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Fanning Springs

Fanning Springs State Park

One of the Suwannee River’s largest swimming holes is the clear, cool reflecting pool of Fanning Springs, located along the edge of its namesake town

Suwannee River Wilderness Trail  |  Fanning Springs
( 29.59101,-82.933031 )      

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In the 1940s, Fanning Springs was a popular private spa and swimming resort, with a water slide and Ferris wheel.

Today, crowds gather on hot summer days – the spring is 72 degrees F year-round – for swimming and snorkeling.

Turquoise water with ramp and stairs into it Looking across the swimming area from the floating docks


Fanning Springs is one of Florida’s largest first-magnitude springs, so most of the activity is focused on the showy, deep spring basin.

Those who take a wander down the boardwalk will discover that the main spring is but one of many, with dozens of small bubbling springs feeding the floodplain basin.

Resources

North Florida Panhandle Explorers Guide book cover 50 Hikes in North Florida book cover Sinkholes

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


Overview

Location: Fanning Springs
Trailhead: 29.59101,-82.933031
Address: 18020 NW SR 19, Fanning Springs
Fees: $4-6 per vehicle
Restroom: At the concession above the spring basin
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 352-463-3420

Open 8 AM until sunset daily. Leashed pets welcome but are not permitted in and around the swimming area.

Aquamarine spring as seen from above


Directions

 
Fanning Springs State Park is right along US 19 just south of the Suwannee River bridge in Fanning Springs, north of Chiefland and west of Trenton and Gainesville.

About the Park

A collection of cabins with modern amenities makes Fanning Springs State Park a nice place to set up a base camp.

It’s an ideal destination for spring hopping up and down the Suwannee River, particularly during the summer months.

Looking over vegetation to turquoise water The main swimming area at the spring


The park is also a stop for paddlers on the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail and for cyclists on the Nature Coast Trail.

Divers have the opportunity to explore the 65 million gallon flow as it pours out into the river.

A concessionaire provides a snack bar and offers rental tubes and floats for use in the spring basin.

Deep blue clear water with rocks at bottom Looking into the depths of the main spring


Hiking

Two short trails provide a way to explore the park on foot.

The Suwannee River Boardwalk slips through a floodplain forest along the edge of the spring, where more tiny springs create streams flowing out to the river.

There is an observation deck along the river near the end of the spring run.

Boardwalk circling a swamp with clear water The boardwalk circles the spring basin


The Palmetto Path (formerly the Fanning Springs Nature Trail described in 50 Hikes in North Florida) is a loop that starts not far from the state park cabins.

It leads you through the forest past sinkholes along a footpath that loops roughly a mile, emerging near a view of the head spring.

Trail entrance with sign and map box Start of the Palmetto Path


Biking

Cyclists can ride out the main gate to intercept the Nature Coast Trail within a half mile where it crosses US 19 to the east of the park.

Spanning more than 31 miles between Chiefland, Cross City, and Trenton, the Nature Coast Trail is a paved bike path with a long span bridge over the Suwannee River to the north of Fanning Springs.

To the south, the trail has a long stretch down a wooded corridor through Andrews WMA and rural residential areas into Chiefland, with a side path connecting to Manatee Springs State Park.

Old railroad depot with bike path Nature Coast Trail terminus in Trenton


Paddling

Paddlers on the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail can take out and make use of a riverside primitive camping area on their multi-day paddling trips. Call ahead to grab a spot.

Bring your own kayak or canoe to put-in at Fanning Springs, or contact their outfitter in advance for a daily rental.

Fence with sign about kayak launch You must traverse a tenth of a mile with your canoe or kayak to the hand launch


Camping

Other than the primitive camping area for cyclists and paddlers, Fanning Springs State Park has cabins for guest lodging.

Like many cabins in Florida State Parks, these are large enough to share with friends or family, more the size of a house than a little cabin in the woods.

Pets are not permitted in the cabins. One accessible cabin is available. Rates start at $100. While linens and kitchenware used to be standard with cabin rentals, check ahead to be sure.

Benches surrounding a fire ring Primitive camping area on the river bank


Explore More!

Slideshow

See our photos of Fanning Springs


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

Holton River Camp beach

Suwannee River Wilderness Trail

Showcasing springs, sandy beaches, waterfalls, and haunting swamp forests where manatees gather, the 170-mile Suwannee River Wilderness Trail is a paddling trip of a lifetime

Nature Coast Trail Trenton

Nature Coast Trail

Connecting three rural counties, the Nature Coast Trail offers several different ways to ride between towns along 31.5 miles of paved bike path

Hart Springs

Hart Springs

A beauty spot along the Suwannee River north of Fanning Springs, Hart Springs offers swimming, hiking, camping, and cave diving in a rural setting near Trenton.

Lower Suwannee NWR

Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge

One of Florida’s more remote National Wildlife Refuges, the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge spans two counties, protecting a sweep of more than 53,000 acres and 30 miles of coastline along the Big Bend

Park Map (PDF) Reserve Cabin Official Website

Category: Camping, Canoe & Kayak Rentals, Florida State Parks, Hikes, Loop Hikes, Nature Trails, North Florida, Paddling, Parks, Places, SpringsTag: Boardwalks, Boating, Cabins, Chiefland, Fanning Springs, Fishing, Florida State Parks, Nature Coast Trail, Old Town, Picnic, Primitive Camping, Rivers, Scuba, Snorkeling, Suwannee River, Suwannee River Wilderness Trail, Swimming, Trenton, Wildlife Viewing

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