Blue Springs Park - North Florida Spring

by Greg Zecher
June 17, 2015
13578 views

A must visit spot located just over an hour from Jacksonville is Blue Springs Park. The privately managed park is located in between Lake City & Gainesville. Swimming is always fun at Blue Springs! The 72-degree water is the same temperature year-round and provides a refreshing break in the hot weather. You can bring a tube and float down the spring run to the Santa Fe River. Snorkeling is permitted, but not scuba diving.

Photo Courtesy: @dmf5471

Photo Courtesy: @b_kidwell

RV and primitive camping are available at Blue Springs. RV sites offer 30 or 50 amp electricity and water and are located near the main spring. Primitive camping is permitted throughout the property and has no electricity or water. Checkout time is 12:00 noon. No reservations are accepted, camping is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Photo Courtesy: @lindsvz_

Photo Courtesy: @durtygrrl

The Main spring, Blue Springs is a second-magnitude spring with a large swimming area. It has a diving dock and is 24 feet deep near the dock. There are 50 yards of white-sand beach, great for small children and sunbathers. The Boardwalk is a quarter-mile long and meanders along the spring run out to the Santa Fe River. You may tube, canoe or kayak out to the river. Fishing is permitted at the end of the boardwalk, at the river.

Along with the main spring, there are several other smaller springs on the property: Naked Springs has a floating dock and is available for swimming. Johnson Springs is a smaller spring near Aric the Giant, a very large and old cypress tree. It is available for swimming. Little Blue Springs has a floating dock and is available for swimming. Kiefer Springs is another little spring that you will enjoy. It is not permitted to swim in this spring.

Photo Courtesy: @itsmeyers

Photo Courtesy: @jro_88

The property also features Hiking Trails that criss-cross throughout the Blue Springs property and offer a quiet getaway to walk and explore nature. You will see flora and fauna in its natural habitat. Canoes, kayaks and tubes may be rented at the park for your enjoyment.

Other amenities include:

- Horseshoes (supplied)

- Volleyball court (balls supplied)

- Picnic tables and grills near the spring

- Bathhouse with showers

- Restroom facilities

- Fishing, permitted at the river (state license required)

Blue Springs facilities are fully ADA compliant.

Daily Admission (per person) to the park:

Ages 13 and up: $10.00

Ages 5-12: $ 3.00

Under 5: Free