A High Springs Hiatus

It seems that all roads lead to High Springs, Florida, where Highways 27, 441 and 41 intersect. Located about 20 miles northwest of Gainesville in Alachua County, High Springs is a crossroads for those traveling through North Central Florida. If you find yourself near this part of the state, linger for an afternoon or weekend. …

Have a “High Time” in Downtown High Springs, Florida

The small city of High Springs is considered by many to be the nexus of springs and paddling adventures in Natural North Florida.  While the region has the largest concentration of freshwater springs in the US, High Springs has several within just a few miles of town.  Visitors  to Ginnie Springs, Poe Springs, Ruth B. …

Folk In The Springs–A Free Day of Music and Fun in High Springs, September 15, 2019

High Springs has much more to offer than its nearby springs (Poe, Ginnie, Gilchrist Blue) and it’s locally known as “the springs”.  One event, this fall, promises to be lots of fun and give visitors a good look at the downtown.  High Springs is located west of Gainesville at the confluence of US27/US441.  It’s a …

Great Southern Biscuit Company Opens New Location in High Springs, Florida

It’s often said that it takes a brave (and sometimes foolish) individual to open a new restaurant.  As a food writer for Florida Sportsman magazine, I sometimes receive invitations to try new restaurants, and on many occasions they’ve closed before I get there.  I’m happy to say that what follows may be a success story! …

Poe Springs Park in Alachua County, FL—Recently Upgraded and More Fun Than Ever!

Poe Springs, one of the largest of the springs alongside the Santa Fe River, is located in a county park, just a short drive from Gainesville.  And it’s Alachua County’s only park with an open, public spring suitable for swimming. Located on CR340 (Poe Springs Road), just a few miles from the town of High …

Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park–Florida’s Newest State Park Now Open!

  Gilcchrist blue Springs State Park is the latest addition to Florida’s state park system.  The 400-plus acre park was previously privately owned, and in 2018 it was sold to the state of Florida.  Located just a short “run” from the Santa Fe River in Gilchrist County, the main spring is a second-magnitude vent pushing …

Natural North Florida’s Gilchrist Blue Springs is Now Florida’s Newest State Park, 11/1/17

Florida now has 175 State Parks, and everyone’s excited that the transition from private to public for Gilchrist Blue Springs is now  a “done deal”.  The property, which contains six natural springs and includes approximately one mile of frontage along the Santa Fe River, has been providing recreational opportunities as a private park since 1958. …

Mermaids Discovered in Natural North Florida’s Freshwater Springs!

Well, sorta…. Everyone knows that mermaids and mer-men are saltwater creatures, but there’s been a recent uptick in the sighting of these half-human/half-fish in the freshwater springs in our Natural North Florida region. A recent Mermaid Meet-Up at Ginnie Springs, near High Springs, in Gilchrist County, Florida If you’re lucky, you’ll see informal “mermaid meet-ups” …

Three Natural North Florida Springs–Free For All!

Some of the best things in our Natural North Florida region are free, and that’s especially true when it comes to three of our smaller springs.  While we have the largest concentration of first and second magnitude freshwater springs in the world, these county-maintained “swimming holes” in Jefferson, Columbia and Alachua counties are fun–and FREE! …

Visit Springs Along The Santa Fe River in Columbia, Gilchrist and Alachua County

The Santa Fe River traverses several counties in the Natural North Florida region.  It begins upstream of the town of  Worthington Springs in southern Union County, and eventually flows into the mighty Suwannee River at Three Rivers Estates.  The river flows downstream to O’Leno State Park in Columbia County  where it drops into the Karst …