| The Sparkle of Fanning Springs |
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| June 29, 2008 |
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"What we do today will be history tomorrow."
Park Ranger Matt Mathews says these words as we stand on an overlook at Fanning Springs State Park in the town of Fanning Springs in Levy County, 38 miles west of Gainesville on U.S. Highway 19/98.
Fanning Springs State Park connects to the Suwannee River and is a hub of the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. This first magnitude spring used to bubble up more than 100 million gallons of water a day. It has been downgraded to a second magnitude springs with its output down to 54 million gallons of water a day.
Officials worry about the water drop. Visitors hardly skip a beat. Once you see the springs and get wet in the sparkling blue green water, you're hooked. Carolyn and George Powell live up the Suwannee River and motor in their pontoon boat down to Fanning Springs every day, saying they like it because the water is cool (a bracing 72 degrees year round) and it is not crowded.
Swimming, snorkeling and fishing are all popular. When manatees visit or heavy rainfall make the water cloudy, swimming is prohibited. Call ahead (352) 63-3420 to see if swimming is open.
A picnic area, playground and volleyball court, a large area for Frisbee, football and soccer along with a boardwalk to the river and a woods trail are good reasons to pack up family and friends and make this a full day trip.
Or think overnight. Cabins with fully enclosed porches and all the amenities are available.
Across the street from the park is a recreation of the gates to Fort Fanning originally built in 1838 during the Second Seminole War and called "Fort Palmetto".
Every spring in Florida boasts brilliant beauty. You'll want to drink them all in. Nearby areas: Hart Springs, Manatee Springs State Park, Blue Springs Park and Ginnie Springs. |
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| Swimming at Fanning Springs State Park is a popular destination year round |
| Credit: Lucy Beebe Tobias, VISIT FLORIDA Authentic Florida Expert |
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