Poe Springs Park — Attraction in Alachua

A hidden gem!!! This State Park has a beautiful spring, friendly staff, and lots of improvements. Easy to find as it's located in-line with two other parks with springs close by on NW182nd/CR236/Poe Springs Rd about 3 miles west of High Springs. This State Park is just over 200 acres and has been run by the state for the past five years, the prior care giver was Alachua Co Cities and Parks division. This spring is not as popular as the other three mainstream springs in the area, and it's not because it's not as nice...it's because it's not as large. The cost of admission is $6/car. The water temperature is 72° year round, and the main spring vent is down about 25' and produces 45 million gallons of water per day! Scuba is not permitted, however masks and snorkels are fine. This spring has a relatively short run from the head spring into the river, and the pool area is a little smaller than others in the area. This spring is gorgeous and has a beautiful run into the Santa Fe river. The park has two main areas; the parking area and the spring area, with about a half mile walk down a boardwalk separating them. There are no trams or shuttles...just your two feet. It does appear the park is pet friendly as I noticed several dogs enjoying the park and bag dispensers for cleaning up after your pet. The path from the parking area to the spring area is paved, so those with limitations can enjoy the spring as well. On our visit we arrived later in the day to enjoy a few hours of swimming prior to sunset. Right now, the park is available until 8pm all week. A member of staff begins getting people out of the water at 7:30pm. On our visit there were only three other families, very low key and very relaxing. There are pavilions with tables and grills down at the spring area as well as up by the parking area for a total of four. There are many other picnic tables besides the ones located in the pavilions both at the spring area and parking area. There is a playground for the littles as well as volleyball courts and a baseball field. For those who are early birds don't waste time getting here; as mentioned earlier, this spring is smaller so tables get filled quickly in the summer and once the spring has reached its maximum limit of swimmers no other will be permitted to enter. It's worth noting that there are restrooms located in both the parking and spring areas, however only the parking area one is tolerable. This park has only been state run for five years, and in those five years we have noticed big changes. It appears the state is constantly upgrading things; new playground and pavilions a few years ago, new boardwalk last year, and new restrooms at the spring area coming soon. There is also a beautiful rentable lodge that can be used as a venue. It does have; indoor air-conditioning, kitchen, and restrooms, details about this can be found on the state parks website. This park has a limited staff, so the park shows the lack of upkeep. We noticed lots of trash and debris located around the park in both areas. People please pick up after yourselves...this is how we lose...

Beautiful county-owned spring for 6$ per carload, has a playground and some decent cookout/party pavilions and restrooms up near the parking area, but bring a wheeled cart/cooler for your hike down to the actual spring swimming area because feels like two football fields long when you’re carrying stuff but there’s a nicely maintained boardwalk all the way down. There are bathrooms (wear your shoes in them 👀) down by the spring as well and about ten picnic tables with charcoal grills set up between some of them. The spring is a decent size with nice concrete steps going down into main area, easy access. Then a small spring run to the Santa Fe where the water is much warmer and you can see schools of mullet swimming. The run is very rocky and slippery so water shoes for the tender feet and take your time so you don’t wipe out. Wheelchair access down to the Spring area but no ramp in to the water itself and picnic area is pretty sandy so not easy to push in that. There are signs up stating park is tobacco free just FYI. Dogs must be kept on a leash and are NOT allowed down at the...

Excellent family-friendly natural spring experience! There are many shaded picnic tables at the spring swimming area and also in the pavilion area near the concessions stand, which was open and operating when we came with several options. Prices at the concession stand were a little high, but that is to be expected at such attractions. So make sure you pack a lunch. There is also a small playground near the concession stand and beside pavilion #1.

The spring is very accessible via a boardwalk and is even stroller friendly. The springs are majority shallow and largely wadeable, even by small children. I came to this place with an eight-year-old and seven-year-old in tow while also six months pregnant and we had no trouble getting anywhere. If you wade out to the end of the spring, you’ll also find a rope swing where you can swing out above the Santa Fe river and swim back! So much fun for little ones here! Bring a snorkel and they will entertain...