Scale—1st magnitude
Scenery—Outstanding
How Pristine?—very pristine
Swimming—none
Protection—good
Crowds—none
Access—none/private
Facilities—very good nearby
| Summary of Features
Scale—1st magnitude
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Quick Directions
From Tallahassee, take U.S. 319 south to State Road 363 (Woodville
Highway) south to Natural Bridge Road east to Natural Bridge. Spring is
nearby just south of the natural bridge.
Full Directions
The area is a swampy confusion of riversinks and upwellings. What appears
to be a spring boil just past the monument and closed off by fence (in
front of the house) may be a river upwelling. Once you pass the Natural
Bridge monument and the fenced-off house on the right, stop just before
the small bridge. On your right is a tall chain-link fence. Go to about
30 feet before the fence stops and look through the fence at the clear
water to the south. You will see fast-moving, clear water that forms the
end of the run of Natural Bridge Spring. The mucky land around the spring
is private property. The spring likely feeds St. Marks Spring and the St.
Marks River.
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
The spring and its run are clear, lush, and primeval in appearance.
The run and the springhead are about 40 feet wide. The vent is at the back
of the 800-foot run, forming a pool approximately 40 feet deep in clear
water. The run is 4-15 feet deep, clear, flows swiftly, and is surrounded
by heavily vegetated, swampy floodplain.
Use/Access
Personal Impressions
The powerful flow of the spring’s clear water is evident even through
a fence 100 feet away and is a stark contrast to the murky, stagnant water
of the upper St. Marks River just a few feet away. To get a real view of
the springhead, one must get permission from the landowners surrounding
it. JF was only able to photograph the spring pool from a distance through
branches, and that was after walking through mud for 15 minutes and surprising
the moccasin.
Nearby Springs