Welcome to Fanning Springs State Park. Located along the meandering Suwannee River, Fanning Springs is an inviting source of cool, clear, crisp water that has attracted people for thousands of years. Fanning Springs State Park is located at 18020 N.W. Highway 19 in Fanning Springs, Florida. For more information, click here.
Fanning Springs produces 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. The springs offer the perfect 72-degree water to cool down on hot Florida days and an abundance of underwater wildlife to view. Musk turtles, bass, mullet, freshwater flounder, bowfin (and manatees during the colder days) inhabit the springs and river.
Visitors can enjoy grilling and picnicking under majestic live oaks or a friendly game of volleyball on the white sand court. A playground provides diversion where young guests can swing and play. A boardwalk allows visitors to step back in time to old Florida with a stroll through a breathtaking cypress swamp with cypress knees standing 6 feet tall. This boardwalk ends with an overlook and view of the Suwannee River. During the summer, visitors can sometimes see massive sturgeons jumping.
White-tailed deer, gray squirrels, red-shouldered hawks, pileated woodpeckers and barred owls are some of the animals that may be seen around the park. An overlook at the park allows visitors to view the spring in its entirety and provides a spectacular view of the boil.
There are numerous activities to enjoy within the park, including: boating, camping, hiking, fishing, paddling, picnicking, scuba diving, swimming, and snorkeling! There are several camp sites available for those arriving by foot, bicycle or paddling on the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. If camping isn’t your thing, there are a limited number of cabins also available!
The park is open from 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year. There is a $6 per vehicle fee to enter the park. Single passenger vehicles are just $4. Pictures used in this article are owned by The Florida Parks Department.
Fanning Springs State Park is so diverse. Between the beautiful spring and the world-famous Suwannee River, it is hard to pick one area of the park as a favorite. The clear spring water flows gently to the Suwannee River where you may see resting manatees or jumping sturgeon! It’s a magical place that will feed your spirit and bring you some needed down time away from the stresses of life.
For more of Florida’s Amazing Locations, click here. For nearby lodging, click here. For a list of activities, in Florida, click here.