5 Best Things to Do in High Springs, Florida

May 31, 2022

High Springs is located in Alachua County in north-central Florida, just north of Gainesville.

It’s best known for the refreshing springs that bubble to the surface and keep the temperature at 72 degrees all year, even when the air temperature and humidity are nearly unbearable.

Visitors to High Springs have access to a number of popular state parks, which provide outdoor enthusiasts with an abundance of natural environments and amenities, as well as a variety of reasonably priced dining and lodging options.

Here are 10 things to do in and around High Springs, Florida.

1: Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park

Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park is located just a few miles from downtown High Springs and is made up of over 200 natural acres that have been owned and operated by the same local family for over seven decades.

The park borders the Santa Fe River and has a boardwalk that provides an excellent vantage point for viewing the spring’s crisp, clear waters.

The water stays at a cool 72 degrees all year, making it ideal for an afternoon dip when the sun is at its hottest. For those who want to make a day of it, there are plenty of easily walkable nature trails, covered picnic areas, and built-in barbecue grills.

2: High Springs Museum

First-time visitors to High Springs looking for a unique insight into the town’s history should spend an hour at the High Springs Museum.

It’s located on NW 187th Avenue, just behind City Hall, and is adjacent to the town’s historic schoolhouse, which is also worth seeing.

The exhibits at the museum focus on the settlement era, the local economy and culture, and the Native Americans who lived in the area long before the city was incorporated.

The museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays and admission is free, so go check it out.

3: Ichetucknee Springs State Park

No matter where you are in the Sunshine State, you are likely not far from a state park or two.

Ichetucknee Springs State Park is a haven for fit and active outdoor enthusiasts, with activities such as tubing, swimming, snorkeling, and mountain biking.

The park, which is located near the confluence of the Santa Fe River and Ichetucknee Springs, was designated as a natural landmark in the early 1970s.

From May to September, the river inside the park is frequently crowded with tubers, swimmers, and anglers. Whether you choose to see things from the water or on land, you will almost certainly come across a variety of natural habitats and the animals that inhabit them.

4: O’leno State Park

O’leno State Park is one of Florida’s oldest parks, and many of its amenities were developed and built by Civilian Conservation Corps laborers in the 1930s.

The park is located along the scenic Santa Fe River and contains a diverse range of habitats, including hardwood forests, swamps, sandhills, and even primordial sinkholes.

The park is a short drive from High Springs and attracts outdoor enthusiasts, nature enthusiasts, and amateur photographers.

Biking and hiking are also popular park activities, and while the park can get crowded during peak times, it’s large enough that it never feels crowded.

5: Poe Springs Park

Poe Springs, located north of Gainesville, is Alachua County’s largest spring. Every day, it pumps 45 million gallons of cool, refreshing water. A playground, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, swimming, hiking, picnicking, volleyball courts, softball/kickball/soccer field, nature trails, and its own spring are all available at the park.

Poe Springs Park is a 202-acre public park on the banks of the Santa Fe River with scenic woodlands and rolling fields. The shallow water makes it suitable for children. Pets and alcohol are not permitted. Although scuba diving is not permitted, you may snorkel and explore a small underwater cave. The depths are approximately 25 feet.