🚐 Hidden Florida: Exploring Big Bend’s Springs, Scenery & Small-Town Surprises 🌀💦

March 22, 2024

Our Florida adventure continues—and like many good road trips, this one didn’t go exactly as planned. But between rainstorms, restaurant fails, and tech troubles, we found the heart of the Big Bend region: kind locals, unexpected beauty, and moments that reminded us why we love RV life so much.

Last time, we were kayaking a spring-fed lake, hiking and biking scenic trails, and exploring Florida's tallest waterfall along with its only air-filled cavern open to the public. This week, we headed west into Suwannee River Country, crossing time zones and stepping into a landscape filled with pine forests, deep springs, and quirky small towns.

📍 Welcome to Florida’s Big Bend

🌿 Where Palmettos Fade and Pines Begin

This part of Florida—often overlooked by tourists—is known as the Big Bend. It’s the curve along the Gulf Coast where the panhandle transitions into the peninsula. It's wild, quiet, and covered in trees. As we drove, the scenery changed from palm trees and palmetto to endless stretches of longleaf pine and live oaks draped in Spanish moss.

We made a few stops before setting up our base camp and quickly learned that the Big Bend moves at its own pace.

🚫💧 Manatee Springs Misfire

🎬 From Movie Magic to Missed Meals

Our first stop was Manatee Springs State Park, home to one of the world’s largest and deepest freshwater springs. We had been here before and remembered its beauty—but this time, things didn’t go quite as smoothly.

We’d called ahead to check on RV parking (always a good move when visiting popular parks), but since there’s no camping at the park, we weren’t planning to stay overnight. We hoped to enjoy a tour and maybe grab lunch at the historic 1930s Spanish-style lodge.

Unfortunately, online tickets were sold out, and only first-come, first-serve slots remained—which didn’t match our schedule. The restaurant was fully booked too. So… we left with empty stomachs and a bit of disappointment.

At least we got to reminisce about the park’s Hollywood history. Tarzan’s Secret Treasure (1941) and Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) were both filmed here, and you can still feel the mystique of the jungle-like landscape.

Also memorable? Our first (and only) taste of boiled peanuts. It’s… an acquired taste. We’re still working on acquiring it.

🌩️ Thunderstorms & Flying Dogs?!

🐾 Sadie Steals the Show at Forest Capital Museum

Next, we headed to Forest Capital State Museum Park in Perry, FL. Entry to the park is free, and the museum admission is just $2 per person—well worth it.

Inside, we explored Florida’s longleaf pine legacy and discovered there are over 5,000 products made from pine trees! From turpentine to toothpicks, this forest has been working hard for generations.

Behind the museum lies a preserved Cracker Homestead—a peek into the lives of 19th-century settlers. We were ready to explore until a sudden thunderstorm rolled in.

Cue Sadie: terrified by the thunder, she jumped through the truck’s small window and ran straight to the museum door to find us. More impressive than maddening—our brave pup earned herself a treat and a story to tell.

🏕️ Our Big Bend Basecamp

🚣‍♀️ Kayaking the Legendary Suwannee River for $25

We set up base at a centrally located private RV park—not rustic, but clean, convenient, and (huge bonus) they offered a kayak shuttle service!

For just $25, we and our kayaks were shuttled to a historic bridge and paddled a peaceful stretch of the legendary Suwannee River, which flows 250 miles from Georgia’s Okefenokee Swamp to the Gulf.

The river’s dark, tea-colored water gets its tint from decaying vegetation—very different from the crystal springs we saw earlier, but just as captivating in its wild, mysterious way.

🐚 Gulf Coast Gems You’ve Never Heard Of

🌅 Steinhatchee, Hagen’s Cove & Keaton Beach

We couldn’t resist checking out the coast—starting with Steinhatchee, a charming fishing town famous for scalloping. After a great lunch and some local chats, we were pointed to two hidden gems: Hagen’s Cove and Keaton Beach.

At Hagen’s Cove, we found marsh views and rustic picnic spots that felt delightfully frozen in time. Keaton Beach was just as peaceful, with a warm, welcoming small-town vibe.

🌳 Serendipity Under the Oaks

📜 History Lessons & Local Wisdom from a Stranger

While admiring a giant live oak tree, a local noticed our interest and struck up a conversation. He shared regional history, recommended a historic Cracker house, and gave us tips on scenic detours.

These spontaneous chats? Absolute gold. A reminder that the heart of travel is people.

💧 Spring Hopping (Sort of)

😕 Brownouts, Closures & the Ghost Town Vibe

The Suwannee River area has one of the highest concentrations of freshwater springs in the U.S.—so we planned to explore a few. But nature had other ideas.

• Peacock Springs was closed to swimming and hiking.

• Lafayette Blue Springs was “browned out” due to high tannic river water.

• Troy Springs? Skipped, assuming same conditions.

We did, however, chat with a scuba diver from Colorado who told us the state has the most certified divers per capita. Who knew?

Sometimes, it’s just not the right season—and that’s okay.

📱 Tech Woes & Rainy-Day Wins

💡 When Plans Fall Apart, Laughter Holds It Together

Just when we thought the surprises were done, my phone gave up completely. Instead of hiking Suwannee River State Park, I spent a day troubleshooting via FaceTime with my son-in-law—and eventually had to buy a brand-new phone.

Frustrating? Yes. But it gave us a chance to slow down. We made new friends at the RV park, laughed through the chaos, and leaned into the RV lifestyle's slower rhythm.

🎒 Real Talk: This Trip Wasn’t Perfect

💭 But It Gave Us Everything We Didn’t Know We Needed

Between weather woes, tech troubles, and closed attractions, this leg wasn’t what we planned—but it was real. And in the end, that’s what made it meaningful.

We paddled peaceful waters, chatted with locals, watched Sadie perform wild stunts, and remembered why we hit the road in the first place.

🔜 Coming Up Next…

🚣‍♂️ Kayaking the Ichetucknee & Santa Fe Rivers – Don’t Miss It!

Next week, we head to O’Leno State Park and explore two of Florida’s hidden treasures: the Ichetucknee and Santa Fe Rivers. Clear water, peaceful vibes, and yes—better weather. 🙌

🧭 Road-Tested Travel Tips

✔️ Bring backup gear for electronics—you’ll thank yourself.✔️ Book spring tours and restaurants ahead in peak season.✔️ Ask locals for their favorite spots. They know best.✔️ Travel during shoulder seasons for fewer crowds.✔️ Be flexible. The best stories come from the unexpected.

Have you explored Florida’s Big Bend?We’d love to hear your favorite spring, river, or backroad town. Drop a comment, connect with us on Instagram, or just say hi!

Until next time—🌅 Keep chasing those unplanned moments.