Welcome to Fanning Springs State Park on the banks of the Suwannee River. There is no reason to lean on the railing in your street clothes and feel left out. Come prepared to dive in or jump into the headspring. This is a place for participating.
Did you bring your bathing suit? Good. Beach towels? Nice. Snorkel for underwater viewing? Cool. Picnic lunch? Excellent. Walking shoes? Check. Camera? Sweet. Snap the memories.
Close to the parking lot are restrooms with showers, making them a good changing area. From the restroom area, stairs and also a ramp lead down to the spring basin.
There are viewing areas overlooking the springs, affording good photographs of the whole spring basin.
The main part of the spring basin is a semi-circular pool of liquid blue green color that shimmers and dances in the sunlight. About 30 feet wide and 18 feet deep with limestone walks, the water is so clear you can see vents, places on the bottom where sand erupts as water comes out of the Floridan Aquifer.
Some 65 million gallons of water a day shoots up into the spring basin, making Fanning Springs one of Florida’s 33 first magnitude springs. Water from the main basin flows to an adjacent pool about 150 feet wide and three to six feet deep.
You can get wet by walking in from the shore using a floating dock across the basin.
Water temperature is a constant 72 degrees year round, making it bracing to say the least.
Forget dipping the big toe in first then slow immersion by sliding off the dock. Best to just jump in. It’s easier that way. Afterwards, you’ll feel, well, invigorated and want to do it again.
Sometimes when heavy raining season arrives, river water rises and comes into the spring, bringing dark water. At those times, swimming is closed. Call the park ahead of your visit, (352) 463-3420, to make sure you haven’t packed your bathing suit in vain.
Even if swimming in a first magnitude spring isn’t your thing, you will appreciate the picnic area overlooking the springs. A meal tastes better with a water view.
And now that fall is here, there is a chance you could see migrating manatees.
The picnic area has a playground and a volleyball court. Nearby are open fields good for frisbee fun and impromptu pickup football and soccer. As the weather cools in the fall, there are occasional live music happenings. Local talent performs on the second Saturdays of the month on the big stage in the event field.
Remember those walking shoes? Dig them out and amble down the boardwalk next to the springs. This elevated boardwalk leads to an overlook on the Suwannee River. Bring your camera. Along the way you will see a zillion bald cypress knees and trees and maybe glimpse pale lavender apple snail eggs on tree bark just above the high water line.
The Suwannee River runs deep and wide. Even the small glimpse from the overlook makes you wonder what lies around the bend. Plenty. Historic, natural, cultural and recreation possibilities are waiting for discovery. A newly opened Suwannee River Wilderness Trail runs for 170 miles from White Springs to the Gulf of Mexico. To know more call (800) 868-9914 or visit www.suwanneeriver.com and download a free Discovery Pack.
The town of Fanning Springs is a hub on the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. A hub is a place where you can explore the river and surrounding areas by canoe or boat, bicycle, horse, automobile or on foot. It is a place to get information on outfitters, guides, events and lodging.
At Fanning Springs State Park, for example, lodging is available with cabins inside the park. Nothing primitive here. We’re talking fully equipped, even the kitchen utensils are in the drawers. Cabins sleep up to six people. Reservations are done through Reserve America, phone (800) 326-3521.
For canoes and kayaks, Fanning Springs is a good place to put in for a seven mile down river paddle to Manatee Springs. Visitors may enter the park by boat via the Suwannee River. Idle speed is required in the river run due to manatees. Entrance fee from the water is $1 per person.
Or bring a canoe into the park and do the shorter spring run and explore the nearby river. Another option would be to rent a canoe or kayak from Suwannee River Tours at (352) 490-9797.
Inside the park a three-fourths mile nature trail goes through an upland mixed hardwood and pine forest.
Just a short distance from the park, on the other side of US highway 19/98 is a trailhead for the Nature Coast State Trail. This is a 32-mile rails to trails paved path circling the town of Fanning Springs.
Whether you come loaded with everything from canoes and bathing suits, or just drop by for a picnic lunch next to a first magnitude springs, Fanning Springs State Park is the real Florida, the kind of place to put high up on your “favorites” list.
Note: This story is reprinted with permission from The Observer newspaper, October 2006
Lucy Beebe Tobias is a freelance writer, photographer and artist living in Ocala who can be reached at [email protected] ©2006 Lucy Tobias
If you go
What: Fanning Springs State Park
Where: 18020. N.W. Highway 19, Fanning Springs. FL 32693.
Phone: (352) 463-3420
Getting there: On U.S. Highway 19/98 in the town of Fanning Springs
Admission fee: $4 per vehicle up to eight people. $3 single car occupant.
Scuba diving fee: $10 plus tax per diver