Experiences & Amenities
Experiences
Primitive camping is available only for those arriving by foot, bicycle or paddling on the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail. Overnight vehicle parking for primitive campers is not permitted.
The site, with moderate shade and very little understory vegetation, accommodates eight people. Larger groups can be accommodated but need to be pre-arranged with the park. The site is located at the top of the bank above the canoe launch on the Suwannee River.
The nearest restroom (separate rooms for men and women) is accessible and approximately 600 feet away with an outside, open, cold-water shower. There is no electricity at the site and the closest water faucet is 300 feet away. There is one campfire circle.
Reservations are not needed but we encourage campers to make arrangements in advance if possible. Call the park at 352-463-3420 for more information.
- To protect our forests, please do not bring your own firewood into the park. The emerald ash borer infestation is spread by moving infested wood to a non-infested area. Wood is available at the park for $8, which includes sales tax. For information, please call the park at 352-463-3420.
Fishing is permitted within the park in designated areas. Please contact park staff for exact locations. Fishing from the swimming dock is prohibited. Fishing access is available at the canoe launch. If you wish to fish from a canoe or kayak you may use the park's canoe launch to access the river. For motor boats, there is a Dixie County public boat ramp directly across the river.
- All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season. A fishing license may be required. More information is available at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission’s Fishing in Florida.
- Cast netting is not allowed.
Stroll along a 0.75-mile-long nature trail through an area clear cut of pines several decades ago. Today an upland mixed hardwood and pine forest community exists. Many of the trees in the forest are more than 60 feet tall, creating a dense canopy. The ground is covered by a thick layer of leaf mulch, which helps conserve the moisture of the sandy-clay soil.
Along the trail is a series of sinkholes or depressions formed by the collapse of underground caverns. These sinkholes are indicative of karst topography. Animals typically observed in the mixed forest community include white-tailed deer, gray squirrel, red shouldered hawk, pileated woodpecker, barred owl, gulf hammock rat, and rough green and coral snakes.
Fanning Springs is an ideal place to begin or end a Suwannee River canoe journey. The park is centrally located for a paddle down river to Manatee Springs State Park (7 miles) or to numerous upstream locations.
For those who like shorter paddle trips, enjoy exploring the spring run and river surrounding the park.
Picnickers can enjoy meals overlooking the beautiful spring area. Pavilions are available for rent for $15 or $25 per day, according to size. Tables are also available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Additional picnicking facilities are available overlooking the Suwannee River at the wayside picnic area off U.S. Highway 19/98 adjacent to the Suwannee River Bridge. There is no entrance fee for the wayside area.
- These tables are all available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Open water scuba divers are welcome in the designated swimming area. Divers must have proper certification and are required to register with park staff before entering the water. There must be a minimum of two divers.
Diving is on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations or holding spots are not allowed. All parties must be present at the time of registration.
- Divers must be registered three hours before sunset and completed one hour before sunset.
- All scuba divers do so at their own risk and must dive within the limits of their certification.
The Florida Park Service recognizes the inherent personal danger involved is this activity and therefore strictly regulates it. Upon granting permission to dive in any spring within Florida State Parks, the following minimum rules and regulations must be strictly adhered to:
- At parks with a ranger station, each diver must present their diver's certification card upon registration and display on the vehicle dashboard until completion of the dive.
- All student divers must register under instructor's certification.
- Each diver must dive within the limits of their certification.
- Dives must be conducted only in designated areas.
- Open water divers are prohibited from carrying lights.
- A dive party must consist of at least two divers.
- Each state park where spring diving is allowed has the authority to set a maximum number of people who can dive in the spring at any given time.
- Fossils and artifacts shall not be disturbed or removed. Aquatic plants shall not be trampled or disturbed.
- Minimum distance of 50 feet between divers and manatees must always be maintained.
- Open water diving is permitted in all areas of the state park system except where specifically prohibited.
- Dives must be completed one hour before sundown.
- Dives must be registered three hours before sundown.
Diving Capacity at Fanning Springs:
- Open water divers: 15 divers at one time, 30 per day total for spring.
Fanning Springs is the perfect place to cool off in the summer heat. Swimmers can wade in from the shore or dock. Toddlers and those just learning to swim can stay with their parents in a shallow area. The refreshing crystal-clear water is a cool 72 degrees year-round.
- Access to the swimming and picnicking areas of Fanning Springs State Park is included in the entry fee.
The blue, clear water of Fanning Springs is a beautiful backdrop for weddings, plus a 200-yard boardwalk that meanders through cypress trees with a gazebo overlooking the historic Suwannee River at its end. Facilities include restrooms, picnic pavilions, picnic tables and grills. A stage with electricity is nestled in the woods close to the river.
The park also provides modern cabins for overnight accommodations and a small recreational building with a deck overlooking the springs.
- Please call for pricing and availability at 352-463-3420.
- Your Dream Wedding at Fanning Springs State Park
Excellent wildlife viewing is available on the hiking trail and along the Spring Run boardwalk that winds through the cypress swamp to the Suwannee River. White-tailed deer, gray squirrels, red-shouldered hawks, mockingbirds, pileated woodpeckers and barred owls are some of the animals seen in the park.
Amenities
Fanning Springs State Park is committed to providing a variety of amenities accessible to all of our visitors.
These amenities include:
- Chair lift at the spring (please call one hour in advance if you require an accommodation to utilize the lift chair).
- Modern cabin.
- Picnic facilities with tables and grills.
Service animals are welcome in all areas of Florida State Parks.
Spacious two-bedroom cabins are located along the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail with access to the Suwannee River, hiking trails and a second-magnitude spring. The cabins have central heating and cooling, an electric fireplace, screened porch and kitchenette, and they are equipped with linens and kitchen utensils.
Although the cabins have room to accommodate six people, they have only three beds (one double and two twins). Guests are welcome to bring cots and linens to accommodate two additional people if needed. An ADA accessible cabin is available.
- There is a minimum two-night stay in cabins.
- For the guest's relaxation, televisions and phones are not provided.
- Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance. For reservations, visit the Florida State Parks reservations website or call 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287.
- To protect our forests, please do not bring your own firewood into the park. The emerald ash borer infestation is spread by moving infested wood to a non-infested area. Wood is available at the park for $8, which includes sales tax. For information, please call the park at 352-463-3420.
Well-behaved dogs are welcome at Fanning Springs State Park. Pets must be kept on a six-foot leash at all times and cannot be left unattended. Dogs are not permitted in the cabins, cabin area, buildings or swimming areas.
- See our Pet Policy.