Parks

Bird Creek County Park & Boat Ramp
Located at the end of Highway 40 in Yankeetown. Picnic area and small beach for swimming and sunbathing. Pavillions with picnic tables and grills. Restroom facilities.

Blue Springs County Park/Devil’s Hammock
4550 NE 94th Pl.
Bronson, FL
(352) 486-5326
Located at the end of CR 339-A north of Bronson. ‘Open March to September 30th  Picnic pavilions, swimming, platform diving dock,
volleyball, swings, kids’ play area, restroom facilities. Devils Hammock is an undeveloped 3,200-acre area which adjoins Blue Springs Park. Hunting and public access with a
manned checking station during hunting season.

Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge
The term “Keys” comes from the Indian word &“cayo”;, meaning “small island”;. This is a very appropriate term for this unique area! Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge is a group of fragile coastal islands just off the village of Cedar Key, Florida. Established in 1929, Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge contains significant natural and cultural resources from pre-historic and historic times. Today, the Refuge consists of 13 islands ranging in size from 1 to 120 acres, totaling 762 acres. Ancient Indian cultures once used these off-shore islands as camps, later creating living areas – where food from the Gulf was plentiful and readily available. In more recent history, the famous Faber Pencil Mill was located on Atsena Otie Key where its remains can be seen today.

Fanning Springs State Park
(352) 463-3420
Located on U.S. Hwy. 19/98 in the town of Fanning Springs. A hub of the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail and easily accessible from US 19, this park offers visitors a chance to hike through nature trails, watch white tailed deer, manatees and other animals in their habitat, swim or snorkel in crystal-clear water or rent one of five cabins for a weekend getaway. The park is open year-round from 8 a.m. until sundown.
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Goethe State Forest
Division of Forestry provides for multiple uses of the forest resources which includes timber management, wildlife management, outdoor recreation and ecological restoration.

Goethe State Forest has more than 15 different natural communities. A few examples are scrubby flatwoods, dome swamp, sandhill, and basin swamp. Goethe State Forest may contain the largest tract of contiguous, old-growth longleaf pine flatwoods in the state.

This extensive old-growth forest has one of the largest red-cockaded woodpecker populations on state lands in Florida. Other rare animal species found on the forest include the Florida black bear, gopher tortoise, Sherman’s fox squirrel and bald eagle. Rare plants include the hooded pitcher plant and coontie.

Henry Beck County Park
(352) 486-5326
Located on CR 343, one-half mile from CR 326, about
5 miles east of Gulf Hammock on the Wekiva River.
Open from April 1 through
September 30. Picnic pavilions, swimming,
basketball, volleyball, horseshoes, kids play area, shower,
restroom facilities.

Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge
The 53,000 acre Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1979 to protect one of the largest undeveloped river-delta estuarine systems in the United States. The constant influx of nutrients from the river combined with numerous off-shore islands and tidal creeks create excellent wildlife habitat. Swallow-tailed kites, bald eagles, West Indian manatees, Gulf sturgeon, whitetailed deer, and eastern wild turkeys are but a few of the wildlife species that inhabit the Refuge. Natural salt marshes, tidal flats, bottomland hardwood swamps, and pine forests provide habitat for thousands of creatures – both large and small.

The Refuge offers recreational and educational activities for everyone. Bird and wildlife observation, wildlife photography, fishing, canoeing, hunting, and interpretive walks are all available. A new Wildlife Drive is under construction and several boardwalks and observation towers offer unique views of Refuge wildlife and habitat.

The links to the left offer a vide variety of information on the Refuge. We encourage you to explore these links then come explore your Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge.

Manatee Springs State Park
352-463-6072
Located on Hwy. 320 just west of the town of Chiefland. A first magnitude spring, Manatee Springs discharges an average 100 million gallons of water every day. This water comes from rain that falls on lands within a 40 mile radius from the spring. Geologically the surrounding lands resemble a sponge, with sand and the underlying limestone quickly transferring rainfall into deep caverns that deliver the water to the spring from every direction, but mostly from the south and east. The spring is a source of life for many species of fish, reptiles, mammals, birds and invertebrates. From November through April, manatees use the spring’s life-giving waters for warmth. During those months the Suwannee River and Gulf of Mexico waters are colder than the constant 72 degrees of the spring. Popular for swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving, the headwaters of the spring are an outstanding year-round experience for people as well. The spring run forms a sparkling stream that meanders through towering cypress, tupelo and other wetland trees to join the Suwannee River. During the summer months, huge prehistoric-looking Gulf sturgeon can be seen leaping out of the river as they have done for eons. Enjoy the spring run view by canoe/kayak or on foot along our boardwalk. Children can enjoy a playground in the picnic area, where tables, grills and pavilions are available for family fun. Hiking and biking adventures await on the north end trail system. The full-facility campground is surrounded by hardwood hammocks and upland pine habitats.
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Shell Mound County Park
(352) 221-4466
Located on CR 326 off CR 347 north of Cedar Key. Open year round. 20 campsites with water and power hookups and 10 primitive camping sites. Restroom, shower facilities and RV dump station. Boat ramp and fish cleaning area. Volleyball, basketball.

The Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve
The Preserve is a 413-acre passive nature park located within the town limits of Yankeetown, FL. It features a boardwalk, nature trails, and a 30-foot observation tower overlooking tidal wetlands. The Preserve is open from 9:30 a.m. until Sunset everyday. The physical address is 1001 Old Rock Road, Yankeetown, FL 34498.

Located within the park are Picnic Areas, Tables, Comfort Areas, Restrooms, Trails, Unpaved Hiking/Walking Trails, Biking Trails, Wildlife Observation Areas, Water Access, Kayak/Canoe Launch and an Observation Pier.

Waccasassa Bay Preserve State Park
(352) 543-5567
Located at the end of CR 326 west of Gulf Hammock on the Waccasassa River. Open year round. Popular boat launch site for Gulf access. Boat launching and docks for tie-up. Bank fishing, picnic tables, grills, benches. Restroom facilities.
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