Summary of Features Scale -2nd magnitude Scenery fair -good How Pristine? platform, cleared land, recreation/park/swimming area Swimming -fair-good Protection -good Crowds -heavy on warm weekends Access -excellent Facilities -fine Safety -very good Scuba -no Cost -free

Full Directions

Branford Spring is located on the east side of the Suwannee River, just south of the U.S. 27 bridge that crosses the river. Turn south into Ivey Memorial Park; the spring is on the right about 150 feet from the bridge.

Spring Description

Branford Springs has two vents that together form a peanut-shell-shaped pool that flows directly into the Suwannee River. The main flow is from a vent of about 8 feet in depth just off the wooden platform that forms a perimeter around the SE side of the spring. This spring pool is circular and perhaps 40 feet in diameter. The second vent is in the lower, smaller pool and is about 5 feet deep. Water in the spring is generally clear and greenish. There is usually some trash in the spring and along its banks. The land around the spring is a municipal park, and there are a cypress trees on the perimeter of the spring and its run.

Use/Access

• Branford Springs is a local swimmin’ hole for the citizenry from the town named for it. On any warm weekend, one will readily see bathers running off the wooden platform and doing cannonballs into the water.
• There is a boat ramp next to the spring, and the surrounding municipal park has picnic facilities, water, and bathrooms.
• There is a dive/canoe shop in a small building adjacent to the spring. The canoe shop is a good place for gear or maps to area springs.

Local Springiana

• The flood of 1998—one of the Suwannee’s highest floods of the century—completely inundated the dive shop next to the spring.

Personal Impressions

Despite its famous name, Branford Spring is somewhat drab and plain compared to some of its brilliant spring neighbors.

Nearby Springs

• Suwannee Blue, Royal, Bathtub, Convict, Owens, Mearson, Ruth, Sulfur, Shingle, Sulfur, Cow, Running

Other Nearby Natural Features

• Suwannee River State Park
• Itchetucknee River State Park