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

Lumbercamp Spring

Gilchrist County

Summary of Features

  • Scale -3rd magnitude (estimated)
  • Scenery - fair-good
  • How Pristine? - development around run on one side, exotic plants in run
  • Swimming - no
  • Protection - unknown
  • Crowds - none
  • Access - moderately difficult - must walk up muddy run
  • Facilities - none
  • Safety - fair-good
  • Scuba - no
  • Cost - free

Directions

From the intersection of U.S. 19/98 and State Road 26 in Fanning Springs, go east on SR 26 about one mile to intersection with Highway 232. Turn left (north) on 232 and go 5-6 miles.  Road becomes dirt during this stretch.  Turn left (west) onto SW 25th Street and follow signs to public boat ramp.  At ramp, put boat in and go upriver ¼mile to mouth of combined spring runs for Sun and Lumbercamp Springs. After about 150 feet, paddle (or walk if water levels are low) into left fork and proceed another 275 feet to spring.

Spring Description

The spring forms a circular pool that was about 35 feet wide on date of visit in February 2002.  Water in the pool was 1-3 feet deep, and the entire pool was covered in hydrilla with the exception of the two visible flow points.  The main flow appeared to be from the back, left bank. Another vent was in the bottom of the pool toward the back and produced a mild boil.  Sand was visible at this spot, but not a vent. The banks were muddy, and the spring pool is canopied by trees.  A driveway passes by the spring on top of the bank (about 9 feet above the spring).

The run is 25 feet wide, only a few inches deep, and also matted with exotic vegetation.  Several ibis were wading in the run on date of visit, and thousands of snail shells littered the banks of the run.

Use/Access

There is no apparent human use of the spring or its run.  On date of visit, it was too shallow to navigate.  The authors had to walkup its run.

Local Springiana

The authors had never seen a published photograph of this spring.

Personal Impressions

The spring and its run are drastically marred by exotic vegetation and would otherwise be very attractive.

Nearby Springs

Other Nearby Natural Features