springs
Take a Houseboat Trip on Florida’s Mighty Suwannee River
One of Natural North Florida’s truly great adventures begins at Gateway Marina in the village of Suwannee, at the mouth of the mighty Suwannee River. The river begins some 260 miles north, in the Okeefenokee Swamp of south Georgia, and is navigable about 70 miles from its southern end, at the Gulf of Mexico. Gateway’s …
Four Spectacular Florida Springs for Beginner Scuba Divers
Scuba diving for the first time is scary. Putting trust in your knowledge and capabilities, as well as in your gear, requires courage and an adventurous attitude. But the unforgettable experiences of breathing underwater, descending to new depths, and discovering underwater worlds of plant and animal life are all absolutely worth pushing past the fear …
When The Weather Is Cool, Our Spring Waters Are “Warmish”
The Visit Natural North Florida 12-county region has more natural first-magnitude springs than anywhere else on earth. And while they’re magnets for visitors during the warmer months, folks often overlook the fact that the water flowing from our underground aquifer is a year-round, constant 72-degrees F. Some of the bigger springs are found …
Head to Natural North Florida For Great Paddling Adventures!
Here’s a quick look at some of the great paddling in Natural North Florida!
Natural North Florida Springs–Cool in Summer, Warm in Winter
Our Natural North Florida counties (Alachua, Gilchrist, Levy, Dixie, Taylor, Madison, Jefferson, Union, Lafayette and Wakulla) have the largest concentration of natural freshwater springs in the world. And, when the weather gets hot, they’re the perfect place to cool off. However, visitors and residents flock to the springs, and their contant 72-degree water temperatures, when …
Visit Fanning Springs, A Natural North Florida Paradise!
Fanning Springs State Park, located on the Suwannee River, this inviting source of cool, clear water has attracted people for thousands of years. Fanning Springs now produces less than 65 million gallons of water daily, making it a second magnitude spring. Historically, Fanning Spring was a first-magnitude springs as recently as the 1990s. Swimming or …
Swim, Snorkel, SCUBA, Paddle, Camp, Play at Florida’s Manatee Springs State Park
The first-magnitude spring at Manatee Springs State Park produces an average of 100 million gallons of clear, cool water daily. In winter, West Indian manatees swim upriver to the warmer waters of the springs. Popular for snorkeling and scuba diving, the headwaters of the spring are also a great spot for swimming. The spring run …
Cool Off In Gornto Springs–A Dixie County Favorite!
There are many “plain ‘ol swimmin’ holes” left anymore. Many have been privatized and others (for the better) have been turned into state parks. One of my favorites is Gornto Spring, sometimes referred to as Guaranto Spring, in Dixie County, alongside the Suwannee River. Gornto Spring Park has nice restrooms, picnic facilities and a boat …
Splashdown at Hart Springs
While most visitors come to swim in the beautiful springs that flow into the Suwannee River, Hart Springs Park offers paddlers, campers, and hikers a place to play, too.
Paddle Natural North Florida’s Suwannee River Wilderness Trail: October 22 – 27, 2015
While there seems like plenty of time to sign up for this excellent paddling adventure, be advised that it’s very popular and the limit fills quickly. So….act now! And if you’d like to see an itinerary of the trip, click on https://www.naturalnorthflorida.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/suwannee_trip_itinerary_2015-599498116b4fe34b99b6584b7f03a85a.pdf More information can be found on the Paddle Florida website at: www.paddleflorida.org Here …