The park does not offer enough security for visitors for the price of admission. A significant accident is imminent. This park is extremely dangerous; stay away.
Is Ginnie Springs Dangerous?
Ginnie Springs does not have lifeguards on duty, and there is always some risk involved when diving in the rivers, caves, and caverns.
Before engaging in any of these outdoor activities, make sure you are at ease and have received the necessary instruction.
How Much Does a Trip to Ginnie Springs Cost?
Ginny Springs is a privately owned spring, unlike other public springs in Florida.
Adults should budget about $14.00 for a daily pass from Sunday through Wednesday. During the busiest parts of the summer, this increases to $19.40 from Thursday through Saturday.
Children aged 6 to 12 can enter for about $3, while those under the age of five are admitted free.
While your tickets give you access to the Ginnie Springs park, you’ll have to pay extra for things like cave diving, camping, and scuba diving.
Things to Do at Ginnie Springs
Whether you’d like to explore the caves or soak up the warm Florida sun, you’ll be excited to hear that there are tons of things to do at Ginnie Springs.
Continue reading for a summary of the things to do at Ginnie Springs.
Camping at Ginnie Springs
Consider using the on-site campground if you want to spend the night surrounded by Ginnie Springs’ breathtaking natural surroundings. There are 123 camping sites with water and electricity available. Whether it’s a tent or an RV, you are also allowed to bring your own vehicle and camping gear.
Consider renting Ginnie Cottage if you’d like a little extra comfort. There is space for up to eight guests in this three-bedroom, two-bathroom home.
Snorkeling & Diving
Since the waters are the clearest in the summer and early fall, many tourists take advantage of these activities. Catfish, mullet, bass, and even turtles may be visible if you’re lucky!
It is acceptable for visitors to bring their own diving gear or to rent it for a fee while on site.
Ginnie Springs’ water can get very chilly, so use caution! Bring your wetsuit if you intend to dive or snorkel.
Ginnie Springs’ caverns and caves can also be explored by certified or experienced cave divers. However, this is not a good idea if you have never done cave diving before as it has been known to be fatal.
Tubing Down the Santa Fe River
At Ginnie Springs, tubing is among the most popular activities. Nothing is more soothing than floating along the Santa Fe River and admiring its stunning scenery!
You can enter the river at the Devil’s Spring and travel downstream for about an hour to Twin Spring, where there is a tube take-out station. To get to the site’s parking lot from here, it will take you about 15 minutes to walk.
Visitors have the option of bringing their own tube or raft or renting one from the Country Store. You can also get free air refills.
Canoeing
If you enjoy paddling, you are welcome to bring your own canoe to this lovely section of the Santa Fe River!
If you don’t have a canoe, you can also rent one from Ginnie Springs.
Kayaking
The same applies to bringing a kayak from home to Ginnie Springs. Kayaks are also available for rent; the rates are $12 for three hours and $20 for six.
Paddleboarding
Stand-up paddleboarders will love Ginnie Springs as well. You can rent them on-site if you don’t have your own.
There is no pick-up service offered at Ginnie Springs, so guests must keep in mind to paddle upstream when they first set out!
Ginnie Springs Opening and Closing Times
Ginnie Springs is open 24 hours a day to campers.
The opening hours change seasonally for day visitors.
Between May and September, Ginnie Springs is open later, so be sure to check the website for hours of operation before going.
When is the Best Time to Visit Ginnie Springs?
There isn’t a particular “best time” to go to Ginnie Springs. Your preference for the environment and level of activity will determine everything.
Quietest Periods
Visit Ginnie Springs during the week if you’d prefer a more sedate time to go. The weekday mornings are usually very laid back.
Ginnie Springs should be visited in the off-season or the shoulder season (such as April or October) to avoid crowds.
Ginnie Springs doesn’t usually reach capacity, which will come as a relief to you since it does at other Florida Springs.
Busiest Periods
The peak season at Ginnie Springs is the summer, particularly during the school breaks.
Drinking is permitted on the premises because the area is private. Ginnie Springs is well-liked by teenagers and college students in the evenings. This is something to keep in mind when taking your children to Ginnie Springs, even though the environment is typically welcoming to families.
Ginnie Springs: Everything You Need to Know to Plan Your Visit
posted byJAMES BROCKBANKon MARCH 5, 2022// last updated on MARCH 5, 2022
Ginnie Springs is one of Florida’s most beautiful places to visit, and it’s close to High Springs in Gilchrist County. You’ll undoubtedly enjoy a trip to these crystal clear waters whether you live nearby or are visiting from out of state.
Every member of the family is sure to have a memorable experience at this Florida oasis, which offers activities like swimming, scuba diving, and barbecuing.
To ensure that you get the most out of your visit, we advise advance planning.
We’ve put together a comprehensive guide to Florida’s very own Ginnie Springs to save you the trouble. We’ve got you covered, from events to hours of operation! For all the details you need to know about this well-known tourist destination, continue reading.
How Much Does a Trip to Ginnie Springs Cost?
Ginny Springs are privately owned, unlike other public springs in Florida.
Adults should prepare to spend around $14.00 for a daily pass between Sunday and Wednesday. In the busiest summer months, this rises to $19.40 from Thursday through Saturday.
Children under five are admitted free, while children aged 6 to 12 pay about $3.
Ginnie Springs park admission is included in your tickets, but additional fees apply for things like cave diving, camping, and scuba diving. Click here to view the complete price list.
Things to Do at Ginnie Springs
Whether you’d like to explore the caves or soak up the warm Florida sun, you’ll be excited to hear that there are tons of things to do at Ginnie Springs.
The activities Ginnie Springs has to offer are described in the following sections.
Camping at Ginnie Springs
Consider using the on-site campground if you want to spend the night surrounded by Ginnie Springs’ breathtaking natural surroundings. There are 123 camping spots with water and electricity available. Additionally, you are allowed to bring your own car or camping gear, such as a tent or an RV.
Consider renting Ginnie Cottage if you’d prefer a little extravagance. A total of eight guests may stay in this house, which has three beds and two bathrooms.
Snorkeling & Diving
The summer and early fall, when the waters are the clearest, are popular times for tourists to go snorkeling and scuba diving. If you’re lucky, you might see catfish, mullet, bass, or even turtles!
Visitors are allowed to bring their own diving gear or rent it for a fee on-site.
See also 10 of the Best Destin, Florida Resorts for Families
Ginnie Springs’ water, though, can get very chilly. Bring your wetsuit if you’re planning to dive or snorkel.
Ginnie Springs’ caverns and caves can also be explored by certified or experienced cave divers. This is not a good idea, however, if you are a novice cave diver because it has resulted in fatalities in the past.
Tubing Down the Santa Fe River
One of the most well-liked activities at Ginnie Springs is tubing. There isn’t anything more soothing than floating along the Santa Fe River and admiring its stunning scenery!
A tube take-out station is located at Twin Spring, which is about an hour’s journey downstream from Devil’s Spring, where you can enter the river. The distance to the site’s parking lot is approximately 15 minutes by foot from here.
Visitors have the option of either bringing their own tube or raft or renting one from the Country Store. Additionally, free air refills are available.
Canoeing
You are welcome to bring your own canoe to this beautiful section of the Santa Fe River if you enjoy paddling!
You can also rent a canoe from Ginnie Springs if you don’t have your own.
Kayaking
You are also allowed to bring a kayak from home to Ginnie Springs. Kayaks can also be rented; the price is $12 for three hours or $20 for six.
Paddleboarding
Additionally ideal for stand-up paddleboards is Ginnie Springs. You can rent them on-site if you don’t have your own.
There is no pick-up service offered at Ginnie Springs, so when starting out, travelers must remember to paddle upstream!
Ginnie Springs Opening and Closing Times
Ginnie Springs is open 24 hours a day to campers.
The opening hours for day visitors change with the season.
Between May and September, Ginnie Springs is open later, so be sure to check the website for hours of operation before going.
When is the Best Time to Visit Ginnie Springs?
There is no particular “best time” to go to Ginnie Springs. Whatever atmosphere and level of activity you prefer will determine how things turn out.
Quietest Periods
Visit Ginnie Springs during the week if you’d prefer a more sedate time to go. Weekday mornings are typically very laid back.
Take into account going to Ginnie Springs in the off-season or during the shoulder season (such as April or October) to avoid crowds.
You’ll be glad to know that Ginnie Springs doesn’t typically reach capacity, in contrast to other Springs in Florida.
Busiest Periods
The peak season at Ginnie Springs is the summer, particularly during the school breaks.
Drinking is permitted on the property because it is a private location. Ginnie Springs is a favorite hangout for young people and college students in the evenings. This is something to keep in mind when taking your children to Ginnie Springs, even though the atmosphere is typically welcoming to families.
FAQs
Is Alcohol Allowed at Ginnie Springs?
Alcohol is allowed at Ginnie Springs because it is privately owned, whereas it is prohibited at Florida’s public springs.
However, excessive alcohol use is not allowed.
Bring your own beverage cans or purchase them on-site. Within sight of the water and in public spaces, glass containers are prohibited.
How Many Alligators Are in Ginnie Springs?
Actually there are two gators in that area of the river. The locals refer to them as George and Martha. On the Santa Fe River, I live in a house. I don’t know of any alligator attacks on the river, but I have seen a few while kayaking, especially on rainy days.
Are There Alligators in Ginnie Springs?
Expect to see animals in and out of the springs such as manatees, alligators, different types of turtles, tortoises, snakes, birds and more. The waterfront is lined with cypress and other hardwood trees, and Ginnie Springs is surrounded by 600 acres of forest.
How Deep Are the Springs at Ginnie Springs?
The Ginnie Spring basin is a large, bowl-shaped depression measuring over 100 feet across and 15 feet deep. The basin is connected to the nearby Santa Fe River by a 150-foot run.
Is Ginnie Springs Crowded?
When you’re not on the water, you can go camping, explore the area, and more thanks to Ginnie Springs’ crystal-clear water and sizeable area. Every day, it pumps out 80 million gallons of water. What is this? That being said, Ginnie Springs can get quite crowded and busy!
Is Ginnie Springs Safe to Swim In?
For anyone who enjoys the outdoors or the indoors, Ginnie Springs is the ideal getaway. You can camp, swim, and enjoy all that Ginnie Springs has to offer. To camp without a parent or legal guardian, a guest must be at least 18 years old. Sorry, pets are not permitted here.
How Long Does It Take to Float Down Ginnie Springs?
They do offer rentals, and tubing is enjoyable. About 45 minutes pass during the tube ride. Make the ascent to Poe Springs and float back down for a long tube run. It’s about a 3 1/2 hour run.
Is Ginnie Springs Safe for Kids?
The majority of it is very deep and the kids can’t touch. In most places, I even found it challenging to touch. There are a few, fewer places where you can descend. Boats present another safety hazard for those tubing down the river.
Why is Ginnie Springs So Clear?
Some are so transparent that pictures of kayakers on them give the impression that they are floating in midair. The purity of the water at Ginnie Spring has attracted the Coca-Cola Company, which has a permit to extract up to 600,000 gallons a day from a deeply placed well there and bottles some of it as Dasani water.
Can You Drink Alcohol at Ginnie Springs?
The consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted. With Ginnie Springs Outdoors’ express written consent, keg beer is permitted. No glass containers are allowed in public spaces or near rivers. Alcohol consumption by visitors is expected to be done so responsibly and in moderation.
Why Are There No Alligators in Ginnie Springs?
Anyone in Florida should always follow this general guideline! However, alligators are usually not at Ginnie Springs as it is way too crowded. Ginnie Springs is connected to the Santa Fe River, so if you are tubing for miles down the river, you might see an alligator there.
What is It Like to Live in High Springs FL?
One of the best places to live in Florida is High Springs, which is in the county of Alachua. Living in High Springs offers residents a rural feel and most residents own their homes. Many parks can be found in High Springs. High Springs is home to many families, many of whom are conservative.
How Deep is the Devil’s Ear at Ginnie Springs?
Devil’s Eye is a round opening, 20 feet across and equally deep. The entrance to a tiny, elaborately decorated cavern is at the bottom. Certified divers are allowed to enter the cavern and explore up to the point where they can see no further using the available sunlight.
Do Alligators Swim in Springs?
Alligators certainly come into springs. I was raised in DeLand, Florida, and in 2015 a 61-year-old man was killed by a massive alligator in Blue Springs.
How Deep is the Devil’s Ear?
The Devil Spring run’s cluster of smaller caverns is situated nearer to the Santa Fe River’s tannin-stained bed. Little Devil, Devil’s Ear and Devil’s Eye are shallow enough (from about 20 to 50 feet deep), small enough and close enough to be explored on a single tank.
Is Devil’s Den Part of Ginnie Springs?
In the midst of numerous other stunning springs is the Devil’s Den in Williston. North you have Ginnie Springs and Ichetucknee Springs. Rainbow Springs and Blue Grotto are located in the south. Manatee Springs is to the west and Silver Springs to the east.
Which is Better Blue Springs Or Ginnie Springs?
Ginnie Springs is ideal for college students looking for a lively vibe, especially for tubing down the Gilchrist Blue Springs is much more relaxed and offers plenty of opportunities to view nature than Santa Fe River.
Does Ginnie Springs Have Electricity?
At Ginnie Springs there are 123 water and electric campsites right across from Ginnie’s General Store, where you can camp with all the comforts of home. In the absence of reservations, sites will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and must be made at least 48 hours in advance.
Which is Better Crystal River Or Blue Springs?
Blue Spring offers boat rides on the St. Johns River and is picturesque. Crystal River uniquely has a small industry of swim-with-the-manatees boat excursions, supervised by the A portion of the area is maintained by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as a National Wildlife Refuge.
How Much Does It Cost to Go to Ginnie Springs?
Ginnie Springs can be found at 5000 NE 60th Ave, High Springs, Florida, 32643. Entry fees are $14.02 for adults and $3.73 for children, with those under five entering for free. Moreover, there is a senior citizen discount. The cost of camping is currently around $23 for adults and $6.50 for children per night.
What Part of Florida is Ginnie Springs?
Ginnie Springs is a privately owned park in Gilchrist County about 6.5 miles (10.5 km) northwest of Florida’s High Springs is in the US. It is positioned on the Santa Fe River’s south bank, with which it is interconnected.
Does Ginnie Springs Have Life Jackets?
Canoe, kayak and paddle board rentals include life vests and paddles. Renting a vessel must be done by 2:00 pm. for 3-hour canoe, kayak and stand-up paddle board rental.
Are There Manatees in Ginnie Springs?
Like Ichetucknee Springs you can occasionally spot a manatee in Ginnie Springs but the sighting is rare. Manatees are occasionally seen by kayakers in Ginnie Springs. Due to it being a privately owned spring, Ginnie Springs is the only place where drinking is allowed while tubing.
Is Ginnie Springs Privately Owned?
Wakulla and Silver Springs, two of the largest, are state parks. Ginnie Springs, on the south side of the Santa Fe, is privately owned.
Final Thoughts: Ginnie Springs
A secret Florida treasure is Ginnie Springs. This location is ideal if you’re trying to find a great place to get away into nature.
This park offers something for everyone, whether it’s participating in outdoor activities or simply unwinding in a picturesque environment.
