Having grown up in Pennsylvania, I knew of mountain streams being brisk and beautiful. I never imagined back then that I would find crystal clear waters flowing from the earth and forming whole rivers that are as clear as a bathtub! My first trip to a Florida Freshwater Spring was in the fall of 2009. I remember it vividly, and I have learned to seek out these spring adventures as often as I can!
Florida is home to the largest collection of freshwater springs in the world, with upwards of 700 springs! Of these, 33 are first-magnitude springs, meaning they pump out at least 64 MILLION gallons of fresh water PER DAY!!! Another 100-200 are second-magnitude springs, discharging between 6.5 million and 64 million gallons of water per day. That’s a lot of water! Temperatures range from 68 to 72 degrees in most springs, making them refreshing in the summer and brisk, but doable, in the bumper seasons!
Below, you will find the perfect three-day itinerary to explore about a dozen of these gorgeous natural wonders in the Northern part of Florida! To note as you plan, summer (and especially summer weekends) can be very crowded. Some of the springs actually get to capacity shortly after opening their gates, as people begin lining up at the entrance before dawn. Plan accordingly!
Day 1: Ichetucknee Springs State Park
Today is for exploring the first Florida spring that I ever went to, the Ichetucknee! Located in a State Park with two entrances, you will have the opportunity to explore both… But first, breakfast! Head to Alice’s Parkside Restaurant in High Springs for a hearty and filling breakfast. While you can’t go wrong with any of their breakfast options, the biscuits and gravy are the standout here!
After breakfast, pack a cooler with sandwiches and drinks (as Floridians, we are partial to the “Pub Sub”, aka Publix Sub). As you head towards the South Entrance of the Ichetucknee Springs State Park
, you will see several tube rental businesses. We always bring our own tubes, but if you haven’t previously purchased them, you can rent from a business outside of the park or you can rent inside the park. Inside is a bit more expensive, but also more convenient. A quick note on fees – there is a fee to enter the park, a tube rental fee, and a fee for the tram ride. Be sure to take cash.
Once you’re in and have your tube and tram fees taken care of, it’s time to hit the water! Apply sunscreen liberally, the Florida sun is brutal! No food, alcohol, or disposable products are allowed on the water. We usually opt for a Nalgene bottle or two of water inside of a mesh backpack. Take some string to tie your tubes together and make a family/friend flotilla! Other things that we like to wear/take include sturdy soled sandals (like Chacos) that are good for a short walk over bumpy terrain and can stay on in the water, a mask and snorkel to get an up close look at this underwater world, and a hat and sunglasses. Follow the markers to the tram and load up. The tram will transport you and your tube to the mid-point launch, where you will follow a trail to the entry dock on the river.
Brace yourself for the shock of the cool water, even on the hottest of days! Once you’re on the water, relax and float! Enjoy the amazing beauty of this natural “lazy river.” Water levels and speed will determine how long your float is. If you have problems on the river, exit at Dampier’s Landing and it’s a quick walk back to your vehicle. Otherwise, continue past it to the last take-out, where you will deposit your rental tube onto the appropriate pile and board the tram for a ride back to the main concessions area.
If you’ve packed lunch, it’s time to pull that out! There are plenty of picnic tables around the park that you can relax in the shade and chow down! If you haven’t packed lunch, there is a food concession that has typical quick food – burgers, hot dogs, and the like. After lunch, head to the North Entrance of the State Park and explore where the Ichetucknee forms!
Once you exit your car, you will see a path and a large freshwater swimming hole, the Ichetucknee Head Spring. This Spring head has been built up with some concrete stairs and walls, and it’s a great area to cool off, float, and relax. Once you’ve taken a quick dip and if you’re feeling adventurous, grab your mask and snorkel and find the trail to the Blue Hole Spring Vent. This quarter-mile trail will lead you through a hardwood forest to a Florida wonder! Don your mask and snorkel and take the plunge into this 72 degree water! As you explore the underwater world, be sure to check out the entrance to the cave that is created by this spring — it starts at about 40 feet underwater and traverses the limestone some 600+ feet through a maze of passages. If you’re cave diving certified, you can explore this area with your scuba gear between October and March.
After a full day on the water, it’s time to clean up and head out for dinner! We love to frequent Bev’s Burger Cafe. I will confess, though, I have never actually had a burger from Bev’s — we all LOVE their BBQ! They have amazing sliced pork or beef sandwiches, smoked in house and perfect!! That being said, though, the burgers also get dozens of rave reviews — maybe I need to veer away from my norm next time I’m there and have a burger!!!
After dinner, you’ll likely be tired, full, and content! Head back to your lodging, relax for the evening, and prepare for a slightly different water adventure for tomorrow!!!
Day 2: Paddle the Santa Fe River, including Poe Springs, Rum Island and Ginnie Springs!
A short drive away in Alachua, Brown’s Country Buffet is worth the drive and is an amazing place to start your day! They offer a breakfast menu or a small breakfast buffet. You can’t go wrong with either option, and you will be served up some of the best southern cooking that you’ve ever had! The staff is warm and friendly and the prices are very reasonable. I have heard people comment that they drive an hour or more to enjoy this breakfast spot!
After breakfast, make a bee-line to Rum 138 in High Springs (make reservations in advance). Rent a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard, depending on your level of comfort, and get ready for a fun day on the river! Be sure to bring a cooler with some food and drinks, as this will be a 5-ish hour paddle, depending on water level and stops.
Rum 138 will shuttle you and your paddlecraft to the SR-27 bridge, where you will begin, and you’ll paddle/float to the SR-47 bridge. Along the way, you will be mainly paddling on the Santa Fe River, a dark tea colored river. The coloring is caused by the tannic acid that is released from the roots of the cypress trees along the banks. This “stained” water mixes with millions of gallons of crystal clear spring water as you travel the river, creating a cool effect when the sun shines through!
On this stretch of river, there are over 20 springs for you to stop and explore! Be sure to allow plenty of time for that, but also be aware that many of the larger springs will charge you to use their on-land facilities, so take a few dollars for that, just in case. Even without paying to go into the parks, though, you can still paddle into the springs and swim/float near your boat and enjoy the springs this way.
We love to go “spring hunting” along the Santa Fe — keeping our eyes peeled for the crystal clear water that signifies a spring flowing into the river! Major springs that you’ll pass include Poe Springs, Rum Island Spring, and Ginnie Springs. If it’s a weekend, expect Ginnie to be overflowing with people — on the water, in the springs, on the shorelines, and in the trees! We prefer to find the quieter and less trafficked springs for a bit of quiet and solitude on our adventures, so we paddle through this stretch as quickly as possible!
After a full day of paddling, swimming, floating, and relaxing, it’s time to grab some dinner and call it a night! Head to High Springs Brewing Company in Downtown High Springs for a fun and relaxing evening! They have food trucks on site most evenings as well as live music Thursday through Saturday; check their Facebook page for the most up to date info! High Springs Brewing is closed on Sunday, however, so plan accordingly.
Day 3: Cedar Lakes Woods & Gardens and Devils Den Springs
Pack up and set your GPS for Sister’s Place in Williston for a late breakfast. The food is delicious, the service is friendly, and they have a cute farm theme inside. The staff and owner go out of their way to make you feel welcome, which is always a welcome touch!
With bellies full, head over to Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens for a mid-morning stroll! Garden admission includes a brief description and history as well as a self-guided tour through 20 acres of botanical gardens. As you walk along the paths of the Japanese-style gardens, you will marvel at the beautiful scenery — new plants, flowers, and trees to discover around every bend! Plan about two hours to walk the gardens.
Once you’ve explored Cedar Lakes, hop right next door to the Devil’s Den Prehistoric Spring. Throw on your swimsuit and grab your mask & snorkel to prepare for this other-worldly experience! Descending the narrow stairs into this underground “room,” you will have your first glimpse of this natural wonder! A portion of the roof has collapsed, allowing light to flow in and illuminate the crystal waters below. Snorkeling or diving are the only ways to experience this attraction, and reservations are required (check the website linked above for more info).
Once you gain entry to the water, you may glimpse all manner of underwater life and maybe even find some fossils! This site is home to fossil beds dating back over 33 million years! As a popular cave diving location, you may be enjoying peering at an underwater formation and suddenly notice a light ascending from the darkness of the cave! While this site lacks an abundance of wildlife, it makes up for it in “cool factor” — You are swimming in a pool… in a cave!
Round out your day with dinner and a drink at Sirius Munchies in Williston! This restaurant, located in a small plaza, dishes out big city quality with small town vibes! We love coming here! Everything we’ve tried from their menu has been excellent, with a special emphasis on the pizza and wings!!!! Save room for dessert; their cakes and cheesecakes are amazing! This is a great last stop on your three-day adventure exploring some of the North Florida Springs!!!
That wraps up the perfect three days in Northern Florida exploring some magnificent springs! Please head over to our Facebook page, like it, and follow along on our adventures, which will help you to plan your adventures!!!! Happy Trails!!!
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