I was originally supposed to visit Ichetucknee Springs in 2021, but that plan got derailed for many reasons. When I had the opportunity to put this adventure back on my calendar I was ecstatic!
I had planned to do the Paddle Ichetucknee tour, booking my time and purchasing my wristband for the shuttle ride the night before. You will receive a link to a waiver to be signed prior to your arrival. For any paddling or tubing activities, you will enter the state park at the South Entrance.
My time was for 9:30 a.m., and I got to the entrance a little bit before 9:00. This gave me time to pay for my park entrance fee, which was only $3.00 for me (one person in a single vehicle), get parked, and blow up my board. I checked in at Ichetucknee General Store at the middle window to get my wristband.
Then I followed the brown signs to the shuttle loading area.
I was warned at the check-in window that they were running behind due to a lack of shuttle vans. I made use of my time by snacking and chatting with other paddlers.
Now, it is stated in the rules that you aren't supposed to bring snacks or any plastic on the river to help keep it pristine. I abided by this rule, but on a busy Sunday, no one checked my bags... so make of that what you will. I also have known people doing the extended 9-mile paddle tour and people dropping in at Dampier's Landing to bring coolers. Just make responsible choices.
Due to the delay, we ended up getting on the shuttle an hour later than our scheduled time. This didn't bother me too much, as I planned to spend the whole day at Ichetucknee anyway. The shuttle drops you off at the north end of the park and river. This is where the swimming is, which I will visit later.
The shuttle drops you off just a few feet from the ramp that will take you down to the river. You are moving downstream, so mainly you are just guiding your board and enjoying the ride.
I couldn't get over how clear the water was! I saw tons of turtles sunbathing on logs, hearing the calls of wetland birds, and schools of mullet and Florida gar below.
It was so quiet on the north end of the river with just us paddlers. Some found stopping points along the way to get out and take a dip. A lot of the north part is open to the sunshine (so I suggest wearing a hat) and the river is quite wide. As you move down the river towards where tubers join, the river will begin to narrow, but just a bit, and it gets a little shadier.
Once you hit Midpoint, the first place tubers can hop on, the river can get a little crowded. But everyone starts to space out once you get past the drop-in sight. The same thing goes for when you hit Dampier's Landing, which is behind the General Store.
On my right, a little way down from Dampier's Landing, I found a small cave. It reminded me of the cenotes I saw back in Mexico. One of the holes provided some natural air conditioning.
A hint that you are near the last takeout is you will begin to see civilization again and the tram passing by on your left. I gently guided myself into the roped-off area since people were swimming around (not the wisest choice), got off my board, and followed the stairs out of the water. My ride was over (insert sad face).
There are restrooms to use before hopping on the tram which will return you to the south parking lot.
*Note* If you purchase the wristband for the shuttle it also works for the tram ride back. The requirement is you have to deflate your SUP/kayak before getting on. They had a caged trailer for the tubes. It is just a quick ride back to the lot, much better than having to hoof it back.
It's a little chaotic when getting off the tram. If you brought your watercraft or gear, veer to the right when leaving the tram to find the parking lot.
There are picnic tables scattered throughout the parking area, shaded by trees. I enjoyed some lunch here before heading to the north part of the park for swimming. There is a concession stand at the General Store if you didn't bring snacks. The ticket that got you into the park this morning (which they have you attach to your front windshield) will get you into the north part of the park as well.
I made it up to the north end of the park around 2 p.m. I saw orange cones blocking the entrance, so I U-turned back around and spoke to one of the park rangers, Jason. I asked if they were closed for the day or if they were going to open back up (this process varies from spring to spring). He said, right now, they are at capacity but will open back up in about 30 minutes. I let him know I was here exploring the spring so I could write articles about it for Florida Spring Passport (I'm their blogger). He was so friendly and shared with me a wealth of information.
There is so much history here at Ichetucknee, which means "Pond of the Beaver" in the language of the Timucuan tribe. On-site is an old Spanish settlement, grist mill, chapel, a saber tooth skull, and Native American burial ground. He mentioned in the fall, they have a Time Machine Tour where they really dive into these subjects. I told him I would be back and to sign me up! Jason also introduced me to his colleague Sam, who is an environmental specialist. Ichetucknee has manatee visitors, and there is a pod that hangs around all year. They use their special manatee senses to know when the water is high enough for them to swim about. By the time I got done talking to both of them, the gates had opened.
This parking lot is much smaller than the one at the south end, hence why they keep an eye on capacity.
I decided to first explore the Blue Trail to view the Blue Hole swim area.
The Blue Trail is a little less than half a mile. No dogs are allowed to accompany you on this trail. It is a dirt trail that is heavily shaded. I really enjoyed the stroll, letting the louder commotion from the Head Spring area slowly dissipate.
There is a small wooden lookout area with stairs down to the Blue Hole swim area. Only bring exactly what you need, nothing more. Blue Hole, as I learned from Jason, is a first-magnitude spring that pumps out about 65 million gallons of water a day into the Ichetucknee River. Blue Hole is also part of a cave system you can scuba dive, but you must be Cavern Diver Certified.
The moment you get in the water, you can feel the power of the water coming from the depths of the Blue Hole.
Checking this off the list, I decided to head back and check out Head Spring. This one is much busier and has a larger swimming area. Head Spring is a second-magnitude spring pumping out 62 million gallons of water a day. This spring head swim area is similar to others I have seen. You can either follow down the ramp down or the stone stairway.
There are signs guiding you to the store if you need to purchase snorkel gear or sunscreen. Near the plethora of picnic tables, between the parking lot and Head Spring, is the Riverside Grill if you need nourishment after all the spring fun.
Tired from a long day of paddling and swimming, I decided to hold off checking out on Trestle Point and Pine Ridge Trail for when I come back in the fall for the Time Machine Tour.
On this adventure I experienced one of the most amazing and beautiful paddles! It wasn't the Time Machine tour, but I felt like I went back in time. To a time and place far away from technology and cities. Where you hear the splash from the mullet jumping in the air, and the call of wetland birds, not the ping of your phone. Where the colors in front of you are vibrant and bright, and not because of a screen. Where you feel the true might and power of the water as it flows out of the spring head rather than the motor of a car. This "Pond of the Beaver" may be the doorway to a world we need to reconnect with.
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