Along the banks of the Lower Suwannee River, Hart Springs offers activities year-round.
Swimming and tubing are popular in a large, enclosed pool around the springhead, and paddlers meander down the run to access the river.
Experienced divers can explore the cave system via Little Hart Spring or with a guide at the Black Lagoon.
Spring run in the wintertimeTent and RV camping are available at a 71 site campground separated from the day use area.
An accessible 0.6 mile paved pathway connects the camping area with the spring.
Four color coded trails connect to the paved path, and the trail system can be strung together with a scenic boardwalk along a 3.2 mile figure eight route.
Boardwalk along the SuwanneeResources
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Overview
Location: Bell
Length: 3.2 miles
Trailhead: 29.675722, -82.950778
Address: 4240 SW 86th Avenue, Bell
Fees: Per person $5 weekdays $8 weekends
Restrooms: At the main office
Land manager: Gilchrist County
Phone: 352-463-3444
Open 9 AM to 7:30 PM May – Sep, 9 AM to 5 PM Oct – Apr. Dogs not permitted except at the campground.
Camping $35 per day plus reservation fees. There is also a rental home available for $200 per night, sleeping 6-8 people.
Directions
From the intersection of SR 26 and US 98 east of Fanning Springs, head north on SR 26 for 1.3 miles before turning left onto SW CR 232. In 4.3 miles, turn left onto SW CR 344, and continue for 1.6 miles, then turn right at SW 86 Ave. In less than a quarter mile, turn right onto a dirt road, and the main office will be on the left.
Hike
Starting at an accessible parking space adjacent to the covered pavilion north of the office, follow a concrete sidewalk westward towards the spring.
Turning right where the path ends at a T, the boardwalk begins with a bridge span over a side run lined with bald cypress trees.
Boardwalk bridgeThe sturdy wooden walkway hugs the spring run, providing views of the flowing water to the left, and a dense swamp to the right.
As the boardwalk opens to sweeping views of the Suwannee River, it turns north to parallel the waterway under a canopy of oak, elm, and hickory.
At 0.4 mile, the boardwalk becomes a large observation deck with an inviting bench alongside a majestic live oak tree draped with Spanish moss.
Suwannee River viewAt this point, the boardwalk leads east into the floodplain, crossing seasonally inundated wetlands for 0.2 mile.
It ends at a sidewalk that winds through an old campground and back to the accessible parking area.
To begin the hiking trail loop, cross the dirt road and look for blue blazes leading east into the woods.
Old campgroundA leaf strewn pathway winds across the floodplain forest, passing water-filled sinkholes.
Use a long, narrow boardwalk to cross a soggy section dotted with hundreds of cypress knees.
As the trail ascends ever so slightly away from the river, cypress gives way to sweetgum and oaks as clusters of saw palmetto appear in the understory.
Boardwalk on the Blue TrailReaching the end of the Blue Trail at 1.7 miles, follow a paved pathway west for less than 100 feet to a sign for the Red Trail.
Weaving around a series of sinkholes coated in lime green aquatic vegetation, red blazes lead the way through a hardwood hammock with sporadic cabbage palms.
Sinkhole pond on the Red TrailNear the two mile mark, take a left or right at a fork in the path where the Red Trail begins a small loop, then follow yellow blazes leading west.
In a quarter mile, turn left onto the Orange Trail, beginning a descent back into the seasonally flooded section of forest.
Cypress become more prominent again, standing alongside curious water locust trees that sport aggressive clusters of sharp thorns.
Water locust treeOrange blazes end at a wide path to the Black Lagoon, an entrance point for cave divers to access the cave system.
Head east for a couple hundred feet to get a glimpse of the lagoon before following the path out a dirt road that leads back to the beginning of the hike in less than a tenth of a mile.
The Black LagoonTrail Map
Explore More!
Learn more about the springs of the Lower Suwannee
Three Days of Lower Suwannee Springs 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 FloridaVideo
Hiking Hart Springs Park
Nearby Adventures
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.
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
Otter Springs At an inviting second magnitude spring, a shaded nature trail traces the spring run as it flows towards picturesque views on the Lower Suwannee River.
Dudley Farm Historic State Park For a ramble through a authentic Florida pioneer homestead, visit Dudley Farm Historic State Park, which interprets the life of the 1800s Florida family that lived here. 
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