Ichetucknee Springs State Park
Blue holes, submerged plants, limestone, hardwood hammock, tubing runs, and paddling routes protect a spring-fed tributary of the Santa Fe River.
Artwork inspired by Harold Newton
The Ichetucknee is best understood as a forceful groundwater-fed ecosystem, not merely a clear channel for recreation. Its nine named springs sustain six river miles where submerged vegetation makes the current visible and turtles, fish, wading birds, and seasonal manatees move through a connected habitat shaped by constant exchange between aquifer and river.
A successful visit begins by matching an activity to the correct entrance. Tubing, paddling, swimming, and hiking use different launches and transportation arrangements, while summer capacity can limit access early. Decide on the day’s purpose before navigating, confirm any shuttle or tram needed for the route, and keep feet off plants and riverbed whenever depth permits.
- Sources
- Nine named springs
- River
- Six spring-fed miles
- Admission
- $6 per vehicle
Quick guide
- First decision
- Choose activity and entrance together.
- Capacity
- Popular summer entries can fill early.
Explore further
- Choose the activity
- Tubing, paddling, swimming, and trails begin from different access points.
- Watch the plants
- Submerged grasses make otherwise invisible spring flow legible beneath the surface.
- Float lightly
- Keep feet off the bottom and vegetation whenever depth allows.
- Confirm transport
- Shuttle and tram availability can decide the practical route.
Good to know
A tube rental does not automatically include every shuttle, tram, or park fee. Read the current operator choices as a transportation system, not a single all-inclusive ticket.