Royal Springs

I found myself following the road deep into spring country. I was in the area for a Santa Fe River cleanup with the Clean Water Coalition happening the next day, but you know me—I love to make the most of an adventure.

There have been several songs and tales written about the Suwannee River. It continues to be an important part of Florida’s history and ecological heritage. It also happens to be where some of my favorite and most magical springs are tucked along a large blackwater river.

Today I would be checking off Royal Springs from my Florida Springs Passport.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/c8a51c_aeb78b4f43a449bcb1263e9a492db4db/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

It was the second spring I visited that day, but I will be keeping that first one my little secret ;) .

When exploring springs along the Suwannee, embrace the dirty roads and the slight feeling that you are lost. It usually means you are in just the right place.

I pulled up to the entrance, which was small and similar to Bronson Blue Springs. The parking lot wasn’t very large, and park amenities are simple, that being a few porta-potties, but there were picnic tables, and next to Royal Springs is a public boat ramp straight onto the river.

One standout feature of Royal Springs is the diving dock. For most springs, like Fanning Springs, the diving dock has been closed off and serves as a lookout point over the spring, but at Royal Springs, you still have the opportunity to jump off like Pocahontas into the fresh waters below. And you bet your bottom dollar that was one of the first things I did.

The depth of this second magnitude spring reaches over 40 ft.

I was very fortunate, because apparently, with how close the spring is to the Suwannee, it easily gets flooded and overtaken by the river water when the tides are high during rainy season. While it wasn’t as clear as a few weeks prior, it was in a much better state than it had been in a while.

Besides the diving dock, two other staircases lead into the water. Guiding you down to the shoreline with small rocky areas where you can set a few items.

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The clarity of this spring is quite fickle, depending on rain and the level of the Suwannee. I heard from some locals that the spring was crystal blue just a week or two before I got there. On the day I visited, I would say the spring was a milky teal, but the water still offered a refreshing plunge.

Because the park isn’t built up and cypress trees encircle half of the swim area, you feel far away from today and secluded into your own Florida fairytale.

So next time you find yourself driving along Highway 27, treat yourself to a little royal swim along the river.