Florida State Parks 75th Anniversary Logo
The sun rises through the mist over the Suwannee River and the Lafayette Blue Spring run. The Lafayette Blue Spring run meets the Suwannee River. White-tailed deer are commonly seen at this park. (Photo by Rachel Hammer) Hawks thrive in this upland habitat. (Photo by Bill Combs)
Lafayette Blue Springs State Park
Lafayette Blue Spring is all about fun. Several swimmers play in the spring and spring run while a boat heads down the Suwannee River just beyond.
Looking south at the Suwannee River, the swimming area of the spring run is marked with blue buoys. Suwannee River
A park cabin rises above the ground on tall pilings. The cabins were the first in the state park system to receive 'Green Lodging' designation. Cabins
A swimmer enjoys a shady dip in the cool spring waters. Swimmer in Spring
The crystal clear waters of the spring. Spring Waters
DEP Deputy Secretary Bob Ballard speaks at ceremony at the park. Grand Opening

History and Culture

In the mid to late 1800s, this section of the Suwannee River was an important highway for steamboats carrying supplies and agricultural products to and from local plantations. The establishment of railroads signaled the end of the steamboat era. Lafayette Blue Springs has been a public park for many years. It became a state park in 2005 and consists of approximately 702 acres.

Looking south at the Suwannee River, the swimming area of the spring run is marked with blue buoys.

Suwannee River

Lafayette Blue Springs State Park is one of nine state parks on the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail, which stretches 170 miles from White Springs to the Gulf of Mexico. Canoeing and kayaking are popular recreations.

A park cabin rises above the ground on tall pilings. The cabins were the first in the state park system to receive 'Green Lodging' designation.

Cabins

The cabins at Lafayette Blue Springs State Park offer the best in vacation get-aways. Each cabin has accommodations for six people and include a dishwasher, fireplace and large screened porch.

A swimmer enjoys a shady dip in the cool spring waters.

Swimmer in Spring

Swimming in the constant 72 degree spring is a refreshing experience. Snorkeling provides a different view of the spring.

The crystal clear waters of the spring.

Spring Waters

The first magnitude spring is the dominant natural feature in the park. With a daily flowing ranging from a low of 14 million gallons to an impressive 168 million gallons a day, the 72 degree water from the spring travels several hundred feet to the Suwannee River. A walk along the river bank or down the shaded roads reveals upland mixed forests with oaks, hickory and maple.

DEP Deputy Secretary Bob Ballard speaks at ceremony at the park.

Grand Opening

In March 2008, the park celebrated the grand opening of the cabins and the designation of those cabins at Green Lodges. On hand to offer congratulations was DEP Deputy Secretary Bob Ballard, Florida State Parks Director Michael Bullock along with leaders from the Suwannee River Water Management District and the Lafayette County Commission.