18 Blissful Things To Do In Natural North Florida (To Escape The Crowds)

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Most people visit Florida for a taste of subtropical sunshine, glitzy theme parks, and white sand beaches, and they seldom leave disappointed – but if you’re looking to get on the road less traveled, you might want to cast your net further North.

North Florida is quieter, more rural, and endlessly beautiful. It’s where palm trees sway without beach balls knocking into them, where luminous-blue natural springs flow into meandering rivers, and where you can catch your own scallops off the Gulf coastline.

There are many things to do in North Florida, most of which involve getting outdoors and revelling in why this is called the Sunshine State. So much so it’s often referred to as Natural North Florida.

When you visit Natural North Florida, you’ll escape the typical Florida crowds and welcome in a quiet space and serenity.

Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway, or embarking on a week-long road trip, there’s always something to do in Northern Florida.

Where is Natural North Florida?

First, let’s define the boundaries so we’re all clear on what consists of Natural North Florida.

The area encompasses incredible natural diversity in North Central Florida between Gainesville to the east, Sopchoppy to the west, Cedar Key to the South, and the Florida-Georgia state line to the north.

It’s an area that sits between the capital, Tallahassee, and Jacksonville on the Atlantic Coast.

It includes Florida’s panhandle region, but does not extend to Pensacola Beach or Navarre Beach in the Gulf.

To help you visualise this, here’s a map:

Things to do in Natural North Florida

Part of the joy of our travel blogging lifestyle, is we can be introduced to areas we have never heard of before, and so we can share their less-charted hidden secrets with you.

Here are our suggestions for the best things to do in North Florida.

1. Explore the Suwanee Wilderness River Trail

The Suwanee River begins in the Okeefenokee Swamp in southeastern Georgia and travels 246 miles to the Gulf of Mexico.

The…