Outdoors and Nature
Our Outdoor and Nature experts, Sandra Friend and John Keatley, travel around the region exploring the fabulous springs, rivers, trails, and hidden treasures that make up our ten county Natural North Florida region.
Cycle Lake City, Florida–The Best of Urban and Rural Cycling
Go for a ride and take in our culture, sights and majestic wildlife. Lake City is the county seat of Columbia County, in Natural North Florida. And there’s no better way to see it than to hop on your trusty “steed” and ride the 17.7-mile Lake City Lakes Loop. You’ll see the best of Lake …
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, …
Heading to Natural North Florida With Your RV?–Set Up Alongside The Historic Suwannee River
The banks of the historic Suwannee River offer cool breezes and relaxation to RV’ers coming to enjoy Natural North Florida. Many of the campgrounds offer tent camping as well. Yellow Jacket Resort, on CR349, between US19 and the Town of Suwannee, is a full-service RV campground, alongside the beautiful Suwannee River
Rent a Boat At Steinhatchee For 2017 Recreational Scallop Season
Florida’s 2017 recreational bay scallop harvest begins on June 16 and lasts until September 10 in Taylor County Gulf waters, including Steinhatchee. While there are other Big Bend/Natural North Florida ports that offer access to scalloping grounds, it’s Steinhatchee that’s truly worked hard to make the experience a great one for everyone. One advantage that …
Hike, Bike or Drive on Dixie County’s Mainline Roads
“I’m often asked by visitors to recommend a drive, hike, or bike ride that best exemplifies the ‘Natural” in our Natural North Florida region. In my opinion, there are two distinct, but actually interconnected, routes–Dixie County’s Bowlegs Mainline and Dixie Mainline” Tommy Thompson Dixie County‘s mainline roads were originally built to haul harvested timber from …
Snorkel and Dive at Levy County, Florida’s Geologic Wonders
Natural North Florida’s geologic substructure is unique, with underground rivers that pop up at random in the form of 72-degree freshwater springs. Two examples are Devils Den and Blue Grotto in Levy County, near Williston. Located just of ALT US98, these two private parks offer some of the most beautiful above-and-below ground scenery in the …
It’s Not Too Late To Prepare For the Big Bend’s 2017 Scallop Harvest
It’s June and there’s just another month until the fun begins! New dates apply for the 2017 Florida Recreational Bay Scallop Harvest, particularly in all of Dixie County and part of Taylor County. Those two counties are the nexus of the harvest on our Natural North Florida Gulf coast. “The 2017 bay scallop season for …
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 …
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 …
Fishing Natural North Florida? Great Resources Abound for Fresh and Salt Water Anglers!
With the longest stretch of unsettled saltwater coastline in the continental United States, one of the longest unobstructed rivers in the U.S. and the largest concentration of first magnitude springs and spring-fed streams, our 14-county Natural North Florida region holds unbelievable fishing resources. Our Gulf Coast stretches from Panacea, in Wakulla County, to Yankeetown, in …