Undiscovered Florida – 20 Best Things in Hamilton County

Hamilton County is full of historic places, scenic rivers, and undiscovered trails. Hamilton calls itself “Florida’s Front Porch.” Notice you can hear the quiet. And the beautiful, diverse landscape. You’ll enjoy sitting on the porch. The county has over 32,000 acres of public lands. Hamilton is encircled by the Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers and split …

Suwannee River Rules County! 30 Fantastic Activities

Suwannee probably comes from an Indian word, “Sawani,” meaning “echo river.” Since the Suwannee River creates the northern, southern, and western borders, the county is almost an island! It is actually in the shape of half a heart (aawwww…) Even more water flows through Suwannee County; both the Ichetucknee River and the Santa Fe River …

18 of the Best Adventures in Taylor County

Taylor County is in the Big Bend of Florida—where the state curves and wraps around the Gulf of Mexico. The county has picturesque fishing villages and towns, such as Steinhatchee and Keaton Beach. And for Heaven’s sake, call it STEEN-hatch-ee. If you say it like a German beer STEIN, you’ll be marked an outsider and …

Historic Jefferson County’s 25 Must-Do Ideas

There is one county in Florida that doesn’t have a single stoplight—Jefferson—my kind of place! By Florida standards, this historic county is quite old. When it was chartered in 1827, Florida was still a territory. The county was named for the country’s third president, Thomas Jefferson. The county seat, in honor of his Virginia home, …

The 16 Best Things to Do in Lafayette County and the Suwannee River

The Suwannee River runs through South Georgia into Florida and down to the Gulf of Mexico. The Suwannee is a 235-mile black-water river that hides artifacts and fossils. Although the river became well-known because of Stephen Foster’s “Old Folks at Home,” it remains well-known because of the wildness it discloses. You can travel for miles …

20 of the Best Ways to Play Outside in Dixie County!

There is no shortage of things to do outside in Dixie County. Located in the Big Bend region of Florida, it is the perfect spot for all types of eco-tourism activities that let you “play outside.” Natural North Florida is frequently called “Forgotten Florida.” I like to think of it as Florida like it used to be, …

The Best Things to Do in Union County Include a Lake

Natural North Florida’s Union County may be Florida’s smallest county, but it delivers big with a fantastic diversity of activities. It is a perfect day trip from Gainesville with a laid-back atmosphere, Rails-to-Trails walking trails, historic buildings, fishing, and a freshwater lake. But get there early—there’s a lot to do! Splish, Splash! Watery Fun on …

The Suwannee River and It’s Tributaries–The Beating Heart of Natural North Florida

Florida’s mighty Suwannee River represents the heart (and arteries) of our Natural North Florida region.  It flows over 200 miles from south Georgia’s Okefenokee Swamp to the Gulf of Mexico, on the border of Dixie and Levy counties.  It is fed by countless springs, each flowing from the Floridan Aquifer, as well as tributaries like …

Free* Kayak Eco Tours at Cedar Key

Thanks to the generosity of Dr. Paul King, a Florida Coastal Master Naturalist, Tom Liebert at Kayak Cedar Keys and the folks at the University of Florida’s Nature Coast Biological Station,  visitors can arrange free guided kayak Eco-tours of the area around the Cedar Key archipelago. Paddlers may bring their own boats or rent from …

A Valuable Tool For Kayak Anglers! A Guide to Kayak Fishing Trails in the Nature Coast, From Nature Coast Biological Station in Cedar Key

What’s  small enough to carry on a kayak, waterproof, and presents enough information about kayak fishing Florida’s Big Bend to keep any angler occupied for many months?  It’s the new guide to Kayak Fishing Trails in the Nature Coast, compiled by William Wolfson, a summer intern at Cedar Key’s UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station. There …