High Springs, Florida with Kids: Ginnie Springs, Ichetucknee Blue Hole & Easy Hikes
- Dana Shik
- Jan 8
- 7 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
High Springs, Florida is known as the "gateway to the springs", is one of the best areas in north-central Florida for families, and is located about 30 minutes from Gainesville and sits in the middle of one of the densest spring regions in the state, with multiple springs close together, short walking trails, and easy access for families. That kind of setup matters when you’re traveling with kids and trying to balance water time with energy levels, and it lets you experience Florida’s spring system without overpacking your days. Below is what that looked like in practice, including the types of water activities available, how cold the springs felt in winter, and what’s worth knowing before planning.
Ginnie Springs with Kids: Swimming, Snorkeling & Kayaking
The experience at Ginnie Springs was our first time in the water. The clarity is striking, and so is the temperature of 72°F (22°C) year-round—this is cold swimming, particularly in winter, when the out-of-the-water weather is chilly too. For our younger kids (5 and 7yo), it worked best as a short, focused swim rather than lingering in the water. You can rent kayaks, tubes, and even snorkels, which should be thought of through before renting, since its limited to a certain number of hours, and if you're a first timer, you'd want to explore which activity speaks to you and your crew before committing to other types of experiences. In certain points along the river. We started with renting kayaks, and decided to buy snorkels rather than renting them, since we figured we'll be using them in other springs too. If you can bring snorkels from home, even better, since the prices are about $15-20 per person (for purchase). Otherwise, rentals were around $8/person, at the time of our visit. We haven't explored diving personally, but there's open-water diving in the main basin, where the large spring pool is wide and relatively open, with excellent visibility and steady water. Alternatively, there's also cavern diving, but that's reserved to certified divers only (across all springs, as far as we understood).
The springs have a number of access points (see the map below) and are overall straightforward and easy to navigate, even with multiple kids and gear.
Ichetucknee Springs State Park with Kids: Blue Hole, Short Trails & Swimming
Ichetucknee Springs State Park offered a slightly different feel than Ginnie, mainly because of how much you can layer into a single stop. We started off at the north entrance, an combined time on the trail leading toward the Blue Hole with time in the water, which created a natural flow to the visit.
We took a break for an outdoor lunch near the bridge at the start of the trail, where picnic tables are set up, and there’s also a stationary food trailer nearby with a couple of vegan options—useful if you want to stay on site longer without it becoming a production. We did bring food to the site, since it's so rare to find vegan options in such places, and especially for our pickier eaters, but it's worth taking into account and ultimately might be a great solution for most.
Because the park is spread out along the river, understanding the layout helps when planning a visit. The map below shows the Blue Hole and the other main access points within Ichetucknee Springs State Park.
The Blue Hole itself is known not just for swimming but also for diving. The spring feeds into a cave system that certified divers can access, and even from the surface, you can see how deep and clear the water drops off. While we stayed topside, it’s easy to understand why this spot draws both swimmers and divers—the visibility is striking, the water stays consistently cold and clear, and the aquatic wildlife is absolutely mesmerizing! We also had the pleasure of watching two experienced divers as they were getting ready to explore the blue hole. Take a look in the video below!
In terms of experience, it felt comparable to Ginnie: clear water, cold temperatures, and swimming that works best in shorter stretches. Technically-speaking, compared to Ginnie Springs, Ichetucknee feels easier to structure as a half-day visit because walking, swimming, and food breaks naturally fit into one stop.
By the time we finished our swim at the blue hole, it was later in the afternoon, and it was a good wrap up for the day.
One thing we'd want to come back to on our next visit would be tubing! This time it didn't work since our younger kids could not fit even in the conjoint tubes. The smaller one can probably accommodate a 7-8yo, but younger ones (our 5yo) will fall through, so we'll hopefully get back there in a year or two.
A Quick Note on Gilchrist Blue Springs
We had also planned to visit Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park. The website indicated closures, but some details weren’t fully clear, so we decided to drive over and see if access was possible. It wasn’t, at least not for water activities, which is essentially the essence of the springs.
If Gilchrist is a priority, it’s worth knowing that access can be limited and information may not always reflect real-time conditions—having a backup plan in this area is important.
If Gilchrist is available at the time of your visit, it is considered a highly recommended spring, with beautiful clear waters and optional clear-bottomed boat tours (book in advance).
A Vegan Stop Worth the Drive: Karma Cream
One place that genuinely surprised us was Karma Cream in nearby Gainesville. It’s primarily a vegan dessert spot, though they also serve a variety of sandwiches, and it was excellent—thoughtful flavors, and not overly sweet.
We don’t usually plan trips around desserts, but this was absolutely worth the short drive and ended up being such a fun refreshing spot to visit!
What You Can Actually Do in These Springs (and What That Means with Kids)
Across the High Springs area, water activities are fairly consistent: swimming or snorkeling in designated spring heads, kayaking in clear water, and in some parks, tubing when conditions allow. These aren’t splash pads or shallow beaches—this is open, spring-fed water with steady temperatures year-round.
That consistency is part of the appeal, but it’s also something families need to factor in. The water stays cold, even when the air is warm, and in winter it’s especially noticeable. It worked best as short, intentional dips rather than open-ended play.
Pairing swimming with something active beforehand—like a short hike—made a real difference. Moving first helped take the edge off the cold and made the water feel more doable, especially for the younger kids.
This is important to know going in: these springs are stunning, but they’re not casual, warm-water swimming spots. How much your kids enjoy them depends a lot on age, tolerance for cold, and how you structure the visit.
A mental note we took was that kayaking and tubing get everyone less soaked in the cold water, and could potentially offer a longer experience in the springs.
Visiting High Springs in Winter vs Other Seasons
Winter has clear advantages in this area: fewer crowds, easier parking, and a calmer pace overall. The downside is obvious—although the springs have a steady temperature of 72 degrees F, the water feels colder, and swim time tends to be shorter, especially for younger kids.
In warmer months, the springs are more comfortable for longer swimming sessions, but that comes with heavier crowds, stricter capacity limits, and more competition for entry during peak hours. Summer also brings higher humidity and busier parks, which can make logistics more stressful with a family.
Winter works well if:
You’re okay with shorter swims, and manage to focus more on kayaking or boating, rather than tubing or swimming.
You like quieter parks
You plan visits around movement (walking + swimming)
Warmer seasons may suit families whose main goal is extended water time, but they require more planning and flexibility.
Final Thoughts on High Springs
High Springs worked well for us with the short drives, manageable parks, and the ability to pair light hiking with swimming that made it feel realistic with kids, not rushed or overly ambitious.
We didn’t continue on to Ocala or Citrus County as originally planned due to an unexpected medical situation. I’ve shared the practical lessons from that experience—particularly around insurance and contingency planning in my post RV Trip Insurance: What Coverage Really Matters.
📌What to Know at a Glance
🗺️Explore the area:
🚐Campground: Travelers, in Alachua, FL.
🏊♂️Water activities: swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, floating (tubing), paddling, scuba diving, cave diving.
❄️Water temp: 720C year-round
👨👩👧👦 Family tip: pair brief hikes with water time to warm up
📆Seasonal note: warmer months = easier swimming but much bigger crowds
🍦Karma Cream — wonderful vegan desserts & food in Gainesville (visit their IG page).
💧Ginnie Springs — swim, snorkel, float, or paddle in crystal-clear water
💧Ichetucknee Springs State Park — Blue Hole and river access
💧Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park — multiple springs along the Santa Fe River
🌿O'Leno State Park — trails & river scenery if you want another nature stop
🥗Recipes we used on this trip:
Also - visit our vegan pantry checklist for RV road trips to be inspired how and what to pack for your next RV adventure!
FAQ
Is the water cold at Florida springs?
Yes. The water stays around 72°F year-round and feels cold, especially in winter.
Are Florida springs good for younger kids?
They can be, but they work best with short swims + snorkeling, and activities like hiking, tubing or kayaking in between.
Is winter a good time to visit High Springs?
Winter offers fewer crowds and easier parking, but swim times are usually shorter.
Thank you for sharing!