Ginnie Springs

Located 30 miles south of Lake City on the banks of the Santa Fe River, 250-acre Ginnie Springs is one of the most popular and recognized freshwater attractions in Florida. The location draws scuba divers looking to explore the underwater caves that offer excellent visibility.

Ginnie Springs, which is privately owned, has more amenities than most parks, including bath houses, pavilions, volleyball courts, playgrounds, picnic tables and boat ramps. You can also rent tubes and watercraft like kayaks and paddleboards. Ginnie Springs offers tent sites for campers, as well as the 3 bedroom/2 bath Ginnie Cottage for those seeking more creature comforts.

Ginnie Springs, like all the other springs in Lake City, Florida’s Springlands, is especially appealing in the summer, when a plunge into the 72-degree water acts as a real change of pace from toasty air temperatures.

Hours (Seasonal/Summer)

Monday – Thursday 8AM – 5PM
Friday & Saturday 8AM – 7PM
Sunday 8AM – 6PM

Rates 

Activities in Ginnie Springs

Camping is also available at the private campground, located on the banks of the Sante Fe River by the high springs. It’s a great place to visit with the whole family, and there’s a whole community around Ginnie Springs. This means that you’re likely to keep on seeing the same people there year after year, and you can find yourself making friends for life.

Are you a fan of water sports? You’ll be able to take your pick from inner tubing, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, paddle boarding and canoeing. It’s also known as one of the best swimming spots, not just in Florida, but in the world. You can go boating too, but please be aware of other visitors and be careful of swimmers.

Speaking of things to be careful of, please remember that alligators are native to the region. (Not surprising, since Ginnie Springs is located in Florida.) Fortunately, gator sightings at Ginnie Springs are few and far between. Still, keep an eye out – and if you see one, keep your distance.

Key Information

Location: 

Located in Florida on the banks of the Santa Fe River, 25 miles or so away from Gainesville. Ginnie Springs can be found at 5000 NE 60th Ave, High Springs, Florida, 32643.

Camping and cabins:

There’s plenty of space for camping at Ginnie Springs, and in fact it’s one of the best places to camp close to the high springs. Tent camping starts at around $23 per adult.

Ginnie Cottage is also available for hire, sleeping eight adults and costing around $175 per night.

Best time to visit: 

The best time to visit Ginnie Springs really varies depending upon what you’re hoping to get out of your visit. If you’re traveling with friends and looking for a party atmosphere, it’s best to visit on the weekend or during public holidays. If you’re looking for something a little more sedate, try to visit during the week or outside of the holidays.

The good news is that because the water stays the same temperature throughout the year, you can visit during any season and still have a great time. Even in the winter, Florida tends to be pretty temperate, although the weather is a little less predictable. 

Known for: 

Ginnie Springs is known for its stunning waterways and its vibrant flora and fauna as much as it is for its campsites, cottage and watersports. It’s nicknamed “a slice of pure Florida ” for a reason. There’s no better place to go for a break from reality, whether you’re taking the kids or going with friends to celebrate something.

It’s also a great place to play sports with your friends, with sandy volleyball courts in the campgrounds and both volleyballs and footballs available for hire. Just bear in mind that if you’re renting equipment, whether that’s snorkeling masks or scuba gear, you’ll need to put down a deposit and return the gear by 6 PM.

Note: Ginnie Springs is one of the more lively Florida hotspots, so if you’re traveling with your family, you might want to give it a miss on the weekends or during public holidays like July 4th. It’s pretty quiet during the weeks and off-season, though.