Spring into fun at one of the area's several springs

Even though the Gainesville area doesn’t have the pleasure of white sandy beaches right at its doorstep, a refreshing alternative awaits in the form of nearby springs.

Florida seems to be a gold mine of crystal clear springs for people to enjoy with several being close to the Gainesville and Alachua County area.

So if you’re sitting at home this summer craving to do something fun, adventurous and different outdoors, look no further than these four popular and must-visit springs: Poe, Ginnie, Gilchrist Blue and Ichetucknee.

Ichetucknee Springs

Since becoming a Florida State Park in 1972, Ichetucknee Springs is a place for many to sit back, relax and float down Ichetucknee River for miles.

Year-round, guests can float down the river starting at the Midpoint Launch until South Take Out, which is about an hour-in-a-half long tube ride. From Memorial Day until Labor Day, guests can begin their tube journey at the North Entrance to the South Take Out, which is a little over three miles long.

During those summer months, only 750 people each day are able to tube starting at the North Entrance. Ichetucknee sometimes reaches the limit by 8:30 a.m., so make sure to get to the springs early for the longer tube experience, said William Register, park service specialist for Ichetucknee Springs.

A new trial reservation system was added for people to use to preregister for the North Entrance trip with 50 to 100 spots available to reserve, Register said.

Along with tubing, visitors can swim at Head Spring and Blue Hole at the site, go kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling, scuba diving in Blue Hole or hiking along Ichetucknee’s trails.

Location: 12087 SW U.S. 27, Fort White

Hours: 8 a.m.-sundown

Admission: $6 per vehicle, with two to eight people per car; $4 for one-person vehicles; $4 for motorcycles; $2 for pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, guests with annual individual entrance passes.

Tram is $5.50 plus tax per person, and shuttle is $7.50 plus tax per person (includes tram).

Info: 386-497-4690, www.floridastateparks.org/park/Ichetucknee-Springs

Gilchrist Blue Springs

Once you step into Gilchrist Blue Spring’s water, you’ll definitely agree it lives up to its name.

“It’s one of the bluest springs,” said Lucinda Williams, assistant park manager at the spring. “When it says Blue Springs it literally looks like you have hit the blue lagoon because it is so blue and pretty and clear.”

Gilchrist Blue Springs became a Florida State Park last October and includes four springs — Blue, Little Blue, Johnson and Naked Springs — for visitors to swim at in the park.

The Blue Spring section has a jumping platform where guests can jump 20-feet into the spring’s boil.

Take a nice stroll on the Blue Spring area’s boardwalk to get a beautiful view of the Santa Fe River.

Other activities Gilchrist Blue Springs offers are canoeing, tubing and fishing. Kayaking and paddle boarding are the springs’ biggest attraction, Williams said.

Visitors can leave the water and enjoy the area’s nature trails and volleyball courts as well.

If you don’t want to leave, there are 25 campsites available for visitors to stay overnight.

“At night if you can camp here, it’s magical to see the turtles in the spring and the fish,” Williams said.

Location: 7450 NE 60th St., High Springs

Hours: 8 a.m. to sundown

Admission: $6 for up to 8 people per vehicle; $4 single occupant vehicle.

Info: 386-454-1369, www.floridastateparks.org/park/Gilchrist-Blue-Springs

Ginnie Springs

Ginnie Springs offers countless recreational activities for the young and the young at heart.

Tubing down Santa Fe River seems to be the more popular choice with the run usually lasting about 45 minutes from Devil’s Spring to the tube take-out at Twin Spring. Other water activities just as fun are snorkeling, kayaking, canoeing or paddle boarding on the river.

Certified divers can swim through caves in the Ginnie Ballroom and Devil’s Spring System or explore the depths of the Santa Fe River. As you’re traveling through the caves, you’ll soon realize why the area’s motto is “visibility forever.”

Ginnie Springs is planning to add a new scuba dive center to become the main area where divers can rent their equipment, said Taylor Wray Skiles, marketing communications director for Ginnie Springs.

Equipment for all of the water activities are available to rent at the site.

After your water activities, chill out and spend time just floating on your tube or swimming in some of Ginnie Springs’ spring areas like Ginnie, Devil’s Eye, Devil’s Ear, Dogwood, Twin, July and Deer Springs.

Hungry? Ginnie Springs has grills for visitors to use along with its very own eatery that offers breakfast foods and lunch foods like burgers, sandwiches and fries.

If you’re too exhausted to travel home after your multiple adventures fear not because Ginnie Springs offers camping overnight. Set up one of your own tents along or near the river or stay in Ginnie’s rental cottage.

“Overall, Ginnie is just a really fun place to be,” Skiles said.

Location: 7300 Ginnie Springs Road, High Springs

Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday

Admission: $15 for adults; $12.62 plus tax for seniors 62 and up; $3.73 for children ages 6-12; free for children ages 5 and under

Info: 386-454-7188, ginniespringsoutdoors.com

Poe Springs

Poe Springs opened up again in late May after being closed for several months due to the damage it had from Hurricane Irma last year.

Now you can stop by and enjoy this tiny gem for the rest of summer and the year.

“It’s a beautiful spring,” said Ron Gromoll, Alachua County marketing and events coordinator for the Poe Springs Lodge, Freedom Community Center and the Fairgrounds. “It’s easy access. There are beautiful lands around where you can have your picnic or just relax, so it’s an excellent place to spend the summer day.”

At the Alachua County owned spring, you can spend time floating and swimming in the basin, go snorkeling, canoeing, kayaking or play sports on its multipurpose field.

You need to bring your own equipment because rentals are not offered.

Chill out as long as you want at this park, but make sure to leave before closing because camping is not available on the grounds.

Location: 28800 NW 182nd Ave., High Springs

Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday through Sunday

Admission: Free

Info: 352-264-6907, www.floridasprings.org/visit/map/poe%20springs/