Ginnie Springs is the most popular spring on the Santa Fe River, which is just outside of Gainesville, FL. This spring isn't a state park and alcoholic beverages are allowed, making it a very popular place to hangout on the weekends. I am sure many of you have heard about of Ginnie Springs, and like most popular things, you wonder if it is worth all the hype. I am here to tell you, Ginnie is well worth the space on your bucket list!
The first time I visited Ginnie Springs was on a weekend and it was to dive The Ballroom. The Ballroom, unlike Devil System, is available to Open Water Certified Divers. You don't need to make a reservation, just make you have your scuba diving license and fill out the general waiver located on their website. Everyone visiting Ginnie Springs must sign this waiver, no matter what activity you are partaking in. Also give yourself some time to fill out paperwork for scuba diving.
When first pulling up to the kiosk you will veer to the right. An attendant will take down some information and instruct you toward the building called Ginnie Springs Outdoors. You will check-in inside and pay the $20.00 basic entrance fee. Again, if you fill out the general waiver on their website prior, it will make the check-in process so much faster. They give you a hang tag to put on your rearview mirror.
The general store, Ginnie Springs Outdoors, has scuba diving gear available to rent. You can either rent singular items you need or you can get the scuba package (which includes all you need) for about $60-$70.
Restrooms are located to the left of the building if you need to use them.
*Note* The next part can be a little confusing, but read this and you will be grand. Once back in your car, follow the arrows guiding you out of the parking lot. It will seem confusing because you will ask, "Why am I circling back the way I came in?" But now you will veer to the left side of the kiosk, where they look for the hangtag on your mirror and let you on through.
Follow the signs for Ginnie Springs!
We found a parking space near one of the wooden table scuba set up. It was very handy to use to set up and strap on our gear. There are also picnic tables near the pavilion if scuba table are being used by other divers.
It took some bobbing and weaving down around other visitors on the way to the stairs to descend into the water, condition of a busy weekend. But once we were in the water and began to submerge, it was quiet and calm.
The Ballroom is technically not a cave dive but you are going into a space with no light so make sure to bring an underwater flashlight!
Us entering the grand ballroom!
The mystery of how water collects and pools, underwater??
The next time I visited Ginnie was on my grand Santa Fe Springs Trip! My goal was to do some paddling, swimming, and snorkeling. This time I visited on a Monday morning. There was hardly anyone when I arrived at 9 a.m. I parked near the pavilion and entrance to the swim area.
For the paddling drop-in, follow along the right side of the swim area. You will see stairs and the rentable SUPs and kayaks.
I paddle upstream for about 20 minutes, with a quick stop at the Devil's Eye, before reaching the tube drop in sight. Then I enjoyed the float down the Santa Fe River toward Ginnie Spring's last takeout.
As you float on your tube, SUP, or kayak, you will pass the collection of Devils (Ear, Eye, and Little), Ginnie Springs, Dogwood Springs, Twin Spring, and Deer Spring.
The last two, Twin and Deer Springs, when I visited (in August), were the same color as the river.
*Note* There are big signs for tubers of when and where the river exit is, which is Twin Spring.
This took me about 40 minutes on my paddle board, with a quick stop at each spring. But on my paddle back, I spent a little more time swimming around Dogwood Spring. Keep in mind, that you are paddling against the current on the way back up to Ginnie Springs.
Passing through the doorway of low-hanging tree branches, is the quaint and bashful Dogwood Spring.
Once I reached Ginnie Springs, I packed up my board so I could do some more swimming. Because it was the morning of a weekday, the water was incredibly clear. There weren't a multitude of feet kicking up sand.
To check out and swim the Devils, I crossed the volleyball court and followed the shaded dirt path. Once the path opens up, head left toward the campsites and water. Three large sets of stairs descend into this area. The three Devils are part of a cave system you can dive, but you must be Cavern Diver Certified. The largest one is called the Devil's Eye.
Glancing toward the Santa Fe River, you will see a medium-sized orange buoy, which marks the Devil's Ear. Then, if you move away from the river and follow the small run, at the end, you will find the Little Devil.
This is a fun area to swim, but make sure you are conscious of the divers.
A nice amenity this spring has is the bathhouse, which has toilets and a changing area with showers. Perfect for cleaning and freshening up after a day of splish splashin fun.
Like I said in the beginning, it can be easy to write off a place that is so popular as overrated. But Ginnie Springs is a truly a place to make memories. Whether it is as a kid growing up nearby feeling like you are just swimming in your back yard, a young adult in college shakin' of the stress of midterms, or someone older and wiser wanting to connect with nature and yourself again. I know I look forward to every new memory I make here!
Check the springs off your adventure bucket list using the Florida Springs Passport!
Your fun interactive booklet, where you can see what spring adventures you've completed and which ones to look forward to!
Visit floridaspringspassport.com to get yours!