north florida
25 Best Natural Things to Do in Columbia County
Columbia County is rural and filled with natural freshwater springs, rivers, and friendly people. Lake City, once called Alligator, is the county seat and was the first home of the University of Florida—bet you didn’t know that! Fort White is the other large town in Columbia County. At this point, I’m starting to feel like …
Outdoors in Madison County – 25 Best Things to Do!
Madison County is 716 square miles crammed full of small towns, forests, rivers, lakes, and rolling hills. All of these give you countless opportunities to get outdoors and, as they say here, “move at the speed of nature.” Madison County, like Jefferson County, was named to honor a president—the fourth United States President, James Madison, …
Historic Jefferson County’s 25 Must-Do Ideas
There is one county in Florida that doesn’t have a single stoplight—Jefferson—my kind of place! By Florida standards, this historic county is quite old. When it was chartered in 1827, Florida was still a territory. The county was named for the country’s third president, Thomas Jefferson. The county seat, in honor of his Virginia home, …
Birding and Bird Photography Opportunities in Natural North Florida
Blogger Note: Despite over fifty years as a photographer, my expertise in the art of bird photography is lacking. I thank my friend Rick Davidson, for this story and some excellent photos. I wish I had his patience! Our area is fortunate to have so many parks and wildlife management areas, but we’re also fortunate …
Birding and Bird Photography in Natural North Florida
A guest blog from local bird photographer, Dr. Richard Davidson Fifty million people in the U.S. plan birding outings each year. Our area is blessed with amazing opportunities for those who observe or photograph birds. The Great Florida Birding Trail (http://floridabirdingtrail.com/) includes over 500 locations for birding in Florida, with dozens in the Natural North …
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 …
AlligatorFest at Florida’s O’Leno State Park, October 14-16, 2016
The United States’ Civil War came to Florida, as well as much of the eastern half of the country. However, much of the “action” came in the form of blockades of ports and the capture of important salt works, there were few actual “battles”. Before that bloody war, Florida experienced the removal of Native Americans …
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 …
Take A “Day-Cation” on Florida’s Santa Fe River at Ellie-Ray’s
If you’re boating on Natural North Florida’s Santa Fe River or just touring US129 in Gilchrist County, stop by Ellie Ray’s for lunch–or a fun weekend. With plenty of RV sites, a huge boat dock, a restaurant as well as a beautiful swimming pool, Ellie Ray’s is a must-see place on the Santa Fe River. …