Should you go?
Little River is a Suwannee County park on the river of the same name — a compact blue basin with a short run, popular with locals for swimming and with cave divers for the extensive system beneath.
Entry is a few dollars or free depending on the season and staffing, which makes it one of the best-value springs in North Florida.
Visiting
Around $3 per vehicle (Suwannee County — verify; the park has operated free at times), 8am to sunset. Basic facilities. Cave diving requires full certification; the entrance is in the basin. High Suwannee levels flood the spring and kill visibility.
When to go
Dry-weather weekdays when the Suwannee is low. The spring is unusable when the river is high.
Local tips
Pair with Troy Spring, fifteen minutes away, for a quiet Suwannee day. Check river levels first — this spring is very sensitive to them.
Rules & restrictions
Cave diving requires full cave certification. The system is dangerous and has claimed untrained divers.
Good to know
Dogs: Verify. Season: Year-round.
Facilities
Basic restrooms, picnic tables, parking, and stairs into the basin. No concessions or rentals.
Wildlife you may see
Fish school in the basin, turtles along the run, and the Suwannee brings otters and sturgeon in season.
History & background
Suwannee County has managed the park for decades, and the cave system below has been explored and mapped by divers since the 1960s.
Map & directions
FAQs
Is Little River Springs free?
Entry has been free or a few dollars per vehicle depending on the season and county staffing. Verify current Suwannee County policy.
Can you cave dive at Little River?
Yes, for fully cave-certified divers u2014 it's a well-known system. Open-water swimmers stay in the basin.
Why is Little River sometimes brown?
When the Suwannee River rises, it backs into the spring and eliminates visibility for days or weeks at a time.
Visitor photos
See this week’s shots: Instagram #littleriversprings · TikTok #littleriverspring
Great for: Free Entry · Scuba Diving · Snorkeling · Swimming
