One of the best parts of staying at Anasa is discovering just how much there is to explore beyond the tent.
Within an hour of camp, you’ll find some of Florida’s most beautiful springs, scenic river overlooks, historic parks, hidden trails, and quiet places that rarely make it into the state’s tourism brochures. These are the places that have made us fall in love with North Florida — destinations that reward slowing down, taking the back roads, and spending more time outdoors.
We’ve gathered some of our favorite parks and natural areas below to help you plan your stay and experience the side of Florida most travelers never see.
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park – 12 miles | 18 minutes
Stephen Foster feels less like a typical state park and more like stepping into the older rhythm of the Suwannee River. The massive oak trees, river overlooks, and historic buildings give the whole park a timeless feeling, especially in the early morning when fog hangs low near the water. Guests often spend as much time wandering the craft square and listening to live music drifting from the carillon tower as they do hiking the trails. In the fall, the annual folk festival transforms the park into one of the most uniquely north Florida experiences anywhere in the state.
Suwannee Springs – 16 miles | 22 minutes
Suwannee Springs offers Anasa guests a glimpse into one of north Florida’s hidden historic treasures. Once a popular mineral spring destination in the late 1800s, the site still carries the quiet charm of Old Florida, with spring-fed waters, scenic river views, and the stone ruins of the former spring resort tucked beneath the trees along the Suwannee River. Guests can explore the area, enjoy peaceful walks along the river, or simply take in the atmosphere of a place that feels both natural and deeply connected to the region’s history. Nearby, the colorful graffiti-covered bridge crossing the Suwannee has become a well-known local landmark and a favorite stop for photography, adding an unexpected contrast of modern expression against the timeless river landscape. It’s the kind of destination that rewards slowing down and discovering the quieter stories of north Florida.
Big Shoals State Park – 17 miles | 27 minutes
Most people don’t expect Florida to feel rugged until they visit Big Shoals. The trails wind through long stretches of pine forest before suddenly opening to high river bluffs overlooking the Suwannee River and the largest whitewater rapids in the state. In cooler months, when the river runs higher, you can actually hear the rushing water before you see it. It’s a favorite for guests who want a more adventurous side of north Florida — hiking, biking, or simply standing above the river watching a version of Florida that feels completely different from the coast.
Suwannee River State Park – 22 miles | 30 minutes
Suwannee River State Park has the kind of quiet that makes you slow down without realizing it. The trails follow high riverbanks beneath towering hardwoods, with hidden remnants of old bridges and Civil War earthworks tucked into the woods. At sunset, the overlook where the Withlacoochee and Suwannee Rivers meet becomes one of the most peaceful spots in the region. Guests who enjoy history, slower walks, and the feeling of “Old Florida” usually end up loving this park.
Royal Spring – 26 miles | 35 minutes
Royal Spring offers Anasa guests a quiet and refreshing spring experience tucked away beneath a canopy of trees near the Suwannee River. Known for its clear blue water and peaceful atmosphere, the spring feels more hidden and local than many of Florida’s larger spring destinations. Guests can stop to cool off, relax beside the water, or simply enjoy a slower afternoon surrounded by the natural beauty of north Florida. It’s the kind of place that captures the simple pleasure of discovering an uncrowded spring and spending time outdoors without rushing anywhere.
Telford Spring – 27 miles | 34 minutes
Telford Spring is one of the quieter and lesser-known springs in the region, offering Anasa guests a more peaceful and uncrowded way to experience north Florida’s spring country. Surrounded by natural forest and located near the Suwannee River, the spring feels hidden away from the busier destinations, making it ideal for guests looking to slow down and enjoy the outdoors at a gentler pace. The calm setting, clear water, and sense of discovery fit naturally with the Anasa experience — a reminder that some of the best places in Florida are the ones that still feel untouched and quietly local.
Charles Spring – 27 miles | 35 minutes
Charles Spring gives Anasa guests the chance to experience one of the quieter spring spots along the Suwannee River, where clear freshwater and shaded natural surroundings create a peaceful place to slow down and enjoy the outdoors. The spring’s calm atmosphere makes it ideal for swimming, relaxing beside the water, or simply taking in the beauty of north Florida’s spring country without the crowds often found at larger destinations. For guests exploring the region, Charles Spring feels like the kind of hidden local spot that turns an ordinary drive into part of the adventure.
Ichetucknee Springs State Park – 28 miles | 34 minutes
There’s a reason Ichetucknee has become a Florida tradition for generations of families. On hot afternoons, guests float slowly beneath cypress trees in water so clear you can see fish drifting below the tube. The upper springs feel almost tropical in places, with bright blue water and thick greenery surrounding the spring heads. Even during busier summer days, there are stretches of the river where everything quiets down except the sound of moving water and the occasional splash from someone jumping in.
Little River Spring – 32 miles | 37 minutes
Little River Spring offers Anasa guests a peaceful spring setting where clear blue water flows into the Suwannee River beneath towering trees and natural limestone banks. Known for its scenic beauty and quieter atmosphere, the spring is a favorite for swimming, relaxing, and enjoying the calm pace of north Florida outdoors. The short walk down to the spring and the feeling of discovering a hidden riverside spot make it especially memorable for guests looking to explore beyond the more crowded destinations. It’s an easy and rewarding stop for anyone wanting to experience the simple beauty that makes this region so unique.
Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park – 33 miles | 41 minutes
Peacock Springs feels hidden in the best possible way. The dirt roads leading into the park wind through quiet pine forest before opening into one of the world’s most famous cave diving systems. Even for non-divers, there’s something fascinating about the deep blue spring openings disappearing underground beneath the trees. The park has a remote, almost mysterious atmosphere that makes it feel different from the more polished spring destinations nearby. It’s the kind of place that reminds guests how wild and unexplored parts of north Florida still are.
River Rise Preserve State Park – 38 miles | 41 minutes
River Rise Preserve State Park offers Anasa guests a quieter and more expansive outdoor experience, where wide open landscapes, pine forests, and peaceful trails create the feeling of stepping away from everyday life. The park is named for the place where the Santa Fe River disappears underground and later rises again — one of Florida’s most fascinating natural features. Guests can spend the day hiking, horseback riding, biking, or simply exploring the calm beauty of the preserve’s rolling terrain and shaded woodlands. It’s an ideal destination for those who want to experience the slower, more natural rhythm of north Florida while enjoying the sense of space and freedom that makes an outdoor getaway feel restorative.
Madison Blue Spring State Park – 34 miles | 42 minutes
Known for its strikingly clear blue water and limestone spring basin, Madison Blue Spring State Park is one of north Florida’s most refreshing places to cool off and experience the beauty of the region’s freshwater springs. Guests can swim, snorkel, paddle, or simply relax beneath the trees beside the spring run as crystal-clear water flows toward the Withlacoochee River. The park feels both peaceful and vibrant — the kind of place where a simple afternoon outdoors turns into one of the most memorable parts of the trip. For Anasa guests, it offers an easy way to experience the natural beauty that makes this part of Florida so special.
Lafayette Blue Springs State Park – 34 miles | 43 minutes
Tucked away along the Suwannee River, Lafayette Blue Springs State Park offers a quieter and more secluded spring experience surrounded by towering trees and natural Florida landscapes. Guests can swim in the cool spring waters, walk shaded boardwalks and trails, or simply spend time enjoying the peaceful atmosphere along the riverbank. The park feels slower and less crowded than many of Florida’s larger spring destinations, making it a perfect fit for Anasa guests looking to unplug, spend time outdoors, and experience a more relaxed and authentic side of north Florida.
Troy Spring State Park – 36 miles | 43 minutes
Troy Spring State Park combines the beauty of Florida’s freshwater springs with a fascinating piece of hidden history. Guests can swim in the clear spring basin, enjoy a peaceful picnic beneath the trees, or view the remains of a Civil War-era steamboat resting beneath the water’s surface. Located near the Suwannee River, the park offers a quieter and more laid-back atmosphere that fits naturally with the Anasa experience — a place to slow down, explore, and spend time outdoors surrounded by the natural character of north Florida.
O’Leno State Park – 37 miles | 44 minutes
O’Leno State Park offers Anasa guests a beautiful mix of forest trails, suspension bridges, river views, and classic Old Florida scenery. Once one of Florida’s original state parks, O’Leno is known for its peaceful hiking paths beneath towering hardwoods and the unique stretch of the Santa Fe River that disappears underground nearby. Guests can spend the day exploring shaded trails, spotting wildlife, enjoying riverside picnics, or simply taking in the calm, natural beauty of the park. It’s an easy way to experience the quieter and more timeless side of north Florida that makes the region feel so different from the rest of the state.
Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park – 45 miles | 52 minutes
Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park is one of north Florida’s most inviting spring destinations, known for its crystal-clear water, gentle spring run, and relaxed atmosphere. Guests can swim, paddle, snorkel, or float through bright blue spring waters surrounded by lush natural scenery and shaded riverbanks. The park offers a perfect balance of adventure and relaxation, making it an ideal day trip for Anasa guests wanting to experience the refreshing beauty of Florida’s springs before returning to a quiet evening beneath the pines.