Fanning Springs State Park

Annual Florida trip always includes a soaking in the springs!!!

Fanning Springs State Park is a Florida State Park on the Suwannee River at the town of Fanning Springs, near Old Town. The Nature Coast State Trail runs near the park – this is a rails to trails project of the Florida State Park System – offering additional nature-​viewing and hiking activities. Fanning Springs Park itself offers camping plus a very nice swimming area built around the springs. On the western side of this pool is a floating dock and a small inlet meeting the Suwannee River so boaters can come in and dock their boats and then enjoy the park. A lot of people also like to use this floating dock area for sunbathing and on the opposite side of the springs pool is a boardwalk around the springs and a pretty cool diving platform near the deepest part of the springs. The park is very popular on hot summer days for swimming.
I think camping includes cabins that can be rented, a space for RVs, and tent camping but I’ve not been camping here so I cannot really comment on it much. The facilities otherwise are fairly limited: there’s restrooms and vending machines and I think someone selling concessions, also. The park staff, like those at most Florida State Parks, seem to love their jobs and are very polite and friendly. The bathrooms – as also is the case with most state parks with springs, alas – do not have any space to change your clothing, that is, they have toilets and sinks but no changing space as do the USDA public lands facilities at springs. Just something to consider. The parking is not the best: it gets crowded and there’s «overflow» parking but it’s hodge-​podge on the grass more or less. However, these criticisms are very small compared to how awesome the park and springs are overall.