Recreation
Merritts Millpond
Merritt’s Millpond, a nationally recognized redear sunfish fishery, is fed by Jackson County’s Blue Springs, a collection of springs popular with cave divers, swimmers and families seeking cool salvation from Florida’s hot summer sun. The springs stay at a constant 70 degrees year-round. Jackson County leases the springs from the state, and is dedicated to making the springs one of the county’s great attractions.
The 202-acre millpond has produced seven state record and two world record redear sunfish. Merritt’s Millpond is unique, having incredibly clear and hard water, which supports a large population of snails, a favorite treat for redear sunfish, among numerous other fish. Sport fishing is a lucrative business in Jackson County.
In the late 1800s, the Blue Springs were impounded in order to build and operate a grist mill. The mill created a reservoir—the seven-kilometer-long Merrit’s Millpond. At one time, Florida Public Utilities powered a small electric generated plant by harvested the energy of the water in the area, where the millpond dam is now located.
Three Rivers State Park
Along the edge of Lake Seminole, where the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers converge, is Three Rivers State Park. Pine and hardwoods mix in this area of Florida, nestled close to the southwest Georgia border. The 682-acre park occupies two miles of shoreline along the lake, and is a perfect place for fishing, boating, hiking and relaxing.
Fox squirrels, white-tailed deer and gray foxes roam the wilderness, while stately magnolias, dogwood, pines, and oak shade the numerous trails in the park. Full-facility campgrounds and modern cabins are also available for overnight stays.
Rolling hills and ravines, a special topography for Florida, dominate the area’s environment, and is reminiscent of the Appalachian Mountains, with high pineland communities and hardwood hammocks.
One of the best times to visit the park is in spring, as bright and beautiful wildflowers bloom along the various trails. Violets and trillium can be found covering the lush, green forest floor, while redbud, dogwood and wild plum trees are alight with blooms. Winter is the perfect time of year for bird-watchers as migratory waterfowl rest on Lake Seminole and songbirds fill the trees.
Fishing is probably the most popular activity at the park, as Lake Seminole is known for being one of the best sites in the country for freshwater fishing. A fishing pier is located on the northwest corner of the park with a boat ramp and dock for those visitors with watercraft.
