A new surprise along the Florida Trail in White Springs: a nudist resort. For years, the Suwannee Valley Campground has been one of several welcoming resupply-and-rest stops for long distance hikers along the Suwannee River, but that’s about to change. In May 2012, the new owners of the campground will be reopening it as a nudist resort.
According to an article in today’s Gainesville Sun, resort co-owner Tom Gillenwater says the Florida Trail can continue to pass through the property, which is perched above the Suwannee River, but “There just has to be a notice — nudity beyond this point.”
The change will come after the close of hiking season, and there are alternatives for hikers uncomfortable with walking through a no-clothes-zone. It’s possible to follow SR 41 into White Springs and pick up the Florida Trail in front of the Florida Nature & Heritage Tourism Center, or to use the Bridge-to-Bridge Trail, a single-track route on the south side of the river that’s a little trickier to follow. Where will the orange blazes end up? I’ll keep you posted.