Trenton FloridaBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near Trenton, Florida.
1. Fanning Springs State Park
CRYSTAL CLEAR SWIMMING HOLE
Fanning Springs State Park offers one of the Suwannee River's largest swimming holes with clear, cool waters perfect for a refreshing dip. Visitors can enjoy the transparent spring waters that maintain a constant 72-degree temperature year-round, making it ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and wildlife viewing. The park's natural setting provides a peaceful escape with amenities including picnic areas, hiking trails, and opportunities to spot manatees during winter months.
2. Manatee Springs State Park
MANATEE WATCHING PARADISE
Manatee Springs State Park features a first-magnitude spring that produces millions of gallons of water daily, flowing directly into the Suwannee River. The park is renowned for its crystal-clear spring waters where visitors can swim, snorkel, and scuba dive while enjoying the natural Florida landscape. During winter months, the springs become a sanctuary for West Indian manatees seeking warmer waters, offering unique wildlife viewing opportunities.
3. Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park
PRISTINE SPRING WATERS
Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park showcases a collection of natural springs, including a second-magnitude spring that produces 44 million gallons of water daily. Visitors can enjoy swimming in the crystal-clear waters that maintain a refreshing 72-degree temperature year-round, with a designated swimming area featuring wooden steps for easy access. The park's natural setting includes picnic areas, hiking trails, and paddling opportunities along the Santa Fe River.
4. O'Leno State Park
RIVER DISAPPEARS UNDERGROUND
O'Leno State Park offers a unique natural phenomenon where the Santa Fe River disappears underground at the River Sink and reemerges three miles away at River Rise. Visitors can enjoy swimming in designated areas of the river, with the park's CCC-era buildings and suspension bridge adding historical interest to the natural beauty. The park features camping facilities, hiking trails, and canoeing opportunities in one of Florida's first state parks.
5. Ichetucknee Springs State Park
TUBING DOWN CRYSTAL WATERS
Ichetucknee Springs State Park is famous for its six-mile crystal-clear spring-fed river that provides one of Florida's most beloved tubing experiences. Visitors can float down the pristine waters surrounded by lush hardwood hammocks and wetlands while spotting turtles, fish, otters, and birds in their natural habitat. The park offers multiple springs for swimming, including the iconic Blue Hole spring, along with hiking trails, picnic areas, and equipment rentals for a full day of outdoor recreation.
6. Otter Springs
SECLUDED NATURAL SPRING
Otter Springs is a 500+ acre property featuring a second-magnitude freshwater spring located just west of Trenton. The spring offers a large swimming area with crystal-clear waters that maintain a constant year-round temperature, perfect for cooling off during hot Florida days. Visitors can enjoy the extensive campground facilities, picnic areas, and easy access to the nearby Suwannee River for additional water recreation.
7. Hart Springs
FAMILY-FRIENDLY RIVER RETREAT
Hart Springs is one of the largest county parks in the state of Florida, featuring a second-magnitude spring that produces millions of gallons of water daily flowing into the Suwannee River. The park offers a designated swimming area with a diving board and floating dock, alongside boardwalks that wind through cypress wetlands. Visitors can enjoy camping facilities, picnic pavilions, volleyball courts, and boat ramps providing access to the Suwannee River for a complete outdoor recreation experience.
8. DeLeon Springs
HISTORIC SWIMMING DESTINATION
DeLeon Springs features a remarkable spring that arises from a cavern at the bottom of a transparent pool, creating a natural swimming area bordered with concrete and stone. The spring's steady 72-degree waters provide year-round swimming opportunities in a setting that blends natural beauty with historic significance dating back thousands of years. Visitors can enjoy not only swimming but also boating, fishing, and dining at the famous Old Spanish Sugar Mill restaurant where guests can cook their own pancakes at tables.
9. Troy Spring State Park
DEEP BLUE DIVING HAVEN
Troy Spring State Park features a first-magnitude spring that discharges millions of gallons of crystal-clear water daily into the Suwannee River. The spring's 70-foot deep pool is popular for certified scuba divers, who can explore the remains of the Civil War-era steamboat Madison that was scuttled in the spring run in 1863. Swimmers and snorkelers can enjoy the refreshing waters year-round, while the surrounding hardwood forest offers hiking opportunities and wildlife viewing.
10. Ginnie Springs
PREMIER DIVING AND RECREATION
Ginnie Springs is a privately owned recreation area featuring seven crystalline springs that flow into the Santa Fe River, known worldwide for their exceptional water clarity and cave diving opportunities. The springs offer diverse swimming experiences, from the main spring's large swimming area to smaller, more intimate springs scattered throughout the 200-acre wooded property. Visitors can enjoy not only swimming and diving but also tubing, kayaking, camping, and picnicking in one of North Florida's most popular water recreation destinations.