Local Swimming Holes

With 300 documented areas, North Florida is home to the largest collection of freshwater springs on the planet!  Many of these are located in our very own backyard, Alachua County (or just outside of it).  We've rounded up a list of places that will provide ample opportunity to dip your toes into the water and chill out during these dog days of summer.

Blue Springs
A photograph of Blue Springs, featuring the Blue Hole -- a deep drop in the sandy floor, that leads into a cave system.

Located about five miles to the west of High Springs and just north of the Santa Fe River is Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park. The park is located about 20 miles to the northwest of Gainesville.

Pavilions are available, and a concession stand provides food and beverage service plus equipment rentals for paddling out to the connecting Santa Fe River.  

 

Fanning Springs
A photograph of Fanning Springs, centered among lush ferns and trees.

About 15 miles out from Trenton, Fanning Springs State Park offers plenty of ways to relax this summer. There's even a designated area set aside for small children and their parents.

Travel by car is about one hour from Gainesville. But you can also visit Fanning Springs by boat, via the Suwannee River!

 

Ginnie Springs
A photograph of Ginnie Springs, with patrons swimming in the water.

Ginnie Springs is a privately owned property in Gilchrist County, about 7 miles northwest of High Springs. It offers snorkeling and diving, with accessible limestone caverns.

The Santa Fe River also connects with Ginnie Springs, and guests can swim, float, or boat out into the river directly from the spring.  

 

Ichetucknee River
A photograph of the Ichetucknee River, patrons swim, float, and paddle down the waters.

Take US-441 north to Fort White and visit the Ichetucknee Springs State Park. This is a well-known local attraction. Bring an inner tube, or rent one, and float down the spring-fed Ichetucknee River.

 

 

Manatee Springs
A photograph from Manatee Springs. It shows two manatees swimming underwater.

Manatee Springs State Park is located six miles south of Fanning Springs (see above), or just a few miles outside Chiefland. Known for its first-magnitude spring and manatee visits, Manatee Springs also boasts an 800-foot boardwalk that guests can use to explore the park. If you like bicycling, Manatee Springs is a great connection for the Nature Coast State Trail.

From Gainesville, it's about an hour long drive along FL-26 W.

 

Poe Springs
A photograph of Poe Springs, with trees surrounding a swimming area and steps leading out of it.

Boasting the title of largest spring in Alachua County, Poe Springs Park provides ample outdoor recreation options. Guests can make use of boardwalks, playgrounds, volleyball courts and soccer fields, and even rent The Lodge at Poe Springs for special events. Shallow waters make an excellent area for young guests to swim and play. 

Poe Springs is located just outside of High Springs, about 26 miles northwest of Gainesville. Like its neighbors Blue and Ginnie (see above), Poe Springs also connects directly to the Santa Fe River. 

 

Santa Fe River
A photograph of the Santa Fe River, with scenic tree cover.

The Santa Fe River spreads across much of northern Florida, including Alachua County. The river is accessible through much of the northern parts of the county, either casually or through a local park. 

 

 

 

The logo for the reader day pass, featuring a blue bird over a yellow circle. Layered over that is a cutout image of a receipt, showing the Library Pass Promotion applied, with a 0.00 price.

Don't forget to check out a Real Florida Reader Day Pass, the newest service for Alachua County Library District patrons.

By Sean on July 18, 2022