25 Best Natural Things to Do in Columbia County

Columbia County is rural and filled with natural freshwater springs, rivers, and friendly people. Lake City, once called Alligator, is the county seat and was the first home of the University of Florida—bet you didn’t know that! Fort White is the other large town in Columbia County. At this point, I’m starting to feel like …

Spend The Night and Spread Your Wings From Lake City, Florida

Lake City, Florida is more than a convenient stop for travelers to the state at the junction of I-75, I-10 and US90. It’s the county seat of Columbia County and a great place to stay a few days to explore many of Natural North Florida’s wet and wild wonders. I’m not sure exactly when it …

Paddle(Board) Natural North Florida’s Rivers and Lakes

If you’re a canoeist or a kayaker, you’ll certainly like paddling a stand-up paddleboard (SUP). In the past few years, SUPs have gained in popularity due to ease of operation and ease of transport. Also, they’re relatively inexpensive to purchase and can also be rented from many outfitters, like Rum 138 Outfitters or Santa Fe …

Have a “High Time” in Downtown High Springs, Florida

The small city of High Springs is considered by many to be the nexus of springs and paddling adventures in Natural North Florida.  While the region has the largest concentration of freshwater springs in the US, High Springs has several within just a few miles of town.  Visitors  to Ginnie Springs, Poe Springs, Ruth B. …

Favorite and Free Springs–Neighborhood Swimmin’ Holes in Natural North Florida

Our Natural North Florida region has some wonderful springs!  Many are in State Parks (Madison Blue, White Springs, Ichetucknee, Fanning Springs, Manatee Springs, Troy Springs, Lafayette Blue, and Peacock Springs, for example) and are a bargain to enter.  Others are in private parks, some dedicated to SCUBA diving and snorkeling (Devils Den, Blue Grotto) and …

Catch A Suwannee Bass On The Santa Fe River

If you’ve already added largemouth, smallmouth and shoal bass to your “bass bucket list”, consider Suwannee bass.   And why not? They’re local to much of Natural North Florida, and while they rarely exceed three pounds, they’re lots of fun to catch. Suwannee bass (Micropterus notius) are found mainly in the coastal rivers of the Big …

Three Natural North Florida Springs–Free For All!

Some of the best things in our Natural North Florida region are free, and that’s especially true when it comes to three of our smaller springs.  While we have the largest concentration of first and second magnitude freshwater springs in the world, these county-maintained “swimming holes” in Jefferson, Columbia and Alachua counties are fun–and FREE! …

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, …

Visit Springs Along The Santa Fe River in Columbia, Gilchrist and Alachua County

The Santa Fe River traverses several counties in the Natural North Florida region.  It begins upstream of the town of  Worthington Springs in southern Union County, and eventually flows into the mighty Suwannee River at Three Rivers Estates.  The river flows downstream to O’Leno State Park in Columbia County  where it drops into the Karst …

Santa Fe River Fest and Songwriters’ Festival, April 17, 2016, Sponsored by Rum138

This annual fundraising event, now in its sixth year, will include the songwriting contest, music by Terraplane Rhythm & Blues, a great silent auction (art, jewelry, vacations, etc.), Kid’s Corner, 50/50 raffle, music jam session, grilled burgers and dogs, delectable desserts, beer and drinks. Proceeds go to educational and advocacy activities of Our Santa Fe …