An average of nearly 100 million gallons of water per day pour from a deep and spacious limestone shaft that attracts swimmers and snorkelers in the warmer months and wildlife enthusiasts in the winter.
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Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park is in the north central part of the state, an area well known for the many spectacular freshwater springs found along the Suwannee and Santa Fe rivers.
Welcome to Madison Blue Spring State ParkThis crystal-clear, first-magnitude spring is a popular spot for swimming and cave diving. About 82 feet wide and 25 feet deep, the spring bubbles up into a limestone basin along the west bank of the Withlacoochee River.
It takes anywhere from 50 to 100 years to reach the Blue Spring from its source. Why is the water so blue? The beautiful clear blue-green of the Blue Spring and Te Waihou is due to its purity as particles are removed during its journey through underground acquifers.
Can you swim in Blue Springs? Yes, swimming and scuba diving are permitted at Blue Springs, Florida. Check at the entrance if you are required to register. However, the spring run closes during the winter to protect the migratory manatees.
Each day, from a depth of 120 FT, 104 million gallons of 72 degree water surge up from the limestone caverns below. But where does all this water come from? Something's boiling!
Lake Jesup, FloridaAlligators can be very dangerous and Lake Jesup is the most alligator-infested lake in America. It's said there could be up to 13,000 gators in this lake or more.
Inflatable floats and tubes are allowed in the spring and adjacent river. Visitors may bring their own float. To help protect the spring and river, no food, drink, pets, tobacco, alcohol or disposable items are allowed.
It's best to get to the spring before 10am. We were there on a Friday around 9:30am, it wasn't crowded at all. But when we left around 12:30pm, more and more people started showing up at the park. Just arrive early and enjoy the spring.
Tip: the best time to visit Blue Spring State Park is in the mid morning before the sun is fully up and warming the waters. As the day goes on, the manatees work their way back into the St Johns River. In the morning there are also smaller crowds, so it's much more pleasant.