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Manatee Springs Chiefland

Chiefland

Home of Manatee Springs and a terminus on the Nature Coast Trail, Chiefland provides access to public lands along the Suwannee River

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Manatee Springs

Exploring Chiefland

Established in 1929 along a rail line built down the Gulf Coast to facilitate logging its old-growth cypress forests, Chiefland is a small city which regional residents visit for shopping and dining. It is the southern terminus of the Nature Coast Trail, a bike path extending into two neighboring counties, terminating at Trenton and Cross City.

While Chiefland has long been known for timbering and farming, public lands define its western edge along the Suwannee River basin. It is a gateway to many major springs, with Manatee Springs being the nearest and most popular destination. Some of Florida’s largest trees are along the river basin in Andrews Wildlife Management Area. Between Chiefland and Cedar Key, Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge has both trails and camping.

As it is along the lightly populated Nature Coast, dark skies draw stargazers and astronomers to the privately-owned Chiefland Astronomy Village for clear views after dark.

Resources

North Florida Panhandle Explorers Guide book cover 50 Hikes in North Florida book cover Complete Guide to Florida Wildflowers Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover

Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us continue to provide public information on this website.

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Interpretive sign at boardwalk to island

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River flowing through salt marsh to the Gulf

Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge

Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge
Morning light in the upland forest at Manatee Springs

Manatee Springs Scenic Trail

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Articles

Three Days of Lower Suwannee Springs

October 14, 2014//  by Sandra Friend

Not so busy thanks to their locations on the lower Suwannee River, this series of four major springs provide another 3-day weekend getaway option for active outdoor recreation in Florida

Algae growth on rocks at Manatee Springs

Springs of the Lower Suwannee

July 20, 2014//  by Sandra Friend

Visits to four springs along the lower Suwannee River enlightens us as to the changes occurring in Florida’s springs, even in rural areas.

ALL Articles

NEARBY: Bronson, Cedar Key, Old Town, Suwannee, Trenton | PART OF: North Florida

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