Ichetucknee Springs: a quiet spring run near Fort White
Eight major springs feed the 6-mile Ichetucknee River in a North Central Florida state park best known for tubing and paddling.
As of October 2026, check hours, fees and closures before you go.
Why go
Eight major springs feed the 6-mile Ichetucknee River in a North Central Florida state park best known for tubing and paddling. Reviewers have rated it well: see the review line above.
Itinerary
Day trip
- Morning
Arrive at opening at the park's entrance on U.S. 27 in Fort White. The upper river is a National Natural Landmark, and the park recommends canoe or kayak in the cooler months.
- Midday
Snorkel at Blue Hole, a spring the park says stays 72 degrees year-round, or picnic near the headspring.
- Afternoon
Walk one of the park's three nature trails through forest and longleaf pine sandhill. In warm weather, tubers launch from Dampier's Landing at the South Entrance until 5 p.m.
Park, hours & fees
- Ichetucknee Springs State Park (Florida State Parks)
12087 S.W. U.S. Highway 27, Fort White. Open 8 a.m. until sunset, 365 days a year. $6 per vehicle. The Midpoint Tube Launch has been closed for repairs since March 17, 2026; tube rentals end at 4:30 p.m.
Hours, fees and address as listed on the official page when we checked on October 28, 2026.
Food
The park lists a general store, food service and rentals on its official page. Packing a picnic is an option; the park has picnic pavilions.
Local spots
Independent local businesses near this trip. Nobody paid to be listed. Ratings are third-party Yelp figures as displayed on each business's Apple Maps listing, checked October 28, 2026; they change over time.
- The Collective Food Yard and Garden (Fort White)
A food-truck court in town, about a 10-minute drive from the park, with rotating local vendors.
Yelp: 4.9 stars from 20 Yelp reviews (checked October 28, 2026; source listing).
Practical tips
- Water at Blue Hole stays about 72 degrees year-round, according to the park.
- Check the park page for tube-launch status before you go.
- Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30.
Getaways guides are informational. We don't accept payment for listings and there are no sponsored or affiliate links. Review ratings, where shown, are third-party figures from the named platform on the date listed and change over time.
Plan ahead, check the official page the day you go, and enjoy the trip.
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