Overview
Fanning Springs is on the Big Bend Coast of Florida. It's in two counties, Gilchrist and Levy, and is home to a population of approximately 1,000 in 2019. Attractions include the Nature Coast State Trail, Fanning Springs State Park, and Fort Fanning State Park.
1 sights · 1 things to do
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Fanning Springs
Fanning Springs State Park
The location of one of the state's 33 first magnitude springs, the area had been occupied by Native Americans, who had arrived in the region 14,000 years ago. There are Native American historic sites within the park.
Andrews Wildlife Management Area
The largest continuous tract of old-growth hardwood hammock forest on the Suwannee River exists within this 3,600-acre Wildlife Management Area. The old trees provide homes for flying squirrels, owls, and several bat spe…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–May. Summer highs reach about 92°F; winter lows dip to about 42°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jun and Sep. (climate data from nearby North Florida)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- GNV Gainesville Regional Airport, Gainesville — 40 mi away. Directions
- VLD Valdosta Regional Airport, Valdosta — 85 mi away. Directions
- JAX Jacksonville International Airport, Jacksonville — 97 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Fanning Springs State Park
- Afternoon Andrews Wildlife Management Area
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
See
Do
Do Andrews Wildlife Management Area
The largest continuous tract of old-growth hardwood hammock forest on the Suwannee River exists within this 3,600-acre Wildlife Management Area. The old trees provide homes for flying squirrels, owls, and several bat species including Rafinesque's big-eared bat. North American river otters, Suwannee alligator snapping turtles, and many snake species use the cypress/tupelo swamps. Gulf sturgeon can often be seen leaping out of the water from the bank of the Suwannee River. It has over ten miles of trails and unpaved roads. An interpretive boardwalk travels through a transition of habitats from upland forest to floodplain swamp. Hunting is popular at this WMA due to robust wild turkey, white-tailed deer, and feral hog populations. There is good fishing in the Suwannee River from boats and from the shore.
- The Nature Coast State Trail, which follows abandoned railway lines, has a junction at Fanning Springs. It is a 32 mi trail following unused rail lines that were built by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad.
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My experience
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