Springs
See some of the many natural wonders that Gainesville and surrounding areas have to offer. This page is intended for reference and/or entertainment purposes only.

Alexander Springs

Alexander Springs is known for its wide, sandy beachfront and its crystal clear water. The spring pumps 80 million gallons of water daily which flow into a pool that is 200 feet across. Snorkeling, scuba diving and camping are available. There is a concession stand where canoes can be rented.

State Road 445 in the Ocala National Forest
669-3522

Open daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission: $2.25 per person (children under 6 free).




Blue Grotto

With a depth of 95-feet, the Blue Grotto has the largest clear water cavern diving in Florida. The springs cater exclusively to scuba divers.

Alternate Highway 27
(2 miles west of Williston)
528-5770

Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Admission: $20 per scuba diver.




Blue Springs

There is a Huck Finn-feel of an old fishing hole at this beautiful, iridescent spring that is named for its color. A boardwalk winds a quarter-mile back along a spring run to the Santa Fe River. A concession stand, picnic tables, volleyball and campgrounds are available.

Off County Road 340 near High Springs
454-1369

Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Admission: $5 adults; $2 ages 5-14; (children under 5, free).




Branford Springs

Swimming, boating and picnicking are popular pastimes at this park on the Suwannee River. The springs pump nearly 7 million gallons of water a day.

Off U.S. 27 and U.S. 129 near Branford




Devil's Den

The gorgeous Devil's Den spring is entered by going down stairs through an underground cavern. The spring, the only known prehistoric diving spot in Florida, is used by scuba divers while swimmers enjoy an adjacent lake and a swimming pool. Camping, picnicking, horseback riding and volleyball also are available.

Alternate Highway 27
(1 mile west of Williston)
528-3344

Open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Admission: $20 per scuba diver, $3 swimming pool and $5/night camping.




Ginnie Springs

Popular with scuba divers because of its vast network of underwater caves, Ginnie Springs includes eight springs, the most popular of which are Ginnie Springs, Devil's Eye and Devil's Ear. Canoes, snorkel equipment and tubes can be rented at the Dive Center/Central Store. Scuba instruction, camping, volleyball and picnicking facilities available.

County Road 340 near High Springs
454-2202

Open Sunday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday & Saturday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission: $6 adults; $2 ages 7-14; (children 6 and under, free).




Hart Springs

Located on the Suwannee River, this 225-acre park includes campsites, picnic grounds, volleyball and a new bathhouse. The two springs are separated by a concrete wall and are surrounded by a large beach area.

State Road 344 between Trenton and Bell
463-6486

Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Admission: $2 per person, ages 4 and older; $1 senior citizens 60 and over; (children 3 and under, free).




Hornsby Springs

Hornsby Springs is part of Camp Kulaqua, a private park on the Santa Fe River reserved primarily by large civic and church groups. Horseback riding, canoeing and a small zoo add to the charm of this park. Diving boards and slides are available.

U.S. 441 (1 mile north of High Springs)
454-1351

Call ahead for reservations.




Ichetucknee Springs

Ichetucknee Springs is the most popular river for tubing in Florida. The fast-flowing icy water begins at the head spring of Ichetucknee and flows more than three miles past other springs with such names as Roaring, Singing, Boiling, Grassy Hole and Blue Hole Springs. Concession and picnicking facilities are available in the park, but no food or drink is allowed on the river.

U.S. 27, 5 1/2 miles north of Fort White
497-2511

Open 8 a.m. to sunset. Prices vary.




Juniper Springs

One of the clearest springs in Florida, the head spring at Juniper is enclosed in rock and concrete with water flowing out through a water wheel. The large park has a campground, bathhouse, concession stand and canoe rentals.

Highway 40 in the Ocala National Forest
625-3147

Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Admission: $2.25; (children under 6, free).




Manatee Springs

Swimming, camping, freshwater fishing, scuba diving, biking, canoeing and hiking are among the recreational activities enjoyed at the beautiful Manatee Springs Park. Each day 117 million gallons of water are pumped through the spring run that includes extensive underground caverns. A boardwalk follows the run along a scenic nature trail.

Off State Road 320 (6 miles west of Chiefland)
493-6072

Open 8 a.m. to sundown. Admission: $3.25/vehicle (maximum 8 people to a vehicle).




Poe Springs

Poe Springs Park is located on 197 acres of rolling hills and bluffs overlooking the Santa Fe River. A large springhead forms a pool about 90 feet in diameter. Swimming, picnicking, fishing and hiking along nature trails are popular. Canoes can be rented at the gatehouse.

County Road 340 (3 miles west of High Springs)
454-1992

Open 9 a.m. to sundown daily. Admission: $3 per person; (children under 5, free).




Salt Springs

The waters of Salt Springs have a high mineral content because they rise from deposits of an ancient underground seacoast. The pool is about 110 feet in diameter and has a roped-off swimming area. A large campground and canoe rentals are available.

State Road 19 in the Ocala National Forest
685-2048

Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Admission: $2 per person; (children 5 and under, free).