Soak in Ginnie Springs

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The perfect stress cure lies not far from Southwest Florida, and it’s steeped in nature.

It has been scientifically proven that spending time in the outdoors delivers numerous health benefits, including lower blood pressure, better sleeping, reduced inflammation, elevated Vitamin D levels, reduced stress levels and overall mental health improvement. Ginnie Springs is nature the whole family can appreciate.

“Ginnie Springs has an unmatched natural beauty that is good for the soul,” says Elizabeth Reyes, spokesperson for Visit Gainesville, Alachua County, FL.

The spring is along the Santa Fe River near Gainesville, and it offers a variety of activities that can make for a different experience every time your family visits.

“The facilities are top notch, and it’s a beautiful place to spend the day,” Elizabeth says. “Families can kick back, have a picnic, and float the river a couple of times and enjoy nature sightings from fauna to flora.”

According to the National Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count, the region also has one of the largest inland winter bird counts in North America, she adds.

Fort Myers resident Mark Anderson has taken his family to a few springs in Florida, including Ginnie Springs in July 2019 and previously in 2017.

“We love that this feels like Old Florida, just jumping in crystal clear water in each spring, then floating on the Suwannee River down to the next spring,” Mark says. “People don’t realize that there are 4 or 5 springs at Ginnie Springs connected by the Suwannee River and that the best way to explore the springs is by tubing down the river, from one to the next. A lot of people snorkel, and some people bring the scuba diving gear.”

Once Mark and his family are at Ginnie Springs, he says they are all doing the same thing and there are no distractions.

“The kids really are into it, and all have the same sense of adventure,” he says.

There are seven freshwater springs, Elizabeth says.

“Swimming and snorkeling in the crystal clear 72-degree water is fun year-round,” she advises. “Masks, fins and snorkels can be rented at the Ginnie Springs Store. When the Santa Fe River clears (typically in the summer and early fall), snorkeling in the river may reward swimmers with glimpses of large gar, bass, mullet, catfish, turtles and many other critters. If you venture out in the river in snorkel gear, be sure to take a diver’s flag and float along.”

Florida’s springs are known for their clarity and chill factor.

"This is the clearest water I have ever seen,” Mark says. “You can open your eyes and see everything. It also feels very cold for Floridians that are used to 90 water, but the springs are around 70 degrees. I enjoy exploring the springs and the clear water, trying to go as deep as possible. Also, my wife and I enjoy the relaxing conversation as we drift down the Suwannee River. I bring my GoPro camera, shoot all day, then put together a video to remember the day.”

Through Ginnie Springs Outdoors, ginniespringsoutdoors.com, visitors can get dive training, from an introductory scuba course to full cave and nitrox. (There are caves in the area.)

The main entrance to Ginnie Springs is in High Springs, known as the North Central Florida Gateway to the Springs.

“Visitors to the High Springs area prize these waters for their recreational value for scuba diving, swimming, fishing, canoeing and tubing, as well as their natural beauty,” Elizabeth explains. “The springs are a slice of pure Florida, and admission is very affordable for families, as kids ages 6-12 pay only $3.73 for admission and children 5 and under have free admission. Ginnie Springs encompasses over 200 wooded acres and features spring-side tent sites and full electric and water hook-ups for RVs.”

Families can camp or stay in an RV at the springs or opt for one of the several nearby hotels and bed-and-break fast establishments, such as the Grady House Bed & Breakfast, the High Springs Country Inn, the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Alachua, Quality Inn and others, according to Elizabeth.

For travelers venturing to Ginnie Springs in April, there is typically both a water and a land egg hunt. For the water egg hunt, guests compete for more than 180 underwater eggs with prizes (maximum of three eggs per snorkeler). The land hunt boasts more than 7,000 eggs that contain toys and candy for different age groups.

Outside of tubing or snorkeling the springs, Elizabeth recommends visiting downtown High Springs, which features a fantastic restaurant called the Great Outdoors Restaurant and great little shops to cool off at after a day of fun in the sun.

“Additional outdoor activities could include a visit to the Mill Creek Retirement Home for Horses, or to The Santa Fe Canoe Outpost featuring guided day and night trips,” she continues. “Families could take a tour of the Swallowtail Bio-Organic Farm or participate in other outdoor activities.”

After Mark and his family drift down the springs, they cap off the day with a visit to Bob’s River Place, about 20 minutes away. It features rope swings and slides.

“Bob’s River Place is an incredible hidden gem that few people know about,” Mark says. “It’s like a water park from the 1950s. No rules, no lifeguards, just lots of very high rope swings and water slides. No one is telling you how to jump and what’s allowed, it’s just wild fun. Our kids always talk about it, and our friends who see our videos ask to come with us the next time we go.”

One piece of advice Mark offers for those traveling to Ginnie Springs is to plan to arrive early to beat the crowd. The springs can get crowded by afternoon or better yet, try to travel there during a weekday.

Elizabeth also recommends to “plan ahead with sunscreen, proper attire for the weather and elements, bug spray, snacks and water, and take lots of photos. Don’t forget to share your adventure photos at #WhatsGoodAlachuaCounty and #WhyILoveGNV.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: This article is from the April 2020  issue of SW FL Parent & Child magazine, which was printed before stay-at-home orders and social distancing.