Natural North Florida’s Gilchrist Blue Springs is Now Florida’s Newest State Park, 11/1/17

Florida now has 175 State Parks, and everyone’s excited that the transition from private to public for Gilchrist Blue Springs is now  a “done deal”.  The property, which contains six natural springs and includes approximately one mile of frontage along the Santa Fe River, has been providing recreational opportunities as a private park since 1958. …

Mermaids Discovered in Natural North Florida’s Freshwater Springs!

Well, sorta…. Everyone knows that mermaids and mer-men are saltwater creatures, but there’s been a recent uptick in the sighting of these half-human/half-fish in the freshwater springs in our Natural North Florida region. A recent Mermaid Meet-Up at Ginnie Springs, near High Springs, in Gilchrist County, Florida If you’re lucky, you’ll see informal “mermaid meet-ups” …

Big Parks, Big Springs–Small Parks, Small Springs–A Few Suwannee River Favorites!

The Swanee River (Old Folks at Home) words and music by Stephen C. Foster (1826-1864) FIRST VERSE Way down upon de Swanee Ribber, Far, far away, Dere’s wha my heart is turning ebber, Dere’s wha de old folks stay. All up and down de whole creation Sadly I roam, Still longing for de old plantation, …

Jump In At These Gilchrist County Springs!

Gilchrist County has many spring-related parks along both the Suwannee and Santa Fe Rivers.  Ginnie Springs Park, near High Springs off CR340 is private, with lots of Santa Fe River shoreline and several springs.  It’s busy, but well organized and is a destination appreciated by the “younger” crowd.  Blue Springs Park, just up the road …

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! …

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 …

Way Down Upon The Santa Fe River–A Suwannee River Alternative!

Spring has “sprung” and while our Natural North Florida region is largely rural, crowds flock to our rivers to boat, fish, or simply float.  The Suwannee River begins in south Georgia’s Okeefenokee Swamp and meanders downstream to the Gulf of Mexico for over 240 miles.  About 170 of those final miles are in our region …

Don’t Miss These Two Levy County State Parks and Their First Magnitude Springs

Our Natural North Florida region has one of the largest concentration of freshwater springs on Earth, and two are located in Florida State Parks alongside the mighty Suwannee River in Levy County.  Famous for their flow of clean fresh water that’s a temperate 72-degrees Fahrenheit all year long, Manatee and Fanning springs are the centerpieces …

Natural North Florida Ultimate Springs Guide Now ONLINE

Our Natural North Florida region has a greater concentration of freshwater springs than almost any area its size in the world.  Ranging from smaller springs along the Suwannee, Withlacoochee and Santa Fe Rivers to major springs bubbling up in what looks like dry land, our springs provide incredible opportunities to snorkelers, swimmers and paddlers.  And …