Summary of Features Scale -3rd magnitude Scenery -good How Pristine? -retaining wall, developed recreation/swimming/camping area, cleared land Swimming -good Protection -fine Crowds -crowded on warm summer weekends Access -fine Facilities  -excellent Safety -fine Scuba -yes Cost -$1 per person; more for scuba

Canoes for rent in the run to the river	Overlooking the spring	Rope swing on the Suwannee

Directions
From Mayo, drive east on U.S. 27 about four miles to Convict Springs Road. The road is marked by a unique sign–a small blue "house" with a canoe on top and an American Flag. Across from it, Airline Baptist Church with a sign proclaiming "Jesus Saves." Turn left and go 1.5 miles until the road bends to the left. Go straight ahead instead, where the road turns to dirt. Signs point to Jim Hollis' River Rendezvous, about ½ mile down the road. The turnoff is marked by a large sign for Jim Hollis’ River Rendezvous.

For maps, latitude/longitude data, driving directions, satellite imagery, and topographic representations as well as weather conditions at this spring, go to Greg Johnson's informative "Florida Springs Database" web site at the following address:  http://www.ThisWaytothe.Net/springs/floridasprings.htm#Florida

Spring Description
The small spring is set in a depression just behind the natural river levee for the Suwannee River about 50 feet from the river. The spring is framed by a three-tiered concrete wall and is in the shape of a teardrop. The pool is 50 feet long and tapers from 20 feet wide above the vent at the north end to about 6 feet wide where the pool forms its short run to the river. The greatest depth is about 18 feet near the vent which forms a cavern passageway. The run is only a few inches deep and cuts through the levee among cypress knees to the river. Water in the spring is clear but a little dark, and fish may be seen in the spring. Cypress trees and live oaks are common in the rolling landscape between farmland and the river.

Use/Access

• Called Jim Hollis’ River Rendezvous, the area around Convict Spring is a sort of rustic resort, campground, dive shop, and river excursion center. Among the odd mix of features, the site offers a trampoline, picnicking, a shooting range, boat trips, canoe rentals, shuttles to dive sites, restaurant, air for dive tanks, a great rope swing over the river, and a couple of cabins on the levee that may be rented.

Local Springiana

• Under previous owners, there had also been a bar/lounge that advertised the availability of "300 different kinds of beer and 30 different wine coolers." Under the current owners, however, alcoholic beverages are no longer sold, and the TV in the restaurant seems to be permanently set on a televangelist channel. A sign now says "No Alcohol," and a large cross stands near the pool.
• A cypress tree next to the spring pool has signs marking flood levels (up to 35 feet up) representing various floods from 1973, 1986, 1991, 1987, and, at the base of the tree, "snowfall of 1989." On December 24, 1989, the area received a light dusting of snow.
• The spring apparently supplied water for a local road prison, from whence its name is derived.

Personal Impressions

While the spring is quite small and offers little in the way of swimming, or observation, there is a lot to do at this curious site. In addition, it is a good jumping-off point for other spring and river exploration in the area.

Nearby Springs

• Bonnet
• Peacock
• Suwannee Blue
• Royal
• Telford
• Hidden
• Cow
• Bathtub
• Running
• Thomas
• Perry

Contact Information

Jim Hollis’ River Rendezvous
Mayo, Fla.
800-533-5276