Experiences & Amenities
Experiences
Ichetucknee Springs State Park is a part of the Great Florida Birding Trail and offers visitors ample opportunity to bird-watch throughout the park.
Bird enthusiasts might see a variety of water birds, American kestrel, Northern bobwhite, Eastern wild turkey, barred owl, red-headed woodpecker, Bachman’s sparrows and many more.
Bring your binoculars and checklist on your next visit!
Geocaching is an outdoor game using hand-held global positioning systems (GPS) devices. It's effectively an inexpensive, interactive, high-tech treasure hunt that's a great way to learn geography. Participants use location coordinates to find caches. Some caches are easy to find; others are more difficult.
Geocaching should have minimal impact to the environment and conscientious land-use ethics should be followed.
- Ichetucknee Springs State Park has one geocache.
- To learn learn more about geo-caching our park or other Florida State Parks, check out our webpage: Operation Recreation GeoTour
There are three hiking trails located at the north entrance of the park. Trail maps are available at the ranger station or information booth.
- Blue Hole Trail: A half-mile walk through the Ichetucknee forest and cypress floodplain leads to Blue Hole Spring, the largest spring in the park. Blue Hole Trail closes one hour before sunset.
- Trestle Point Trail: This shaded path winds along the crystal-clear waters of the Ichetucknee River. The self-guided trail will take you back in time to the early 1900s when phosphate ore was mined in the area. Walking time is approximately 30 minutes.
- Pine Ridge Trail: A frequently overlooked area of the park is the majestic sandhill with its towering longleaf pine and wide open vistas. View the natural diversity of this unique and vanishing ecosystem. The self-guided, two-mile loop trail will take approximately 75 minutes.
Canoeing and kayaking is a great way to enjoy the natural beauty of the river. It also provides an opportunity to see an abundance of wildlife, including wading birds, manatees and river otters. See all of this while enjoying the views of moss-draped cypress, limestone banks and some of the nine different springs that make up the Ichetucknee River. Paddling is accessible year-round from the north or south end.
- Canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards can be rented and transportation arrangements can be made through Paddling Adventures at the general store located in the south entrance.
Scuba diving is allowed at Blue Hole Spring. There is a half-mile trail to Blue Hole Spring; many divers bring a cart or wheelbarrow to transport gear.
- Divers must be cavern or cave certified.
- Scuba diving is not permitted in the river or other springs.
- Dives must be finished one hour prior to sundown.
Swimming/snorkeling is available every day of the year from 8 a.m. until sundown at the north entrance. Here, you may swim at either Ichetucknee Spring (head spring) or Blue Hole Spring.
Ichetucknee Spring provides for excellent swimming; however, Blue Hole Spring should be used by experienced swimmers only, due to the depth and strong current.
Swim at your own risk; no lifeguard on duty.
For your convenience, tubes are available for rent within the park. Visitors are welcome to bring their own tubes or rent from outside vendors. All tubes cannot exceed 60” in any two directions.
The shallow and sensitive north section of the river is closed to tubing. Tubing is available year-round from mid-point or Dampier's Landing located in the south main entrance off Highway 27.
For more information, please view Tubing Information under the park menu.
Please help us protect the pristine waters of the Ichetucknee.
The following items are prohibited on the water:
- Disposable items, such as ziplock bags, grocery sacks, plastic water bottles, sports drinks.
- Food.
- Coolers, including cooler backpacks.
- Tobacco and nicotine items.
- Radios and speakers.
- Tubes containing glitter.
- Fishing gear.
Alcoholic beverages are prohibited on the river and within the park’s boundaries. All items may be inspected for compliance. All visitors are to be off the river by 6 p.m.
Amenities
Ichetucknee Springs State Park is committed to providing accessible amenities to all our visitors. The amenities offered are:
- Chair lift for spring access.
- Please call 386-438-9166 prior to your visit for additional information.
For questions about service animals, please refer to our guidelines about Pets.
Canoe, kayak and paddleboards may launch from the north canoe launch or from Dampier’s Landing year-round.
The south takeout area is closed to vehicle traffic April 1 through Sept. 30 annually.
Access to the south takeout is available year-round by trail from the south main parking area or by scheduling transportation with Paddling Adventures. Please call 386-497-1500 or visit IchetuckneeSprings.com.
Well-behaved dogs are welcome at Ichetucknee Springs State Park. They must be kept on a 6-foot leash at all times. Dogs are not allowed to enter the water, including the headsprings, swim areas, rivers and ponds. Please plan ahead for pet waste in order to keep the park beautiful and safe for everyone.
Dogs are permitted only on the Trestle Point and Pine Ridge trails located at the north end and the Discovery Trail, located behind the Education Center at the south end.
Service animals are welcome in all areas of Florida State Parks. However, in the swim areas, the incline is steep. Water depth is approximately 6 feet in the river and up to 40 feet deep in the springs. As a natural area, the swim areas are sometimes visited by alligators that are naturally drawn to certain animals, such as dogs. Therefore, visitors are prohibited from taking service animals into the swim areas. For more information or clarification, you may call the park at 386-497-4690.
- View our Pet Policy.
Visit our education and exhibit center and be treated to a one-of-a-kind experience.
The education center is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday and Tuesday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Friday.
In this encounter, dedicated to the interpretation of urban growth, water usages, and their effects on our springs and river, you will follow cave divers as they explore activities taking place deep within our recharge basin.
Through interactive and interpretive displays, you can "go with the flow" as you trace this precious resource from source to boiling spring. Complete the journey, sharing in the mystery, as you enjoy a movie in our state-of-the-art theater.
Learn about the 85-year history of the Florida Park Service.
Ichetucknee Springs State Park invites you to come learn more about the 85-year history of the Florida Park Service and 50-plus years of Ichetucknee history at a temporary exhibit at the education center.
After a long day on the beautiful waters of the Ichetucknee River, come in for a break to see how our display shows why and how the Florida Park Service has protected our parks for generations to enjoy. See snapshots of the family-favorite head springs from the 1950s to current day as the unspoiled attraction that draws visitors from all over the globe to come swim, snorkel and relax.
Education center offers tours upon request. Please contact Caitlin Gonsiorek (Caitlin.Gonsiorek@floridadep.gov) to schedule.