Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park

We went to "do the springs" near Gainesville recently. They had been on my bucket list for many years. I had seen pictures of Ichetucknee Springs and thought nothing beat that beautiful, crystal clear water. So, when we were planning the family vacation for the summer, I thought it would be the perfect time to check this off the list. And, honestly, it did not disappoint. Tubing down the Ichetucknee River was a relaxing and enjoyable experience. There is a nice current that pushes you gently down the river, and a canopy that provides much needed shade from the hot sun. The water is cold. It is 72 degrees year-round. But, since it was hot outside, it didn't take long before our bodies acclimated to the water temperature and we were very comfortable. The next day, we headed to Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park. It's one of the newest state parks in the system and they are still making repairs to bring it up to state park standards, but it is a beautiful park. We will definitely be back!