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, …

Big Bend Road Trip, Part 2: Natural North Florida–Suwannee Town to Panacea

Florida’s Big Bend has long been a preferred destination of travelers and tourists. This unspoiled region we call “Natural North Florida” encompasses the Gulf of Mexico coastline, and has developed largely along the spine formed by US19 and US98. On it’s interior US27, US90, US 301, US441 and Interstate Highways 75 and 10 have attracted …

Take A Virtual Vacation to Wonderful Wakulla County, Florida—An Outdoor Paradise

Take A Break and Take a Virtual Vacation in Natural North Florida Spring 2020 has brought a sllowdown to Florida tourism, and tourism worldwide.. Our Visit Natural North Florida region has slowed, too, and with the restrictions of social distancing and travel we’re all dreaming of better times to come. And we hope that potential …

St. Marks: Where Good Things Come in Small Packages

The sun is barely up in St. Marks, Florida, as the town gently wakes to the rhythms of the day. Boaters cruise slowly toward the confluence of the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers, on their way to Apalachee Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Cyclists clad in crayon-bright gear pedal onto the shady, 16-mile stretch …

Birding and Bird Photography in Natural North Florida

A guest blog from local bird photographer, Dr. Richard Davidson Fifty million people in the U.S. plan birding outings each year. Our area is blessed with amazing opportunities for those who observe or photograph birds. The Great Florida Birding Trail (http://floridabirdingtrail.com/) includes over 500 locations for birding in Florida, with dozens in the Natural North …

St. Marks Stone Crab Festival, October 27, 2018–Great Things To Eat in Wakulla County

The annual St. Marks Stone Crab Festival is planned for October 27, 2018.  St. Marks is the southernmost town in Wakulla County, just a few miles south of Florida’s capital, Tallahassee.  St. Marks, and neighboring Panacea, have long been vibrant commercial fishing hubs, specializing in both crabs and fin fish. Here are a few words …

30th Annual Big Bend Saltwater Classic Fishing Tournament, Wakulla County, June 13-16, 2018

  Everyone of the Big Bend is happy to have the Big Bend Saltwater Classic back at Shield’s Marina in St. Marks!     The Big Bend Saltwater Classic fishing tournament was launched in 1989 by The Organization for Artificial Reefs, Inc, (OAR), a private, non-profit, marine interest group based in Tallahassee,Florida. To date, it …

Scallop Harvest Forecast Numbers Will Be Released At The 2018 Scallop Seminar at Steinhatchee, June 15, 7PM

The BIG summertime event on Natural North Florida’s Big Bend is the recreational bay scalloping harvest.   Our best waters are found between Horseshoe Beach in Dixie County and Steinhatchee in Taylor County.  Bay scalloping is also allowed in Wakulla County, near St. Marks and Panacea.  General information regarding the scallop harvest can be found at …

Plan Ahead For 2018–FWC discusses regional bay scallop seasons on Big Bend

This information may not be “official”, but our guess is that it will likely become so before Florida’s recreational bay scallop season begins in 2018: At its December meeting in Gainesville, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) discussed draft changes that would create regionally-specific bay scallop open seasons and would allow a trial …

Natural North Florida Paddling Guides and Outfitters

Paddling kayaks and canoes on Natural North Florida’s Gulf coast, its rivers and its springs can be the highlight of your visit.  In our 14 county region, we have several rivers, including the mighty Suwannee, as well as the largest concentration of first-magnitude springs in the world.  And if those places don’t get you excited, …