Poe spring swimming area car park

High Springs, Florida · on Santa Fe River · Poe Springs Park

Verified · 4 independent sources

WATER: spring
ACCESS: Designated swim area
FEE: $6 per vehicle
SEASON: Varies by conditions

About Poe spring swimming area car park

Poe Springs Park is an Alachua County park about 3 miles west of High Springs, Florida, centered on a second-magnitude spring that flows into the Santa Fe River. The spring has long served as a community swimming hole, with the county park providing developed access, parking, and restrooms.

The 202-acre park sits along the Santa Fe River amid karst terrain shaped by water dissolving limestone, with a 1.5-mile nature trail that crosses cypress swamp on boardwalks and passes water-filled sinkhole 'windows' in the rock.

Swimming at Poe spring swimming area car park

The spring pool is crystal-clear and roughly 13 feet deep at the vent, staying a constant 72°F year-round; gentle steps built into the shore ease entry, making it suitable for casual swimmers and families rather than requiring a rugged approach.

How to get to this swimming hole

The park is located at 28800 NW 182nd Avenue, High Springs, FL, about 3 miles west of the town of High Springs.

Parking: On-site parking is available near the trailhead/swim area, with restrooms located near the parking and picnic zones.

The hike in

To the water: 0.6 mi one-way from the parking lot to the spring platform, via paved path and boardwalk (this is a short, flat walk, not a hike)
Time on foot: roughly 10-15 minutes each way at a walking pace

Difficulty: easy, flat paved path becoming a boardwalk, no elevation gain

Trailhead: Parking lot just inside the park gate; a paved path leads to a signed junction ('Walk to Springs') that turns into a boardwalk to the spring.

The spring is reached by a 0.6-mile paved-path/boardwalk spur, not by a real trail hike. A separate 1.5-mile nature trail loop starts at the restrooms and winds through cypress swamp and karst terrain; that loop shares part of its route with the spur to the spring but is optional scenery, not required to reach the water.

Boardwalk crosses damp floodplain and passes water-filled karst sinkhole 'windows'; stay on the boardwalk near these features.

Plan your visit

Bringing kids

Good for kids

Built steps ease entry into the spring pool and the park is set up for families (picnic areas, playground, restrooms), but the pool reaches ~13 feet deep at the vent, so young/non-swimming kids should stay near the shallow entry steps rather than swim out to the vent.

Parking

Paid, $6/vehicle May 1-Sep 30 (or $1/pedestrian/bicycle); free Oct-Apr

Standard park lot, the first parking area on the right after entering the gate, near the volleyball pits. The posted fee functions as park/vehicle entry rather than a separate parking charge.

Restrooms

Yes

Restrooms are on-site near the parking area, picnic area, and the spring swimming area; the 1.5-mile nature trail also officially begins next to the restrooms.

Water clarity

Clear

Firsthand description (floridahikes.com) calls the spring 'clear straight down' to its ~13-foot vent depth, consistent with its status as a spring-fed pool rather than river-fed water.

Hours

Park open 7 days/week: summer (county page: May-Sep, AOA's page: Apr-Sep) 8am-8pm; winter 8am-5pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. The county page separately notes the spring/water area itself was listed as 'closed until further notice due to water level' as of the last check, while the on-site outfitter's page still advertises the spring as an open swimming/tubing area, current status should be confirmed directly before a visit.

On the water

KayaksCanoesPaddleboardsTube

Restrictions: Rental tubes are restricted to the spring pool itself ('for in the springs use only, not on the River'). A boat launch/dock at the park gives general watercraft access to the Santa Fe River, but no source found specifies whether motorized boats are permitted there or if it's paddle-craft only.

The on-site outfitter (Anderson's Outdoor Adventures) runs guided/shuttled paddle trips upriver from Poe Springs, plus straight rentals; the park itself has a boat launch and dock providing river access.

Rentals nearby

Anderson's Outdoor Adventures (AOA)

Kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals with shuttle service for point-to-point river trips departing from Poe Springs Park; also $10 all-day tube rentals for the spring pool itself (springs only, not the river)

Prices: Guided/shuttled paddle trips: Top Side Ride (2 mi, ~1.5 hrs) $35-$85; 8 Springs in 8 Miles® (8 mi, ~4.5 hrs) $30-$80; Bridge to Bridge (10 mi, ~6 hrs) $35-$90. Spring tube rental: $10/day.

Based on-site at Poe Springs Park, 28800 NW 182nd Ave, High Springs, FL · Thursday-Monday, 9am-6pm (closed Tuesday-Wednesday); separate concession-stand hours vary seasonally (roughly 10am-4pm weekends in shoulder season, 9am-5pm Thu-Mon in peak summer)

Backstory

The site was once a village along the Santa Fe River with a general store and lodging from the era when waterways were Florida's primary transportation routes. The spring had eroded and been neglected before county acquisition; Hurricane Irma caused significant damage in 2017, closing the park until repairs allowed it to reopen in May 2018.

Poe spring swimming area car park: FAQ

Does Poe spring swimming area car park charge a fee?

Seasonal entry fee May-September of $6 per vehicle or $1 per person for walk-ins/bicycles; free entry October-March. The park limits capacity, closing when the spring area reaches 100 visitors.

Is Poe spring swimming area car park kid friendly?

Do I need to hike to reach Poe spring swimming area car park?

No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.

Where do I park for Poe spring swimming area car park?

Standard park lot, the first parking area on the right after entering the gate, near the volleyball pits. The posted fee functions as park/vehicle entry rather than a separate parking charge.

Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Poe spring swimming area car park?

What are the rules at Poe spring swimming area car park?

Pets are allowed only on a handheld leash and may not swim in the spring. As of the last official page check, the swimming/water area was noted as closed until further notice due to water levels, despite swimming being listed as a normally permitted activity.

What water body is Poe spring swimming area car park on?

Poe spring swimming area car park is on Santa Fe River, a natural spring verified in USGS hydrography data.