Uncategorized
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, …
Take A Scenic Drive Along Natural North Florida’s US90–Monticello to Madison
When visitors come to Natural North Florida, they’re often surprised to find rolling hills and historic towns with no beaches or amusement parks. However, a drive across Florida’s Jefferson and Madison counties can easily change your perception of our little-known and lightly-traveled region. US90 is a major American highway. In fact, it begins in California …
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 …
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
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 …
Launch Your Kayak and Go Fishing in Natural North Florida’s Dixie County Gulf Waters
Natural North Florida’s Dixie County Coastline is undeveloped and offers excellent angling opportunities in the shallow coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. It’s particularly of interest to paddlers, whether from kayaks or canoes. The county’s coastal waters stretch from Suwannee to Jena/Steinhatchee and there are several spots that are regularly used by paddlers to …
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 …