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    Hart Springs Park

    4.3 (23 reviews)

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    Alicia A.

    This Park is well kept and well maintained - the campground for the park we also stayed at and the park host was amazing, the grounds we kept well and the park was full with campers but the hosts made sure everyone obeyed the rules! For cooling off or camping I recommend this park - we will definitely be back

    Natural lazy river, shallow and great for kids.
    Xuan Hang T.

    Spent a couple hours here. First timer. Great for kids. Has a little store that sells needed items from sun glasses to lighting fluid and snacks.

    Hart Springs.
    Mike W.

    Hart Springs is a recreation park owned by Gilchrist County. There is a fee for entry ($4.00 or more per car, based on how many people are in the car) and their fees seem pretty much the same as the State Parks command for their parks, too. Hart Springs is a very pretty place, and there is an extensive boardwalk system taking you through cypress swamp, out to the Suwannee River, and back to the springs themselves. At the river there is a dock so you can approach the springs via boat from the Suwannee, too. The springs themselves include ample swimming areas and are pretty, however, they are not--especially right now--very deep and in place due to the dry winter and spring we've had in north-central Florida there's only about three feet of water in places, making it better for wading than swimming. Also because of the drought, with people moving around in the spring pool, sand is kicked up and the water is much more murky than say Fanning Springs or Juniper Springs. There is a floating platform for kids to dive off of into the water but not as much of a diving space as some other springs have, either. There is a store selling pool goods and food and drinks plus a bath house with restrooms and showers. There is also a large camping area and I think a large cabin which can be rented for groups overnight. Hart Springs is certainly nice enough, but for swimming I recommend the clearer, deeper, waters of nearby Fanning Springs State Park. It's the same cost, so for swimming it seems like a better deal. For camping though or the nature trails, Hart Springs seems pretty good.

    Little Hart Springs
    Walter P.

    I do a fair amount of cave diving here (I am a guide). There are 2 entrances to the Hart Springs Cave System (Little Hart and Black Lagoon). The cave is one of the most pristine in Florida and has little traffic by divers. (for more info on the cave itself check out http://caveatlas.com/systems/system.asp?ID=33&co=US) For the non-divers, the clear cool waters of the spring make for a great place to relax and cool off. The board walk takes you out the Suwannee River and is perfect for photographing the flora and fauna. Managed by Gilchrist County, there is a bath house, general store and plenty of camp sites (primitive as well as with hook ups).

    Staying with our friends we were able to turn our campers to face each other

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    7 months ago

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    1 year ago

    One of our favorite springs to visit. Fun for all ages. All staff are nice and helpful.

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    3 years ago

    Very open and perfect for swimming would recommend perfect place to bring kids and great for sun bathing too

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Park was clean and friendly I talked to staff they were very friendly we always have fun no problems

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    7 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    3 years ago

    One of my favorite spots!! beautiful water, beautiful view. love the wildlife. and they have some very nice caves I love to free dive!

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    5 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Great way to spend the day on a hot Florida day. You can even camp there!! It's amazing

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    14 years ago

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    Ask the Community - Hart Springs Park

    Review Highlights - Hart Springs Park

    Last year the Suwannee River was flooded, meaning the springs were murky and the board walk closed.

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    Bob's River Place

    Bob's River Place

    4.8(11 reviews)
    8.5 mi

    Was recommended by some friends to go here when camping at Otter Springs and while it felt like we…read morewere headed to no mans land we were pleasantly surprised to find a welcoming entrance of tiki poles and a small bridge leading into "Bobs place." First they ONLY TAKE CASH! And I can guarantee a bank is very very far away from this place! But it is very reasonable for what kind of fun you're about to have. $35 for four people, $25 for three people six or more it's six dollars a person. The lady at the entrance was very nice and you sign a short waiver. Basically you are on your own if you get hurt. Pretty standard for most places. There is tons of shaded trees and lots and lots of picnic tables with barbecue grills next to almost every table. So pack a cooler full of nonalcoholic drinks and food because they don't sell anything here. And alcohol is extremely prohibited! You get caught with alcohol you might as well kiss your afternoon goodbye. It's a family fun place. Bob is an old dude that sits at the edge of the water with the microphone and his hand and anyone who looks like they don't know what they're doing he is sure to give you some quick direction. The things they have at this place are so much fun if you're into getting your exercise through natural fun play. They have water volleyball, a variety of rope swings at different heights for different comfort levels and abilities and several other fun things. All in all a fun place to cool off during the Florida heat for an ACTIVE outdoorsy family.

    Went to Bob's today and it was amazing. The rope swings are so fun…read more This place is just a classic, and very fun "waterpark." It was pretty crowded today, but the waits weren't long at all. The rope swings give you a great rush, it felt great. Bob drives around on his golf cart, and he is very nice. Talks to anyone there about the place, and it's really amazing about how it all came about. Parking is $25, and I definitely think it's worth it. There is plenty of parking and grills, so you can cook your own food. There are slides, rope swings, volleyball nets in/out of the water, and a ton more to do. Definitely a great place to go with a lot of friends to just have a good time!

    Photos
    Bob's River Place - Lots of rope swings at different heights!

    Lots of rope swings at different heights!

    Bob's River Place
    Bob's River Place - Balance pads so much fun in the water!

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    Balance pads so much fun in the water!

    Manatee Springs State Park - Glamping Tents! Located in the Hickory Loop!

    Manatee Springs State Park

    4.2(74 reviews)
    12.2 mi

    This park is clean and well-staffed. Most of the time, the concession is serving an assortment of…read morekid-loving snacks. There is enough room for everyone, The water is warm (lmao). It's great for birthdays, anniversary, whatever party you want to have. I think you can reserve a table or two, Have fun!!!

    My wife and I, along with a few others, booked our campsites online. The cost was $30 per night,…read morebut there are discounts for senior citizens and those with disabilities. Our campsite had running water and electric hookups, but the space was relatively small, accommodating two decent-sized tents, a trailer, and a vehicle. We weren't sure about overflow parking, but they didn't mind when I parked my truck near an unmarked site. There was a dump station on the other side for RVs. The bathhouse was centrally located and clean, stocked with hand soap and toilet paper, although it lacked shampoo in the showers. We observed a variety of wildlife, including deer, otters, turtles, a snake, and squirrels. A raccoon, which I affectionately named "Gangster," rummaged through our belongings at night, even opening a cooler without a latch - amusing yet slightly concerning. A nice walking path leads to the boat dock, and there's a boat ramp for kayaks and canoes, but remember it's a walking path, not accessible by vehicle. The spring itself was spacious and not overly crowded, much better than Ginnie Springs, though there was a noticeable amount of algae on the surface. The store nearby offered snacks, food, and ice cream at reasonable prices, which the kids loved. We saw many dog owners, and it seemed dogs were prohibited only in or near the spring, although some were swimming near the boat ramp. Overall, it's a pleasant campsite, but there are a few drawbacks: numerous ticks and horseflies were present, and the area is very dark at night. There are no trash cans at the sites, so you'll need to bring your own container and take your trash to the dumpster. Lastly, the check-in process was slow due to limited staff.

    Photos
    Manatee Springs State Park - The Cafe!

    The Cafe!

    Manatee Springs State Park - NaturalLove~

    NaturalLove~

    Manatee Springs State Park - Lots of Deer Spotting's!

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    Lots of Deer Spotting's!

    Falling Creek Falls - spiderweb with water droplets with waterfall in background

    Falling Creek Falls

    4.4(8 reviews)
    43.7 mi

    It's very nice waterfall when there's enough water to actually fall. A cute little park for the…read morekids to play picnic area for parties and a nice walk in the woods to the fall.

    Small little Columbia County Park co-managed with Suwannee River Water Management District- this…read morepark has a boardwalk out to view the falls, picnic tables, a playground and a historic building- a church. Parking lot is small- can hold maybe 20 cars, this park is north of Lake City and right off I10. I had read about this little known waterfall recently and when we stopped at a gas station for a pit stop, I saw the sign and off we went! Directions: Travel north on US 41, pass under I-10, turn right on NW Falling Creek Road; travel 1 mile. The park is on the right before crossing the creek. The boardwalk splits at one point for a loop that leads parallel to the creek, while the other (clearly marked Falls with an arrow) leads to overlook the falls. It's only a quarter mile hike in and you will hear the water before you see it. Rusty- dark color water flows down the creek, the limestone rock worn from the water. The forest around is lush and green. The only critters we saw was one turtle, spiders galore and a butterfly. We heard birds- but I didn't spot them. Tiny little pit stop gave me some great photo opportunities! I recommend bug spray if you are heading out!

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    Falling Creek Falls - Foam from waterfall

    Foam from waterfall

    Falling Creek Falls - Chocolate river

    Chocolate river

    Falling Creek Falls - Chocolate waterfall

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    Chocolate waterfall

    Ginnie Spring

    Ginnie Spring

    3.2(277 reviews)
    18.6 mi

    Since my last review was over a decade ago, probably time for an update. I don't come to Ginnie as…read moreoften as other area springs but it's worth a visit now and then--on weekday mornings ideally if you want to freedive, swim, and miss the crowds of the weekend. It's a good camping destination, too. For me, the main draw however is freediving and there's plenty here to see. You cannot and should not by any means enter caves as a freediver--it's forbidden and even for highly-experienced freedivers, dangerous. If we freedivers don't want to wear out our proverbial welcome, yes, we need to behave. Cave-certified SCUBA divers are the only ones to enter caves. I want to address some things which came up between my own observations and what I've read in other reviews here. For one, the food. This isn't a good place to get good food. If you want something nice, get it "in town" in High Springs or bring something to cook if camping. For that matter, bring your snacks and gear because expectedly things are a bit overpriced at the merch store here. If you don't what the place to be loud, busy, and long lines then don't come on weekends and holidays. It's that simple. This is a business and they'll let in as many people as they safely can let in. As far as loud music and uneven enforcement of rules, I think this just comes down to different employees acting their own way. Most summer help is students, they're not going to have the discernment and acumen of a veteran police officer in dealing with people. Most are nice, some are lax, some overzealous. About the bath houses and other facilities. I think things are in pretty good shape--on par with bath houses at campgrounds in the Ocala National Forest, in example. Nothing was horribly dirty any time I was there but folks--this is camping. Remember that. I don't see the need for tram or shuttle, either. Maybe for disabled or infirm folks but most of us can simply walk between springs and should. Overall I feel Ginnie is well-run for what it is, with your normal business caveats like they'll charge what they can get away with in their store which is exactly why you want to buy stuff at Walmart or whatever prior to coming here. It's a great place to camp and unique, beautiful, springs you'll remember your entire lifetime.

    Ginnie springs is an amazing private property camping spot for trails, swimming in the springs and…read morea great weekend camping. Highly recommend not coming on the holidays. You get this mix of ghetto hick thugs speeding through the park flashing whatever bs they think is cool. They are trying to crack down but the park is big and there's always someone has to ruin it for visitors. Great spot on week days. One of the few places you can drink and float down the river and hit some springs. I've had many great times

    Photos
    Ginnie Spring
    Ginnie Spring
    Ginnie Spring - Beautiful!

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    Beautiful!

    Nature Coast Trail - Railroad trestle over Suwannee River

    Nature Coast Trail

    4.5(2 reviews)
    6.4 mi

    The Nature Coast Trail is 33 miles of paved & mostly canopied rail trail. I've ridden on it 3 times…read more& have enjoyed the experience. Each time, I've started at the Fanning Springs Trailhead. You can go in 3 directions from that point: south to Chiefland, east to Trenton or west to Old Town. The Old Town route takes you over an old railroad trestle that spans the Suwannee River. On 2 occasions, I saw sturgeon jumping! My most recent trip included a stop at Fanning Springs State Park, which is adjacent to the trailhead. I saw 4 manatees enjoying the spring! Unfortunately, no swimming was allowed due to the height of the Suwannee River. The trail is very well maintained and makes for a great day trip.

    LOVE LOVE LOVE The Nature Coast State Trail! 37 miles of…read moreFlorida's Gorgeous unspoiled Nature Coast. It connects the cute little communities of Cross City, Trenton, Fanning Springs & Chiefland. It's a historic train trestle, built along former rail lines that meet at Wilcox Junction. It's a very neat old abandoned railroad trail that runs across the Historic Suwannee River railroad bridge near Old Town. We love to visit here, hike, bike, get hot & sweaty then go jump in the 72-degree water in nearby Fanning Springs State Park. One of my fave springs to swim.. I do not think people realize how incredible this area actually is, as the trails & parks are never crowded. From Fanning "SPRINGS" to Homosassa "SPRINGS" all the way down to "SPRING HILL," the historic "Weeki Wachee SPRING" one of the top 10 largest fresh water springs in America.. This spring is so deep that the bottom has never been found. That is another review me gotta get to.. Anyhoo, most of it is protected Wildlife areas & State Parks with incredible fresh water springs excellent for swimming. The Seminole Indians though this area sacred, as their are many Indian burial grounds, "Indian mounds" throughout this area. There are also bears & gators. Last time we were there, Sir Hubbers was riding along in front of me & decided to hit the breaks & I crashed right into him. Yep, rear ended Sir Hubbers. I almost lost a finger. Then, another time, we were around the "Andrews Wildlife Management Area" when a baby gator came running across the path, Sir Hubbers totally freaked out almost ran him over. Poor little guy, little baby gator was so cute. I also read a very sad report last week some old man, like in his 80's, was on the trail walking his dog & got eat by a bear! Not even kidding, google it. I mean you make it all the way to 80 something years old & you get eat by a bear? Supposedly, they killed the bear.. Watch for the bear signage & arm yourself with pepper spray, just in case. Although, it has some dangers, it's a very lovely paved trail, you will see tons of wildlife. You will also encounter people walking their dogs. "Leashed dogs only" and a lot of cyclists. Not like us, amateurish crashing into each other & running over baby gators, like professional cyclists. You know the ones that all dress up alike in padded spandex. I'm more of a casual beach cruiser with a wicker basket in a sundress type, i'm not into matching spandex & helmets, but to each his own. No one is strange, we all just have differed taste. Anyhoo, there is no dress code, however, it's the Nature Coast so it's hot & humid. You can also get rained on at anytime, so I always wear summer linen for this reason. There are also tons of mosquitos so be prepared for that. I eat tons of garlic and/or drink tons of lemongrass tea before I go.. Be stinky for the bugs, they won't eat you OuiOui. It is all part of Florida's Greenways and Trails System & has also been designated as a national recreation trail. It's open 8am till sundown, 365 days a year & the best part, it's completely Free. Go to "Nature Coast State Trail" Florida State Parks for the map & to plan your visit. Added to moi list of "Zen places, peaceful parks." Highest Recommendations.

    Photos
    Nature Coast Trail - Sunny on the Suwannee

    Sunny on the Suwannee

    Nature Coast Trail
    Nature Coast Trail - Heading towards Chiefland

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    Heading towards Chiefland

    Blue Springs Park - The platform for jumping off (not gonna say diving because not a proper dive platform) on a nice spring day.

    Blue Springs Park

    4.4(11 reviews)
    21.5 mi

    County-owned and run park with a beautiful natural spring. There is a "dive platform", which I put…read morein quotes because as a platform diver myself, it's not high enough to be a proper dive platform but still you can do basic stuff or just jump off. Most of our state parks sadly have removed their dive platforms (Fanning, Madison Blue, Gilchrist Blue) so it's nice to find one. There are picnic tables and a I think a playground for little kids plus a sand volleyball court which gets very popular on weekends. Actually, the entire place gets very popular on weekends and I'd advise going on a weekday if possible. Otherwise, it's super-crowded and mostly rowdy teens. There are a lot of fish in the springs but if you want to freedive or snorkel and see them, come on a weekday, ideally in the morning. Once kids come around after school, the dive platform is the highlight and there's enough kids jumping off it to make the water very murky so you won't see anything then underwater. Tips: --It's cash-only, $2 admission for adults, not sure what for little ones. --No footballs: volleyballs are allowed, but no footballs! I asked why and was told by the girl at the concession stand "two boys playing football trampled a Karen who complained". So yeah, that. --The focus is very much on family fun: again, if coming to see nature come on a weekday, ideally early. --If you dive/jump off the platform, swim clear off it immediately. There's likely a middle schooler jumping right after you. Some run, jump, and don't look down and I've been hit before by flying tweens. --The road leading to the park is pretty long and paved. People drive like proverbial bats out of hell on it, 60 MPH or more. Be careful.

    The good is it is a nice family swimming hole. With extras like volleyball ball, play ground and a…read moredock the kids jump off of. So many here is supposed to be another her so here goes. Police were there a lot so they have security law enforcement to keep the peace there.

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    Blue Springs Park
    Blue Springs Park - You can dive off the dock

    You can dive off the dock

    Blue Springs Park - Always beautiful!

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    Always beautiful!

    Hart Springs Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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