Lafayette (local pronounciation la-fay'-et, not la-fay-et'.) County in North Central Florida is mainly agriculture based with lots of dairy farms. Its main city and county seat is Mayo, about 1000 population) at the intersection of Highways 27 and 51. There are lots of recreation activities available in Lafayette County mostly revolving around the Suwannee River and its boating opportunities and the many fresh water springs feeding the river. Mallory Swamp also attracts a great deal of seasonal hunters and naturalists looking for a slice of the original Florida. However, don't tackle the roads in this well known wildlife management area without an SUV or pickemup.

Three beautiful state parks, Troy Springs, Peacock Springs and Lafayette Blue Springs attract visitors and divers from all over. Peacock is known of one of the very best cave diving spots in the world today with its many interconnected cave systems. Oh, by the way, there are many springs in Florida named "Blue" so be careful when you hear of Blue Springs in Florida!

On the way to Peacock Springs from Mayo you will cross the Suwannee River on a beautiful blue suspension bridge, one of the only ones still in existence. This is a treat for those who love bridge design and is pictured in the Mayo destination page. There's a nice roadside park right on the river on the east side of the road just south of the bridge for a rest stop.

While in the area, not really in this loop but worthwhile, is Branford to the east with a great roadside park right on the Suwannee River and Branford Springs right by the park. Madison is to the west, a very quaint little town full of antique shops and history.