Summary of Features Scale -2nd magnitude Scenery -fine How Pristine? -completely pristine Swimming  -no Protection  -unknown/private property Crowds -none Access -arduous to good Facilities -none Safety  -good Scuba  -no Cost -free

Spring fissure parallel to canoe

Panorama of spring fissure

Closer panoroma of spring fissure

Fissure parallel to canoe

Quick Directions
About 1.5 mile below the put-in at the U.S. 27 bridge on the right in the NE end of a widening of the river.

Full Directions
From downtown High Springs, drive northwest on U.S. 27/SR 20 about 2.5 miles to where the highway crosses the Santa Fe River. A launch ramp and parking area are just past the river on the right (north) side of the road. After about a mile and a half from the 27 bridge, there are houses perched on the left bank, some with rock "retaining walls." In the middle of the river is an island, with trees and large rocks, long and narrow. On the right side of the river is what looks like a slough or tributary. Go into this opening, right across from the upriver edge of the island, and head upstream in the narrow channel on the right—this is the short run from Allen Spring.

For maps, latitude/longitude data, driving directions, satellite imagery, and topographic representations as well as weather conditions at this spring, go to Greg Johnson's informative "Florida Springs Database" web site at the following address:  http://www.ThisWaytothe.Net/springs/floridasprings.htm#Florida

Spring Description
Allen is a narrow fissure paralleling the main river. The crevice in the rock drops to a depth of about 20 feet, and the pool was 15 feet wide on dates of visit in 2000, a time of low water. The water was clear, but the shallow rocky surface was covered with muck. As you stand on the edge of the crack, your feet may sink into mud. The spring and run are canopied, and the algae on the rocks appears almost fluorescent.  On date of visit in
June 2002, the entire area around Allen was choked with exotic water lettuce that effectively blocked access by canoe.

Use/Access
On private property, the spring is difficult to enter in times of low water and the canoe must be dragged in. Access is easier in higher water. The surrounding area is low and mucky.

Personal Impressions
A narrow fissure spring common along this stretch of the Santa Fe, Allen is very natural and unspoiled, although not as large or attractive as some others downriver.

Nearby Springs
Columbia Spring, COL428981, Poe Springs, Darby Spring, Hornsby Spring, ALA112791, ALA930971, COL930971

Other Nearby Natural Features

Ichetucknee Springs State Park

O’Leno State Park

San Felasco Hammock State Preserve

Devil’s Millhopper State Geologic Site

River Rise State Preserve

Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park