Float beneath hardwood forests and along the clear Ichetucknee River.
Serene Ichetucknee Springs State Park features a 6 mile river through a pristine wilderness, only 4 miles northwest of Fort White and 84 miles west of Jacksonville, Florida.
Tubing, kayaking, swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving are main attractions of this Florida state park; guests also enjoy hiking, picnicking and wildlife viewing. This picturesque recreational area is home to many species of wildlife that may be glimpsed along the trails and springs inside the park.
Activities
Spend a day in the warm waters of Ichetucknee Springs. This day park has opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, tubing, kayaking, exploring trails and learning more about nature.
A picnic area with tables and grills, a playground, restrooms and a full service concession are provided within the park to make your visit more comfortable. The concession carries food, drinks, souvenirs and rentals (tubes, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards).
The Education Center features interactive displays about the springs. Check out the park’s state-of-the-art theater and learn more about the spring’s journey from source to boiling water.
Here are some of the many activities that you can do during your visit to Ichetucknee Springs State Park:
Boating at Ichetucknee Springs State Park
Kayak, canoe, or paddle standing up, along the Ichetucknee River. Experience the majestic views of the springs as you paddle past limestone banks and moss-draped cypress.
Dampier’s Landing has a year round canoe launch; kayak, canoe, and stand-up paddleboard rentals are available at Paddling Adventures inside the park’s general store located by the south entrance to the park.
Tubing at Ichetucknee Springs State Park
Tubing along the Ichetucknee River is one of the most popular activities inside Ichetucknee Springs State Park. Tube year round from Dampier’s Landing right inside the main entrance of the park.
Guests may bring their own tubes or rent from outside vendors; tubes may not be larger than 60”.
Swimming at Ichetucknee Springs State Park
Swim year round in the beautiful waters of Ichetucknee Springs. The park’s Blue Hole Spring is also open year round for swimming and scuba diving. Only more experienced swimmers should attempt this spring; it is deeper than the main spring and has a strong current.
Hiking at Ichetucknee Springs State Park
Discover the rustic beauty of 15 distinct natural areas as you hike along one of the three nature trails inside Ichetucknee Springs State Park. The trails wind through hardwoods, flatwoods, sandhills and past sinkholes, streams, caves and the Ichetucknee River.
Here are a couple of the trails at Ichetucknee Springs State Park:
- Pine Ridge Trail – Easy 2.5 mile loop through the pines and past wide open vistas and sandhills. Relaxing nature walk with lots of plants and wildlife to see.
- Blue Hole Trail – Easy half mile walk down to the infamous Blue Pool. This nature trail leads through the Ichetucknee forest and cypress floodplain and out to the largest spring.
- Trestle Point Trail – Easy one mile trail along the Ichetucknee River and through an area where phosphate ore was mined during the early 1900s.
Birding at Ichetucknee Springs State Park
Waterfowl, songbirds, raptors… Ichetucknee Springs State Park’s peaceful wilderness and springs attract many species both native and migratory. Some common birds to this area are Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Snowy Egret, Wood Duck, Eastern Wild Turkey, American Kestrel, Limpkin, Pied-billed Grebe, Anhinga, Red-headed Woodpecker. Bachman’s Sparrow and Northern Bobwhite.
Pack your binoculars and check out The Great Florida Birding Trail website to discover what you might find during your visit.
Nature and Wildlife at Ichetucknee Springs State Park
Visit Ichetucknee Springs State Park and discover its peaceful wilderness and home to many different species of wildlife. As you are quietly paddling down the river or exploring the trails you may see turtles, beavers, otters, wild turkey, wood ducks, Sherman’s fox squirrel, snakes, butterflies and alligators.
Pets at Ichetucknee Springs State Park
Pets are allowed at Ichetucknee Springs State Park, but must be supervised and kept on a handheld leash no longer than 6 feet. Dogs are not permitted inside any park buildings or in the springs or river areas.
Camping Near Ichetucknee Springs State Park
Spend the day playing at Ichetucknee Springs State Park and then stay the night nearby. Here are two campgrounds that are within 5 miles of the park:
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Ichetucknee Springs Campground – 245 SW Breckenridge Lane, Fort White
Old Florida style family campground with cozy campsites nestled under 100 year old oak trees. RV sites have electric and water hookups and all sites have a picnic table and fire ring.
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Moonshine Acres RV Park – 10089 US Highway 27, Fort White
Unique family campground occupying land once owned by a well-known local moonshiner. Remnants of that time exist within the park – a log cabin clubhouse, general store with antiques and memorabilia and an “old barn”.
This RV park has spacious campsites that are a mix of pull-through and back-in for RVs, trailers, motorhomes and campers. All sites have electric, water and sewer hookups and a picnic table and fire ring.
Park Location
Ichetucknee Springs State Park
12087 Southwest US-27
Fort White, FL 32038
Phone: 386.497.4690
Map
Video
Here is a short YouTube video showcasing several attractions at Ichetucknee Springs State Park:
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