It's no secret that Florida gets hot. And as Floridians will tell you, we're always looking for new ways and places to cool off. So while instinct may tell you to pack your beach bag and head to the coast, why not head inland instead to cool off like locals do – in Florida's crystal-clear freshwater springs.

Spring waters bubble up at a refreshing 72 degrees year 'round at Blue Springs Park in High Springs and Ichetucknee Springs State Park in Fort White, both in North Central Florida. Tubing, snorkeling, swimming, canoeing and kayaking are just some of the many ways to get your feet wet in these cool, calm and inviting waters.


Blue Springs Park

Not to be confused with the manatee haven of Blue Spring State Park near Daytona, Blue Springs Park in High Springs is a lesser known park whose second-magnitude (a classification for a spring that discharges 10- to 100-cubic feet of water per second) and other springs feed into the Santa Fe River.
Spring waters bubble up at a refreshing 72 degrees year 'round at Blue Springs Park in High Springs and Ichetucknee Springs State Park in Fort White, both in North Central Florida.

The park is privately owned, a resort of sorts where you can pay day admission prices to swim, snorkel, canoe and tube in the natural springs (you can float down the spring run to the Santa Fe River). For out-of-the-water fun, you can bump, set and spike on the volleyball court, throw horseshoes, sun on the small white-sand beach or hike trails throughout the park.

TRIP TIPS:
  • Picnic tables and grills make for an easy do-it-yourself lunch (cheaper than buying food at the concession stand).
  • Pavilion rentals are a good idea if you're traveling in a pack or planning a family reunion.
  • Overnight camping is allowed in the 250-acre park – RV hookups and primitive camping are available near the spring waters.
  • Need a break from all the outdoor action? Take your time browsing locally owned antiques shops and art galleries in downtown High Springs, where “charming” doesn't begin to describe this city's old-fashioned appeal.

Ichetucknee Springs

Nearby Ichetucknee Springs in Fort White is no secret – in season, as many as 3,000 people tube the Ichetucknee River each day. And that's not all. The river's crystal-clear waters make it popular for swimming, snorkeling, canoeing and kayaking as well.

Looking at the river's serene surface, it's hard to imagine that a daily average of 233 million gallons of water flows, from seven larger springs, to form this waterway, which travels six miles through shaded hammocks and wetlands before emptying into the Santa Fe River.

The North Entrance of Ichetucknee Springs State Park is home to the Ichetucknee Head Spring (the source of the river and a great spot for swimming due to its shallow edges), Blue Hole Spring and the canoe and tube launch. It is also a great spot for picnicking under the shade of huge live oaks.

Arrive early if you want to float the entire length (about a 3.5-hour trip); if you get there by 8 a.m., there's a good chance you'll be one of the 750 people allowed to put in at this point each day. If you sleep in, you'll have a better shot at getting in at the South Entrance (Dampier's Landing). This access doesn't limit the number of tubers allowed to put in and cuts your tubing time down by about an hour.

You can also put on your hiking boots and stroll along the river on the Trestle Point Trail or two other unique trails in the park (keep an eye out for wildlife). Quiet visitors may get to see a limpkin, otter or deer.

TRIP TIPS:
  • You don't want to find yourself up the river without a paddle – or tube. So if you don't have your own gear, you will need to rent it before you enter the park, as there are no such concessions once you get inside.
  • Tubes can be rented from independent vendors near the park.
  • Ichetucknee Springs State Park is open year-round. Both the North and South entrances are open to tubing between Memorial Day and labor Day, but only the South Entrance remains open to tubing in the off-season.
  • Food, drinks and tobacco products are not permitted on the river to keep it beautiful, so pack a picnic lunch or visit the park concessionaires before you hit the river.
  • You can stay overnight before or after your trip at local campgrounds such as Oleno State Park, Ichetucknee Family Canoe & Cabins and others.
For more information on a cool outdoor getaway to North Central Florida, visit www.OriginalFlorida.org.