Little Ridge Ranch Guidebook to the Area Around Williston

Patty And Dennis
Patty And Dennis
Little Ridge Ranch Guidebook to the Area Around Williston

Swimming and Diving Locations

Great place for snorkeling or Scuba. Like most springs in North Central Florida the water is 72 degrees year round! Due to Covid reservations may be required, call first!
175 habitants recommandent
Devil's Den Prehistoric Spring
5390 NE 180th Ave
175 habitants recommandent
Great place for snorkeling or Scuba. Like most springs in North Central Florida the water is 72 degrees year round! Due to Covid reservations may be required, call first!
World recognized location for Scuba Divers (Scuba only) It is right here in Williston and only a few minutes from Little Ridge Ranch.
29 habitants recommandent
Blue Grotto Dive Resort
3852 NE 172 Ct
29 habitants recommandent
World recognized location for Scuba Divers (Scuba only) It is right here in Williston and only a few minutes from Little Ridge Ranch.
This is the place we rent from when we tube or kayak down the rainbow river. You can park there and they provide whatever type of kayak or paddle board you want to rent then their shuttle that takes you upstream to KP Hole to launch. It is a 4 mile route down the river and takes about 2 hours or so depending on how you paddle. You end up at Blue Run Park where they pick you up and take you back to your car. Very fun, great views and nature. As with most springs in North Central Florida the water is about 72 degrees year round. Great for a hot summer day!
17 habitants recommandent
Rainbow River Kayak Adventures
11463 N Williams St
17 habitants recommandent
This is the place we rent from when we tube or kayak down the rainbow river. You can park there and they provide whatever type of kayak or paddle board you want to rent then their shuttle that takes you upstream to KP Hole to launch. It is a 4 mile route down the river and takes about 2 hours or so depending on how you paddle. You end up at Blue Run Park where they pick you up and take you back to your car. Very fun, great views and nature. As with most springs in North Central Florida the water is about 72 degrees year round. Great for a hot summer day!
Blue Springs Park is in Bronson and is not far from Little Ridge Ranch and is a great spot for swimming and cooling off on a hot afternoon.
Blue Springs Park
4550 NE 94 Pl
Blue Springs Park is in Bronson and is not far from Little Ridge Ranch and is a great spot for swimming and cooling off on a hot afternoon.
Located on the Gulf of Mexico. This is the closest sand beach to Little Ridge Ranch. It is about an hour away.
26 habitants recommandent
Jetée de pêche de Fort Island Gulf Beach
16000 W Fort Island Trail
26 habitants recommandent
Located on the Gulf of Mexico. This is the closest sand beach to Little Ridge Ranch. It is about an hour away.

Grocery Stores

There are two Grocery stores in Williston, Winn Dixie and Hitchcocks both within 3 miles or so from Little Ridge. Hitchcocks has a delivery service which we have used.
27 habitants recommandent
Winn-Dixie
300 SW 16th Ave
27 habitants recommandent
There are two Grocery stores in Williston, Winn Dixie and Hitchcocks both within 3 miles or so from Little Ridge. Hitchcocks has a delivery service which we have used.
There are two Grocery stores in Williston, Winn Dixie and Hitchcocks both within 3 miles or so from Little Ridge. Hitchcocks has a delivery service which we have used.
Hitchcock's Market
434 E Noble Ave
There are two Grocery stores in Williston, Winn Dixie and Hitchcocks both within 3 miles or so from Little Ridge. Hitchcocks has a delivery service which we have used.
The closest Publix is 15 miles from Little Ridge on the Southwest edge of Gainesville. It is a very nice drive.
Publix Super Market at Williston Plaza
5200 SW 34th St
The closest Publix is 15 miles from Little Ridge on the Southwest edge of Gainesville. It is a very nice drive.
We recently found out that with an Amazon Prime membership and $35 minimum Whole Foods delivers to us here in Williston for free! Order online and they deliver within 2 hours.
18 habitants recommandent
Whole Foods Market
3490 SW Archer Rd
18 habitants recommandent
We recently found out that with an Amazon Prime membership and $35 minimum Whole Foods delivers to us here in Williston for free! Order online and they deliver within 2 hours.

Food scene

Traditional Southern Cooking in a beautiful Historic House right here in Williston.
18 habitants recommandent
The Ivy House Restaurant
106 NW Main St
18 habitants recommandent
Traditional Southern Cooking in a beautiful Historic House right here in Williston.
The place in Williston for Farm to Table meal, love the breakfasts here but lunch and dinner are great too. One of our favorites is the chicken salad with the special combination of dressing (I think it is balsamic with Blue Cheese?)
Sister's Place
20 NE 3rd St
The place in Williston for Farm to Table meal, love the breakfasts here but lunch and dinner are great too. One of our favorites is the chicken salad with the special combination of dressing (I think it is balsamic with Blue Cheese?)
When we first came to Williston we passed by this place thinking it probably wouldn't be good or authentic. We were wrong. Great food, nice decor and the only full bar in town!
10 habitants recommandent
SHO GUN Japanese Restaurant
143 W Noble Ave
10 habitants recommandent
When we first came to Williston we passed by this place thinking it probably wouldn't be good or authentic. We were wrong. Great food, nice decor and the only full bar in town!
This is the first restaurant we ate at when we first visited in Ocala. Good food, casual place, entertainment/karaoke depending on the night. If you sit at the bar you WILL be sitting next to someone in the horse industry, trainer, broker, horse dentist, horse swimming pool supplier, you name it. It is about 17 minutes from Little Ridge Ranch and close to HITS and the World Equestrian Center.
29 habitants recommandent
Horse & Hounds Restaurant
6998 US-27
29 habitants recommandent
This is the first restaurant we ate at when we first visited in Ocala. Good food, casual place, entertainment/karaoke depending on the night. If you sit at the bar you WILL be sitting next to someone in the horse industry, trainer, broker, horse dentist, horse swimming pool supplier, you name it. It is about 17 minutes from Little Ridge Ranch and close to HITS and the World Equestrian Center.
Definitely our favorite go to restaurant. They have locations in both Gainesvile and Ocala. The Redfish Alexandria or the Andouille Crusted Grouper are our favorites... Nice atmosphere and service.
34 habitants recommandent
Harry's Seafood Bar & Grille
110 SE 1 St
34 habitants recommandent
Definitely our favorite go to restaurant. They have locations in both Gainesvile and Ocala. The Redfish Alexandria or the Andouille Crusted Grouper are our favorites... Nice atmosphere and service.
Cedar Key was and still is to some degree a fishing village. Now they have many seafood restaurants and shops to visit. Dog friendly beach (sand on shore but kind of mucky out further) Nice to visit, about an hour from Little Ridge Ranch.
62 habitants recommandent
Cedar Key
62 habitants recommandent
Cedar Key was and still is to some degree a fishing village. Now they have many seafood restaurants and shops to visit. Dog friendly beach (sand on shore but kind of mucky out further) Nice to visit, about an hour from Little Ridge Ranch.

Horse Related Activites

Whether you want to do a farm tour, watch competitions or go trail riding these are some ideas!
We have been to Orange Blossom several times. They are located adjacent to Goethe State Forest and they can take you into the forest for riding. Sandy is a great teacher and wonderful guide with a lot of information to share.
6 habitants recommandent
Orange Blossom Trail Rides
10010 SE 125th Ct
6 habitants recommandent
We have been to Orange Blossom several times. They are located adjacent to Goethe State Forest and they can take you into the forest for riding. Sandy is a great teacher and wonderful guide with a lot of information to share.
Cactus Jacks is The State of Florida designated horseback riding provider for The Cross Florida Green Way “
25 habitants recommandent
Cactus Jack's Trail Rides
11100 SW 16th Ave
25 habitants recommandent
Cactus Jacks is The State of Florida designated horseback riding provider for The Cross Florida Green Way “
The Canyons has Zip Lines that take you through a huge limestone canyon. They also have horseback riding on 70 acres, and Kayaking
137 habitants recommandent
Le parc d'aventures et de tyrolienne des Canyons
8045 NW Gainesville Rd
137 habitants recommandent
The Canyons has Zip Lines that take you through a huge limestone canyon. They also have horseback riding on 70 acres, and Kayaking
They say that World Equestrian Center has invested almost 1 Billion Dollars in the Ocala area. Nice to visit, expensive to stay there. Little Ridge Ranch may be your better option!
133 habitants recommandent
World Equestrian Center
1750 Northwest 80th Avenue
133 habitants recommandent
They say that World Equestrian Center has invested almost 1 Billion Dollars in the Ocala area. Nice to visit, expensive to stay there. Little Ridge Ranch may be your better option!
HITS (Horses In The Sun) showgrounds provide world class competition for most things equestrian. Especially from end of December thru end of March. Check website for schedule. Little Ridge Ranch is about 10 minutes from HITS.
19 habitants recommandent
HITS Post Time Farm
13710 Old Blitchton Rd
19 habitants recommandent
HITS (Horses In The Sun) showgrounds provide world class competition for most things equestrian. Especially from end of December thru end of March. Check website for schedule. Little Ridge Ranch is about 10 minutes from HITS.
Tour the Gypsy Vanner farm and learn about these beautiful horses and their history.
Royal Gypsy Vanner Ranch
9250 NW 145th Avenue Rd
Tour the Gypsy Vanner farm and learn about these beautiful horses and their history.

Things to Do

The Canyons has Zip Lines that take you through a huge limestone canyon. They also have horseback riding on 70 acres, and Kayaking
137 habitants recommandent
Le parc d'aventures et de tyrolienne des Canyons
8045 NW Gainesville Rd
137 habitants recommandent
The Canyons has Zip Lines that take you through a huge limestone canyon. They also have horseback riding on 70 acres, and Kayaking
Only about 30 minutes from Little Ridge Ranch, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park is a Florida State Park and historic site located on the former homestead of Pulitzer Prize-winning Florida author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. (The Yearling Novel Also a Movie) A National Historic Landmark, it is located in Cross Creek, Florida, between Ocala and Gainesville at 18700 South County Road 325. Dog Friendly.
18 habitants recommandent
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park
County Road 325
18 habitants recommandent
Only about 30 minutes from Little Ridge Ranch, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park is a Florida State Park and historic site located on the former homestead of Pulitzer Prize-winning Florida author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. (The Yearling Novel Also a Movie) A National Historic Landmark, it is located in Cross Creek, Florida, between Ocala and Gainesville at 18700 South County Road 325. Dog Friendly.
Paynes Prairie is unique in many ways. Nowhere else in Florida can visitors experience wild-roaming bison and horses. Nearly 300 species of birds also frequent the park along with alligators, deer and many other animals. The park’s eight trails, including the 16-mile paved Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail, allows one to explore the park’s interior and observe wildlife, while a 50-foot high observation tower provides for panoramic views. Fishing and canoeing on Lake Wauberg is popular along with a shaded campground. During a visit to Paynes Prairie, one can easily understand why Seminole Indians once occupied a village along this vast savannah.
102 habitants recommandent
Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park
100 Savannah Blvd
102 habitants recommandent
Paynes Prairie is unique in many ways. Nowhere else in Florida can visitors experience wild-roaming bison and horses. Nearly 300 species of birds also frequent the park along with alligators, deer and many other animals. The park’s eight trails, including the 16-mile paved Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail, allows one to explore the park’s interior and observe wildlife, while a 50-foot high observation tower provides for panoramic views. Fishing and canoeing on Lake Wauberg is popular along with a shaded campground. During a visit to Paynes Prairie, one can easily understand why Seminole Indians once occupied a village along this vast savannah.
This is a great venue. You pick blueberries and peaches. Music on the weekends but call or check their website, they are closed in the winter.
13 habitants recommandent
Red, White and Blues Farm
3250 NE 140th Ave
13 habitants recommandent
This is a great venue. You pick blueberries and peaches. Music on the weekends but call or check their website, they are closed in the winter.

Sightseeing

Close to Devil's Den, Cedar Lakes is a really nice place to visit, the drive in alone will be a new and exciting experience for some. You might want to pack a lunch and bring your walking shoes so you can explore the nature trails, great views, shady paths and the flowering trees and waterfalls. The are dog friendly but they ask that you call to give them a heads up first
41 habitants recommandent
Cedar Lakes Woods et Jardins
4990 NE 180th Ave
41 habitants recommandent
Close to Devil's Den, Cedar Lakes is a really nice place to visit, the drive in alone will be a new and exciting experience for some. You might want to pack a lunch and bring your walking shoes so you can explore the nature trails, great views, shady paths and the flowering trees and waterfalls. The are dog friendly but they ask that you call to give them a heads up first