Springs Fever: A Field & Recreation Guide to 500 Florida Springs.

Convict Spring

Lafayette County

Summary of Features

  • Scale -3rd magnitude
  • Scenery -good
  • How Pristine? -retaining wall, developed recreation/swimming/camping area, cleared land
  • Swimming -good
  • Protection -fine
  • Crowds -crowded on warm summer weekends
  • Access -fine
  • Facilities  -excellent
  • Safety -fine
  • Scuba -yes
  • Cost -$1 per person; more for scuba

Directions

Address is 828 NE Primrose Rd, Mayo, FL 32066, 386-294-2510. Web link: www.suwanneeriverrendezvous.com/the-suwannee-river/convict-spring/ From Mayo, drive east on U.S. 27 about four miles to Convict Springs Road. Turn left and go 1.5 miles until the road bends to the left. Go straight ahead instead, where the road turns to dirt. Signs point to the Suwannee River Rendezvous, about ½ mile down the road. The turnoff is marked by a large sign.

Spring Description

The small spring is set in a depression just behind the natural river levee for the Suwannee River about 50 feet from the river. The spring is framed by a three-tiered concrete wall and is in the shape of a tear drop.The pool is 50 feet long and tapers from 20 feet wide above the vent at the north end to about 6 feet wide where the pool forms its short run to the river. The greatest depth is about 18 feet near the vent, which forms a cavern passageway. The run is only a few inches deep and cuts through the levee among cypress knees to the river. Water in the spring is clear but a little dark, and fish may be seen in the spring. Cypress trees and live oaks are common in the rolling landscape between farmland and the river.

Use/Access

The Suwannee River Rendezvous offers swimming, fishing, camping, a lodge, cabins, RV space, a dive shop, and river excursions.

Personal Impressions

While the spring is quite small and offers little in the way of swimming or observation, there is a lot to do at this site. In addition, it is a good jumping-off point for other spring and river exploration in the area.

Nearby Springs