Quick FactsOverview
About Ginnie Springs
Ginnie Springs, Florida is a privately owned spring recreation park on the south bank of the Santa Fe River near High Springs, approximately 25 miles northwest of Gainesville. The 200-acre property contains seven freshwater springs, all maintaining a constant temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. The site is operated by Ginnie Springs Outdoors and is open 365 days a year. The springs are among the clearest in Florida, a quality that led the late diving pioneer Jacques Cousteau to describe the site simply as offering visibility forever. Ginnie Spring, the park's namesake and primary feature, is a roughly circular spring pool approximately 90 feet in diameter and 12 feet deep at its centre, with a large cavern beneath an eastern limestone ledge that widens into a chamber divers call the Ballroom, at a maximum depth of 50 feet. A grate prevents penetration beyond the cavern zone, making the Ballroom one of the safest cavern dives in Florida and accessible to all certified open-water divers.
The second major feature is the Devil Spring System, consisting of three springs: Devil's Ear, Devil's Eye, and Little Devil. Together these produce approximately 80 million gallons of water daily, qualifying the group as a first-magnitude spring system. Devil's Ear is the largest of the three, located where the Devil Spring run meets the Santa Fe River. It is an elongated limestone fissure approximately 105 feet by 60 feet in area and 34 feet deep, with an intense outflow that often pushes back the tannin-stained river water above it. This creates a distinctive visual effect for divers sitting in the clear spring water and looking upward through a thin lens of darker river water. The underwater cave accessible from Devil's Ear and Devil's Eye is one of the most extensively mapped freshwater cave systems in the world, with approximately 30,000 feet of explored passages, making it an internationally recognised destination for certified cave divers.
For non-divers, Ginnie Springs offers swimming in the spring pool, tubing and kayaking on the Santa Fe River, snorkeling in the spring run, camping, and a range of land-based activities. The park is one of the most fully developed private spring parks in North Florida, combining the access and infrastructure of a resort with the character of a natural spring environment. For families looking for soaking pools in Florida near Gainesville within a private park setting, Ginnie Springs is the most comprehensive option in the area.
Location & Access
Getting to Ginnie Springs
Ginnie Springs is located at 7300 NE Ginnie Springs Road, High Springs, FL 32643. For GPS navigation, the park recommends using the address 5000 NE 60th Ave, High Springs, FL 32643. From Interstate 75, take Exit 399 (Alachua exit) approximately 13 miles north of Gainesville. Follow US 441 north for 5 miles to High Springs. At the first stoplight in High Springs, turn left onto SR 27/41 and continue approximately 2 miles south of the Santa Fe River. At the flashing yellow light at County Road 340, turn left and drive approximately 2 miles. Turn left at NE 60th Ave at the Ginnie Springs sign and continue about 1 mile to the park entrance. The GPS coordinates are 29.8343 degrees North, 82.7024 degrees West. The final approach road is a county lime rock road that can be rough.
The park is open every day of the year. Standard day-use hours run from 8am to 6pm on weekdays with extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays; verify current hours on the official website before visiting as hours vary by season. Entry fees are charged per person at the gatehouse. Day-use admission for adult non-divers varies by season, with off-season rates lower than peak summer rates; children aged 5 to 12 pay a reduced fee and children 4 and under enter free. Divers pay a higher rate that covers access to all springs and the dive facilities. All divers must show a valid certification card at the country store before diving. Cave diving gear is not available for rent at the park; only open-water equipment is available. For visitors looking for family hot springs near Gainesville in a fully serviced private park, Ginnie Springs is accessible year-round without advance reservation for day use.
Camping reservations are available and recommended for peak season. Tent and electric RV sites are bookable through the park website or by phone at (386) 454-7188. Campers must be 18 years of age or older to camp without a parent or legal guardian present, and government-issued ID is required at check-in. The park does not allow pets. Nearest fuel and full grocery services are available in High Springs, approximately 6.5 miles to the east.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Can Visit Ginnie Springs
Ginnie Springs suits swimmers, snorkelers, tubers, and divers of a wide range of experience levels. The main Ginnie Spring pool is a safe and accessible swimming area for families; the water is clear, the pool is shallow enough at the edges to stand in, and non-diving visitors can enjoy the spring without any specialist equipment. Children are welcome; those aged 4 and under enter free and the park has a playground, picnic areas, and volleyball for family use. The 72-degree water is cool rather than warm, refreshing in Florida's heat but noticeably cold on entry, particularly for young children.
For snorkelers and open-water divers, Ginnie Spring's Ballroom cavern is accessible with a dive light and is frequently described as one of the most accessible cavern dives in Florida. The cave entrance has been gated to prevent unguided penetration, and the cavern itself is well-lit from natural surface light close to the entrance. The Devil Spring System applies a strict no-lights rule for non-certified divers: open-water divers and snorkelers may not carry any dive light at Devil's Eye or Devil's Ear. Only certified cavern or cave divers may bring lights into the Devil System area. Any diver who does not hold cavern or cave certification should not enter the underwater passages beyond the open-water zone at Devil's Eye.
Wheelchair access at Ginnie Springs is limited. General park infrastructure including restroom facilities is reported as accessible, but the path to the springs involves sandy terrain and the water entry points are wooden platforms and steps with no confirmed lift or ramp alternative. Visitors who require step-free water access should contact the park at (386) 454-7188 before visiting to confirm current conditions. Tube, canoe, and kayak rentals are available for river use. The Santa Fe River adjacent to the park is a shallow waterway suitable for small motorised boats, canoes, and paddleboards. No pets are permitted anywhere in the park under any circumstances.
Safety & Etiquette
Safety and Etiquette at Ginnie Springs
Ginnie Springs requires careful attention to the diving rules that govern the Devil Spring System. Only certified cavern or cave divers may carry dive lights in the Devil's Eye and Devil's Ear area. This rule is strictly enforced by the park and exists because the cave system beyond the open-water zone has claimed the lives of unqualified divers. The cave passages beyond the cavern zone require cave certification, a continuous guideline, redundant equipment, and appropriate gas management. Do not enter any passage where surface light is lost unless you hold full cave diver certification. Divers must check in at the country store, show a valid certification card, complete a waiver, and pay the dive entry fee before entering any spring. A large cave system map is displayed in the store and should be reviewed before diving.
Devil's Ear presents an additional hazard beyond the cave system itself. The spring emits a very strong outflow, described as approaching fire-hydrant force at the vent opening. This current makes entering the spring more physically demanding than most Florida cave dives. A thin layer of tannin-stained Santa Fe River water commonly covers the surface of Devil's Ear basin, which can disorient divers on ascent who are not aware of the light distortion effect. Always maintain awareness of your depth and ascent rate when diving Devil's Ear. Nitrox and trimix fills are not available at the Ginnie Springs dive shop; the nearest trimix and nitrox sources are at specialist cave diving shops in High Springs and Fort White.
For swimmers and tubers, the primary safety consideration is the Santa Fe River, which runs adjacent to the park. Alligators are present in the Santa Fe River and surrounding waterways; do not enter the river at unmarked or undesignated points and always follow posted guidance from park staff. The spring run that connects Ginnie Spring to the river flows through a forested channel; stay within designated swimming areas and exit at marked points. The spring water temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit is substantially cooler than summer air temperatures and can cause involuntary gasping or a shock response on rapid entry; enter gradually and supervise children closely.
No pets are permitted on the property at any time with no exceptions. Campers must be 18 or older to stay without a parent or legal guardian. Alcohol is permitted for adults on the property but guests who appear intoxicated may be refused entry or asked to leave. The park enforces rules around noise and behaviour particularly during busy summer weekends when the river tubing crowd is large. Do not litter; use the provided bins. Air for tubes and rafts is available free of charge at the air station near the country store. All campfires must be contained in designated rings; burn ban conditions apply when issued by Gilchrist County.
