How To Swim with the Manatees at Fanning Springs State Park & Fanning Fort Historical Park
Fannings Spring State Park and Fort Fanning Historical Park are two great places of beauty, wildlife, and history. Over 14,000 years ago, the park was used by the Paleo Indians for fishing, hunting, and enjoyment. Over 2,000 year ago, the Native Americans used this area for food, shelter, and enjoyment. The harbor would be used for Steamboats and a Fort would be built near by for the Second Seminole War. But for all that time, humans used the area to enjoy themselves. Join me in looking at the wonderful things that you can find at the State Park and Historical Site across the street from the park.
Before the railroads took over, this harbor was used by steamboats to transport goods throughout the area and take crops out to other areas of the United States and Europe.
The water is so clear and warm for winter. But it was not warm enough to go swimming for me but it was wonderful to walk around on the dock.
In addition, the day I visited they had a couple of Manatees running around in the swimming area and I would not have wanted to upset them. I think that at least two were in the swimming area.
But their was at least 5 to 10 more in the harbor area including a few baby ones. The water is clear enough to watch them. If you have a Canoe or Kayak, you can even go out towards them. The West Indian Manatees visit during the area from December to March in the 72 degree waters of the Spring.
Called the Sea Cows, Manatees are between 9-13 feet long and weight between 1,000-3,500 pounds. Babies are born at 4 feet long at 40 pounds. The live for 50 plus years. They move slowly through the water but I enjoyed watching them. They come up for air about every 20 minutes, so if you see one on the bottom they will move in a very short time.
The swimming area is lovely with a dock area across the way….
Which gives a great view of the opening to the Suwannee River from the harbor. The park also welcomes visitors to come to the park through the opening to park at the floating dock which is along side the swimming area.
Off to the side of the dock is a wonderful little boardwalk…
…which takes you to the Spring Run which runs into the Suwannee River then to the Gulf of Mexico which is 23 miles away.
The boardwalk takes you through a beautiful walk which you get to look down on this view.
But it opens up to see the river…
Then goes to a nice little forest area.
The trail leads to a picnic area and back to the parking area. If you just have a few adults with you, then the fort is across the street but the street is four lanes with the vehicle coming off a bridge which is a large blind spot. It can be done but I recommend taking you vehicle to see the Fort.
Another trail in the park is the Palmetto Path Hiking Trail. It is not very long but it has a great smell to it and it is a wonderful little walk.
The path is nice and wide in most places.
Plus I found mushrooms. I love the colors on these.
As you leave the park, take a left and just down the street on the left before you cross the bridge. You will get to Fort Fanning!
Built in 1838, Fort Fanning was used during the Second Seminole War and the parks harbor used for shipping goods. The Fort was originally called “Palmetto” but was renamed for Colonel Alexander Campbell Wilder Fanning (What a name!) who served under General Andrew Jackson during the First Seminole War.
The Fort would operate for about five years and help remove Seminoles from the area to Oklahoma. But nothing is left of the Fort as the Florida climate has take back the land.
A special note about Colonel Fanning. He was born in 1788 in Massachusetts and graduated in 1812, from the US Military Academy just in time to serve in the War of 1812. He lost an arm but he still served in both the First Seminole War under General Andrew Jackson then the Second Seminole War under President Andrew Jackson building Forts across Florida.
Colonel Fanning would also later in life chew out 1st Lieutenant William T. Sherman for trying to leaving his post to join the Mexican War. Sherman would become a Civil War General who was know for the architect of modern warfare. Colonel Fanning is one of those teachers that you don’t hear much about but who help shape the United States.
Books
Note: The links in this article for products are through the Amazon affiliate program. The Amazon affiliate program is no extra charge to you but if you buy something while going through the link, then you are helping me keep this site going. Thank you in advance.
This book is an actual journal from the time. It can also be read free at Journey into wilderness (ufl.edu) but it can be a bit harder to read.