In 1970, the state of Florida turned what would have been a polluted phosphate mine into the crown jewel of Florida’s springs. Today, Ichetucknee is the nature lover's tubing experience. In every ...

This story is part of our weekly Hidden Gems feature series as the USA TODAY Network-Florida takes readers around the state to highlight some of our most interesting attractions. FORT WHITE — Deep in ...

A river of spring water called Ichetucknee is revered for scenery and as a cool place to ride inner tubes. It also is a battleground over snails about the size of a freckle. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife ...

Sitting on the leaf-covered ground, visitors at Ichetucknee Springs State Park felt sunlight shining through a dense tree canopy, warming their faces. Wind rustled their hair, carrying with it the ...

Some people say there’s no such thing as bad publicity, but when it comes to north central Florida’s natural springs, other observers beg to differ. "More people, more problems.” Scrolling through ...

Some Florida springs are bustling with children splashing and music blaring through portable speakers while families picnic and play outdoor games. While Ichetucknee Springs State Park experiences big ...

Explore Blue Hole Spring’s powerful vent and glowing cavern in Ichetucknee Springs State Park, where 67 million gallons of crystal clear water surge daily. Alan Youngblood Hear Bradford football's ...

Cold water. Seems like about 7:30 in the morning. Stripped down to swimming trunks and a bandana for a hat, cradled in an inner tube, the river was spring-fed cold, morning cold, wake-you-up cold, ...

There's a new concessionaire at Ichetucknee Springs State Park, with state officials going with an established South Florida company over a newly formed partnership of local business people who have ...

Environmentalists on Tuesday called a state agency’s proposal to pipe river water to a popular springs state park to boost spring flows “absurd” — an idea that even some agency board members seriously ...