Outdoors in Madison County – 25 Best Things to Do!

Madison County is 716 square miles crammed full of small towns, forests, rivers, lakes, and rolling hills. All of these give you countless opportunities to get outdoors and, as they say here, “move at the speed of nature.” Madison County, like Jefferson County, was named to honor a president—the fourth United States President, James Madison, …

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 …

Take a Long Bike Ride–Or a Short One–On Natural North Florida’s Cycling Routes

If you’re a bicyclist, our Natural North Florida region offers 32 excellent rides–long and short.  Many are on bike-laned roads and others follow routes originally used by the railroads and logging trucks. All our routes can be accessed and ridden using the BikeWithGPS app on your smartphone. Unlock the power and utility of our routes by …

Begin Your Cycling Adventure at Gainesville’s New Depot Park

At first glance, Gainesville’s new Depot Park seems to be just a great big playground.  It is, but for adults as well as kids.  The formerly-semi-industrial site of the Gainesville train depot, located on South Main Street, is also the Trail Head for the Gainesville-Hawthorne Bike/Hike trail that follows an old railroad route. The trail …