Fanning Springs State Park
Fanning Spring is a borderline first -magnitude spring, with clear bluish water. The spring pool is about 207 feet by 144 feet, and the main funnel-shaped vent is about 20 feet deep. Several other small seeps create sand boils and trickle into the spring pool from limestone outcroppings on one end. This is a very popular spring for families, with shallow sandy areas, a floating dock, and a platform for jumping into the deepest water above the vent.
The adventuresome jump or dive into the water over the Fanning Spring vents. FDEP
The spring run is about 100 feet wide and flows only 450 feet before it discharges into the Suwannee River. A boardwalk extends through an old-growth floodplain swamp, passing a enormous cypress tree, to the east bank of the Suwannee. Little Fanning Spring is hidden in the woods about 500 feet south of Fanning Spring and also runs a short distance to the Suwannee. Due to its high-volume discharge, Fanning Spring rarely reverses its direction of flow, as do many other Suwannee River springs, but in recent drought years, “brown-outs” have become more common when the tannin (tea-colored) river backs up into the run and covers the spring. Manatees sometimes visit the spring during the winter months. The park is located on U.S. Highway 19-98 in the town of Fanning Springs.
At a Glance:
Activities: Swimming, snorkeling, open-water diving, kayaking/canoeing, fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, picnic area, playground, cabins, primitive camping
Entrance Fee: Yes
Scuba Diving: Yes–open-water diving only
Onsite Camping: Yes–primitive camping only; cabins also available
Dogs Allowed: Yes–see state park website for rules
Type of Park: Florida state park
Address and Contact Information:
Fanning Springs State Park
18020 Northwest U.S. 19-98
Fanning Springs, FL 32693
Phone: (352) 463–3420
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Fanning Springs, Suwannee River
