columbia county
Looking For Some Great Cycling? Download Our Ultimate North Florida Cycling Guide
The Visit Natural North Florida Biking Guide is online and ready to use. You can read it online, or download it as a PDF. It features 26 one-day cycling trips and 2 multi-day trips, all linked to the RIDE WITH GPS app that’s available for smartphones or certain Garmin GPS units. To use the …
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 …
4 North Florida Destinations Worth Exiting I-10 For
If you’re road tripping across the country, exploring big cities like New Orleans or San Antonio, or simply heading to the beautiful beaches in the Florida Panhandle, you’re bound to spend a good deal of driving time on Interstate 10. The 330 miles across Florida from Pensacola to Jacksonville may seem lengthy at first. But …
10 Wonderful Waters For Summer Heat in Natural North Florida
For folks looking to escape the summer heat, Natural North Florida provides countless opportunities to cool down with its extensive collection of springs, rivers, lakes, and coastline. Most of Florida’s 700 identified freshwater springs are located in North Florida or along the Gulf Coast, and more than 40 are open to the public. Our section …
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, …
Day Trip Idea: “Plinking” For Free at Lake City’s Osceola Gun and Archery Range
Located near downtown Lake City, the Lewis D. Whitacre shooting range is a free and open to the public. It offers covered 25, 50 and 200 yard target ranges for rifles and pistols, as well as an archery range with a high stand. The range is open during daylight hours, but may be closed …
Ken’s BBQ–Great “Cue” at Two Locations in Lake City, FL
BBQ “joints” need to smell. Not like Lysol or Clorox, but like smoke! And at either of the Ken’s BBQ & Steaks locations in Lake City, Florida, the first thing that hits you when you walk in the door is the smell of smoke and smoked meats. Unlike bigger BBQ Restaurant chains (Ken’s has a …
20th Annual Suwannee Springfest, March 17-20, 2016
While not technically/officially/yet in our Visit Natural North Florida region, the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park offers some events that draw from our 11-county region, as well as from the southeast U.S. The music begins at noon on Thursday and continues until Sunday evening. Featured artists include John Prine, Brandi Carlile and the Del …
Santa Fe River Fest and Songwriters’ Festival, April 17, 2016, Sponsored by Rum138
This annual fundraising event, now in its sixth year, will include the songwriting contest, music by Terraplane Rhythm & Blues, a great silent auction (art, jewelry, vacations, etc.), Kid’s Corner, 50/50 raffle, music jam session, grilled burgers and dogs, delectable desserts, beer and drinks. Proceeds go to educational and advocacy activities of Our Santa Fe …
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, …