Serving the Greater Chiefland Area
Since our founding, the Greater Chiefland Area Chamber of Commerce has been the voice of local business and the gateway to everything this corner of Florida's Nature Coast has to offer.
Commerce, community, and quality of life
The Greater Chiefland Area Chamber of Commerce is organized to advance the greater Chiefland area in population, commerce, and finance — and to play an active part in every project that betters our municipal, state, and national landscape. We promote integrity and good faith, equitable principles in business, and uniformity in commercial practice.
We work to acquire, preserve, and share industrial, commercial, and civic information of value; to discover and correct abuses; to prevent and resolve controversies; and to represent the Chiefland area — the City of Chiefland and its surrounding trade area — in state and national conversations that shape our community's future.
Your Chamber board
Three local business leaders steering the Chamber's mission this year.
Tonya Sullivan
President
VP Business Development Officer
Seacoast Bank
Kellie Barnhill
Vice President
Independent Health Coach
Optavia
Andy Lott
Treasurer
Capital City Bank
- Denny George
- Prentice Spann
- DeeDee Carver
- Krystle Skelly
- Rich Panek
- Bennitt Patterson
- Melanie Hutchison
- Jamie Bradley
Your Nature Coast adventure starts here
Crystal springs, winding river trails, local flavor, and comfortable places to rest your head — the Greater Chiefland area packs a full outdoor and cultural experience into one of Florida's most unspoiled corners.
By Land
Trails, parks, golf, arts, and festivals that reflect the deep roots of Chiefland's community.
Trails & Parks
32 miles of Nature Coast Trail
Festivals
Watermelon Fest since 1954
Golf
Chiefland Golf & Country Club
Arts & Culture
Chief Theatre & Quilt Museum
Equestrian
Trail rides at Goethe State Forest
Camping
80 sites at Manatee Springs
The 32-mile Nature Coast State Trail — recovered from old railroad right-of-way — links wildlife viewing areas, a natural swimming spring, and the historic Suwannee River between Chiefland, Trenton, Fanning Springs, and Cross City. Equestrian trails parallel portions of the paved path. For golfers, Chiefland Golf and Country Club offers one of the Tri-County area's most challenging courses, with a driving range, pro shop, and lounge.
Arts and culture run deep here. The downtown Chief Theatre on East Park Avenue is home to the Suwannee Valley Players, staging community productions four to six times per year. The Levy County Quilt Museum — the only registered quilt museum in Florida — hosts twice-yearly shows that draw visitors from across the state. And every first Saturday in June since 1954, thousands of visitors pour into town for the Watermelon Festival, coordinated by the Chiefland Women's Club, complete with a parade, seed-spitting contest, watermelon queen contest, and ice-cold watermelon donated by local farmers.
By Water
Crystal springs, the storied Suwannee River, manatee encounters, and world-class cave diving — all within minutes of downtown Chiefland.
Kayaking & Canoeing
Springs, river & coastal routes
Diving & Snorkeling
Open water, cavern & cave diving
Boating
Suwannee River & Gulf access
Fishing
Freshwater & Gulf saltwater
Manatee Springs
260K+ annual visitors (FY 2022–23)
Birding
Herons, eagles & rare species
Manatee Springs State Park — Chiefland's crown jewel — draws more than 260,000 visitors annually (FY 2022–23). Certified divers can explore open water, cavern, and cave systems; snorkelers enjoy the crystalline spring run down to the Suwannee River. The park's 80-site campground (with electricity, water, and comfort stations) makes it easy to stay and explore for days. Fanning Springs State Park, minutes away, offers a 200-foot wide spring basin and its own canoe and kayak access.
The Suwannee River — made famous by Stephen Foster — flows just minutes from downtown Chiefland. River depths range from 7 to 55 feet, with marshes, cypress, and tidally flooded hardwoods lining the banks. Boaters and kayakers can travel upstream to Fanning Springs or head west toward Cedar Key, one of Florida's last frontier villages, renowned for its seafood and the tens of thousands of acres of national wildlife refuge surrounding it.
Lodging
Hotels, RV resorts, and campgrounds to fit every style of visit — from a quick overnight to a week-long nature expedition.
Hotels & Motels
Chiefland's two well-known chain properties sit right along US 19 for easy access to springs, trails, and town. Days Inn by Wyndham–Chiefland and Quality Inn–Chiefland are often filled with visitors exploring the local environment. Additional smaller hotels can be found in nearby Fanning Springs, and Cedar Key offers its own selection of waterfront lodging.
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Manatee Springs State Park offers 80 fully equipped campsites with electricity, water, and comfort stations — reservable in advance at reserve.floridastateparks.org (Florida residents can book up to 11 months out, non-residents 10). For RV travelers, Strawberry Fields for RVers, Breezy Acres RV Park, Southern Leisure RV Resort, and Manatee Springs RV Park all provide great options. Cedar Key adds Shell Mound Park with both primitive and full-hookup sites.
Dining
From slow-smoked barbecue to fresh Gulf seafood, Chiefland's local restaurants are part of the Nature Coast experience.
Local Favorites
Chiefland's homegrown restaurants reflect the area's Southern roots and fresh Gulf Coast ingredients. Pull up to Bar-B-Q Bills or BubbaQues for slow-smoked classics, gather around the table at The Gathering Table, or explore the Mexican flavors at Los Avina. Bett's Big T and the Burger House round out the local comfort food scene, while China King, Mya's Chinese Restaurant, and Mya's Noodle House offer a broader variety.
Quick Stops & Cedar Key Seafood
Along the US 19 corridor you'll find all the familiar chain options — Burger King, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Huddle House, and more — for quick, convenient stops between adventures. For a more memorable meal, make the short drive west to Cedar Key, where the Gulf's fresh catch (speckled seatrout, redfish, mullet, sheepshead) ends up on plates at local waterfront restaurants that define old-Florida coastal dining.
Help Chiefland thrive
Join the 182 local businesses and organizations that support the Chamber's work — from advocating for local business to welcoming tens of thousands of visitors each year. Membership starts at $75 a year.