Region: Northeast
ICHETUCKNEE SPRINGS STATE PARK
Fort White, Florida
Contact Information
Route 2 Box 5355
Fort White, 32038
(386) 497-4690
Driving Directions
Ichetucknee Springs State Park is located four
miles northwest of Fort White, off S.R. 47 and
238.
Hours of Operation
Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until
sundown 365 days a year. Tubes must be launched
by 4 hours before sunset.
Park Fees
Admission Fee (no river use) - $5.00 per vehicle (limit 8 people
per vehicle).
Single Car Occupant - $3.00
Motorcycle Fee (one or two persons) - $3.00
Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, each passenger in
vehicle with a holder of an Annual Individual Entrance permit
– Admission fee $1.00
An Honor Fee of $3.00 per vehicle is payable at the pay station
when the Entrance Station is closed. Pedestrians, bicyclists,
extra passengers, each passenger in vehicle with a holder of an
Annual Individual Entrance permit - Admission fee is $1.00
Bus Tour Fee - $40.00 or $1.00 per person, whichever is less
(driver admitted free).
Admission fee allows visitors access for picnicking, swimming
at the head springs and hiking.
Admission Fee (with river use during peak tubing season) - $5.00
per person.
Admission fee allows visitors access for tubing as well as picnicking,
swimming and hiking.
The peak tubing season is from Memorial Day Weekend (starts Friday,
May 28) to Labor Day (Monday, September 6 and is allowed from
both the north and south entrances. Tram and shuttle service is
provided.
Admission Fee (with river use during off-season) – $5.00
per vehicle (limit 8 people per vehicle). Pedestrians, bicyclists,
extra passengers, passengers in vehicles with a holder of an Annual
Individual Entrance permit – Admission fee $1.00
An Honor Fee of $3.00 per vehicle or $1.00 per person is payable
at the pay station when the Entrance Station is closed.
Bus Tour Fee - $40.00 or $1.00 per person, whichever is less
(driver admitted free).
Admission fee allows visitors access for tubing, from south entrance
only, as well as picnicking, swimming and hiking.
During the off-season of early September through the end of May,
tubing is allowed from the south entrance only. Trams and shuttles
will not be provided.
Large Picnic Pavilion Fee - $40.00 per day. This pavilion seats
80 to 100 people and is located at the South
Take-Out. Please call the park to make reservations:
386-497-4690.
Small Picnic Pavilion Fee - $30.00 per day. There are two small
pavilions available. Each pavilion seats 40 to 50 people and are
located at the South Entrance. Please call the park to make reservations:
386-497-4690.
Canoeing Fee - $5.00 per person year around.
Scuba Diving Fee - $10.00 per person, October through March.
Park Activities
Canoeing, Concessions, Nature Trails, Picnicking,
Scuba, Snorkling, Swimming, Tubing, and Wildlife
Viewing
Canoeing
Canoeing is available year-round at both the NORTH
and SOUTH Entrances, and is a great way to enjoy
the natural beauty of the river.
During the summer- season, there is an in-park
shuttle service available.
During the off-season, you must arrange your
own transportation service either with a local
canoe outfitter, or private vehicles.
Canoe rentals are available from local venders
outside the park.
The one-way canoe trip from the NORTH Entrance
(UPPER LAUNCH) to the LAST TAKE-OUT POINT is about
2 hours (see park map).
Canoeing is recommended during the weekdays during
the summer-season due to the high volume of tuber
traffic.
Canoes must yield right-of-way to tubers.
Canoeing Fee: (From the NORTH end) $4.25 per
person
Concessions
A full service concession stand is located at
the SOUTH Entrance. It is open every day during
the summer season, and may be operational during
the off-season depending on park visitation. The
concessionaire carries a wide assortment of food,
refreshments, and personal items. There are also
lockers available for rent.
The concessionaire does NOT rent tubes, canoes,
masks, or snorkels, but there are several vendors
outside the park which provide these and other
services.
Nature Trails
There are three unique hiking trails located at
the North Entrance of the park.
Trail guides are available at the Ranger Station
or information booth.
Blue Hole Trail: A 1/2 mile walk through the
Ichetucknee forest and cypress flood plain, which
leads to Blue Hole Spring, the largest spring
in the park.
Trerstle Point Trail: This shaded path winds
along the crystal clear waters of the Ichetucknee
River. The self- guided trail will take you back
in time, when in the early 1900's, phosphate ore
was mined in the area. Walk time for the .07 mile
trail is approximately 30 minutes.
Pine Ridge Trail: A frequently overlooked area
of the park is the majestic sandhill, with its
towering longleaf pine and wide open vistas. View
the natural diversity of this unique and vanishing
ecosystem. The self- guided 2 mile loop trail
will take you approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.
Picnicking
Picnicking is available at both the NORTH and
SOUTH Entrances.
Areas are equipped with picnic tables and grills.
Facilities are first-come first-served; however,
reservations can taken on covered picnic pavilions,
call (904) 497-4690.
Scuba Diving
SCUBA diving is allowed at Blue Hole Spring in
October through March.
Divers must be cave certified.
SCUBA diving is not permitted in the river or
other springs.
There is a 1/2 mile trail to Blue Hole Spring;
many divers bring a cart or wheelbarrow to transport
gear.
Dives must be completed by 3 PM.
Diving Fee: $5 (plus tax) per person
Swimming
Swimming is available every day of the year from
8 am until sundown at the North Entrance. Here,
you may swim at either Ichetucknee Spring (head
spring) or Blue Hole Spring.
Ichetucknee Spring provides for excellent swimming;
however, Blue Hole Spring should be used by experienced
swimmers due to depth and strong current.
Cost: $3.25 a carload up to 8 people or $2.00
a carload during the off-season if the self-serve
system is in effect.
Tubing on the Ichetucknee
You can tube the beautiful Ichetucknee River
every day of the year, from the SOUTH entrance
of the park. You can tube from the NORTH entrance
of the park Memorial Day weekend through Labor
Day.
NOTE: To keep the Ichetucknee River pristine,
NO food, drink, tobacco, or disposable items may
be taken on the river.
Tubing: Off-Season - South Entrance
(early Sept-April 30)
From after Labor Day until the day before Memorial
Day, tubing is ONLY available through the south
entrance off US 27.Park in the main parking area
and follow the midpoint trail or tram road to
the launch area, midpoint dock (about a 15 minute
walk). You can then float 1/2 hour to Dampier's
landing and walk 5 minutes back to your vehicle,
or continue floating for 1 hour to the last tube
take-out. Return to the main parking area via
the tram road (about a 15 minute walk).
Note: Trams may be operational before or after
the summer season, depending on park visitation.
Cost: $3.25/carload up to 8 people or $2.00/carload
if self-serve pay system is being used. $3.25
per person if trams are in operation.
Tubing: Summer Season - South Entrance
Memorial Day through Labor Day
The Trams are operational the entire summer season.
You will park your vehicle and board the tram
that will carry you and your tube to the mid-point
tube launch area. You can float for one half hour,
exit the river (Dampier's landing) and walk 5
minutes back to your vehicle, or continue the
float one more hour to last tube take-out point,
and return to the parking area by tram. Mid-point
tube launch closes 4 pm, Dampier's landing closes
at 5 pm.
Note: To help protect the Ichetucknee river we
do limit the number of people tubing from mid-point
at 2250 per day. Dampier's landing is limited
only when the parking area reaches capacity.
Cost: $3.25 per person, children 5 and under free.
Tubing: Summer Season - North Entrance
Memorial Day through Labor Day
Should you wish to tube the entire river, a 3-1/2
hour float, it is suggested that you arrive early,
as we have a daily limit of 750 tubers per day
at the north entrance off CR 238. The driver of
the vehicle, after paying entrance fees, will
need to drop all passengers and tubes at north
picnic area. The driver ONLY then takes the vehicle
to the main parking lot at the south entrance,
and boards the SHUTTLE VAN to return to the north
picnic area, and rejoins his/her party to float
down the river. You can exit the river at Dampier's
landing (preferred) a 2-1/2 hour float, with a
5 minute walk back to your vehicle, or exit the
river at the last tube take-out point (3-1/2 hour
float). A tram will take you back to the main
south parking area.
Note: The latest you can launch your tube from
the north entrance is 4 hours before sunset.
Cost: $4.25 per person, children 5 and under free.
