Manatee Springs State Park
Manatee Springs State Park is eight miles west of Chiefland. The campground is divided into two separate areas, and consists of joint tent-and-RV sites equipped with a picnic table, ground grill and water and electrical hookups. The two camping areas are serviced by three bathhouses and a central dump station. The campground accepts pets who are well-behaved and kept on a leash. Manatee Springs State Park is a well-known site among scuba divers for freshwater cavern diving at its Manatee Spring and Catfish Hotel Sink. The springs are also open to snorkeling and swimming, and the cypress swamp surrounding Suwannee River offers fishing, boating, hiking and nature watching.
Manatee Springs State Park
11650 N.W. 115 St.
Chiefland, FL 32626
(352) 493-6072
floridastateparks.org/
Suwannee River Hideaway Campground
Situated roughly 10 miles from Chiefland and upriver from Manatee Springs State Park, this campground offers a mix of primitive camping and RV-friendly sites. The features and facilities include a bathhouse, coin laundry, camp store, clubhouse with fireplace and public kitchen, private fishing pond and a 1,500-foot boardwalk running through the wetlands and to the banks of the Suwannee River. Wi-Fi is available around the campground's main buildings. The Hideaway is three miles from a trail head for the Nature Coast State Trail.
Suwannee River Hideaway Campground
P.O. Box 1135
1218 S.E. 346 Hwy.
Old Town, FL 32680
(352) 542-7800
riverhideaway.com
Otter Springs Campground
This 636-acre property is part-campground, part-private nature preserve. It is centered on its namesake Otter Springs, and the property also includes a second springs and a mile's worth of Suwannee River frontage. With a mix of RV and tent sites, the latter being equipped with fire rings, Otter Springs offers additional accommodations in the form of rental cottages. The campground is serviced by a pair of bathhouses and a coin laundry. Other amenities include a clubhouse with stone fireplace, game room, public kitchen and an indoor swimming pool.
Otter Springs Campground
6470 SW 80 Ave.
Trenton, FL 32693
(352) 463-0800
ottersprings.org
Article Written By Edwin Thomas
Edwin Thomas has been writing since 1997. His work has appeared in various online publications, including The Black Table, Proboxing-Fans and others. A travel blogger, editor and writer, Thomas has traveled from Argentina to Vietnam in pursuit of stories. He holds a Master of Arts in international affairs from American University.
