Troy Spring

Should you go?

Troy is a deep, blue first-magnitude bowl on the Suwannee with a genuine hook: the remains of the Madison, a Civil War-era steamboat scuttled in the run in 1863, still visible to snorkelers in the shallows.

It stays far quieter than the famous springs — a favorite of locals, divers, and anyone who likes their history submerged.

Visiting

Entry is $5 per vehicle (verified against Florida State Parks — confirmed there is no separate per-diver charge, just the standard vehicle rate). Open 8am to sundown; dives must finish before 5pm. This first-magnitude spring drops to 70 feet, and only open-water certified divers may dive — no solo diving, no cave penetration, no lights. The draw is the wreck of the steamboat Madison, scuttled in the spring run in 1863 to keep it from Union capture; its outline is visible to snorkelers and even from the boardwalk on clear days. Do not touch or remove anything from the wreck — it is a protected archaeological site. Note: clarity here has declined and clear days are less frequent than they once were. <strong>For scuba:</strong> Dive over a Civil War shipwreck — the scuttled 1863 steamboat Madison rests in the spring run, its outline visible even from the boardwalk on clear days. <strong>For snorkel:</strong> Snorkel directly over a Civil War shipwreck — the outline of the scuttled steamboat Madison is visible from the surface on clear days, no diving required. Access here is genuinely well thought out for a range of abilities: an accessible ramp winds from the picnic area down to spring level, with a platform overlooking the water, then stairs lead to a lower boardwalk and further stairs give direct entry for swimmers and snorkelers. Divers tend to gather near a short waterfront boardwalk on a rocky shoreline before entering. A nice historical detail: the steamboat Madison was actually named after the captain's hometown of Madison, Florida — a small human thread connecting the wreck to the region it still rests in.

When to go

Late morning in dry months, when sunlight reaches into the deep basin and the Suwannee is low.

Local tips

Late morning sun lights the deep basin best. Do not touch or stand on the wreck — it is a protected archaeological site. Kids often spot the wreck outline before adults do — sharp young eyes and a willingness to look straight down seem to be the trick, one reviewer noted with some amusement.

Rules & restrictions

Do not stand on, touch, or remove anything from the steamboat wreck — it is a protected site. No cave diving; the basin is open-water only. Dives must be completed before 5pm daily. Leashed pets are welcome throughout the park.

Good to know

Dogs: Park yes, not in water. Season: Year-round.

Facilities

Restrooms, picnic tables, a boardwalk and stairs into the basin, and parking. Minimal beyond that — no concessions. Restrooms and showers are available. Geocaching is genuinely popular here, worth looking into if your family enjoys that as a side activity during the visit.

Wildlife you may see

Fish school in the deep basin, with turtles along the run. The Suwannee brings otters and occasional sturgeon. Fish congregate visibly around the wreck itself, adding to the appeal for snorkelers.

History & background

The steamboat Madison was scuttled here in 1863 by its Confederate owner to prevent Union capture; its ribs remain in the spring run and are protected as an archaeological site.

Map & directions

Get directions →

FAQs

Visitor photos

See this week’s shots: Instagram #troyspring · TikTok #troyspring

Great for: Scuba Diving · Snorkeling · Swimming