Hi there!
Fanning Springs State Park is one of the many Florida state parks with springs.
Florida State Parks says that there are over 1,000 springs in Florida!
Fanning Springs is one of the those Florida springs!
Swimming in Fanning Springs
According to Florida State Parks, the water temperature of Fanning Springs is a constant 72 degrees year-round.
This means that in theory, you can go swimming in Fanning Springs any time of year.
Although 72 degrees is on the cooler side, in terms of water temperature it can still be considered “warm” enough for swimming… for some people!
As long as you can handle coming out of the water wet to a cooler air temperature, then you can go swimming at Fanning Springs any time of year – summer, spring, fall, and even winter!
That said, a water temperature in the upper 70s or lower 80s is an ideal water temperature for swimming for most people!
It really depends on your tolerance for colder water and just how much you want to go swimming in Fanning Springs!
There is a designated swimming area for Fanning Springs.
It’s a short walk down stairs from the parking area down to the springs.
There are a few different entry spots to get into the springs.
Fanning Springs picnic area
And then the area around Fanning Springs serves as the day use area.
This means that you will also find some picnic tables at Fanning Springs.
Cost of swimming at Fanning Springs State Park
In order to go swimming at Fanning Springs, you’ll need to enter Fanning Springs State Park.
So the cost of swimming at these Florida springs is the cost of entry into Fanning Springs State Park.
This is around $6 a car for a one-day pass. See current fees.
👆 In 2022, the cost of swimming in Fanning Springs State Park was $6 a car.
If you plan to make this a year of going to a ton of Florida state parks, then there is also the Florida state parks annual pass.
What to bring to Fanning Springs
Swimming in Fanning Springs can be a pretty minimalist activity!
Wear your swimsuit and you can be off swimming in Fanning Springs!
But it can also be a good idea to bring swimming goggles or snorkeling gear so you can see underwater at Fanning Springs!
For some more ideas of what to pack for Fanning Springs, also see: What to pack for a trip to the Florida springs.
There is a bathroom at Fanning Springs State Park.
And then there are also basic outdoor showers located outside the bathroom.
The boring safety message for swimming in Fanning Springs State Park
In short, take care!
There are no lifeguards at Fanning Springs.
There are alligators in Fanning Springs State Park.
According to Florida State Parks:
Alligators are present along the trails and waterways of Fanning Springs State Park.
They usually eat fish, turtles, and other small animals, but may attack larger animals such as deer.
Alligators have been known to attack humans.
Alligators are dangerous.
Do not swim with alligators.
Do not approach, frighten, or feed alligators.
As a designated swimming area, people do go swimming in Fanning Springs.
In general, alligators are most active at dusk.
It generally seems safe to go swimming at Fanning Springs, but you may want to avoid swimming in the evening.
If you do spot an alligator in the Fanning Springs swimming area, as per the alligator caution sign, you’re asked to report it to a park ranger!
What the people of Florida State Parks say if you see alligators while swimming in Fanning Springs:
Immediately report alligator sighting in the swimming area to Fanning Springs State Park staff.
See more about alligators in Florida state parks:
Manatees in Fanning Springs State Park
Across Florida, manatees are known to swim to springs as a “warm” place to be in cold weather.
According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection:
Florida’s West Indian manatees depend upon protected rivers and springs for their survival.
In cooler months, manatees can be seen resting in the warm 72F spring water.
So your best chance of seeing manatees at Fanning Springs is in the winter.
Manatees aren’t known for threatening humans, but it’s possible that YOU can threaten the manatee!
So also take care not to do anything to threaten the manatee!
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission:
Manatees cannot survive long in cold water.
On very cold days, manatees remain submerged as much as possible to avoid exposing their bodies to the cold air.
As the temperature rises, you may see manatees basking in the sun.
Manatees that are disturbed while resting or trying to stay warm may move into water that is too cold for them, which may lead to cold stress or death.
Please avoid disturbing the manatees so that they can use their stored energy reserves to survive.
In 2022, it has been reported that there have been an unusually high number of manatees found dead.
This has been reported to be linked to the dwindling food supply that manatees depend on (sea grass) due to environmental factors.
Save the manatee: Learn about manatee conservation.
Another Florida state park: Best state park to see manatees in the winter
There is no camping in Fanning Springs State Park.
There is not a Fanning Springs State Park campground. (Although there is “primitive camping” for paddlers, hikers, and cyclists if you are doing the Suwanee River Wilderness State Trail.)
For nearby Florida state park camping, there is the Manatee Springs State Park campground.
From the Manatee Springs State Park campground to Fanning Springs State Park is around a 20 minute drive. (map)
There are cabins in Fanning Springs State Park.
While there is no regular tent camping or RV camping, there are cabins in Fanning Springs State Park!
This is one of the Florida state parks with cabins.
Depending on your specific cabin, it can be a 5-10 minute walk from your cabin to the springs… or you can drive there!
There is a trail from the cabins to Fanning Springs.
More Florida springs
- Ocala National Forest springs
- Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park
- Wekiwa Springs State Park
- Wakulla Springs State Park alligators
More below about a trip to Fanning Springs!
🌴🏊♀️
Amazing instagram-worthy springs experience you need to consider:
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Now…
Trip to Fanning Springs State Park
My trip to Fanning Springs State Park was March 2022.
Your experience may vary!
Things can change!
Fanning Springs State Park was part of a multi-day drive from Orlando to St Andrews State Park near Panama City Beach, and beyond.
Getting to Fanning Springs State Park
Fanning Springs State Park is on google maps.
There are 2 entrances to Fanning Springs State Park along the main road, and these separate entrances will take you to 2 different parking lots.
There’s the main Fanning Springs State Park entry station, and then there’s the wayside.
If you go to the wayside, you can get to the springs too, it is just a longer walk on the boardwalk.
This is the same boardwalk that you can take to get to the Suwanee River overlook.
👆 The Suwanee River boardwalk in Fanning Springs State Park. This will lead you to a Suwanee River lookout point on one end, and Fanning Springs on the other end. You can access this boardwalk from both parking areas.
So again, Fanning Springs is along the main road.
If you want to go to the main entrance (which is the the side of the swimming area), you can look for the big Fanning Springs State Park entrance sign.
Then, once you make the turn, you will drive up to the state park entry station.
Then once you have paid the Fanning Springs entrance fee, you’ll drive ahead and the parking lot will pretty much be right there.
You will also see picnic tables around.
You can look for the bathroom building to know where the parking spots are that are closest to the springs.
Fanning Springs swimming area
And then you can walk down to see Fanning Springs up close!
You can again look for the bathroom and start walking towards that.
You’ll pass by more picnic tables, along with some benches overlooking the springs.
Then you’ll see Fanning Springs, and it’s kind of like an outdoor pool!
There are multiple paths down to the springs giving you different viewpoints.
👆 Outside of the Fanning Springs swimming area.
And that’s a bit about the Fanning Springs swimming area!
See more:
More Florida springs:
- Ocala National Forest springs
- Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park
- Wekiwa Springs State Park
- Wakulla Springs State Park alligators
HAPPY SWIMMING IN FANNING SPRINGS!
Here's a sample 2-day drive from Orlando to St Augustine to Amelia Island!
In the morning head to Blue Spring State Park to see manatees (winter only).
Then drive along the A1A through Flagler Beach.
Then stop by Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
Then stop by Fort Matanzas National Monument
And then stay overnight in St Augustine!
The next morning, watch a St Augustine sunrise!
Then you can continue your drive up north, stopping by the St Augustine Lighthouse, maybe Anastasia State Park, maybe a St Augustine food truck, maybe historic St Augustine including Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.
Continue the drive on the A1A and stop to go shelling at South Ponte Vedra Beach, and then onwards to take the Mayport car ferry. (The ferry is closed through early May 2023, check for updates.)
Then stop by Big Talbot Island State Park to go to Boneyard Beach (short hike).
And then finally... you've made it to Amelia Island beaches!