Full Directions
From Mayo, drive north on State Road 51. After about 4 miles, you will cross the Suwannee River. The flashing light at Luraville is another 1-1.5 miles north, just past the agriculture weigh station. There is a country store on the left at the flashing light. Turn right at the light onto Luraville Road, then take the first right onto a somewhat bumpy sand road and proceed to the spring. Just before you reach the river, the road forks. The left fork goes to a boat ramp; the right fork to the 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
The spring is set in a large depression about 120 feet from the Suwannee River and flows directly into the river. The spring is shaped like a lumpy, bent exclamation mark, with a circular opening in the limestone (5-6 feet in diameter—the exclamation point) at the back (NW) end, a small limestone bridge, and the run below to the river. Water flows from a cave beneath the limestone bridge, and the boil is visible on both sides of the bridge. The cave entrance is about 18 feet deep and is popular with divers.

The run is 20-30 feet wide and tapers rapidly from 15 feet deep near the limestone bridge to about one foot deep at the mouth of the run. Water is clear and the bottom is sandy with areas of exposed limestone. Small fish are visible in the deeper part of the pool. The area immediately surrounding the spring is heavily eroded and sandy. Sinkholes are nearby, and the area is framed by heavy forest and karst terrain.

Use/Access

• Telford is a very popular local hangout and is used heavily on weekends and during the summer. The land is privately owned, but the owner does not restrict access.
• Vendors work the site on weekends in the summer, selling boiled peanuts, drinks, and other items.
• There is a rope swing just a few feet upriver of the mouth of the run along the river.
• Dogs have free run on the site.
• Human traffic has caused extensive damage to the spring basin. Erosion has pushed great quantities of sand into the spring, undermined trees, and destroyed foliage. Garbage is abundant in the spring and parking areas, fires made to burn trash create charred areas, and the crowds can be rowdy.

Personal Impressions

The authors are divided about Telford. JF mourns the damage to the site, while RB notes (correctly) that Telford is still a lovely spring and swimming hole despite the human toll is has suffered.

Nearby Springs

• Peacock
• Bonnet
• Orange Grove
• Charles
• Allen Mill Pond
• Cow
• Running
• Bathtub
• Convict
• Thomas
• Perry

Other Nearby Natural Features

• Challenge Sink
• Other Sinkholes in Peacock State Recreation Area