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Area Attractions
Now this is what it is all about! There is so much to discover
on Florida's Nature Coast! Swimming, tubing, picnicking, fresh and
salt water fishing, hunting, camping, canoeing, kayaking, scuba
diving, golf, biking, bird and nature watching all await you.
Have you heard about the springs?
Most visitors to Florida never even know they are here, but
they are, dozens and dozens
of them, especially along the Nature Coast. And you're not going to
believe how beautiful they are and the wealth of recreational opportunities
they provide. Did I mention scuba diving? Certainly not for the inexperienced,
Florida's springs draw expert cave divers from all over the world
to discover the challenging warren of largely uncharted caves and
underground rivers. Even if you are not an expert diver, in many of
these springs, strong swimmers may don mask and fins to fight their
way through a "boil" to view the chambers below. And best
of all, the waters of Florida's springs remain a refreshing 72 degrees
year round. Below is just a sampling. There are many more!
Itchetucknee Springs State Park
 A
real treasure, Itchetucknee Springs is a crystal clear, spring fed
river, running six miles through unspoiled hardwood hammocks and
a world class destination for tube floating! The river is fed by
seven named springs, and countless unnamed ones. Visitors can swim
in one or more of the named springs, and marvel at the 233 million
gallons of clear water which daily bubble up from chambers in the
earth. Then they can cast their tubes on the river waters and leisurely
float through all the wonders nature has to offer. At 45 minutes,
this spring is within easy reach of Hickory Haven. You don't want
to miss it, and once you have experienced it, you will want to come
back again and again.
Here
are some nice photos.
Here
is a personal account of the park.
Florida
State Parks Itchetucknee Springs State Park Page
Florida
State Parks Itchetucknee Springs State Park Gallery
Fanning Springs
It's the ol' swimming hole, only you've never seen it like this!
As one of Florida's 27 first magnitude springs, approximately 50
million gallons a day flow from Fanning Springs! You will marvel
at the many "boils," and then you'll enjoy a day of refreshing
swimming, exploring the springs, hiking, picnicking and relaxing!
At only twenty minutes away from Hickory Haven, Fanning Springs
is close enough for you to enjoy on the spur of the moment on a
hot afternoon. Check out the photos on these links!
Some
great photos of Fanning Springs
Florida
State Parks Fanning Springs State Park Pages
Florida
State Parks Fanning Springs State Parks Gallery
Manatee Springs
As another of Florida's first magnitude springs, an astonishing
117 million gallons issue from Manatee Springs every day. A resource
such as this, with it's ample fishing, hunting and recreation has
supported human habitation for thousands of years, with a major
Timucuan  indian
village known to have been on its banks. In addition to the usual
activities, this spring is one of three in the state where visitors
can easily and regularly observe manatee in the wild from winter
through spring. And it's only 40 minutes from Hickory haven!
This
is a scuba diver's personal account of the springs.
Here
are some nice photos and one family's description of the park.
Florida
State Parks Manatee Springs State Park Pages
Florida
State Parks Manatee Springs State Park Photo Gallery
Way Down Upon the Suwanee River
Need we say more? Can you imagine all the recreational possibilities,
the history, nature, and sport, that a fabled river like the Suwanee
has to offer? And just a short fifteen minute drive from Hickory
Haven and you will be on her banks!
Here
are some photos.
Here's
a Suwanee River Tours site.
More
great photos!
The
State Parks Suwanee River State Park Pages
The
State Parks Suwanee River State Park Photo Gallery
Beaches? Did you say beaches?
Sure, you've heard of Miami Beach, Daytona and Ft. Lauderdale, and
they are great destinations, but have you ever wondered what a world-class
Florida beach was like before all the hotels, restaurants and clubs?
And how about the sunsets on the west coast beaches? With Hickory
Haven as your base, you are closer to some of Florida's best kept
secrets than the majority of the state. The beaches of the  panhandle
remain largely undiscovered, despite the fact that year after year
they make it on the list of the top ten beaches of the world, right
along side beaches in exotic Hawaii! Destin, St. Joseph's Peninsula
State Park, Mexico Beach, St. George Island, once you have discovered
the powdery, white sand dunes capped with sea oats, the turquoise
waters, the unspoiled views, sport fishing known the world over,
the laid back lifestyle, and the friendly folks, you'll know you
have finally found The Real Florida, and you'll never want to leave!
The
State Parks St. Joseph Peninsula State Park Pages
The
State Parks St. Joseph Peninsula State Park Photo Gallery
The
State Parks St. George Island State Park Pages
The
State Parks St. George Island State Park Photo Gallery
Trails
Florida, with all its natural resources, has made a real effort
to ensure that everyone has access through their extensive trails
development programs and the "Rails to Trails" project.
This is especially true in the northern part of the state, where
awareness of preserving our natural beauty came faster than development.
Within an hours radius of Hickory Haven, you will find many opportunities
to enjoy the best that trails have to offer, including inline skating,
mountain biking, biking, hiking, walking, horse back riding, canoeing
and kayaking, and all terrain vehicles. Here are just a few.
O'Leno
State Park Trails
Santa
Fe River Canoe Trail
Suwannee
River (Upper) Canoe Trail
Suwannee
River Greenway at Branford
Manatee
Springs State Park
Nature
Coast State Trail
Festivals
Here in Florida, we love our festivals! It's the weather. What better
way to get out and enjoy this glorious weather than to have a festival?
And we've got festivals for everything: seafood, arts, food, country
crafts, food, motorcycles, food, music, corn, nature, did I mention
food? Festival season starts in the Spring and runs strong until
it slows down a little in the dog days, only to pick up again in
the fall. And let me tell you about spring and fall, from a native,
people who say there isn't any change of seasons in Florida just
haven't been paying attention. So get outside and see what I mean
by attending one of the many festivals.
Red
Belly Day
Nature
Fest
Bike Fest
Gilchrist
County Chamber Of Commerce Annual Down Home Days
Florida
Folk Festival
A
calendar of other events and festivals
Golf
Is chasing a little white ball over manicured lawns under a perfect
sky your idea of getting out in nature? Well, if that's what it
takes, here's are lists of area public and private courses.
Nature
Coast Courses
Gainesville
Courses
Live
Oak Courses
History
The area around Hickory Haven is steeped in history as old as the
ancient moss-hung oaks. The bounty of the many springs, rivers and
forests has drawn mankind to this place for ten thousand years.
Mastodons once roamed this area, and their massive bones have been
found in many of the springs. General Lafayette was awarded a land
grant in the area in appreciation for his substantial contribution
to the War of Independence. Neighboring Lafayette County is named
in his honor. During the Seminole Indian Wars, General Andrew Jackson
and his men roamed this area rousting out native Americans disenfranchised
from their more northern homes. While here, he presided over an
incident so controversial on a global scale that it nearly ended
his career in ignominy. Instead, the United States stood by him,
and the subsequent international wranglings with Spain led to the
acquisition of the Florida peninsula and General Jackson became
its first governor. There are several area Civil War reenactments
annually. You could even find a buried treasure, for their are such
tales of a treasure buried in Cross City, and other similar tales
of secreted pirate treasures, or lost Civil War payrolls in the
area. If history is your interest, you will never tire of learning
all the area has to offer.
Dixie
County History and Geneology site
with links to neighboring county sites
History
of the air field
An
essay about Cross City's Turpentine camps from the 1930's
The
Lafayette Land Grant
A
Brief biography of General Lafayette
And if you really must, all the razzle dazzle of Orlando and the
theme parks is still only a day trip away.
So what are you waiting for? You've got so much to do!
Follow this link to the contact information
so you can Make An Inquiry.
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Follow
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