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A day, or two, at Gilchrist Blue Springs
Local Floridians are no strangers to the deep blue swimming hole or shallow turquoise spring run at the heart of Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park. For decades it's been a popular destination, as a privately owned park, to cool down, relax, and enjoy the water.
In 2017 the springs officially became part of Florida's state park system and continue to attract visitors, who come here to swim, paddle, snorkel, hike and camp.
We made sure to include Gilchrist in the list of stops we made along the Santa Fe River, an area brimming with beautiful freshwater springs. And you'll definitely want to add it to your list as well.
Whether you're coming here for an afternoon of swimming and sunbathing or you'd like to make it a full weekend visit, we're going to share everything you need to know in our complete guide to Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park.
Quick Overview
Hours | Open daily from 8AM til sunset.
Cost | $6 per vehicle (2-8 occupants)
Water temperature | About 72F (22C) year round.
Getting to Know Gilchrist Blue Springs
Gilchrist Blue is a second magnitude fresh water spring that feeds an average 44 million gallons of water each day down a narrow spring run to the Santa Fe River.
These turquoise waters originate from a 25 foot deep basin, which is where the main swimming area of Gilchrist is found. It's perfect for swimming, snorkeling, or putting in a kayak or SUP to paddle the quarter mile down to the tea colored Santa Fe and back.
The full name, the Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park, honors its former owner.
Ruth received the springs, one of her favorite nature retreats, as an engagement gift from her long time companion, Ed C. Wright. After his passing, she continued to protect and maintain the property. It became a privately owned park so that visitors could enjoy it as well and, after many decades of stewardship, Ruth's family sold it to the Florida State Parks.
There are actually four other smaller springs within the park: Johnson, Little Blue, Naked, and Kiefer Springs.
Only the main spring is open for swimming, but the others can be seen from the 1.5 mile nature trail.
Directions to Gilchrist Blue Springs
The park is located 20 miles northwest of Gainesville, about a 45 minute drive, and 25 miles south of Lake City. It's just a seven minute drive away from the town of High Springs, which makes a good jumping off point for the numerous other springs in the area.
You can reach Gilchrist Blue Springs by County Road 340. Once you turn onto the entrance road to the park, be prepared for a sandy 1 mile long washboard drive in.
Activities at Gilchrist Blue Spring State Park
Swimming and Snorkeling
Without question, a day in the water is the most popular way to enjoy Gilchrist. The unmatched clarity of the water here is impossible to pass up.
There's a deeper end to the swimming area, as well as plenty of room to spread out and wade in knee or waist deep water. So, whether you want to relax and cool down a little or take the kids in to splash around, it's great for all ages.
Though we love a good chance to snorkel, we didn't have our gear with us when we visited. The crystal clear water here is ideal for spotting a diversity of wildlife, including sunfish, largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, and turtles. Mullet and gar can frequently be seen at the confluence of the spring run and the Santa Fe River.
You may see older images from the park with boardwalks and other structures. For the most part, those are no longer there. Some remnants of the old wooden structures can be found around the spring, but they're roped off for safety.
Kayaking and Paddle Boarding
You can make the quarter mile paddle down the spring run toward the Santa Fe River on your kayak or SUP for a deeper look at Gilchrist Blue Springs.
This section of wild Florida is less often visited, giving you a chance to see more wildlife and enjoy a more tranquil experience on the water.
Once you reach the tea colored waters of the river you can continue paddling upstream for a look at the nearby Rum Island Springs. It's not recommended that you head downstream because the current can be too strong to paddle back. There's no shuttle service offered to return you to the park.
Rentals are available from the on-site concessionaire, Anderson's Outdoor Adventures. Rates start at $30 for two hours with a single kayak and go up to $50 for a tandem clear bottom kayak.
Hiking
The 1.5 mile nature trail, starting and ending near the main parking area, is a leisurely way to enjoy the rest of the park. It connects the other four springs with a flat and well maintained path.
Others have reported seeing deer, armadillos, turkey, and other birds along the trail.
Planning A Visit to the Springs
Because of the consistent year-round 72F temperature of Florida's freshwater springs there's almost no bad time to plan a visit. The winter will bring cooler weather but, for those with some tolerance for the cold, the springs can still be enjoyed.
As the year goes on and temperatures rise the park will see larger crowds. During the summer and on weekends or holidays you'll want to plan your arrival for early in the morning (as early as 8 AM). Once the parking lot has reached full capacity the park will be closed and only registered campers are allowed to enter.
The entrance fees for Gilchrist Blue Springs are $2 for pedestrians and cyclists, $4 for a single occupant vehicle, and $6 for vehicles with 2-8 occupants.
Once you've entered the park there's plenty of room to spread out under the shade of large, mature trees, or out in the open sun near the water. Pavilions are also available for rent.
There are restrooms on the property but, to be honest, the facilities are where this park falls short. Due to its age and relatively recent acquisition from the former owners, Gilchrist is still showing signs of wear. Hopefully, in the near future the state will invest some money in remodeling and restoration of some of the dated buildings and structures so that the entire park can match the beauty of the natural springs.
We were fortunate to have our own bathroom and shower in our campervan when we visited, but others have reported the state park restrooms becoming pretty dirty, especially on busy days.
Where to Stay
Hotels & Rental Properties
The Grady House is a bed and breakfast in High Springs with excellent reviews, if you're looking for a comfy stay.
There are plenty of other hotel options in the area, especially as you get closer to Gainesville. The closest, at 441 and I-75 would put you within 15 minutes of the park.
Vrbo has several inexpensive rentals nearby, offering everything from small cabins to a full house.
Camping
Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park is home to a campground with 23 sites. There are 16 available for RV or tent camping, which include a 30 amp electric hookup. Seven primitive sites are available for tent camping only. You can reserve a campsite through the Florida State Parks website and the cost is $18 per night.
According to the Florida State Parks Department, beginning August 1st, 2024, new camping reservations will not be accepted due to a construction project and the dump station is currently out of service.
Other Nearby Attractions
If you're in the area for spring hopping then you'll find plenty to do.
While Gilchrist Blue Springs is a fun day trip, our first choice for an overnight would be the nearby Ginnie Springs. The entrance or camping fee is going to cost more than the state park, but in our opinion it's worth it.
Ginnie Springs has a sprawling property along the Santa Fe River, with access to seven different springs. You can paddle or take an hour long float down the river.
Another favorite in the immediate area is Rum Island Springs, a small county park just across the river from Gilchrist Blue Springs. It's an equally beautiful spring that makes for a great picnic and swimming spot.
If you're in the mood for hiking or biking, head over to O'Leno and River Rise Preserve State Parks. They're just a short drive north and have over 20 miles of trails between the two of them.
One more experience you don't want to miss in the area is Ichetucknee Springs. You can start a leisurely float down the crystal clear river from two different put-ins. Let the gentle current push you downstream for 45 minutes to one and a half hours and then take the tram back to start it over again.
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