Poe Springs Park

Poe Springs has had a rough decade. Hurricane Irma in 2017. Years of renovation. COVID. Tropical storm flooding. Hurricane Idalia debris. Hurricane Debby in August 2024. Each time the park closed, and each time — eventually — it reopened. As of this writing, the gate is open seven days a week, the 72°F water is clear, and Anderson's Outdoor Adventures is running tube rentals, kayak launches, and the signature "8 Springs in 8 Miles" paddle trip from the boat ramp.

The spring itself is the largest natural spring in Alachua County — roughly 45 million gallons a day — and sits on the Santa Fe River near High Springs, in the middle of one of the highest concentrations of named springs per river mile in Florida. Within eight miles of the Poe boat ramp: Lily Springs, Mermaid Springs, Rum Island, Gilchrist Blue, Devil's Eye, Ginnie Springs, July Springs, and Dogwood Spring.

• Location: High Springs area (Alachua County), on the Santa Fe River
• Address: 28800 NW 182nd Avenue, High Springs, FL 32643
• Summer hours: 8 a.m.–8 p.m. daily (May–September)
• Winter hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. daily (October–March)
• Entry (May–Sep): $6 per vehicle; $1 walk-in/bike
• Entry (Oct–Apr): Free
• Water temperature: 72°F year-round
• Magnitude: Second-magnitude (~45M gal/day)
• Capacity: 100 people in the spring; 120 vehicles total
• Camping: Day-use only
• Phone: 352-264-6847

• Gainesville: 30 minutes (US-441 north)
• Jacksonville: 1.5 hours (I-10 west to US-441 south)
• Orlando: 2.5 hours (I-75 north)
• Tallahassee: 2 hours (I-10 east)

From Gainesville, take US-441 north approximately 25 miles; turn left on NW 182nd Avenue. The park is well-signed.

Poe Springs has the most complicated closure history of any county park in Florida. Always check alachuacounty.us or the county's social media the day of your visit. River flooding can close the spring basin within hours of heavy rain — the Santa Fe backs into the pool and turns the water brown.

• Swimming in the 72°F spring basin. Shallow sandy entry transitions to a deep vent pool. No lifeguards — swim at your own risk.
• Tubing — Anderson's rents tubes for $10 all day (spring basin only, not the river).
• Kayaking and paddling the Santa Fe River — single kayak or paddleboard $45/2 hrs, tandem kayak or canoe $60/2 hrs. Launch from the park's boat ramp directly into the Santa Fe.
• The "8 Springs in 8 Miles" paddle — Anderson's signature guided trip passes 8 named springs in 4–5 hours ($30–$80/person). The "Top Side Ride" (2 miles, $35–$85) and "Bridge to Bridge" (10 miles, $35–$90) are also bookable.
• Fishing from the dock on the Santa Fe.
• Hiking through upland scrub on loop trails; the elevated boardwalk through a cypress dome is the highlight.
• Picnicking — pavilions, volleyball, playground, charcoal grills.

Anderson's manages all rentals, concessions, and venue rentals at Poe Springs. Concession stand open Thu–Mon 9 a.m.–5 p.m. peak season (smoked BBQ, pulled pork, nachos, lemonades). Weekend-only in shoulder season. The Lodge at Poe Springs available for private events. aoafun.com, 352-507-0059.

• High Springs (~5 miles) — Grady House B&B ($319+/night), High Springs Country Inn, vacation rentals. Downtown's Great Outdoors Restaurant (28-day-aged steaks, fresh fish, reservations recommended) and The Steak-out are the go-to dinner options.
• Gainesville (~25 miles) — full chain hotel range and university-city dining.

• Verify the park is open before driving. River flooding closes Poe on short notice after heavy rain.
• Do not drink the spring water — bacterial contamination advisories are issued after each flooding event.
• Arrive by 9 a.m. on summer weekends. The 100-person spring capacity and 120-vehicle parking fill by 10 a.m.
• Free admission October–April. The off-season is dramatically quieter and the water is the same temperature.
• The "8 Springs in 8 Miles" paddle is the signature experience of the Santa Fe River corridor. Book through Anderson's.
• No lifeguards. The vent area is deep. Keep non-swimmers in the shallows.
• No alcohol. No dogs in the spring.
• Cell service intermittent. Download directions before leaving Gainesville.
• Pair with Ichetucknee (~20 miles northwest) for a two-spring day on the same watershed.

Last verified: May 28, 2026. Poe Springs has reopened after extensive closures; verify current status at alachuacounty.us before driving. River-level closures can happen without notice.