Ichetucknee Springs State Park

About Ichetucknee Springs State Park

The US Interior Department declared Ichetucknee Springs State Park a national natural monument in 1972. In 1972, the US Geological Survey and the National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with the US Army Corps of Engineers, declared the area a National Natural Monument. From the end of May to the beginning of September, pumping out the rivers is the most important activity in the areas. The crystalline Ichechucksnee River flows from the Santa Fe River to its mouth at the mouth of a small stream in northern New Mexico and then flows into the Gulf of Mexico.

In addition to diving, visitors can enjoy a variety of other activities such as kayaking, hiking, fishing, rafting, canoeing and hiking. From the river you can see the Santa Fe River, the Ichechucksnee River and the Gulf of Mexico.

In the park you can rent tubes, snorkeling and diving equipment from private providers. Picnic areas, tables and barbecues are available in all parks, and full-service concessions offer food, refreshments and outdoor products from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

These beautiful springs have been inhabited and worked by people for over 10,000 years, and the Ichetucknee River and surrounding forests have been home to many. The hotel is located at the foot of the mountain, a short walk from the main entrance and the parking lot of the park.

Indians hunted and fished here, and prehistoric animals once roamed the coasts, as did the Indians themselves and their descendants.

Besides one of the many springs, a Spanish mission was founded and in the 19th century a water mill was operated here. Travellers on Bellamy Road stopped to quench their thirst and fetch water from the nearby creek.

From prehistory to pioneering times, the history of Ichetucknee is as deep and diverse as the source itself. At the same time, the turpentine and wood industries flourished, and phosphate was extracted from a small above-ground mine, which is still visible today, although it is heavily forested.

A full service concession stand is located at the South Entrance and is open daily during the summer season. Depending on the park you can use one of the many picnic areas, picnic tables or a picnic table in the parking lot.

In the park there are several suppliers that offer a wide range of food and drinks, such as hot dogs, beer, wine and wine glasses. Concessionaries do not rent hoses, canoes, masks or snorkels, but carry water, snacks, water bottles, mineral water and other essentials.

You will be accompanied by cave divers who will explore and study the activities in the deep recharge pools. Interactive interpretative displays allow you to track these valuable resources to their source and share the secrets while you enjoy a movie in a modern theater. Visit the educational centre and experience a unique experience, how to interpret the history of the cave system and its history as well as its current state. End your trip and visit the park's visitor center, museum and visitor center to experience the unique experiences for yourself.

Ichetucknee Spring offers excellent swimming conditions, but Blue Hole Spring should be used by experienced swimmers due to the depth and strong current. Swimming and snorkeling are also possible by swimming in the deep recharge pools at Ichetucksnee Springs State Park.

Canoeing is possible and a great way to enjoy the natural beauty of the river, and canoe rentals are available from local providers within the park. During the summer season, a shuttle service is available between the parks, but in low season you will need to arrange your own transport by a local canoe outfitter or private vehicle. You can go canoeing on the Ichetucksnee River from the parking lot at the entrance to the National Park or by boat.

Due to the high traffic, there is no recommended canoe trip and canoes must give way to tubers on their way.

Ichetuckee Springs State Park is one of the most popular hiking and biking trails in the state of New Hampshire.

Diving is allowed in Blue Hole Spring from October to March, but divers must have a cave permit and diving from the river or other sources is not permitted. Ichetuckee Springs State Park has a large number of caves, and many divers bring wheelbarrows and carts to transport equipment.

Dive sites are equipped with picnic tables and barbecues, but dives are not allowed after 17: 00 and dive sites close at 14: 30 for safety reasons.

Covered picnic pavilions can be reserved and these facilities are served according to the "first come, first served" principle. The gazebo is reserved for picnic tables, barbecues and other outdoor activities such as picnics, swimming, hiking or fishing.

Hiking maps are available at the ranger station's information desk, and there are picnic tables and barbecue facilities on the parking lot and along the hiking trail.

The self-guided trail takes you back to the time when phosphate ore was mined in the area at the beginning of the 19th century. The hike takes about 30 minutes and is led by a small group of hikers, with a few stops along the way for lunch and a picnic.

This often overlooked part of the park offers a wide view that rises above the long pine trees with a wide view. It is considered a natural diversity that only occurs in this disappearing ecosystem with a variety of plants and animals, as well as wildlife.

The self-guided tour from the parking lot to the river takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Pets are not allowed near the river, and as long as the Ichetucknee River remains untouched, no food, beverages, tobacco or disposable products may be taken into the park.

You can borrow tubes from the vendors in the park or visitors can bring their own, but the tubes must be less than 5 feet in diameter to swim freely in this natural river. The summer season begins on Saturday, the day of national mourning, and ends on Labor Day.

Three hose options are available: The driver of the vehicle drives to the South Parking Lot and drops the passenger hose at the North Picnic Area. After waiting 45 minutes, passengers can swim or play in the water for up to 30 minutes.

The shuttle bus takes the driver from the southern parking lot north to his group in the North Picnic Area, and when he arrives, the group can ride along the river together. The river leaves the river after a 2 1 / 2 hour swim and goes to the last stop where the tram can pick up the vehicle. Once the daily load capacity is reached, all last river cruises are sold out, so please head for another river after 2 - 1 / 2 hours swimming.

The last time you enter the river at the North Entrance is at 3 p.m., and the tram takes you to the parking lot. When the load capacity reaches 2,250 tubers (comes first), the access center closes at 2.30 p.m. You can leave the river in Dampier or walk to Mitte, from where you can swim for 2-1 / 2 hours by tram, or walk back to the last river cruises to Dampsier.

Parking is available on site, but the access to Dampier Landing closes at 5 p.m., access is from the parking lot at the north entrance. Take a shady, picturesque 5-minute walk down to the river and float to a point where you will be taken back to your car in the parking lot by tram.

The shallow and sensitive northern section of the river will recover from the heavy summer traffic and be able to grow again, but not for long.

Then you can swim the last tube you take to get to the central south side and swim for half an hour before landing in Dampier, or swim and walk for 15 minutes. In low season there is no tram, but you can walk to the centre promenade, which is a 15-minute walk from the park entrance, and follow the tram "Mittelpunktweg."

Swim 45 minutes before the last take-out, walk for about 15 minutes and return to the main parking lot. Walk for about 5 minutes and follow the path around the concession building or swim and walk and swim for 20 minutes, then you can swim for 30 minutes.

Swim 45 minutes before the last take - get out, walk about 15 minutes and return to the main parking lot. Well-behaved dogs are welcome at Ichetucknee Springs State Park, but you must always keep them on a lead and leave them unattended for no more than an hour. Dogs are not allowed in the springs or in the river and must be kept on a lead during the day and at night.

Take I-75 north to south at Exit 423, follow the parking signs, turn onto CR 238 and take SR 47 South to the entrance to Ichetucknee Springs State Park, south of Creek.

Take I-75 South to North at Exit 399 and take US 441 North to the town of High Springs or stay on US 27 North and park at the entrance to Ichetucknee Springs State Park.