Little River Spring

At the point where Little River Spring's run meets the Suwannee River, one of North Florida's most striking natural contrasts plays out: crystal-clear, blue-green aquifer water pours into the dark, tannin-stained Suwannee, creating a visible "wall" between two water masses. The effect varies with river height but is unforgettable when conditions are right.

Little River Spring itself is a 2nd-magnitude powerhouse — roughly 55 million gallons a day — in a 125-acre Suwannee County park near Branford. The swimming basin is shallow and family-friendly at the edges, with a 150-foot run to the river and two elevated overlook decks for viewing. Below the surface, the cave system extends over 1,200 feet at depths exceeding 100 feet, drawing cave divers from around the world to the town that calls itself the "Spring Diving Capital of the World."

• Location: O'Brien / Branford (Suwannee County), on the Suwannee River
• Address: 24891 105th Lane, O'Brien, FL 32071
• Hours: Summer: 7 a.m.–7 p.m. / Winter: 7 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Entry: $5 per vehicle
• Water temperature: 72°F year-round
• Magnitude: Second-magnitude (~55M gal/day)
• Cave system: 1,200+ feet, 100+ feet deep
• Camping: Day-use only (nearby camping available)
• Phone: 386-362-3004

• Swimming — shallow-to-moderate basin with clear water. Limestone tanning ledges. No lifeguard. Strong outflow current near the vent (exhilarating for strong swimmers; stay at the edges if you're not).
• Snorkeling — 50–100 ft visibility on calm days. Limestone shelf, cave entrance, freshwater fish visible from the surface.
• Cave diving — 1,200+ ft of mapped passage, 100+ ft depths. Full cave cert required. DPVs and solo diving permitted here (unusual for FL springs). Register with the park.
• The "blue wall" — where crystal spring water meets tannin Suwannee water. Visible from the overlook decks. Best photography subject in the park.
• Kayaking/canoeing — boat ramp directly into the Suwannee.
• Nature walks — two trails through the 125-acre park; deer, squirrels, wading birds.
• Picnicking — three ADA-accessible pavilions with charcoal grills.

• Paved parking, concrete walkways, ADA paths
• Two elevated overlook decks
• Three picnic pavilions with grills
• Boat ramp
• Portable restrooms (no flush facilities)
• No concessions, gear rental, or fill station

• Branford (~10 min) — Sandy Point Motel, Suwannee River Rest vacation lodge, Suwannee River RV Campground.
• Live Oak (~22 mi) — chain hotels.
• Gainesville (~50 mi) — full range.
• Dive Outpost (Luraville, ~21 mi) — cabins and camping for divers; air fills.

Dining: Sisters Cafe (Branford, Southern buffet), The Branford Gathering (burgers/craft beer), Sandy Point Restaurant (riverside seafood, Friday prime rib).

Dive Outpost (20148 180th Street, Live Oak) — closest full-service cave dive shop. Air/nitrox/trimix fills, full gear rental, cave cert courses, cabins and camping. 386-776-1449.

• Closed Tuesday mornings until 11 a.m. for maintenance.
• Cave diving certification is non-negotiable. Fatalities have occurred at Florida cave springs. The cave entrance looks benign — it is not.
• Strong spring current. Keep non-swimmers at the shallower edges. The outflow runs hard.
• Alligators in the Suwannee. Present in the river and potentially along the spring run.
• No lifeguard. Swim at your own risk.
• Pack a cooler. No concessions. Branford dining opens late (some restaurants noon).
• The blue wall is best visible from the overlook decks at normal river stage. High Suwannee water eliminates the contrast.

Last verified: May 28, 2026. Park closed Tuesday mornings. Verify hours and fees at suwanneeparks.com or call 386-362-3004.