Keystone Heights FloridaBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near Keystone Heights, Florida.
1. Keystone Beach / Geneva Jungle
FAMILY FUN LAKESIDE PARK
Keystone Beach at Lake Geneva offers a beautiful lakeside retreat with sandy shores for swimming and sunbathing. The park features the unique Geneva Jungle, a 5,200 sq. ft. state-of-the-art wooden playground built by community volunteers that provides endless entertainment for children with bridges, monkey bars, and slides. Visitors can enjoy picnic areas, volleyball courts, fishing opportunities, and boat access, making it a perfect destination for family outings.
2. Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park
NATURAL SPRINGS AND LAKES
Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park features multiple swimming areas including a beautiful spring-fed lake with crystal clear waters. The park offers a variety of outdoor activities including canoeing, kayaking, swimming, hiking trails, and cabin rentals for overnight stays. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the diverse wildlife viewing opportunities, horse trails, and primitive camping options in this serene natural setting.
3. Keystone Heights Boat Ramp
LAKE ACCESS POINT
The Keystone Heights Boat Ramp provides convenient water access just south of the city limits off SR 21. Visitors can enjoy canoeing, kayaking, and fishing in the tranquil lake waters surrounding Keystone Heights. The boat ramp serves as a gateway to exploring the natural beauty of North Florida's lake region.
4. Keystone Heights Historic Pavilion
WATERFRONT GATHERING SPOT
The Keystone Heights Historic Pavilion offers a charming waterfront venue for gatherings with access to swimming, fishing, and water activities. Visitors can enjoy the pet-friendly grounds, picnic facilities, and playground while taking in lake views. The pavilion combines historical charm with recreational opportunities for a well-rounded outdoor experience.
5. Little Rain Lake Community Park
LAKESIDE RECREATION AREA
Little Rain Lake Community Park offers a peaceful lakeside setting with opportunities for water recreation. The park features basketball courts and other amenities that complement its natural water access. Visitors can enjoy the tranquility of a smaller, less crowded lake experience while still having access to recreational facilities.
6. Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park
CRYSTAL CLEAR SPRINGS
Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park showcases pristine blue springs with crystal-clear 72-degree water flowing year-round. Visitors can swim, snorkel, and kayak in the stunning spring waters while observing native wildlife including turtles, fish, and occasional manatees during winter. The park features picnic pavilions, a concession stand, and boardwalks that provide access to multiple springs including the main Blue Spring, Little Blue Spring, Naked Spring, and Johnson Spring.
7. Ichetucknee Springs State Park
RIVER TUBING PARADISE
Ichetucknee Springs State Park is famous for its six-mile crystal-clear spring-fed river that offers one of Florida's most beloved tubing experiences. Visitors can float down the gentle current on tubes, kayaks or canoes while observing wildlife and the lush underwater vegetation in the remarkably transparent waters. The park features multiple spring-fed swimming holes including Blue Hole and Headspring, both offering refreshing 72-degree water year-round in a pristine natural setting.
8. O'Leno State Park
HISTORIC RIVER RETREAT
O'Leno State Park features a unique natural phenomenon where the Santa Fe River disappears underground only to reemerge three miles away at River Rise Preserve State Park. Visitors can enjoy swimming, canoeing, and fishing along the scenic river before it vanishes into a limestone sink. The park's CCC-era buildings, suspension bridge, and hiking trails add historical and recreational dimensions to this distinctive waterfront destination.
9. Ginnie Springs
WORLD-CLASS DIVING DESTINATION
Ginnie Springs is a privately owned natural wonderland featuring seven crystalline springs flowing into the Santa Fe River with visibility often exceeding 100 feet. The springs offer world-class cave diving opportunities at the famous Devil's Spring System, while casual visitors can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, tubing, and paddling in the stunningly clear 72-degree waters. Extensive camping facilities, picnic areas, volleyball courts, and a well-stocked dive shop make this a complete outdoor recreation destination popular with both locals and international visitors.
10. Juniper Springs Recreation Area
HISTORIC SPRING OASIS
Juniper Springs Recreation Area in the Ocala National Forest features a stunning natural spring pool surrounded by palm trees and historic CCC-era limestone structures. Visitors can swim in the refreshing 72-degree crystal-clear waters of the main spring or paddle the challenging Juniper Run, a narrow, winding 7-mile stream often considered one of the most beautiful canoe runs in the nation. The recreation area offers camping, picnicking, and hiking opportunities in a lush subtropical setting that showcases Florida's natural springs at their most picturesque.