Ginnie Springs Park

Ginnie Springs, High Springs (just outside of Gainsville), is one of my favorite places in Florida!
I've been going there ever since I was a kid so, of course, I recommend it. Ginnie Springs is a privately owned park set on over 200 acres. It sits on the Santa Fe River and has several different springs to swim in. Three of the springs have caves with tunnels that go for miles underground! Check out the map of the tunnels posted in the main office. You'll be surprised to see that while you're enjoying a nice cooked meal by the campfire, cave divers are literally swimming right beneath you!
Of all the springs (Devil's Eye, Devil's Ear, Ginnie and other small springs), Ginnie Spring is my favorite. You can dive down 10-15 feet and take a peek into the cave below. Some swimmers can swim into one opening and out another but I haven't developed the lung capacity for that yet. You'll see many different species of fish, turtle and plant life so bring an underwater camera!
If you're not used to cold water you might want to rent a wet suit at the main office. The water is 72 degrees all year round. I always jump right in and get distracted by the awesome scenery and forget about how chilly it is.
You can always tube down the lazy river if you get tired of snorkeling. You'll see people floating on air mattresses, floats that could hold up to 10 people and groups of friends tied together with rope so they don't get separated. I recommend bringing floating cooler stocked with your favorite cold beverage. ;) They allow you to have alcohol in the park but they ask that you don't bring kegs or glass bottles. Please clean up after yourself, too!
The main office has any and everything you could possibly need to buy (except for alcohol) or rent for your stay there. You can rent wetsuits, tubes, kayaks, canoes and scuba equipment for very reasonable rates or just bring your own! They also have a deli if you need to get drinks or a snack. Their hot boiled peanuts are always something I stop in for.
I love to camp there for at least 3 days but it never seems like enough! The place is full of awesome campsites so don't stress about finding the best one. They are all great. Just let the campsite find you! With all the water activities, you'll really enjoy relaxing by the fire in the woods! The camp ground is miles from any large city so the stars so don't have the bright lights of a big city to compete with. The view is amazing and I guarantee you will see shooting stars through out the night.
Ginnie springs is a magical place and is great for people of all ages. There are campsites with electric and water hook-ups for an additional fee. There are public bathhouses throughout the park as well as water spickets to wash dishes. Just bring your tent, food and some firewood and you are set! (Don't forget sunscreen and bug spray, of course. This is Florida.)
While in High Springs, you can also visit Blue Springs and Poe Springs but the locals say that Ginnie Springs is the best! I would have to agree! That's why I make sure to go there almost every two months. If life starts to feel overwhelming, that means it time to take a road trip to High Springs. Something about that park resets me and I find that I can deal with life's stressors a lot easier after a few days in those waters.
So put Ginnie Springs on your to do list!

*Interesting fact: A lot of bottled water comes from High Springs, FL.

www.ginniespringsoutdoors.com
www.floridasprings.info/2007/11/poe-springs-park-alachua-county.html
www.bluespringspark.com