Summary

Troy Spring State Park is a small but scenic state park located along the Suwannee River near Branford, Florida. It protects one of the region’s most impressive first-magnitude springs and provides developed public access for swimming, snorkeling, and certified open-water scuba diving.

The park is known for its clear, deep spring pool, quiet setting, and the remains of the Civil War–era steamboat Madison, which rests on the spring bottom.

Hours: 8 a.m. to sundown, 365 days a year
Fee: $5 per vehicle

Springs in Troy Spring State Park

Troy Spring
This is the only major named spring within the park. It is a first-magnitude spring with a deep, round pool that reaches roughly 70 feet in depth. Water temperature stays around 72°F year-round. The spring run flows directly into the Suwannee River.

The remains of the steamboat Madison can sometimes be seen by divers on the bottom of the spring.

Swimming and Diving Conditions

Troy Spring is popular for snorkeling and open-water scuba diving. Divers must be certified, and solo diving is not allowed. Because the spring sits right on the Suwannee River, high river levels can push darker river water into the spring. During those times, visibility drops and swimming or diving may be temporarily closed. It’s a good idea to check conditions before visiting after heavy rains.

The spring pool is deep and not especially shallow near the entry, so it is better suited for strong swimmers and experienced snorkelers rather than small children.

Amenities and Access

The park has paved parking, restrooms, picnic tables, and a nature trail of about a mile. An accessible walkway leads from the parking area down to the spring. Some structures, such as docks or stairs, may occasionally be closed for maintenance, but the main path to the water is typically open.

There are no lifeguards on duty. Visitors swim and dive at their own risk.

River Access and Nearby Paddling

Because Troy Spring sits directly on the Suwannee River, the park also serves as a useful access point for paddlers. Canoes and kayaks can explore the river corridor upstream and downstream, linking this site to other springs, boat ramps, and river landings along the Suwannee.

This makes Troy Spring State Park a good combination stop for both spring recreation and river paddling.

Research & Resources

• • USGS Water Monitoring Data
  • Florida Geologic Survey
  • My Suwannee River

.Photos:

• State of Florida, photo by T. Scott, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
• Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 2.5 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5>, via Wikimedia Commons