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    Lois Forte Park

    3.0 (1 review)

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    11 years ago

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    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)
    14.5 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!

    San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park - Peaceful trail!

    San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park

    4.2(12 reviews)
    10.4 mi

    My phone directed us to an incorrect address first (off Millhopper onto nw 90th St) and we…read morethankfully poked around and ended up finding our way to the Millhopper Rd trailhead. We just hiked Moonshine Creek today because it was pretty wet on Creek Sink after the rain. We then did a tiny taste of Spring Grove across the street before driving around to the other addresses associated with the park to try and find the Ranger station. After receiving a Junior Ranger packer at Devil's Millhopper State Park awhile back, my son was excited to bring along his passport to get it stamped at San Felasco. Unfortunately we could not find a Ranger or ranger station on our visit today. Nevertheless, we had a beautiful little hike, worked on Junior Ranger activities, and had fun exploring a State Park that was new to us! Admin Offices (NO trail/pub access) 12720 NW 109 Ln Alachua, FL 32615 Biking/Equestrian Trail Head 13201 Progress Blvd Alachua, FL 32615 Hiking Trail Head 11101 Millhopper Rd Gainesville, FL 32653 $4 per vehicle. Please use the honor box to pay fees. Correct change is required. Limit 8 people per vehicle. $2 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers

    A great wilderness area not at all far out from Gainesville itself to explore, offering a rare…read moreinsight into how this part of Florida looked before human intervention. The trails stretch through the southern portion and then the vast northern portion and these hiking trails can be accessed from the Millhopper Road trailhead while mountain biking and horseback trails can be accessed from a trailhead further north near Alachua. Note that horses and mountain bikes are not allowed on the trails from the Millhopper Road trailhead, though. Horses must carry proof of a negative Coggins test and otherwise be good horses, of course. Although archeological studies indicate there were Native American and early Spanish settlements and roads through this area, you don't really see any evidence of human intervention historical or otherwise here aside from the parking area and the trails (and service roads) as the State Parks have done a great job of keeping this a preserve for animals and as rustic as possible. You are not allowed to camp here, either, so it's really a matter of humans exploring during the day a haven for wildlife. I have seen deer, wild hogs, snakes, tortoises, many birds, lizards and other animals here and you're almost certain to see deer or a tortoise if you hike for more than an hour and spread out a little. Dogs on leashes are allowed on the hiking trails, but please remember to bring some water for your dog. The trails off Millhopper Road on the north side are vast and not well-shaded in places. Dogs have died from heatstroke out there, according to the Park Service. Also, check for ticks because they are legion in their numbers here.

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    San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park - Unidentified butterfly or moth. Any ideas?

    Unidentified butterfly or moth. Any ideas?

    San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park - Debbie the awesome park ranger! Thank you!

    Debbie the awesome park ranger! Thank you!

    San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park

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    Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens - While you walk the gardens be sure to say "Hi" to Fuzz Ball, and look for soft paws.

    Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens

    4.6(90 reviews)
    18.8 mi

    What a gorgeous park for people to visit!…read more A former quarry, this is now a tierd garden of beautiful flora and fauna. The fountain at the bottom is truly the centerpiece. At Christmas they did a gorgeous job of lighting up in holiday lights. And if you're like me, You go looking for painted rocks ala the Kindness rocks project.

    This was a fun walk around a garden that must have seen better days - or today was a dry day. We…read morehad fun, it was an old quarry where the owner envisioned and created a cool upper and lower path around and filled with some water, waterfalls, koi fish, swans, ducks, turtles, and oodles of plants: some unique some local- and even a Japanese stile garden with Tori gate et all. Today we didn't see the center fountain many admired, and sadly the water levels must have been low as the cascades were thin (at best). Nonetheless- we had a good time walking about and spotting an old bonsai tree, some Japanese-style bridges, and even a slithering water snake! How exciting!! In all it was a fun stop that broke our long drive from Tallahassee to Fort Lauderdale, so we had a good time. Entrance fee was a bit steep at $ 12 (for what was offered imho) and there is a veteran/military discounted admission ($6)but make sure you have your DD214 or Retired ID to show or else you will Not qualify. Enjoy!

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    Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens
    Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens - Picturesque scenery

    Picturesque scenery

    Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens - Fuzz ball is one of many cats that consider our garden home.

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    Fuzz ball is one of many cats that consider our garden home.

    Ginnie Spring

    Ginnie Spring

    3.2(277 reviews)
    13.9 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

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    Ginnie Spring
    Ginnie Spring
    Ginnie Spring - Beautiful!

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    Beautiful!

    Lois Forte Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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