Ginnie Springs
Ginnie Springs boasts possibly the clearest water of any of Florida’s freshwater springs at a constant 72-degrees. In fact, Jacques Cousteau described it as “the clearest water in the world”. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy camping, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, river tubing, canoeing and kayaking in the year-round nature park and camp. The amazing water and dozens of fish species also makes the site fun for underwater photographers. The water is so pure, the Coca-Cola company has a permit to extract up to 600,000 gallons a day from a deep well to bottle as their Dasani water!
Image credit deepbluediving.com
The park is very popular with scuba-divers and cave-divers due to the incredibly clear water, sand and limestone bottom and extensive cave system of the springs. There are 4 diveable springs with a total of over 30,000 feet of mapped passageways and caverns to keep you entertained for days. If you have always dreamed of learning how to dive, there is an onsite Dive Shop which offers entry-level diver certification courses as well as advanced and specialty courses. Don’t have your dive gear with you? No problem, they also have an extensive dive equipment rental and repair department.
Cypress Trees, Ginnie Springs
Not a diver, no problem! The connected springs are also great for kayaking, canoeing and tubing. Float down the 2-mile stretch of the Santa Fe edged with cypress on water so clear, the kayaks appear to be floating. The cool 72-degree water temperature keeps alligator sightings highly unlikely so you can relax and enjoy the eerily beautiful scenery. The park also offers kayak and canoe rentals if you don’t have one with you so make sure to save a day for a paddle!
Ginnie Springs is located on the picturesque south side of the Santa Fe River a few miles from High River which is very convenient to I-75 about 13 miles north of Gainesville. They have primitive sites scattered throughout the 200 acre park as well as water and electric sites in the campground suitable for RVs over 30 feet in length. Check the Ginnie Springs Outdoors website for more details, admission and campsite rates.
