North Florida is sprinkled with crystal clear springs and rivers.  They are one of the hidden treasures of this area.  Plan to spend an afternoon on the river or at the springs if you are in Gainesville, Alachua, or even Gilchrist & Columbia County.

Ichetucknee River

This is a video of a recent kayak trip on the Ichetucknee River. Everything from the head spring (Jughole Blue Spring) to the CR-27 bridge is a Florida State Park.

The park is big and there are two entrances – one at the head spring and one at the exit.  The north entrance allows swimming and has a place where you can jump in at the beginning of the river and float down.  Watch out in the summer – they only let so many people go down each day to keep it pristine.

The south entrance is more popular with “tubers” (the floating kind, not the eating kind).  During the summer months people come here to cool down, and the park service runs a shuttle to take you back to the parking lot.

click here to see the Ichetucknee State Park Website

From the website:

For information on tubing from the north entrance (3.5 hour float) please call the North Ranger Station between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (386-497-1216) seven (7) days a week.

For information on tubing from the south entrance (1.5 hour or 45 minute float) please call the South Ranger Station between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (386-497-2302) seven (7) days a week.

For more information please call the park office between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (386-497-4690) Monday through Friday.

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