The Springs
The Springs are the state of Florida’s park Gems. Blue Springs, Fanning Springs and Manatee Springs. These are all state parks with plenty to offer.
Blue Springs is the largest of the three parks and is the only one that is family owned and operated. Blue offers plenty of picnic and swimming options. They are perfect for a cloudless Saturday in the sun. Try renting a tube and just relaxing in the cool waters, which stay 72 degrees year round. If you feel up to a quaint canoe ride down the Santa Fe River, Blue Springs offers canoe and kayak rentals at their concession stand. One thing most people remember Blue Springs for is the giant dock made for people to jump off of and land directly in the center of the spring itself. When you land, chance are you wont touch the bottom because the spring, by any other name, is an abyss. And these springs are hundreds of feet deep. When I was a kid, we used to have all sorts of contests. Who can jump the furthest out? Who can make the biggest splash? It was never a dull time.
Blue Springs is 250 acres of land and water and has been open to the public for 51 years. You might want to get there early because they only allow a certain number of people into the park and it will hit maximum capacity very quickly. This is just to insure that everyone in the park has a good time and that it is not too crowded. If you can remember to pack a picnic lunch before you leave home, you can eat right there in the park! They even have grills and pavilions so bring some burger meat and hot dogs for the kids!
Fanning and Manatee Springs are sister parks and you can take a 4 hour (10 miles) float down the Suwanee River from Fanning to Manatee. Both parks allow camping and offer cabin rentals. Fanning, also know as “The Fountain of Youth”, is a housing for manatees in the winder months so even though they are open year round, if there are manatees in the water you shouldn’t swim with them. Manatees are an endangered species and protected by law. There is no admission, so you can enter the springs by boat or car. If you just happen to pass by while canoeing down the Suwanee, take some time to relax in the cool water. The river offers a great opportunity for fishing, just look out for any people in tubes! Tell them you read about it on GatorMagazine.com!
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