth Bass, Suwannee Bass, Mullet, Bream and Channel Catfish.

We also offer affordable lodging as well. Whereas booking a hotel in tropical location might cost an arm and a leg, our pricing won’t cause you to break the bank just for a little fun on spring break. This will allow you more money for extra activities will on break, creating an overall more memorable experience.

Suwannee River Rendezvous is a resort and campground in Mayo, Florida with numerous activities that will make any vacation, including spring break, unforgettable.

If you would like more information on our campground or would like to book a stay with us, then call us today at 386-294-2510!

Suwannee River Rendezvous is a resort & campground offering a wide variety of attractions and activities to make your vacation great!

With summer not too far away, many families will be hitting the road in their RV for a nice vacation.

It could truly be a great time but if you don’t come prepared your trip might turn into quite the nightmare.

Bedding

Depending on the RV you’re traveling in will depend on what kind of bedding you bring. If it is strictly for traveling, then you will need a sleeping back and even a tent to sleep in. However, if it comes equipped with a bed, then a few sets of sheets should be more than enough.

Cooking Equipment

Again, this depends on what kind of RV you have, but some pots and pans should be able to handle anything you’re going to cook no matter where you do it. Be sure to bring along utensils like can openers and tongs also. If you can’t eat everything you’re bringing with your hands then bring along enough forks, spoons, and knives to last the trip.

Entertainment

Even though it’s a vacation, the travel can become quite redundant and boring after a while. So bringing along items such as board games and sports equipment will help keep things fun and exciting.

Clothing

If you’re traveling the country, be sure to have clothing for any situation you may encounter. Also, be sure to bring enough to last the whole trip as well because running out of fresh clothes will not be fun for you or your fellow travelers.

RV Essentials

Just as if you were traveling by car, it would be smart to bring some automotive essentials with you just in case. Bring a tire gauge, jumper cables, and tools such as wrenches or screwdrivers because out on the road anything could happen.

Suwannee River Rendezvous is a resort & campground in Mayo, Florida, offering a wide variety of attractions and activities to make your vacation great!

With so much to see and do, you won’t ever want to leave!

If you would like more information on our campground or would like to book a stay with us, feel free to contact us today or call us at 386-294-2510!

Charlie’s post November 22,2015

Jacques Pierre came to visit me. He is the biggest friend I have. He let me play with him for a little bit but he didn’t like me hanging on his ear.

I have a lot of fun in the dog park. Pepper and I played several times. She knows how to play and I let her get the best of me. Next time she comes I will be a lot bigger than her.

Bocephus had a hard name for mom to spell and say. I had no trouble at all with his name. He had really cool eyes too.

Ferguson and I played and played. He is 9 months old and he knows how to play.  Mom was all worn out just watching.