Few regions of Florida are as blessed by Nature as the Suwannee River Valley. An unspoiled cluster of virgin woods and water, the valley contains the highest concentration of freshwater springs on the entire planet. Florida has 320 springs, more than half along the Santa Fe & Suwannee Rivers. Pure Water Wilderness is proud to introduce you to its sparkling springs! |
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Copper Springs - Old Town
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 Also known
as Old Town Spring, this small system of 3 springs is on private property
and can be accessed only by the Suwannee River. A prominent boil is
seen on the pool surface. The water is clear to slightly turbid with
a bluish-green tint. There is a sharp hydrogen sulfide odor near the
vent, and a copper-colored, iron-rich deposit coats plants and tree
bases along the edge of the spring and run. The spring has a soft
sand and silt bottom. The spring run exits the southeast side of the
pool and flows slowly southeastward about 500 ft. to the dark-colored
Suwannee River.
Access: By boat from the Suwannee River only. |
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Gornto Spring - Old Town
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 This 2nd-magnitude
spring is a county-owned park with a man-made berm and culvert form
an oblong pool that is 30-40 feet wide and 125 feet long before draining
into the Suwannee River. Steps lead to the spring from both sides,
and there is a platform on the south side that extends to provide
a view of the vent. The water is clear and blue over the vent, and
10 feet deep. There is a parking area on the south side of the spring,
and a picnic shelter on the north side.
Access: Take CR 349 north from Old Town, turn right on Rock Sink Church
Road (CR 353) and follow it to the end. |
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Blue Springs - High Springs
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 Blue Springs
Resort is a privately-owned park that contains several springs. Blue
Spring, a first-magnitude spring, has a 125-foot diameter, 23-foot
deep swimming area and a spring run that empties into the Santa Fe
River. At the river, Rum Island is visible upstream on the Columbia
County side. Smaller springs, such as Little Blue, Johnson, Kiefer,
and Naked Spring dot the property. RV and tent camping, tube and canoe
rentals, a nature trail, and a boardwalk are available.
For more information, contact:
Blue Springs Park
P.O. Box 331, High Springs, FL 32655. Get Map.
or call (386) 454-1369 |
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Ginnie Springs - High Springs
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 This 200-acre site is popular
with families and serious divers alike. The park is built around a system
of eight 1st and 2nd-magnitude springs. An extensive underwater cavern
makes this a highly-rated dive destination. Ginnie offers camping (wilderness
or sites with electricity), a rental cabin, picnic facilities, swimming,
snorkeling, canoeing and tubing on the pristine Santa Fe River, and
volleyball courts.
For more information contact:
Ginnie Springs Outdoors, LLC
7300 NE Ginnie Springs Rd.
High Springs, FL 32643.
(800) 874-8571 or (386) 454-7188 |
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Hart Springs - Trenton/Bell
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 A family-oriented recreation area,
the park boasts one of the area's largest swimming facilities and a
half-mile boardwalk through the pristine cypress hammock. Cave diving
is now available in this 2nd-magnitude spring for certified cave divers
with a Hart Guide (visit the website for more information).
It also offers a volleyball court, boat rentals, RV and tent camping,
covered picnic areas, and 2 air-conditioned pavilions for family gatherings.
Hart Springs is a county-owned park and is a designated river camp on
the Suwannee
River Wilderness Trail.
For more information contact:
Hart Springs Park
4240 SW 86th Ave., Bell, FL 32619
(352) 463-3444 |
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Otter Springs - Trenton/Bell
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 Otter Springs Resort contains
two 2nd-magnitude springs, which are teeming with fish, and a 4,000-foot
spring run to the Suwannee River. The Resort has over 200 full-service
RV sites, a Springhouse suitable for large gatherings, three rental
cabins, hiking trails, a camp store, and a canteen. Access to Otter
Springs is by SW 80th Avenue off of CR 232 west of Trenton, Florida.
Day-use and camping prices are very reasonable. Otter Springs also hosts
Gospel sings and family-oriented events.
For more information contact:
Otter Springs Resort
6470 SW 80th Avenue, Trenton, FL 32693
(352) 463-0800 |
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Rock Bluff Spring - Bell
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 Rock Bluff Spring is a 2nd-magnitude
spring with an approximately 700' spring run to the Suwannee River and
is actually located on private property, although there is access by
boat. Scuba divers may access the caverns at their own risk. The spring
boil may or may not be evident, depending on the river level.
Access is by boat only, put in at the boat ramp at the Rock Bluff Bridge
(CR 340 west of SR 129 north of Bell, Florida) and proceed upstream
approximately 200 feet. |
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Blue Grotto - Williston
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 This 15-acre
commercially operated dive park features a large limestone sink, full-service
dive shop and other facilities.
- 200' plus visibility, 100' depth
- 3 platforms in open water
- Fresh air bell at 30'
- Permanent heavy duty guidelines
- Dressing and restroom facilities with hot water showers
- Picnic areas
- Full service shop with air station and rentals
- Only 2 miles from food and lodging in downtown Williston.
For more information contact
Blue Grotto
3852 NE 172nd Ct., Williston, FL 32696
(352) 528-5770
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Bronson Blue Springs - Bronson
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 This 30-acre recreation facility
is built around the crystal-clear 2nd-magnitude spring at the headwaters
of the Waccasassa River and features swimming, a playground and picnic
sites. Amenities include hiking and riding trails through the Devil's
Hammock Wildlife Management Area, observation decks, a boardwalk
and fishing platforms. Admission is $1 per day per person, season passes
are available.
For more information contact:
Blue Springs, 4550 NE 94th Place, Bronson, FL 32621
(352) 486-9002
Access: From Bronson, Florida, take U.S. 27-Alt (Hathaway Avenue) west
toward Chiefland, turn left on CR 339-A (about 2 miles outside of town),
travel 2.2 miles south to the end. Blue Spring is at the end of the
road, Devil's Hammock access is right before the park gate. Turn left
on that access road to find Little Blue Spring. |
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Devil's Den Resort - Williston
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 A circular cavern opening at ground
level looks down into a pool of clear water 60 feet below at this commercially
operated dive park. It features:
- RV hookups
- Bathhouses with tiled hot showers
- Rental cabins
- Volleyball court and games
- Gazebos with picnic tables and bar-b-q grills
- Dive shop
- Equipment rentals
- Heated swimming pool
- Adjacent Two Hawk Hammock offers horseback riding
For more information contact:
Devil's Den Resort
5390 N.E. 180th Ave., Williston, FL 32696
(352) 528-3344
Access: From Williston, travel west toward Bronson
on U.S. 27-Alt. for 1.3 miles. Turn right on NE 180th Avenue, there
will be a highway sign stating that Devil's Den is a right turn, and
it's the entrance to the Stonehedge Farms which is marked with a large
sign. |
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Fanning Springs State Park
Fanning
Springs
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 This 1st-magnitude spring has
a short run to the Suwannee River and features a boat dock right at
the spring. Manatees often enter the spring run during cool weather
at this 188-acre state park. Amenities include:
- Playground
- Volleyball courts
- Softball field
- 3/4-mile nature trail
- Picnic pavilions
- Cabins available, book yours at ReserveAmerica
Access: The park entrance is right on U.S. Highway 19 in Fanning Springs,
Florida. Get Map.
For more information, write c/o Manatee Springs State Park, 11650 NW
115th St., Chiefland, FL 32626
(352) 493-6072 |
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Henry Beck Park - Morriston
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This county-owned park is open
April 1st to September 30th each year, and sits on the banks of the
Wekiva River, which is a spring run from a privately-owned spring. The
water is normally crystal-clear, except in flood conditions. The park
includes covered picnic facilities and sandy river access. The Wekiva
River has been designated an Outstanding Florida Waterway.
Access: From Bronson, Florida, take CR 337 south (turn at Janney Realty
on U.S. 27-Alt or Hathaway Avenue), continue to CR 343, turn right.
The park entrance is on the right side of the road just before the bridge
over the Wekiva River.
For more information contact:
Henry Beck Park
3770 SE County Road 343, Morriston, FL 32668
(352) 486-5326 |
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Manatee Springs State Park - Chiefland
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 Pumping out well over 100 million gallons of
crystal-clear water daily, Manatee Springs offers 2,000 acres perfect
for swimming, canoeing and fishing, as well as camping and picnicking,
and it is administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Parks and Recreation.
Amenities include:
- Full-facility camping
- Campfire circle
- Nature trail
- Youth camp
- Picnic facilities
- Canoe launch
For more information contact:
Manatee Springs State Park
11650 N.W. 115th St., Chiefland, FL 32626
(352) 493-6072
Access: The park entrance is at the end of CR 320, six miles from the
light at U.S. 19 in Chiefland, Florida. |
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