• hiking
• canoeing
• kyaking
• boating
• fishing
• bicycling
• motorbiking
• cave diving
• tubing the Ichetuknee
• visiting the many springs
• Stephen Foster State Park : festivals, hiking, picnics
• Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park

Ichetucknee Springs State Park

The crystalline Ichetucknee River flows six miles through shaded hammocks and wetlands before it joins the Santa Fe River. In 1972, the head spring of the river was declared a National Natural Landmark by the U. S. Department of the Interior. From the end of May until early September, tubing down the river is the premier activity in the area. In addition to tubing, visitors can enjoy picnicking, snorkeling, canoeing, swimming, hiking, and wildlife viewing. October through March scuba diving is available in the Blue Hole only (you must be cave certified). White-tailed deer, raccoons, wild turkeys, wood ducks and great blue herons can be seen from the river. Picnic areas, equipped with tables and grills, are available throughout the park. A full-service concession offers food, refreshments, and outdoor products from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Tubes plus snorkeling and diving equipment can be rented from private vendors outside the park located four miles northwest of Fort White, off State Roads 47 and 238.

Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries.
For Information about Ichetucknee Springs State Park, please call 386-497-4690.

 

Hours of Operation

Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.

Driving Directions

From the north, take I-75 south to exit 423. Take SR 47 south, turn on CR 238 and follow the park signs. From the south, take I-75 north to exit 399. Take US 441 north to the city of High Springs. Take US 27 north to Ft. White, stay on US 27 north approximately 4 miles to the South Park Entrance.

 

Park Fees

Admission Fee (no river use) - $5.00 per vehicle (limit 8 people per vehicle). Single Car Occupant - $3.00

Motorcycle Fee (one or two persons) - $3.00

Canoeing Fee: $5.00 per person year round.

Tubing
North Entrance-Summer Season (Begins the Saturday before Memorial Day through Labor Day) - $5.00 per person (children 5 and under are free).

South Entrance-Summer Season (Begins the Saturday before Memorial Day through Labor Day) - $5.00 per person (children 5 and under are free).

South Entrance-Off-Season (Begins the Tuesday after Labor Day thru the Friday before Memorial Day) - $5.00 per vehicle (limit 8 people per vehicle).

 

Ichetucknee Springs State Park12087 S.W. US Hwy 27
Fort White, Florida 32038
Phone: 386-497-4690

Situated on the banks of the legendary Suwannee River, this center honors the memory of American composer Stephen Foster, who wrote "Old Folks at Home," the song that made the river famous. The museum features exhibits about Foster's most famous songs and his music can be heard emanating from the park's 97-bell carillon throughout the day. In Craft Square, visitors can watch demonstrations of quilting, blacksmithing, stain glass making, and other crafts, or visit the gift shop. Hiking, bicycling, canoeing, and wildlife viewing are popular activities. Miles of trails wind through some of the most scenic areas of North Florida. Every Memorial Day weekend (last weekend in May), the park hosts the Florida Folk Festival. Other special events include concerts, weekend retreats, a monthly coffeehouse, a regional quilt show, and an antique tractor show. Located in White Springs off U.S. 41 North.

 

Hours of Operation

Museum, Tower and Gift Shop are open from 9:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. daily.

Driving Directions

Located on U.S. 41 in White Springs. From I-75 to S.R. 136 (Milepost Exit 439 - Old Exit 84), travel east on S.R. 136 for 3 miles. Turn left on U.S. 41. Park entrance is on the left. From I-10 to U.S. 41 North (Milepost Exit 301 - Old Exit 43), travel 9 miles to White Springs. Park entrance is on the left.

 

Park Fees

Admission Fee - $4.00 per vehicle (limit 8 people per vehicle).
Single Car Occupant - $3.00
Motorcycle Fee (one or two persons) - $3.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, each passenger in vehicle with a holder of an Annual Individual Entrance permit - Admission fee is $1.00

 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection Division of Recreation and Parks

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

P.O. Box G White Springs, FL 32096 (386) 397-4331

FloridaStateParks.org

Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park

CONCERTS Throughout the year the park holds a variety of outdoor concerts.  The events schedule in on the next page.

THE BAT HOUSE The Park’s new Bat House is located in the Farm Field, and is the largest known bat house in the United States. Bats enter the house from underneath through three-forthes openings. The Bat House is able to hold half a million bats since bats only use one-forth of space. Bats are nature’s insect controller. Bat t-shirts now available at the Country Store in three colors.

BICYCLING Bring your own bike or rent one from the Country Store and enjoy the beauty of the park. Bikes can be rented for $15 a day. Helmets are required for children, as are both front and rear lights for riding after dark. Please respect our other guests and ride safely. For more information call (386) 364-4841.

THE BOATRIGHT BARN MUSEUM Step back in time and visit the Boatright Barn, located next to the Craft Village. The majority of the farm equipment and implements were donated by Thomas L. Boatright and members of his family. Mr. Boatright was one of the original founders of our “Old Tyme Farm Days”, a yearly Thanksgiving celebration of our past.

THE BIRD SANCTUARY Located in the beautiful Rees Lake area, the bird sanctuary will surely appease your bird watching appetite.

CANOEING Don’t let your visit to the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park go by without a canoe trip down the historic Suwannee River. The Suwannee Canoe Outpost, located in the park, will be pleased to set you up with everything you need. The Canoe Outpost is open everyday except Wednesday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. they are also closed during the month of January. Visit their website: www.canoeoutpost.com, or call (386) 364-4991 for more information.

ACTIVITIES IN GAINESVILLE AND SURROUNDING AREAS

 

PARKS
Head for any of the 40 nature parks within 50 miles of Gainesville to picnic, swim, hike, camp, or enjoy some boating or fishing.

Gainesville City Parks

Bivens Arm Nature Park

3650 S. Main Street, Gainesville

Information: (352) 334-2056

A 1,200-foot boardwalk leads visitors through this peaceful oak hammock and marsh preserve. Wildflowers, wildlife and quotes by poets, authors and naturalists add to the beauty and interest of the park.

Morningside Nature Center

3540 E. University Ave., Gainesville

Information: (352) 334-2170

Run by the City of Gainesville's Nature Operations Division, the Morningside Nature Center features an 1840's cabin and barnyard animals in its Living History Farm. Seven miles of trails and boardwalks wind through the 278 acres of forests that serve as the home for dozens of species of birds, reptiles and mammals.

Palm Point Park

7401 Lakeshore Drive, Gainesville

Information: (352) 334-2170

Stately cypress trees draped in Spanish moss and the Sabal palm, Florida's State Tree, share the view at this point on Newnan's Lake. This small park provides a lovely lakeside access. Wildlife watching includes wading birds and nesting bald eagles and osprey. Native trees, shrubs and wildflowers are of interest, or visitors may fish along the lake edge.

Gum Root Park and Swamp Conservation Area

Gum Root Park and Gum Root Swamp Conservation Area, which were recently opened in April of 1994, represent 741 acres of conservation area, protecting a vital floodplain which in turn cleanses the waters draining from it into Newnans Lake. Bivens Arm Nature Park also serves to protect a marsh whose waters drain into Paynes Prairie. All of these nature parks also provide a sanctuary for wildlife and plants, which are strictly protected.

Gainesville-Hawthorne State Rail Trail

Boulware Springs Park, off SE 15th Street, Gainesville

Information: (352) 334-2170

Seventeen miles of abandoned railways that stretch from Gainesville to Hawthorne have been converted to public trails ideal for walking, jogging, bicycling and horseback riding. The trail begins at Boulware Springs Park wildlife sanctuary and passes through Paynes Prairie.

Alfred A. Ring Park

NW 22nd St., off NW 16th Ave., Gainesville

Information: (352) 334-2170

Located in the midst of one of Gainesville's residential neighborhoods, the Alfred A. Ring Park features a mile-long trail that follows the Hogtown Creek. At the north end of the trail visitors find a picnic area, playground and the Emily Ring Wildflower Garden that features a pond and waterfall.

 

Gainesville Area Parks

Devil’s Millhopper

4732 NW 53rd Ave., Gainesville

Information: (352) 955-2008

Visitors walk down 232 wooden steps to the floor of this large, bowl shaped sinkhole known as the Devil's Millhopper. Filled with lush flora and plant species, the sinkhole echoes the persistent trickle of dozens of tiny waterfalls. A visitors center exhibits fossilized teeth, bone and marine shells from eras long ago. A nature trail winds its way around the sinkhole.

Gold Head Branch State Park

State Road 21 (6 miles northeast of Keystone Heights)

Information: (352) 473-4701

This 1,500-acre state park is a popular spot for many water sports, including swimming, canoeing and fishing. The park also features camping, picnic tables and pavilion, bath houses, nature trails and a softball field.

Kanapaha Botanical Gardens

4625 SW 63rd Blvd., Gainesvile

Information: (352) 372-4981

The 62 acres of the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens can best be discovered from its mile-long walking trail that guides visitors through a variety of plant life including herb gardens, lily ponds, desert cactus and bamboo forests. Plenty of gazebos and benches grace the park for visitors to stop and enjoy the flowers.

Lake Alice

Off Museum Road, University of Florida, Gainesville

One look at Lake Alice on the Florida campus will tell you why the University of Florida athletic teams go by the name of the Gators. Numerous alligators reside in this large lake and wildlife sanctuary. Lovely botanical gardens grace its east side.

O’Leno State Park

Off US 441 (10 miles north of High Springs)

Information: (352)454-1853

The natural bridge and sinkholes of the Santa Fe River highlight the deep hardwood forest of historic O'Leno State Park. There are scenic spots available for picnicking and two nature trails run through the woods and across the swamps.

Paynes Prairie State Preserve

US 441 (10 miles south of Gainesville)

Information: (352) 466-3397

Bison, wild horses, alligators and nearly 300 other kinds of animals and birds inhabit this vast 19,000-acre preserve. Bicycling and hiking are popular along Paynes Prairie's many roadways and trails. Boating is available at Lake Wauburg and camping and picnic facilities are nearby. A panoramic view of the prairie can be seen from the observation tower at the Visitor Center and museum.

San Felasco Hammock

Millhopper Road (3½ miles west of Devil’s Millhopper)

Information: (352) 452-7905

Nine miles of nature trails weave through a dense hardwood forest on this 6,034-acre state preserve. Indian mounds are located in the park and deer, bobcats, foxes, turkeys and other wildlife are often sighted.
 

 

Trips That Take Just a Few Hours
There are numerous ways to spend an enjoyable couple of hours in the Gainesville area. Some ideas are given below.

·         Enjoy a leisurely afternoon stroll or picnic at Lake Alice on the University of Florida campus. Be sure to say 'Hi' to the UF trademark alligators who inhabit the lake!

·         Visit one of Gainesville's four museums: the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art, the University Galleries and the Santa Fe Community Art Gallery.

·         Tour the Matheson Historical Center--(352) 378-2280--or the Historic Thomas Center and Gardens--(352) 334-5064--in downtown Gainesville.

·         Explore original Florida nature at the Devil's Millhopper State Geological Site, Paynes Prairie State Preserve, or the Morningside Nature Center.

·         Wander through Main Street in High Springs, a redeveloped historic town with many antique shops, eateries, and crafters. For information call (352) 454-3120.

·         Stroll along Cholokka Boulevard in historic Micanopy, browsing through the many antique stores and craft shops. For information call (352) 466-3121.

·         Visit the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Historic Site in Cross Creek, historic home of the famous author of The Yearling and many other novels. For information call (352) 466-3672.

·         The Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail is a 14-mile long limestone greenway which begins at Boulware Springs Park and connects Gainesville and Hawthorne. The abandoned railway bed passes through Paynes Prairie State Preserve and the Lochloosa Wildlife Management Area and is designed for use by hikers, bicyclists, horseback riders and other non-motorized users. The trail offers glimpses of the wildlife which occupies the area, including gopher tortoise burrows and osprey nests. Paynes Prairie, a 19,000-acre preserve, contains a mixture of upland hammocks, pine flatwoods, wetlands, and over 350 species of animals and 800 species of plants. Three overlooks, the Alachua Sink, Buffalo Pen and Sweetwater Branch, offer trail users a view of these different ecosystems along the length of the trail. For more information about the trail, contact the city's Nature Operations Division at (352) 334-2170 or Paynes Prairie State Preserve at (352) 466-3397.

·         Visit the Gum Root Park & Swamp Conservation Area, the newest and largest nature park in the City of Gainesville's nature park system. The conservation area is located on the corner of N.E. 27th Avenue and SR 26, just north of Newnans Lake. Open from dawn to dusk, the park is free and open to all but is not equipped with restroom facilities. Call (352) 334-2170 for information.

·         Stroll through Kanapaha Botanical Gardens featuring specialized gardens full of butterflies, wildflowers, hummingbirds, rocks, carnivorous plants, palm hammocks, water lily ponds, and a sunken garden. For information call (352) 372-4981.

·         Visit Alfred A. Ring Park located at 2002 NW 16th Avenue. This 20-acre park runs along Glen Springs Run and Hogtown Creek and has a total trail length of nearly one mile. It is open Monday through Sunday, dawn to dusk, and admission is free. Guided and educational tours are available for a nominal fee. Contact the park for more information at (352) 334-2170. Typical activities at the park include: Birdwatching and wildlife observation at the bird blind dedicated to Florida Museum of Natural History ornithologist J. W. Hardy Exercising along the vita course Hiking along the trails and boardwalks, nearly one mile in length Historical/archeological interpretation Picnicking Playing at the small playground Nature studies in the Emily S. Ring Wildflower Garden and throughout the park
 

 

Day Trips
Some ideas for day trips are given below.

·         Canoe down the Santa Fe or Ichetucknee rivers near High Springs. For information call (386) 454-2050.

·         Hike the trails at O'Leno State Park in High Springs. For information call (386) 454-1857.

·         Explore the sink holes at Peacock Springs near Branford. For information call (904) 497-2511.

·         Visit the Olustee Battlefield State Historic Site near Lake City in the town of Olustee. For information call (386) 752-3866.

·         Visit the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in Lake City which showcases world-class sports celebrities whose roots are in Florida. For information call (386) 758-1310.

·         Visit the Columbia County Historical Museum in Lake City, located in a historical home styled in the unique Southern Rural Italianate architecture. For information call (386) 755-1517.

·         Visit the Stephen Foster State Folk Culture Center in White Springs located on the banks of the Suwannee River. The center features a crafters' center, the Stephen Foster Museum, a gift shop, and the remains of a sulfur spring house. For more information call (904) 397-2733.

·         Canoe down the Suwannee River made famous by composer Stephen Foster. For more information call (904) 428-4171.

·         Take a houseboat cruise along the Suwannee River near the west coast of Florida. For more information call (800) 458-BOAT.

Freshwater Attractions
Springs:
Crystal clear, fresh water springs are located throughout the region, including Blue Springs, Ginnie Springs, Ichetucknee Springs, Manatee Springs, Poe Springs, Madison Blue Springs, Peacock Springs, Rainbow Springs, Hart Springs, and White Springs.

For more information and to find out about renting or purchasing equipment, visit the Underwater Florida Web site.

Cave Diving:

Guided cave, cavern and open-water diving instructions and excursions are available from master dive instructors.

In Branford (352) 935-1411 or (352) 935-2283

In Gainesville (352) 371-5700

Fishing:
Area anglers have easy access to six fresh water lakes. All six offer boat ramps and two provide accommodations for campsites with covered boat slips. Florida requires that power boats be registered. Those registered in other states can be operated in Florida for up to 90 days without state registration. A license is required for either fresh water or salt water fishing. However, Florida residents may salt water fish from a dock or pier without a license.

Guided fishing tours are available from various locations throughout the region. Visitors can fish in our lakes, rivers or the Gulf Coast. Call for more information.

In Steinhatchee (352) 498-3513

In Keaton Beach (352) 838-1895 or (352) 578-2055

In Suwannee (352) 352-3802 or (352) 374-5231

In Live Oak (352) 362-3071

ACTIVITIES IN TALLAHASSEE

·         Tallahassee Museum of History and Natural Science

·         St Marks National Wildlife Refuge (trail runner’s dream)

·         Alfred B. Maclay State Gardens

·         Museum of Florida History

·         Knott House Museum

·         New Capitol Building

·         Apalachicola National Forest trails

·         Mission San Luis de Apalachee

·         Goodwood Museum and Gardens

·         Tallahassee Antique Car Museum

·         Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park

·         Black Archives Research Center and Museum

·         Meginnis-Monroe Home (antebellum home)

·         Foster Tanner Art Center

·         Florida State University Museum of Fine Arts

·         Odyssey Science Center

·         St Marks Light House

·         St Marks Trail (tough biking)

·         Tallahassee-St Marks Historic Railroad State Trail

·         Deep Creek Trail (12 beautiful miles)

·         Stoney Bayou Trail (6 scenic miles)