Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park–Florida’s Newest State Park Now Open!

  Gilcchrist blue Springs State Park is the latest addition to Florida’s state park system.  The 400-plus acre park was previously privately owned, and in 2018 it was sold to the state of Florida.  Located just a short “run” from the Santa Fe River in Gilchrist County, the main spring is a second-magnitude vent pushing …

2018 Florida Folk Festival, May 25-27, Along the Suwannee River at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

  The Florida Folk Festival is the “big event” each year in Hamilton County.  It’s widely recognized as one the the most entertaining events at any of Florida’s State Parks and is attended by visitors from the southeast US.  The Festival is all about music, art, history and fun along the Suwannee River at Stephen …

Ochlockonee River State Park–A Gem on Natural North Florida’s Western “Border”

Located off US319, about 4 miles south of Sopchoppy, Florda in Wakulla County, Ochlockonee River State Park is a great place to visit–for a day trip or an extended vacation.  The State Park is bounded by the confluence of the Ochlockonee and Dead Rivers, upstream from the Gulf of Mexico and is an excellent of …

Relax, Hike, Camp–and Enjoy Florida’s Suwannee River State Park

Located just off US90, between the towns of Live Oak and Madison, in Natural North Florida, Suwannee River State Park isn’t one of our largest parks, but it certainly is one of the most scenic.  It’s upstream of the confluence of the mighty Suwannee River and the lesser “upper” Withlacoochee River, right where the highway …

Don’t Miss The Festival of Lights at Florida’s Stephen Foster State Park, 12/1/17-12/24/17

Christmas is coming to Florida’s Stephen Foster State Park, near White Springs, along the Suwannee River, on December 1, 2017!   Here’s a few words from the park about the event (we couldn’t say it better!): Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park and the Stephen Foster Citizens Support Organization, is preparing to illuminate the …

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. …

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 …

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 …

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, …

Florida’s O’Leno State Park–A Legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps

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, …