gilchrist
The Heat is on at Hart Springs!
By: Dawn Perez This year we skipped over Spring and jumped head first into Summer. With temperatures reaching well past 90 degrees, it’s time to cool things off a bit in one of the largest spring fed swimming areas in the entire state of Florida. I recommend you check out, what in my opinion is …
Take A Virtual Florida Vacation To Gilchrist County’s Spring-Fed Swimming Holes
Now, while travel (local, regional, national and international) has slowed, it’s the perfect time to get out the maps, and take a “virtual vacation” to Natural North Florida. We’ve got plenty to see, and hope to see you (at a safe social distance!) once time get better. There are bigger springs along the Suwannee River …
Have a “High Time” in Downtown High Springs, Florida
The small city of High Springs is considered by many to be the nexus of springs and paddling adventures in Natural North Florida. While the region has the largest concentration of freshwater springs in the US, High Springs has several within just a few miles of town. Visitors to Ginnie Springs, Poe Springs, Ruth B. …
The Suwannee River and It’s Tributaries–The Beating Heart of Natural North Florida
Florida’s mighty Suwannee River represents the heart (and arteries) of our Natural North Florida region. It flows over 200 miles from south Georgia’s Okefenokee Swamp to the Gulf of Mexico, on the border of Dixie and Levy counties. It is fed by countless springs, each flowing from the Floridan Aquifer, as well as tributaries like …
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 …
Mermaids Discovered in Natural North Florida’s Freshwater Springs!
Well, sorta…. Everyone knows that mermaids and mer-men are saltwater creatures, but there’s been a recent uptick in the sighting of these half-human/half-fish in the freshwater springs in our Natural North Florida region. A recent Mermaid Meet-Up at Ginnie Springs, near High Springs, in Gilchrist County, Florida If you’re lucky, you’ll see informal “mermaid meet-ups” …
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, …
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 …
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 …