The 46th Annual Amalie Oil NHRA Gatornationals are scheduled for March 12-15, 2015 in Gainesville, FL

    The NHRA Gatornationals drag races have become a Gainesville tradition.  Drag racers and enthusiasts come from far and wide to participate and to see some fast-moving action.  The event draws big crowds, so we urge you to plan accordingly regarding lodging opportunities. Scheduled for March 12-15, 2015! Spectator tickets will go on sale …

Wintertime Bass Are Biting in North Florida’s Santa Fe River

  From Tommy Thompson, Fishing and Boating blogger and Regional Editor, Florida Sportsman Magazine: We have some terrific lakes (Rousseau, Orange, Newnans, Santa Fe) and some “fishy” rivers. Some, like the  Suwannee, Withlacoochee, Waccasassa, and Steinhatchee meet the Gulf and saltwater anglers are often surprised with largemouth catches all the way to the mouth. Another, …

National Archery In The Schools Florida State Tournament, 2/28/15, Newberry Sports Complex

Welcome to the Easton Newberry Sports Complex! The Easton Newberry Sports Complex, located in Newberry, Florida, is a shared-use facility that combines the Easton Newberry Archery Center with a multi-use recreation facility. The archery program focuses on training archers and coaches, developing curriculum, and in providing a world-class venue to host archery events. Discover Archery. …

Experience Satchel’s Pizza–Now A Gainesville, FL Landmark!

Satchel’s Pizza has become a Gainesville, FL landmark.  No, there’s no “historic” marker, but the place is pretty “hysterical”.  I think of the place as Gainesville’s (and possibly all of North Florida’s) “South of the Border”, with the exception that it has great food to go along with the interesting scenery. Located at 1800 NE …

Gainesville’s gigantic gators at Paynes Prairie

Looking for enormous alligators? You’ll find them in the home of the Gators, Gainesville, along the La Chua Trail at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park.

Cold Outside? Paddle Natural North Florida Springs–They’re “Warm” Year-Round

Most of us in North Florida are chickens!  Not about getting outdoors, but about cold weather.  Yes, we have a decidedly cooler climate in winter than our neighbors in the central and southern parts of the state, but we also have over 200 constant-temperature (72-degrees) springs that actually feel warm in winter. Several of our …

Cold Air Temperatures Making You Shiver? Take a Dip In a “High Springs” Spring!

Take a short drive west from High Springs, Florida and you’ll find yourself confronted with 3 choices for swimming or snorkeling in 72-degree spring water.  Florida’s springs, fed by the constant-temperature Floridan Aquifer (the largest self-replenishing aquifer in the world), are comfortable year-round, especially when the air temperatures drop and the water is warmer than …

Alligator Hunting–Another “On the Water” Opportunity

While the “deer and the antelope” roam much of North America, it’s the American alligator that appeals to hunters and fishermen during the late summer and early fall months in Natural North Florida.  Yes, we do have abundant deer, wild pigs and Osceola turkeys, but the chase for alligators is what stirs the spirit of …

Satchels and Springtime in Gainesville

  Hi! I’m Tammy, the newest addition to the Natural North Florida blogging team. If you’re new to our site (like me!) welcome to the Sunshine State’s most authentic resource for all things off the beaten path, the hidden gems from Gainesville to Cedar Key to Steinhatchee to Tallahassee, and every nook and cranny in …

Lochloosa Harbor–An “Old Florida” Fish Camp and RV Park

Lochloosa Harbor Fish Camp and RV Park 15008 SE Hwy. 301 Hawthorne, FL  32640 (352) 481-2114   (352) 481-4822 lochloosaharbor@aol.com If you’re looking for some great freshwater angling action, good food and nice folks, head from Gainesville to the eastern boundary of Alachua County and Lochloosa Harbor. This is one of the few “real” fish camps …