By Rob Rogers

Many University of Florida students are familiar with Ichetucknee Springs State Park and its well-known river that is a summer favorite for tubing. Way back in my freshman year in the 1990s, the fraternity friends and I floated a keg down the river in an innertube (which I doubt is still allowed). But a far quieter time can be had at Ichetucknee Springs during the winter off-season. My family and I spent the weekend after Christmas there this year, and it will be far too long before we return again.

Ichetucknee Springs State Park sits just 40 miles northwest of Gainesville and contains the first 3 1/2 miles of its namesake river north of its eventual confluence with the Santa Fe River. Covering 2,669 acres, the park was the home for centuries to local tribes of Native Americans. A small bend in the river was also home to the Mission de San Martin de Timucua, a Spanish mission dating back to 1608 that was one of the major interior missions serving the Spanish settlement at St. Augustine. Nearby Fort White and the town of Ichetucknee date back to just after the Civil War and grew largely on the strength of local phosphate mining.

It was eventually the summer tubing escapades of all those college students from UF beginning in the 1950s and ‘60s that persuaded the Loncala Phosphate Company to sell the land now containing the state park to the State of Florida in 1970. After being cleaned and restored from visitors’ litter, the Ichetucknee River and springs were eventually declared a National Natural Landmark in 1972.

The biggest attraction here is the springs. As one of Florida’s 33 first-magnitude springs (i.e., springs that discharge more than 100 cubic feet of water per second), the underground aquifers pump hundreds of thousands of gallons of crystal-clear water that draws the tubers and paddlers. The northernmost half of the river within the park is narrow and shallow and only suitable for kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. The river then widens and becomes more ideal for innertubes beginning at the Midpoint Launch, which remained closed when we visited because of hurricane damage but is being rebuilt (there are still other places to launch tubes downriver). The Blue Hole near the park’s northern entrance and its deep caves are popular with divers.

My family and I were blown away by the landscape when we kayaked there. The headwaters initially flow over a swaying carpet of aquatic grasses, with the narrow river crowded from shore by overhanging cypress and live oak, some of which tower high overhead. Many portions carve into the limestone karst, with walls as high as ten feet pocked with caves lining the river. Further south the river widens and becomes easy to navigate, often requiring no paddling at all—you just dip your paddle into the river to use as a tiller as the current pushes you along.

A lesser-known feature of Ichetucknee Springs State Park is its trail system. Although the trails near the General Store by the park’s southern entrance run along old tram roads used by the phosphate companies, the northern end of the park contains three different trails that can be connected for more than 3 ½ miles of family hiking, most with beautiful overlooks of the river and its springheads. Our favorite was the half-mile Blue Hole Trail (one mile out-and-back), which rode along the eastern shore of the river and ended at the gigantic Blue Hole loved by divers. The Pine Ridge loop trail that meanders through upland pine forest was also pleasant and easy.

Although Ichetucknee Springs draws massive crowds in the summer, for my money, the time to visit is the winter when you can enjoy the springs in tranquility. By renting our kayaks shortly after the General Store opened around 9 a.m., we were able to have the river largely to ourselves and were spared from the boisterous crowd noise that is surely inescapable in summer months. Herons, egrets, and tons of turtles watched us drift by, and several hawks perched on branches hanging over the river.



Reservations for kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards can be made online or at the park’s General Store near the southern entrance and include transportation to the put-in location at the springhead near the northern entrance. They will take care of putting your watercraft into the water and pulling them out. Current prices are $45 for single-person kayaks, $65 for tandem (two-person) kayaks, $60 for stand-up paddleboards, and $65 for canoes. A wide variety of innertubes can be rented within the park and from private companies outside the park.

Rob Rogers is the award-winning author of Finding My Way Home: Fighting Depression Backpacking in Central Florida. He also writes a blog called the “Central Florida Backpacking Desk Jockey”, and his essays and articles on backpacking have been published on FloridaHikes.com and in the Wilderness House Literary Review, Outdoors Unlimited, and Go World Travel.

By Bill Turman

We had a small but hardy crew for our Backpack Trip traversing the Withlacoochee State Forest, Croom Tract.  On Saturday, we began at the Silver Lake Recreation Area, backpacking the A Loop over to the West Primitive Camp where we camped for the night.  The campsite is near the Tucker Hill Fire Tower and trailhead, where there are restrooms and water. Sunday, we backpacked back east on the B Loop back over to Silver Lake, completing around 16 or 17 miles. The weather was great although a little cool on Saturday morning but warmed up throughout the weekend.  The trip was excellent, and hopefully the crew made a memory or two.  

For all of those who were signed up for the trip on Meetup and then backed out, you missed a great time!

Upcoming Trail Maintenance

Our Chapter's Trail Maintenance is almost wrapped up for this year! We have a work hike at Charles H Bronson State Forest on January 13th, and a bridge build at Little Big Econ State Forest on the 15th. For more information on the bridge build, please email cfchapter@floridatrail.org

Sunset Ranch Trail

A well-marked path showcases various habitats found at Three Lakes WMA as it winds across a cypress slough and shady oak hammocks to the shoreline of Lake Marian.

🌟 Ready to Lead the Way?

As the trail comes alive with fall wildflowers and cooler breezes, it’s the perfect time to turn your passion for hiking into something even more impactful—becoming a Certified Activity Leader with the Central Florida Chapter.

Our trail community thrives because of the volunteers who step up, lace up, and lead the way. If you’ve ever thought, “I could do that”—you can. And we’re here to help you every step of the way.

🥾 It’s easier than you think:

To become certified, simply co-lead two different activities with two different certified leaders. This shadowing experience is a great way to build confidence and learn the ropes in a low-pressure, supportive environment.

🤝 Team up with current leaders:

Many of our Activity Leaders have upcoming hikes and would love a helping hand. Whether you’re interested in weekend treks, beginner-friendly walks, or rugged backwoods adventures—there’s a space for you.

📞 Let’s get you started:

Reach out to our Activity Leader Coordinator, Bill Turman, at 407-413-2950 or email HokieBill@bellsouth.net. He’ll connect you with upcoming opportunities and answer any questions you may have.

✅ Certified Activity Leaders:

Rachael Augspurg

Ron Aube

Stuart Dropkin

Kristen Gilbert

Kelley Galvin

Erica Johnson

Ned James

Jim Krell

Elda Larche

Mary-Slater Linn

David Magness

Tom Regan

Jerry Rogers

Chelsey Stevens

Chris Stevens

Bill Turman

🌱 Whether you want to give back, grow your leadership skills, or just share your love of the outdoors with others, becoming an Activity Leader is one of the most meaningful ways to make a difference. Let’s hit the trail—together.