38 Best Stops Between Blue Ridge and Crystal River (2025)

Went here for a two night camping adventure. It's private land so don't expect to pay state park prices as this place is pricey and charges $30 per person per night in season. So $150 a night for my family of five for camping! Kinda crazy if u ask me. The park itself is huge and seems well maintained by staff. There are so many campsites littered around this place that operate on a first come first serve basis. We went on a weekday so easily got a waterfront spot on the Santa Fe River.They have, I believe, 4 spring heads that you can swim in and connect to the river that you can tube down. If you start from the first spring you can tube for 45 min to an hour depending on river flow, crowds, rope swing stops, etc.If you're scared of brackish water then you might have some issues tubing down this river but I recommend you just go for it. There's always people swimming and tubing here with no issues. Just do it. It's fun.The place does attract a party crowd, even for families so don't be surprised to hear loud music all the way up until midnight.

This was such a beautiful place to me. The environment was warm and inviting. We chose the campsite fee for the day. Which was easier because we were able to bring our vehicles in. So, I did not have to worry about walking as far from the day parking area. We enjoyed family time with grilling and tubing.

I would give this place a 1 star but the springs themselves were beautiful and a unique destination unto themselves. We are from Alabama, so we don't have places like this back home.The issues we had...staying the night over the weekend...was that it was wild, rowdy, noisy, super crowded. When I camp out, I like to enjoy the peaceful outdoors. What I don't like is hearing Mexican music literally blasting until 1:30am, noisy motorized golf carts with people yelling and riding around well past midnight. I don't like waiting 10 minutes to get into or out of the water due to the volume of people using the steps in and out of the water.I was with my wife and 4 kids (age 4 to 11) and was utterly shocked at how crazy this place was. Giant speakers set up on the docks leading into the water with drunk people dancing very seductively l...3 feet from my small children.If you're into the party scene, by all means go here. But this is not a place for families at all. Maybe the weekends are just way more crazy...maybe I should come back and try again during the week...but I probably won't.Also, I didn't enjoy the trees infested with large cockroaches next to my tent. I know the company can't do too much to help this, but just wanted to give fair warning to those who might be reading this.

I've been to several springs in the area. Seems this is pretty overpriced for what is offered. All the springs in the area are a natural beauty and wonder, so they aren't exclusive to that part of it. In fact, only the water right near the springs is clear at Ginnie. The whole river ride is dark and LOTS of floating crud. But my biggest gripe is there's no shuttle, so you are on your own to hike up and down the river. One run takes less than an hour. You'd have to walk about a half hour to do a second trip. Second gripe is there are plenty if bathrooms but they're old and pretty nasty. I didn't get hot water. Not sure if it was broken or it's just not available. Third is a plus or minus depending how you feel. It's one of the few springs that allows drinking. So there can be pretty obnoxious people there. If you like that kind of day, you'll have fun. I go to springs for lively quiet days to enjoy nature. I won't waste my time here again.

Super rude staff. As beautiful as the springs are, my large group of friends won’t return with how rudely we saw management treat people.Also, I’ve never seen a campsite that won’t allow kids to have friends come (legal guardians of all kids must be present). You can have your kid fly internationally without you but god forbid they go camping with a friend and their parents.

Everything about Ginnie Springs is 10/10! Plenty of bathroom and shower facilities, consistent hot water, free air for their tubes or your own which is nice! They have a deli cafe and the food was good. There was a very nice lady who came out and double checked that my well done/burnt burger was just how I ordered it and liked it and said they would keep on cooking it if it wasn't! We had cool neighbors. The springs are very beautiful and also kid and family friendly. All of this keeps us coming back to camp here.

Have yet to book at their actual site but we love the nature walks and the beauty of the spring itself! Love the upgrade of parking space that they have provided. They have equipments that are rentable. The family and I try our best to at least visit the location twice, if not more, times a year. We love the scenery.

WORST EXPERIENCE as walk-in camping. I am an aunt of twin boys (teenagers) who were brought here for their birthdays to camp. I called Ginnie Springs in advance about the trip and I was told it wasn’t a busy weekend and that I could come and check in, on the day of. So, we drove 4 hours here with a total of 8 (4 adults) no one said anything about parents having to be here. Even though I have the boys parents confirmation for the teenager birthday event. All ages are 12, 14, 15 & 18. (Cousins and 2 friends) My husband and I are the aunt and uncle of my nephews. He is a lifeguard and I’m a camp counselor. We planned this and I was confirmed over the phone by a male employee that I could check in when we arrived. They asked for us all to come into the office, they separated the underage boys from us adults. And straight up denied us and said they cannot camp here without each individual parent. So you can see how upset we are that I wasn’t told this when I called. I was called a liar in front of all the kids and we were given absolutely no solution or sympathy of breaking their hearts after our 4 hour drive here. I’m shocked to see the awful attitude they had with me still trying to be nice but obviously shocked at the situation and how they handled it with absolutely no sympathy or solutions or respect to denying the boys in front of everyone and never offering any apologetic concern to the situation or accepting the fact that their employee failed to let me know that their parents need to also be here when I arrive with the kids. The manager told me that it is what it is with a smirk and told me I should read the website before making plans but I called them for all the details and they either didn’t listen to me when I said I was bringing Christian teenagers to camp for their birthday and that I was their aunt who was bringing them. I literally told them everything before choosing to drive there and they call me a liar about the phone call. I’m livid. I work in camps and I also work hotel industry. Their lack of customer service skills were awful. Ginnie Springs is suppose to have history of being a family place but I can’t even take my nephews or if I was one of the parents, they can’t bring a friend without ALL parents being here. That’s wild for a camp ground to do that and it’s very unfair for parents and for the underage kids. For the staff to not acknowledge this shock reaction as we were checking in was disturbing.

A nice place to go floating and camping, I only went floating and snorkeling. There is a lot of space to camp at, but it was very full and a lot of people play their music loudly, so it definitely gives party vibes. I personally wouldn't say it's a good place to snorkel, the springs that are clear enough to see right to the bottom, which are circled on the map below, but there isn't much to see. The springs are also Entry points into the river so they are usually full of people and a lot of loud music, which means not a lot of wild life swimming around. The rest of the river has pretty dark water and not great to snorkel at. One of the things I did not like about this place is that there are not any indicators or signs telling you, as you're floating, that you're passing a spring or even which way to go. You basically are guessing, so you'll float right by the springs. then, once you're done floating, as you walk back to the rental building, you will see the springs, if you deviate a little. The whole float takes about an hour, if you float from top to end, then you walk back to the rental building. Again not great signage on your walk back. If you're just going for floating and snorkeling like I did, you have to pay a day pass, plus the floating rental equipment, plus the snorkel equipment. You can always bring your own equipment too to make it more affordable and just pay the day pass. Get there early as it does get crowded. I got there a little past 8 and by 930/10am, the parking lot was getting really full

There are a lot of people who want to dunk on Ginnie because of the party atmosphere, the fact that it can get a little wacky at times, etc. But I have been going for almost 10 years now and I can say after our most recent trip (last weekend) that the staff at GSO are doing an amazing job trying to keep everything calm and peaceful for campers and day guests. We personally witnessed the rangers going into campsites after midnight and (very politely!) letting people know it was time to turn the music down, and by just after 12am, the campground was...silent. I've definitely camped many many times when this wasn't the case, but the park staff is doing a great job enforcing the rules and making sure that things are better for everyone. Wanna blast your stupid music so loud that all 700 acres of the park can hear it? Kick rocks...we saw them enforcing a more pleasant volume both day and night all weekend, and it was awesome. I'm up there a lot for fun and work (I'm an underwater photographer) and I will always proudly say that Ginnie is my absolute favorite spot to go for camping, sessions, and relaxing days. It can get a little crazy sometimes, but I love it so.Ginnie Springs is in good hands. Thanks to the staff for always being so friendly and for doing their best to make sure it's a good, fun, safe, delightful time for all. If you have a problem with them at this point, you're the issue, not the park.

Our family and Dive group ( Isla divers) just spent an amazing four days here and it was awesome to sAt the least! The park staff was extremely helpful and courteous, the bath houses were clean with lots of hot water. Had zero issues with rude people and it was a great experience for our 4 years old children and up. It’s a shame Mother Nature had come through and destroy so many trees, and the park staff/ workers was hard at cleaning up . Thank you Gennie Springs for the extra hard work you are providing to make this a wonderful camping trip!

Honestly if you plan on a quiet night of camping with some pals, do not come here. Starting at about 8:00am to even 3am/4am music is BLARING and people are SCREAMING. People are drunk driving up and down the roadway all night, headlights strobing into the tents, blaring music, honking their horns, and literally howling at each other from across campsites. The complete lack of self awareness is mind blowing. There was a drunk driving accident while we were here.Don’t bring kids here, it’s disgusting and you will not get any sleep. The bathrooms are abhorrent, even if you wanted to take a shower there’s hair clumps and sand/dirt absolutely everywhere, no soap in the sinks and trash everywhere. Honestly trash is all around the campground, as if people have no regard for the space around them.The “park rangers” roam around on their golf carts after midnight yet no one really cares. There is no number to call either, the employees really do not care.If they want to be a partying campground, they need to advertise that. They make it seem like they have all of these rules and regulations like staying in a state park but it’s more like a hillbilly burning man. Don’t waste your money.

I have been coming here since 2018 I loved it until now! Now you are not allowed to even have music on because people complain the park rangers are rude and don’t even let me begin on the front office staff they need customers service classes for sure the manager ( dark hair tan lady ) is so rude and disrespectful and her face is not welcoming at all! The front desk staff pick and choose who they want to be nice too and who they want to let in! I drove 5 hour for the front lady desk to give me a hard time to go in! This place was good back in the day now is full of races front office staff who literally roll eyes for any question and sound very sarcastic!

Really awesome Springs but be prepared to pay a big fee and wait in a huge, huge line. It is worth it, but just be prepared. The best Springs are Ginnie and Devil but the others are okay too. The staff can be nice but some are persnickety about their procedures that they think everyone should have memorized. Rentals are reasonably priced and good quality. The water is cold and clear. Camping looks fun. Lots to do. No gators or snakes. Just some drunks. Super crowded on Saturdays.

This place is amazing, beautiful and its team of rangers are very professional. My friend had a health problem and the entire staff came to support her and take care of her. The rules are meant to be followed. If you are a respectful person who knows how to follow the rules to have a great stay, then this place is for you. I recommend this place and I am super grateful to its people, by the way this man is not evil or the devil, he is super kind, nice and professional.

$20 per day $30 per night per person. No matter what, you will not get a refund once you pay. Check weather and don't get injured ✅️ You do not have to make reservations for the day or for primitive camping, but they do reach a capacity. If you have kids or don't want to be crowded, DO NOT GO ON THE WEEKENDS. This is not a family-friendly environment on the weekends because it is privately owned and not a state park. Therefore, there are not as many rules & even fewer rules are enforced. The best days to go with kids would be Monday-Wednesday. Drinking is allowed, & loud ratchet music is allowed. Some people like that, while others don't. There are a lot of state parks with springs in the area that are better for children & less chaotic. There is a campground store here, however everything there is price gouged because the nearest stores are miles away. So make sure you bring everything you need. I love these campgrounds. I've been coming here for years but they are not the cleanest. It's definitely getting worse with disrespectful consumers trashing the place. Bathrooms are kinda gross, like I said disrespectful people. Lastly, there are bugs! A lot of bugs all kinds of bugs, including cockroaches. So if you leave food out the bugs will come, and if you're setting up a tent make sure you clean off your tent with a towel and fluff it out that way you don't end up infesting your vehicle with cockroaches. Really the main appeal for this place lately is less rules, you can walk around smoking and drinking, you can make friends quickly and party with people around you & party all night. Water doesn't close so you can swim all night, and it's just kind of free range to do whatever you want. While state parks, alcohol is not allowed on the premise and you can get fines or banned, water in other parks tends to close by 7, quiet time heavily enforced etc. However, those other parks are also often cheaper. So just depends on what you're wanting I guess.

This spring is indeed beautiful, however it was the worst experience. Our family moved to Florida and couldn't wait to visit! When we got there we had to wait in a 40 minute line just to buy our over priced entry tickets! When we finally got to the first spring it was packed with people! You couldn't even enjoy swimming or relaxing because there was that many people!! The entire area smelled like weed!! People drinking everywhere they don't enforce rules. Honestly, it's a shame because it's such a beautiful place once again destroyed by man by disrespecting nature and treating the springs like their own personal garabage can. We even moved down toward another spring in the park and it was crowed their too! We literally paid over $60 and we didn't even get a chance to swim the springs!! We left because there was no where we could enjoy ourselves. My children shouldn't have to breathe in disgusting second hand weed smoke from inconsiderate people! WE WILL NEVER RETURN!!

What a great place, and even better service. We loved the water, floating down the river and just chilling in the cold spring. It was so refreshing.Sadly, an emergency back at home ended our stay early, but the staff was super understanding and helpful. They accommodated our request and refunded us for the day we couldn't stay. A truly compassionate and honest group of folks that I'll be happy to stay with again.

I had an excellent experience at Ginnie springs . I went there with my son an his girlfriend , and DEE went above and beyond to ensure we were satisfied with the service. She was VERY friendly, and extremely knowledgeable. She took the time to explain us the right procedure for the kayaks, the routes , the current and also told us how far we were from blue springs. THANK YOU for your outstanding service, you definitely made our experience even better! Hope to see you soon!

This was my third year visiting the park. But this year was different. I like all continuous security presence. Unfortunately, it came with more of what was not allowed anymore. I love the beautiful spring. This time, it was less crowded and made getting into the water easily. Also, this is the first time I was able to take a shower at the bath house without the plumbing backing up in the shower.

Ginnie Springs is an absolutely amazing place for camping and diving. The springs look amazing. Floating down the river is very relaxing. The campsite is family-friendly, just be safe with the little ones as there is obviously water everywhere. We bring floating vest for the little ones. They also have day passes if you just want to visit some of the springs for a day. I've been coming here for the last 20 years and it's always a blast!

An amazing experience every time! I have personally been coming here since 2012 on and off. These campgrounds are clean and well maintained. Not to mention the springs are so beautiful. My partner and I stayed for 4 days, we chose to go during the week as the weekends can get a little hectic. It’s a popular spot. If you don’t like too much commotion, i recommend avoiding major holiday weekends. It turns into a full blown party (unless that’s what you’re aiming for) Reserving a spot with electric & water if you’re campingis worth it. The convenience store they have there is very handy, they have most essentials. Keep in mind that Florida is very well known for their wildlife. We did a lot of bird watching, and when you are on the lake you may get lucky and spot a gator! Don’t worry, they don’t mess with you. Overall a wonderful time.

Amazing place to visit if you're around the area. The spring is beautiful, clear, cool water, so relaxing.Beware if you wanna do kayaking they close rentals by 2pm!Great family experience !

This place is incredible! The community is vibrant and friendly, creating an amazing atmosphere. On weekends, it's bustling with college students enjoying the freedom to express themselves. While it's not a suitable environment for kids due to the lively music and activities, it adds to the unique charm of the place. The beautiful surroundings put everyone in a great mood, making it easy to strike up conversations with strangers. For those who prefer a quieter experience, weekdays are less crowded and offer a more relaxed vibe. Highly recommended for anyone looking to enjoy a dynamic and friendly community

4.4

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3.5

(656)

7300 NE Ginnie Spgs Rd, High Springs, FL 32643, USA