Madison

Exploring Madison

Nestled against the Georgia border, the easternmost corner of Northwest Florida is Madison County, with its county line defined by the Suwannee River. 

Surrounding state parks and state forests along with local parks provide interesting hikes not far from Interstate 10.

One of the top destinations has little hiking, but plenty of beauty for swimmers and divers: Madison Blue Spring.

On the roadwalk route of the Florida Trail between the Suwannee and Aucilla Rivers, hikers pass right through services immediately south of the interstate.

Better hiking, however, is along the nearby Suwannee River, following the Florida Trail through Twin Rivers State Forest, where backpacking campsites and a shelter front the river.

Trails and Parks near Madison

Big Oak Trail The Big Oak Trail is one of the most scenic hikes in North Florida. Much of the hiking parallels the Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers, which meet here at a confluence.

Ellaville Trail Part of the Florida State Forests Trailwalker System, the Ellaville Trail features floodplain forests and a spectacularly scenic section of the Florida Trail along the Suwannee River.

Florida Trail, Big Bend Crossing rural farms and forests, this 116 mile segment of the Florida Trail reveals the secrets of the Aucilla River before tracing the Gulf coastline at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.

Florida Trail, Suwannee For 78 miles along the Suwannee River, the Florida Trail clings to bluffs and scrambles through ravines for physical challenges and great scenery.

Ladell Brothers Outdoor Environmental Center The nature trail at Ladell Brothers Outdoor Environmental Center, North Florida College in Madison is a place for students and visitors to get away from it all in the midst of campus.

Lafayette Blue Springs State Park A beauty spot along the western shore of the Suwannee River, Lafayette Blue Spring is both a swimming hole and a lesson in the curious nature of karst.

Madison Blue Spring State Park A long-time Old Florida swimming hole along SR 6 between the towns of Lee and Jasper, Madison Blue Spring is a sinkhole pouring out a first-magnitude spring into the Withlacoochee River.

Suwannee River State Park Perched on rugged limestone bluffs along one of Florida’s most iconic waterways, Suwannee River State Park preserves significant historical sites in stunning natural landscapes.

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

Articles

Spring Hopping Around Tallahassee (7/1/2019) Between Madison and Marianna and across Wakulla County, explore a colorful collection of natural springs for swimming and snorkeling, all within an hour of Tallahassee.

Permanent closure of the Florida Trail between Suwannee and Aucilla Rivers (7/30/2015) A permanent closure of 55 miles of the Florida Trail between the Suwannee and Aucilla Rivers leaves thru-hikers no alternative but a very lengthy roadwalk