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.
Destination R/V—Cedar Key, Florida
Recreational Vehicles, or R/Vs, come in a variety of shapes and sizes. There are Class A, Class B, Class C, Fifth Wheels, Towables and Pop-Ups. No matter your choice of your “home away from home”, you’ll find the Natural North Florida town of Cedar Key welcoming. The town of Cedar Key is comprised of several …
Hart Springs Park, Gilchrist County, Florida–New and Improved For 2018!
Florida’s State Parks are excellent, but often crowded. However, we have a number of very fine county-operated parks in Natural North Florida that are generally less crowded, with the same spring access as the bigger state parks. Hart Springs, in rural Gilchrist County, is alongside the famous Suwannee River, and has recently been renovated. The …
Poe Springs Park in Alachua County, FL—Recently Upgraded and More Fun Than Ever!
Poe Springs, one of the largest of the springs alongside the Santa Fe River, is located in a county park, just a short drive from Gainesville. And it’s Alachua County’s only park with an open, public spring suitable for swimming. Located on CR340 (Poe Springs Road), just a few miles from the town of High …
Sportfish Alert! Snook Continue Northward Migration Into Big Bend Waters As Winters Warm
Common snook, AKA Robalo or Linesiders, are native to the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, provided there’s a place for them to avoid wintertime water temperatures less than about 60-degrees F. Big Deal? You say! Actually, it’s a really big deal, as snook are the top of the food chain when it comes to …
Steinhatchee Springs WMA—Explorers and Photographers Welcome
Florida’s Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) are a varied collection of public and private lands, managed and overseen by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Many include tracts of private homes and leased hunting lands, but all allow some access by the public. The Steinhatchee Springs WMA is a narrow, 20,000+ acre parcel stretching …
It’s Time For Natural North Florida’s Bay Scallop Harvest…
….and the 2018 season promises to be one of the best. Especially at Steinhatchee, in southern Taylor County! We’re always cautious to put out information in advance of the season, and now, by July 1, we’re certain that this year’s scallop harvest at Steinhatchee will be one of the best in recent years. This …
ButterflyFest and Plant Sale, Florida Museum of Natural History, October 12-15, 2018
The Florida Museum of Natural History’s Butterfly Rainforest is located on the western edge of the University of Florida‘s Gainesville campus. While the Natural History Museum offers an excellent look at Florida’s history and natural resources, the Butterfly Rainforest is a “living” exhibit. The ButterflyFest is a FREE* event, held annually to celebrate “backyards” and …
Ride Levy County’s Goethe Forest by Horseback–An Orange Blossom Ranch Adventure!
Levy County‘s Goethe State Forest is the perfect place for your next equestrian adventure. The 53,398-acre forest is located near the gulf coast, south of Williston Four trailheads are located on County Road 337. The main trail usage is equestrian, both riders and carts. Goethe is known for its population of red cockaded woodpeckers, …
30th Annual Big Bend Saltwater Classic Fishing Tournament, Wakulla County, June 13-16, 2018
Everyone of the Big Bend is happy to have the Big Bend Saltwater Classic back at Shield’s Marina in St. Marks! The Big Bend Saltwater Classic fishing tournament was launched in 1989 by The Organization for Artificial Reefs, Inc, (OAR), a private, non-profit, marine interest group based in Tallahassee,Florida. To date, it …
Scallop Harvest Forecast Numbers Will Be Released At The 2018 Scallop Seminar at Steinhatchee, June 15, 7PM
The BIG summertime event on Natural North Florida’s Big Bend is the recreational bay scalloping harvest. Our best waters are found between Horseshoe Beach in Dixie County and Steinhatchee in Taylor County. Bay scalloping is also allowed in Wakulla County, near St. Marks and Panacea. General information regarding the scallop harvest can be found at …