Outdoors and Nature
Our Outdoor and Nature experts, Sandra Friend and John Keatley, travel around the region exploring the fabulous springs, rivers, trails, and hidden treasures that make up our ten county Natural North Florida region.
Mark Your Calendars–2016 Hidden Coast Paddling Adventure, Suwannee Florida, 9/29-10/2
Now’s the time to mark your calendar for the 2016 Hidden Coast Paddling Adventure. This year’s event will be at Suwannee, Florida on the Suwannee River, and promises to be more fun than ever before. And, with the event falling on the last week of September, the air should be cooler–but not so cool to …
A Few Changes at Florida’s Ichetucknee State Park in Columbia County
Florida’s Ichetucknee State Park is a favorite of locals, as well as visitors to the State. The head spring feeds the river with clean, clear water and pushes rafters, tubers and paddlers downstream for an unequaled view of one of Florida’s most pristine natural areas. For the 2016 “season”, beginning in late May, there have …
Off The Beaten Path: Jefferson County Florida’s Short 6-Mile Gulf Shoreline
If, on a fishing trip to the Jefferson County coastline, you think you’re the first human to ever see this shoreline, you’re wrong. This rugged 6-mile stretch of our Big Bend is now, for the most part, uninhabited and relatively unfished, due in part to the fact that it’s rocky and shallow. But now we …
Doug Johnson’s Reeling For Kids Tournament, Steinhatchee, June 3 & 4, 2016
Without a doubt, the Doug Johnson Reeling For Kids Saltwater Challenge Tournament is the largest and most popular fishing event on the Big Bend, Former Gator football superstar Doug Johnson started the event about ten years ago, and it’s grown in popularity and size ever since. While it’s not inexpensive to enter your boat and …
Four Unforgettable Pit Stops Off I-75 That Fit Your Schedule
Whether you’re trekking up north to visit friends and family, or heading to south Florida for a beachy vacation, spending hours driving on I-75 can be a real drag. Thankfully, there are some great pit stops just off the interstate that capture the beauty and culture of Natural North Florida. Our family-friendly guide to I-75 …
10 Wonderful Waters For Summer Heat in Natural North Florida
For folks looking to escape the summer heat, Natural North Florida provides countless opportunities to cool down with its extensive collection of springs, rivers, lakes, and coastline. Most of Florida’s 700 identified freshwater springs are located in North Florida or along the Gulf Coast, and more than 40 are open to the public. Our section …
Too Windy To Fish The Gulf? Head Up A Big Bend Coastal Creek
Springtime often means that the winds howl on Natural North Florida’s Gulf Coast. It’s not unusual for winds to be light and variable, 3 to 7-knots, in the morning hours, but turn to a 20-knot westerly sea breeze by noon. The land heats up faster than the water, and that convection causes rough …
CCA-Florida’s STAR Tournament Begins May 28, 2016
Everyone needs a new truck, boat and trailer, or valuable outdoor-related prizes. And kids need scholarship money! The 2016 CCA-Florida STAR Tournament begins on May 28 and ends on September 5. Tagged, slot-sized redfish are being released all along Florida’s coastline, and winning is a simple matter of becoming a CCA Member and entering the …
O’Leno State Park and Its Civilian Conservation Corps Legacy
One of Florida’s first state parks, O’Leno State Park was first developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The park is located along the banks of the scenic Santa Fe River, a tributary of the Suwannee River, and features sinkholes, hardwood hammocks, river swamps and sandhills. As the river courses through the park, …
A Beginner’s Guide to Bay Scallop Season: Catching, Cleaning & Cooking Fresh Gulf Scallops
Scalloping is the Natural North Florida’s alternative to South Florida’s lobster season. It’s a combination of complete madness at boat ramps and marinas, motels filled to capacity, family fun, and some of the best eating around. Here is our comprehensive guide to scalloping in Natural North Florida to prepare you for the upcoming season. Read …