Convict Spring

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Why do they call it Convict Spring? In the early 1900's the spring was used by the Lafayette county jail system.  The prisoners worked on road projects (chain gangs) and when it was too far to go back to the jail, they stayed at remote camps through out the county.  Convict Spring was one of these remote camps.  Treasure hunters have found some artifacts from the prison camp days on our property over the years.

Convict Spring Cave

Convict Spring is fed from an underground cave system that is fed from the florida aquifer.  The Convict Spring cave has very narrow passages and is only accessible using a side mount dive method.  Only very skilled and experienced divers are able to gain access to the cave system. 

In 2001 Dell Moats, John Moseley, Michael Poucher, and Bill Rennaker were able to successfully survey the Convict Spring Cave.  The extraordinary video footage is testament to the beautiful yet dangerous conditions inside the cave and can be viewed in the lodge.  The cave has been mapped to about ¼ of mile.

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The best swimming!

Convict Spring has beautiful clear water that makes for great swimming. The spring water flows at a constant 70.5 degrees all year long.

The lodge April 2009 flood

Up to date Convict Spring report!

  March 9, 2010

Convict Spring and the other springs in our area are still browned out.  The river has gone down several feet and continues to drop.  Peacock Spring should clear up with an additional 2 foot drop in the river and hopefully by mid March the rest of the springs will be clear again.  The spring pavilion area is available for use again.   The river is great for canoeing and kayaking.  You can fish from the shore or your boat and our guests have been having pretty good luck catching catfish and the large mouth bass have started to bite. 

We are launching canoes, kayaks and small boats from our ramp.  

We have seen the sturgeon jumping again.  Hopefully that means that we will be warming up.   

The lower part of the resort flooded April 2009 with around 6 feet of water inside all of the lower buildings.  Our peek water height was 45 feet.  We flood at 29 feet.     

Excellent Fishing!

Many fishermen will tell you the Suwannee River is great for fishing. 

Whether you are boating or fishing off the banks of the river you will enjoy great fishing opportunities. 

A Florida Fresh Water Fishing License is required to fish and they are available in the town of Mayo or online.  You can use our computer to access the goverment site and get your fishing or hunting license.

Our spring is for swimming only. Fishing is allowed at the spring cut and on the banks of the river.