Worthington Springs FloridaBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near Worthington Springs, Florida.
1. Chastain-Seay Park
HISTORIC RIVERSIDE RECREATION
Chastain-Seay Park sits on the former site of a historic mineral spring spa, offering visitors access to the Santa Fe River for swimming and fishing. The park features a picturesque Riverwalk Nature Trail that winds through river floodplains and forests, providing unique perspectives on riverine landscapes. Visitors can enjoy picnic facilities in a forested grove near the entrance while experiencing this quiet hamlet's natural beauty.
2. Ginnie Springs
CRYSTAL CLEAR WATERS
Ginnie Springs is a world-renowned diving destination featuring seven crystalline springs along the Santa Fe River. Visitors can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, tubing, kayaking, and cave diving in the remarkably clear 72-degree waters year-round. The privately owned, 200-acre facility offers camping sites, picnic areas, and equipment rentals for a complete outdoor recreation experience.
3. Ichetucknee Springs State Park
PRISTINE RIVER TUBING
Ichetucknee Springs State Park is home to the famous crystal-clear Ichetucknee River, perfect for tubing, swimming, and wildlife viewing. The park encompasses nine natural springs that feed the six-mile river, maintaining a refreshing 72-degree temperature year-round. Visitors can drift downstream through pristine natural landscapes while spotting turtles, fish, otters, and birds in their natural habitat.
4. Blue Springs Park
PRIVATE SPRING OASIS
Blue Springs Park is a privately-owned recreational facility centered around a magnificent first-magnitude spring that pumps millions of gallons of crystal-clear water daily. The spring maintains a constant 72-degree temperature and features a large swimming area with sandy bottom, rope swings, and diving platforms. Visitors can also enjoy canoeing, picnicking, camping, and exploring the underwater cave system popular with certified cave divers.
5. Poe Springs Park
FAMILY-FRIENDLY SPRING RECREATION
Poe Springs Park features a second-magnitude spring flowing into the Santa Fe River, offering a natural swimming area with a shallow entry perfect for families. The 202-acre county park includes nature trails, picnic pavilions, playground equipment, and a boat ramp for river access. Visitors can spot wildlife including turtles, fish, and birds while enjoying the spring's refreshing 72-degree waters.
6. O'Leno State Park
HISTORIC RIVER DESTINATION
O'Leno State Park sits on the banks of the Santa Fe River, offering swimming, fishing, canoeing, and hiking opportunities in a historic setting. The river dramatically disappears underground at the River Sink and reemerges three miles away at River Rise Preserve State Park, creating a unique natural phenomenon. The park, developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, features historic structures, a suspension bridge, and diverse ecosystems to explore.
7. Rum Island Park
SECLUDED RIVER ACCESS
Rum Island Park offers a secluded swimming area on the Santa Fe River with a small spring that provides clear, cool water for year-round enjoyment. The county park features a boat ramp, making it an excellent starting point for paddling adventures to nearby springs like Gilchrist Blue and Ginnie Springs. Visitors appreciate the park's natural setting with cypress trees, abundant wildlife, and fewer crowds than some of the region's more popular springs.
8. Alachua Lake
DRAMATIC PRAIRIE BASIN
Alachua Lake, also known as Payne's Prairie Basin, is a unique disappearing lake that alternates between dry savanna and shallow lake depending on rainfall patterns. When filled, visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing on this expansive 21,000-acre water body. The surrounding Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park offers hiking trails, an observation tower, and exceptional birding opportunities with over 300 species recorded.
9. Little River Springs
HIDDEN LIMESTONE GROTTO
Little River Springs is a picturesque county park featuring a second-magnitude spring flowing into the Suwannee River through a limestone grotto. The spring offers crystal-clear 72-degree water for swimming with limestone ledges perfect for sunbathing and a small sandy beach area. Visitors can enjoy diving platforms, abundant fish, and the option to paddle to the nearby Suwannee River for extended adventures.
10. Fanning Springs State Park
MANATEE VIEWING DESTINATION
Fanning Springs State Park protects a second-magnitude spring that pumps millions of gallons of clear, cool water daily into the Suwannee River. The spring basin offers swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving opportunities, while winter visitors may spot manatees seeking the spring's constant 72-degree waters. The 200-acre park includes boardwalks, a boat ramp, picnic areas, and hiking trails through diverse ecosystems including hardwood hammocks and cypress swamps.