Troy Springs

Location:
From the Suwannee bridge in Branford, travel west on US 27 for 4.7 miles. Turn right on NE CR 425, (look signs marking the entrance to the state park). Travel 1.2 miles from US 27 and turn right on NE Troy Springs Road. This is the entrance to the state park.

Description:
Access is now available by land whereas previously one could only reach it by way of the river. The land was bought by the state in the mid-1990s and finally a roadway has been completed. Troy springs is well known as being the resting place of a 'War Between the States' paddle wheeled steamboat, the 'Madison'. The wreck lies near the spring run in the river, though is little more than some ribs and metal spikes that made up part of the hull. A little history of the site can be found http://www.rootsweb.com/~fllafaye/troysprings.htm. There is a good shot from inside the cavern http://www.floridasprings.com/images%20pages/jade.html and a shot of the spring run (with the body of the ship visible) http://www.floridasprings.com/images%20pages/troy.html. Camping is permitted by permit, when hunting season is closed, from the Suwannee River Water Management District, 9225 CR 49, Live Oak, FL 32060, 1-800-226-1066. Info can be found here. Access fees are $2 per vehicle (up to 8 people) or $5 diving fee per person. You must have your certification card in order to dive and solo diving is not permitted. This is an excellent place to visit and do a few quick dives in a relatively benign environment as the maximum depth reached is 70-80 feet. There are some neat overhead areas to check out and a passage or two that might be worth checking out for the cavers (though side mount might be the best option).

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