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Lafayette Blue Springs

Lafayette Blue Springs State Park

Lafayette Blue Springs was an old swimming hole for folks in Mayo and the rural communities west of Live Oak, a hidden beauty spot along the Suwannee River that is now a state park.

Mayo      ( 30.126903,-83.228597 )      

As the Suwannee River makes its way to the Gulf of Mexico, it becomes swifter and wider by soaking up the essence of more than 200 named springs.

Lafayette Blue Springs was an old swimming hole for folks in Mayo and the rural communities west of Live Oak, a place where kids made friends and school chums fell in love. In 2005, it became a state park.

Lafayette Blue Springs
Lafayette Blue Springs

Resources

North Florida Panhandle Explorers Guide book cover Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover

Overview

Location: Mayo
Lat-Lon: 30.126903,-83.228597
Fees: $4-5 per vehicle
Open: 8 AM until sunset daily
Leashed pets welcome


Location


About the Park

A waypoint along the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail, the park offers a splashing good time in natural pools that form from the spring outflow, which is farther back in the woods and viewable from a hiking trail that loops the steep slopes.

Flowing through a series of sinkholes, the spring run emerges and – depending on water levels – vanishes under two natural bridges before pouring out into the river.

Certified cave divers are welcome to explore the 12,000 feet of mapped karst passageways in teams.

The cabins at this park are on stilts, a nod to the unpredictable nature of the river. Camping is otherwise primitive and available on a walk-in basis only.


Explore the park

Visit their website

Category: Camping, Florida State Parks, Launch Points, Loop Hikes, Nature Trails, North Florida, Paddling, Parks, Places, SpringsTag: Birding, Boating, Cabins, Car Camping, Dog-friendly, Dowling Park, Fishing, Florida State Parks, Live Oak, Madison, Mayo, Perry, Primitive Camping, Rivers, Scuba, Springs, Suwannee River, Suwannee River Wilderness Trail, Swimming, Wildlife Viewing

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