Hidey Hole (also spelled Heidi Hole) is a small submerged cave system located within the Merritt’s Mill Pond spring network in Jackson County, Florida. Unlike the larger and better-known springs nearby, Hidey Hole is subtle, low-flow, and often difficult to locate without precise coordinates or local knowledge.

The spring entrance lies in the pond floor near the center of Merritt’s Mill Pond and is associated with the broader Jackson Blue spring and cave system complex. Due to minimal discharge, sediment frequently accumulates around the opening, sometimes partially or completely sealing the entrance.

A Low-Flow Cave System

Hidey Hole differs from more active nearby systems such as Twin Cave or Hole in the Wall because it appears to function as a very low-flow or nearly inactive spring vent. The lack of strong discharge allows silt and sediment to settle quickly around the entrance, making long-term accessibility unreliable.

Historic exploration notes indicate that divers occasionally had to excavate sediment to regain access to the cave opening.

Cave Exploration History

The cave was explored in the mid-2000s by cave diver Roger Longbottom, who reportedly extended exploration line roughly 500 feet into the system. In later years, the concealed entrance had to be rediscovered and reopened after sediment accumulation obscured the vent.

Subsequent visits documented progressive infilling of the entrance, and repeated attempts to maintain access have reportedly been unsuccessful due to the spring’s limited flow.

Geological Characteristics

Like many springs and caves around Merritt’s Mill Pond, Hidey Hole formed within karst limestone associated with the Floridan Aquifer system. The cave system sits within the highly spring-fed hydrology of the Jackson County region, where numerous submerged conduits discharge into the pond and nearby Chipola River basin.

The cave itself is small in profile and appears to contain limited passage compared to neighboring cave systems.

Access & Recreation

Hidey Hole is not a developed public swimming spring and is primarily known within the cave diving community. The entrance is submerged and conditions can vary significantly depending on sediment accumulation and water flow.

Merritt’s Mill Pond itself is popular for:

• kayaking
• paddleboarding
• cave diving
• wildlife viewing
• freshwater recreation

Public launches nearby include:

• Hunter Fish Camp
• Jackson Blue Spring recreation area
• Florida Caverns RV Resort

Visitors should use caution around cave diving areas and avoid disturbing diver access points and underwater cave environments.

Nearby Springs & Cave Systems

Hidey Hole is part of the larger Merritt’s Mill Pond cave network, which includes several notable nearby systems:

• Hole in the Wall
• Twin Cave
• Shangri-La Spring
• Indian Washtub
• Gator Hole
• Jackson Blue Spring
• Lamar’s Landing Spring

More Resources

• USGS Monitoring Site
• Map of the area listing Heidi Hole
• Cave Adventurers, which takes people out to the spring
• Visit Jackson County