Caves and Springs: Nature and History
At Florida Caverns State Park, visitors can take a guided tour through a large cave system; no other state park in Florida offers this opportunity. Stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone formations and draperies shape the underground caves. In addition, numerous chisel marks made by workers from the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s are visible. Here, you can encounter both geological formations and traces of human labor. If the cave tour is important to your plans, check current tour options before your visit.
Blue Springs is a first-magnitude spring that feeds the 202-acre reservoir Merritt’s Millpond. At the Blue Springs Recreation Area, visitors can swim and picnic; opportunities for SCUBA training and exploration are limited. Recreational options may vary seasonally. Between 1674 and 1693, the Spanish repeatedly camped at the spring and called it Calistoble Spring. Another body of water, Lake Seminole, forms at the confluence of the Chattahoochee River and the Flint River.
The Chipola River, which runs alongside Marianna, is designated as a paddling destination. Three Rivers State Park offers access to freshwater fishing via a boat ramp, as well as a 100-foot fishing pier. Visitors can also bring their own tube for tubing on Spring Creek. Operators and seasonal conditions may change.
Trails along the Chipola River and a Longer-Route Tour
The Hinson Trail is a 4.6-mile system of loop trails along the Chipola River in the Hinson Conservation and Recreation Area, just south of Marianna. One section follows the remaining steel rails of the former Marianna and Blountstown Railroad. Access via Gator Hole Lane is off SR 73, one mile south of Marianna; check local conditions before traveling.
A different kind of trail awaits at Bellamy Bridge Heritage Trail: a shaded path leads through the swamp along the Chipola River to the historic bridge. The trail provides access to the bridge, which is associated with numerous ghost stories. The legend of Elizabeth Bellamy is told at the destination.
For a different scale, there is the Jackson County Spanish Heritage Trail: a half-day, 150-mile driving tour to 11 sites associated with the county’s Spanish colonial history. Route details may be updated; check them before setting out. A local loop-trail system, a trail to a historic bridge and a longer driving tour thus differ primarily in their respective format and focus.
History and Orientation in Marianna
The Battle of Marianna took place on September 27, 1864, when Union troops led by Brigadier General Alexander Asboth attacked Marianna. The grounds of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and Cemetery were the scene of fierce fighting. The present-day church building resembles the structure that stood there during the battle.
The Historic Russ House serves as the official visitor center for Jackson County. It was built in the 1890s, extensively remodeled in 1910 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can obtain visitor guides, brochures, maps and other information about exploring Jackson County at the visitor center. Brochures for self-guided tours of the Marianna Battlefield are also available there; check their availability if you plan to take one of these tours.
Local Produce
At Jackson Farms, visitors can pick their own produce or buy packaged products. Offerings and visitor arrangements may change.
Discover more destinations: Marianna, Cottondale, Sneads, Suwannee County, Indian River, Putnam County, Sumter, Polk.
For the broader travel overview: Florida.
