Hart Springs – Florida Hikes

Alongside the banks of the Decrease Suwannee River, Hart Springs presents actions year-round.

Swimming and tubing are widespread in a big, enclosed pool across the springhead, and paddlers meander down the run to entry the river.

Skilled divers can discover the cave system by way of Little Hart Spring or with a information on the Black Lagoon.

Spring run within the wintertime

Tent and RV tenting can be found at a 71 website campground separated from the day use space.

An accessible 0.6 mile paved pathway connects the tenting space with the spring.

4 coloration coded trails hook up with the paved path, and the path system might be strung along with a scenic boardwalk alongside a 3.2 mile determine eight route.

Boardwalk alongside the Suwannee

Assets

Overview

Location: BellLength: 3.2 milesTrailhead: 29.675722, -82.950778Address: 4240 SW 86th Avenue, BellFees: Per particular person $5 weekdays $8 weekendsRestrooms: On the primary officeLand supervisor: Gilchrist CountyPhone: 352-463-3444

Open 9 AM to 7:30 PM Could – Sep, 9 AM to five PM Oct – Apr. Canine not permitted besides on the campground.

Tenting $35 per day plus reservation charges. There may be additionally a rental dwelling accessible for $200 per night time, sleeping 6-8 individuals.

Instructions

Hike

Beginning at an accessible parking area adjoining to the lined pavilion north of the workplace, observe a concrete sidewalk westward in direction of the spring.

Turning proper the place the trail ends at a T, the boardwalk begins with a bridge span over a aspect run lined with bald cypress timber.

Boardwalk bridge

The sturdy wood walkway hugs the spring run, offering views of the flowing water to the left, and a dense swamp to the proper.

Because the boardwalk opens to sweeping views of the Suwannee River, it turns north to parallel the waterway beneath a cover of oak, elm, and hickory.

At 0.4 mile, the boardwalk turns into a big statement deck with an inviting bench alongside an imposing stay oak tree draped with Spanish moss.

Suwannee River view

At this level, the boardwalk leads east into the floodplain, crossing seasonally inundated wetlands for 0.2 mile.

It ends at a sidewalk that winds by means of an outdated campground and again to the accessible parking space.

To start the mountaineering path loop, cross the filth highway and search for blue blazes main east into the woods.

Previous campground

A leaf strewn pathway winds throughout the floodplain forest, passing water-filled sinkholes.

Use a protracted, slim boardwalk to cross a soggy part dotted with tons of of cypress knees.

Because the path ascends ever so barely away from the river, cypress provides option to sweetgum and oaks as clusters of noticed palmetto seem within the understory.

Boardwalk on the Blue Path

Reaching the top of the Blue Path at 1.7 miles, observe a paved pathway west for lower than 100 toes to an indication for the Crimson Path.

Weaving round a sequence of sinkholes coated in lime inexperienced aquatic vegetation, crimson blazes paved the way by means of a hardwood hammock with sporadic cabbage palms.

Sinkhole pond on the Crimson Path

Close to the 2 mile mark, take a left or proper at a fork within the path the place the Crimson Path begins a small loop, then observe yellow blazes main west.

In 1 / 4 mile, flip left onto the Orange Path, starting a descent again into the seasonally flooded part of forest.

Cypress turn into extra outstanding once more, standing alongside curious water locust timber that sport aggressive clusters of sharp thorns.

Water locust tree

Orange blazes finish at a large path to the Black Lagoon, an entrance level for cave divers to entry the cave system.

Head east for a pair hundred toes to get a glimpse of the lagoon earlier than following the trail out a mud highway that leads again to the start of the hike in lower than a tenth of a mile.

The Black Lagoon

Path Map

Discover Extra!

Study extra concerning the springs of the Decrease Suwannee

Three Days of Decrease Suwannee Springs Not so busy due to their places on the decrease Suwannee River, this sequence of 4 main springs present one other 3-day weekend getaway possibility for energetic outside recreation in Florida

Video

Mountaineering Hart Springs Park

Close by Adventures

Path Map (PDF) Reserve Campsite Official Web site

Alongside together with his spouse Chelsey, Chris Stevens shares outside adventures on Instagram and Fb as @sunshinestateseekers and is a co-host of a podcast about Florida’s outdoor, The Florida Madcaps. An avid hiker and camper, Chris serves as a Trailmaster and a board member for the Florida Path Affiliation.

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