This Inland Florida State Park Features 'Waters as Clear as the Caribbean' — A Guide to Visiting

Despite Florida's reputation for stunning beaches, the state's verdant interior holds freshwater gems worth discovering. On a sweltering summer day—or even during the steamy spring and fall—I prefer escaping the crowded, sun-soaked beaches to pack the car with my kids and meet friends at one of the state’s over 1,000 pristine freshwater springs.

While these natural treasures are scattered throughout the state, the Florida springs I cherish are located around Ocala, Gainesville, and Lake City in Central Florida — just a short drive north of Tampa, where I reside.

During my university years at the University of Florida, one of my favorite spring traditions was tubing down the Ichetucknee River and visiting Ichetucknee Springs State Park, where the waters are as clear as the Caribbean.

The six-mile river is nourished by eight major crystal-clear springs, maintaining a refreshing 72 degrees year-round. While it might feel chilly at first, it provides a delightful escape when Florida's temperatures soar into the 80s or 90s for much of the year.

I’m certainly not alone in my affection for this spot. Travel and outdoor writer Kevin Mims states, “Ichetucknee is one of the most iconic outdoor destinations in the state.” The headsprings and nearby Blue Hole Spring are perfect for swimmers, snorkelers, divers, or anyone wanting to cool off in the summer.

“Pair that with a classic tubing or paddling trip on the river, and you have an unbeatable combination. It’s truly one of my favorite excursions anywhere in Florida,” Mims added.

With its crystal-clear waters and the ancient cypress trees arching over its winding course through stunning Florida forests, the scenery feels like something out of a fairy tale.

“It’s a place where time seems to stand still, inviting you to float, explore, and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature’s most pristine getaway,” said Konnie Patke, executive director of Florida’s Springlands, the tourism office for Central Florida’s Lake County.

Eager for your own adventure at Ichetucknee Springs State Park? Here’s what you need to know.

Planning Your Visit

Like many of Florida's stunning state parks, Ichetucknee Springs State Park welcomes visitors year-round and operates daily from 8 a.m. until sunset. If you're driving from Orlando International Airport, expect about a 2.5-hour journey (approximately 155 miles), while it's slightly longer from Tampa International Airport (157 miles). Jacksonville International Airport is closer at just 1.5 hours (92 miles), and if you're landing at the smaller Gainesville Regional Airport, it's only a 50-minute drive (38 miles) to the park.

If you're planning to go tubing, make sure to enter the park’s south main entrance along Highway 27 into your GPS, as that’s where all tubes and other watercraft are allowed to launch. There's limited parking at the park's north entrance, which is the ideal spot if you're looking to picnic, hike, or swim, snorkel, or scuba dive in the stunning waters of Blue Hole Spring, where 67 million gallons of water flow from the ground daily.

Most guests arrive at the park via private or rental vehicles. Admission is $6 per vehicle for 2 to 8 passengers. If you're coming solo, entry is just $4. Pedestrians and cyclists pay only $2 each.

While the park remains open until sunset, access to the river put-in points closes between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., depending on your chosen launch location. All tubers must be off the river by 6 p.m.

The best times to visit the park are during the summer months, which tend to be the busiest but also offer the most comfortable conditions for floating in the cool waters, as the air temperature is pleasantly warm.

To steer clear of crowds, plan your visit outside peak times, advises Patke. “For those wishing to swim and paddle, spring and fall are typically much quieter and less crowded,” she noted.

The amenities here are fairly typical of Florida state parks, featuring picnic areas with shaded benches and grills for barbecuing. Within the park, a concessionaire named Paddling Adventures offers tube and lifejacket rentals, as well as a designated launch area for canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards.

At the park's south entrance, there’s a general store that sells a variety of hot and cold foods, including burgers, wraps, salads, sandwiches, and ice cream, along with water and other essentials like sunscreen, t-shirts, and paddling or swimming gear. Occasionally, a food truck sets up near the playground and swimming area at the north entrance, but don’t rely on it being there (so it's best to come prepared).

The park provides accessible amenities, including a chairlift to reach the head spring at the north entrance, wheelchair-accessible picnic tables and grills, and wheelchair access on the tram for tubers.

Showers are available at the bathhouses located at both the north and south entrances, perfect for rinsing off after a day of fun.

Things to Do

You can easily spend a whole day relishing the experiences at Ichetucknee Springs State Park, even if a tubing adventure along the spring (more details in the next section) isn’t your primary goal.

Paddling

While tubing reigns as the most popular water activity at the park during summer, canoers, kayakers, and stand-up paddleboarders can be seen gliding through these serene waters throughout the year. You can rent gear at the park's concessionaire, which also offers tram service to bring you back from further downstream to the south entrance parking area.

Wildlife Viewing

“Those who float down the river will encounter a variety of turtles, fish, birds, and even manatees and river otters,” Patke noted. “The river is surrounded by oak, cypress, maple, and pine forests. This is authentic, natural Florida, and because of that, alligators can be found here.”

In my many experiences tubing on this river, I’ve never spotted an alligator, but it's wise to stay away from the dense vegetation along the riverbanks, just in case.

“While most wildlife tends to ignore humans, it's recommended not to feed, approach, or provoke these animals,” Patke advised.

Swimming

There are several options for a refreshing swim at the park. If I’m not tubing, I usually go to the north entrance to enjoy the headspring, where the freshwater rises from deep within the Florida aquifer, showcasing stunning shades of blue and green. I also love swimming at Blue Hole Spring, which is a short trek through the woods downstream. However, be aware that the water here is deeper (reaching about 32 feet, where a long underwater cave attracts divers). The currents can be stronger as well, making it less suitable for young children or inexperienced swimmers.

All swimmers in the Ichetucknee River, outside of the spring heads, must have a flotation device for safety.

Scuba Diving

For certified scuba divers, visibility is nearly limitless when descending into these stunning waters, although the aquatic life mainly consists of gar, catfish, and turtles. To dive at Blue Hole Spring (often referred to as Jug Spring by divers), walk the half-mile trail from the headspring with your equipment (consider bringing a cart or wheelbarrow to ease the load). Only cavern- or cave-certified divers are allowed to enter the spring vent due to the high risk of disorientation in the dark. Swimmers and free divers should stay well away from the entrance.

Hiking

To hike, visitors should go to the north entrance of the park, where three easy trails are accessible. The Blue Hole Trail is a half-mile stroll through the forest and cypress floodplain leading to Blue Hole Spring. Slightly longer, the Trestle Point Trail offers scenic views while following the Ichetucknee River along a historic route from the 1900s when phosphate was mined in the area. For a more extended hike, the two-mile Pine Ridge Trail takes you through interesting landscapes, including sandhill ecosystems with towering longleaf pines. Remember to bring plenty of water, bug spray, and sunscreen.

Tubing at the Park

Especially during the hottest months, renting a tube to drift down the Ichetucknee River is the park's most popular activity. You can use your own tube, but it must not exceed 60 inches in diameter and should be free of glitter, confetti, or any other environmentally harmful materials.

While tubers are not allowed in the shallow northern section of the river, you can start tubing from Midpoint or Dampier’s Landing (accessible via the park’s south main entrance) all year long. Remember to avoid bringing disposable items like plastic bags and bottles. Alcoholic beverages are also not allowed on the river.

Tubes and life jackets can be rented from the park’s concessionaire, and you can visit the General Store at the south entrance for tram schedules that will transport you back from the end of the tube run to the parking area. Be sure to buy a wristband for the tram ride back before you head out.

If you launch at Midpoint Landing (which requires a walk of about 0.65 miles from the rental area), expect a float of approximately one hour to Dampier’s Landing, depending on the river’s flow rate. From there, you can exit the water and walk a quarter-mile back to the south entrance parking lot or continue floating for another hour to the final exit point (from there, you can take the tram service or walk about half a mile back to the parking lot). Alternatively, you can take a trail behind the concessionaire’s building for a shorter walk of roughly a quarter-mile to the river and Dampier’s Landing, leading to a float of about an hour to the final exit point. Remember that float times may vary based on the river's flow rate, which can be influenced by weather and other seasonal factors.

Wildlife and Nature

While exploring the wild and authentic Florida, you might encounter unexpected sights. Bringing a snorkel mask or goggles allows you to see beneath the water's surface and catch glimpses of gar fish, diving birds, and turtles. Florida manatees can occasionally be spotted in the Ichetucknee River during the winter months, from October to March, as they come to feed on eelgrass pastures and give birth to their calves in the calm, protected waters.

Other Florida wildlife you might be fortunate enough to encounter in the area includes softshell turtles, wood ducks, gopher tortoises, wild turkeys, and possibly the rare and native Bachman’s sparrow.

While alligators and snakes inhabit the park, sightings of alligators in the river are uncommon due to their shy nature and preference for warmer waters. However, always be cautious, as alligators can be found in any freshwater area in Florida.

Tips for Visiting

If you're planning a visit on weekends, during busy summer months, or on public holidays, aim to arrive early. These times attract large crowds eager to tube. "The state park imposes daily limits on the number of paddlers and tubers, so reserving in advance is highly advisable," Patke noted.

Leave your radios and waterproof speakers behind; the objective here is to unwind in nature, and such devices are not permitted on the water.

Coolers and backpacks are not allowed on the river. To stay hydrated, I always bring a reusable water bottle and a carabiner to clip it onto my tube’s handle.

Stop by the visitor center—or even better, call ahead—to check for any special programs happening during your visit. You might discover activities like moonlit paddles, guided historical tours, and even pancake breakfasts with the rangers.

To start the year off on a lively note, the park hosts guided hikes with rangers every New Year’s Day along the Pine Ridge and Trestle Point trails.

October is one of my preferred times to visit the park (once the summer crowds have dispersed). It typically brings cooler temperatures and is an excellent time to see native wildflowers blooming, especially along the sandy sections of the Pine Ridge Trail.

During the summer months, large groups often arrive early in the day. To avoid the crowds, consider starting your tubing adventure after midday.