Ichetucknee Springs State Park: all you need to know
Ichetucknee Springs State Park is a park of approximately 9.07 KM2 (2,241 acres) located in northern Florida, 5 and a half hours from Miami.
This park is home to the Ichetucknee River, which is fed by springs and has a path of almost 10KM (6 miles). The water is completely crystalline with an average temperature of 22°C (72°F).
The name Ichetucknee is possibly an Indian word meaning “beaver pond”.
The main attraction of the park is the river and the beautiful crystal-clear Ichetucknee spring.
How to get to Ichetucknee?
The park opens at 8 am. We recommend that you arrive at the park very punctually since, due to the Covid-19, they are restricting the entrance to 400 cars and will quickly reach this limit.
In the afternoon, the gates reopen around 2:30pm (south entrance) or once 40 cars have left the park (north entrance).
The entrance fee is $6 per vehicle. If you are renting floats to enter the river you must arrive at the South entrance: 12087 SW U.S. Highway 27. Fort White FL 32038
If you choose the north entrance located at 8294 SW Elim Church Road, you can swim in the springs first.
What activities are available at Ichetucknee State Park?
You can enjoy the river with your own or rented floats, take walks, swim, and snorkel in the springs (Head Spring and Blue Hole) and enjoy an afternoon picnic or BBQ.
There are two options for the river: the short trip of approximately 45 minutes and the long trip of approximately 90 minutes. There is a third trip of 3 and a half hours that at this time is closed (north entrance).
Rental Prices:
There are individual floats starting at $6 to shared floats for $25.
The cost of the Tram/shuttle from the South entrance to the North entrance for the longer trip is $5.50. This trip can also be done on foot (approximately 30 minutes).
Recommendations:
To rent the floats, we recommend the options that come with paddles so you can help yourself get away from the shore or if you get stuck. The Kayak Lounge ($15) is perfect for one person or the Raft ($20) for two. Both have paddles.
If the place is too crowded you can maybe do the short route first (45 minutes) and then do the long route (90 minutes) to make the trip with less people.
If you go in a group you can tie the floats with a rope to keep them together.
For the springs, we recommend that you bring a snorkel and mask to see the spring clearly. At the Head Spring we came across some small fish. In the Blue Hole, there were big fish and turtles.
Water shoes are always a good idea especially for entering or leaving the springs.
A good sunscreen or long sleeve water shirt.
If you're going to bring a cell phone to take pictures, bring a waterproof bag.
You are in nature. Enjoy the sounds and let others enjoy as well. Keep the volume down and stay away from electronics!
In the river, we came across turtles, flying fish, a deer, a snake, birds, and a baby crocodile. Be aware of your surroundings!
At the South entrance they sell some fast food items, however, we recommend you bring food for a picnic or a barbecue. There are barbecues at both entrances, although they are subject to reservation.
You can also go out for lunch and come back into the park in the afternoon. You can go to High Springs (for desserts and coffee we recommend Bambi's Country Market & Cafe)
Check out our Instagram Stories
Which other spring can be visited?
There are several parks and springs in the area. On the second day we went to Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park, 40 minutes south of Lake City, where we spent the night.
At this park there is also a main spring of an incredible aquamarine color. There is also the Santa Fe River where you can go kayaking, paddle boarding or canoeing. As a curious fact the Ichetucknee River flows into this river.
We rented the canoe (about $20 for 2 hours) and we loved paddling on this river because it was a very quiet experience with less people around. On this trip you can really connect and relax with the sounds of nature, especially the birds. The landscape is very beautiful, with lots of green around. You will see different colors of the water and you will see many turtles resting on top of logs.
The journey on this river is about an hour and a half, although you can make it shorter or longer if you wish. On the way we stopped at Mermaid Springs, a small spring and went to Lilly Springs, where you will find a rope hanging from a tree. This is where we returned.
You may choose to go to Poe Springs if you would like to make a longer trip. You're going against the current one way and it's a little more difficult. On the way back, it's faster and easier.
Another popular place in the area is Ginnie Springs. This is a private spring and park with a cost between $15-20 per person depending on the day of the week.
There are many springs in the area to explore. You can check out other options on the Columbia County website SpringsRUS.com
Where to stay?
We stayed in Lake City, which is a half an hour from Ichetucknee Springs, and spent a few nights at The Blanche Hotel which we loved.
Originally built in 1902, but recently remodeled with very cozy spaces. It has 14 modern rooms and everything you need for your stay. This has been a traditional hotel for years where characters like Johnny Cash and Al Capone used to go, and it still has the oldest elevator in Florida (don't worry, you won't be using that one to go up!)
The hotel has everything you need for a very enjoyable stay right in the middle of Lake City, next to the lake and restaurants. Please note that it does not have a restaurant or room service.
To book, please contact Dennille Decker or book through AirBnB.
Most rooms have only one bed but have at least one with an additional bunk bed (double bed on the lower level and single bed on the upper level). To see more pictures of the rooms click HERE
Restaurants in Lake City:
On the street in front of the Hotel Blanche there are several restaurants for lunch and dinner:
Marion Street Bistro & BrewHouse (281 North Marion Ave,Lake City, Fl. 32055): Their slogan is "Good food made daily". It stands out for the freshness of the ingredients. Their main dishes are chicken wings, local oysters, meatloaf and moose chops. They also offer steak, hamburgers, sandwiches, pasta, fish and seafood, salads and pizza. From Thursday through Sunday, they have live music in the evening.
The Tavern Brewery and Irish Pub (276 North Marion Ave, Lake City, Fl. 32055): They specialize in sandwiches and wings with a wide selection of beers. They also have some dishes such as meatloaf, fish and chips and steak with mashed potatoes.
Halpatter Brewing Company (264 NE Hernando Ave,Lake City, FL 32055): They brew their own beer and offer snacks, sandwiches and pizza. They have a large patio and offer different activities such as live music and bingo night. You can go with the whole family.
Frankie's Place (297 N Marion Ave, Lake City, FL 32055): Offers pizza and pasta as well as meat, chicken and burgers..
For breakfast: Shirley’s Restaurant (746 E. Duval St., Lake City, Fl. 32055) about a 15 minute walk from the hotel or 2 minutes drive. Open from 5 am to 2 pm every day except Sunday. Rated best breakfast in Lake City!
There is also a Starbucks (2511 W, US-90, Lake City, FL 32055) about 4 km away or Ellianos Coffee Company which has two branches in Lake City with self-service (one at 1.5 km- 929 SW Main Blvd, Lake City, FL 32025 and the other at 5 km- 2915 West US HWY 90 Lake City, FL 32055).
Picnic or BBQ food shopping: Walmart, Aldi, Publix and Winn-Dixie are all located in Lake City. For a local market, visit Fifth Generation Farms (3739 W US Hwy 90, Lake City, FL 32055). They have a butcher shop, specialty supermarket with local produce, dairy, cheese, ice cream, vegetables and fruit, as well as freshly prepared ready-to-eat food.
Check out our Instagram Stories with the road trip.
Questions or comments? >> Please write them down!
Did you like it? >> please SHARE IT!