Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park Campground

This state park is booked out almost every weekend for months in advance, but it is definitely worth visiting. Sandy campsites are perfect for smaller RVs and tent camping. The sites are a close together, but everyone was respectful of each others space. Facilities are average, but clean. Easy walk to the spring and boat launch. Sites are right next to the day use area so it can be a bit loud by mid-morning. I’d recommend coming during the fall or on a weekday to avoid some of the crowds.

While quite a few of the natural springs you’ll find here in Florida contain a Disneyworld-like level of crowds and subsequent infrastructure, here at Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park, you’ll discover a nice intimate and charming little natural springs environment. Add to this the campground options that it provides, you’ll find that here you can actually ‘have your cake and eat it too.’ Unlike many SPs with natural springs, more than nought, one needs to find campgrounds that are nowhere near the springs themselves, so Gilchrist will deliver in spades here, although, not without some compromises (more on this shortly). 

As for amenities, first and foremost, this open campground spans about 2 football fields with shrubbery and most of the trees on the periphery – and nothing on the interior, apart from a few scattered trees. Of course, you’ll find the requisite fire rings, scattered BBQ grills, picnic tables and standard hook-ups for RVs (electric, water and sewage). But this place offers up so much more from bicycle paths, boat ramps, geo-seeking, mountain biking non-paths, both traditional and primitive camping options, tons of birding, hiking paths, tubing, star gazing, scuba diving, boat tours, picnicking, horseback riding and watercraft rentals (which were very affordable by the hour and full day). There’s a beach, campfire circles, concession stand, on-site restaurant, fort, wheelchair accessibility, gardens, water fountains, restrooms and shower facilities (very basic and not terribly clean), swimming pool, nature trails, etc. OK, I think that this was pretty exhaustive, yes?! 

Here at Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park, you’ll actually feel like you are out in the middle of nature. Its rustic charm, combined with spacious campsites helps one sit back, relax and exhale a bit easier. One fairly huge downside though is that this campground does not offer much privacy between campsites – so you will literally see any and everything from ALL of your neighbors, no matter how close or far they may be. While a bit irksome, if that doesn’t totally bother you, then everything else is pretty much amazing. The greatest advantage, of course, is planting your tent just a stone’s throw to the actual spring, where you can either go for a swim, snorkel or dive and for those bringing kayaks, canoes and other light watercraft, it’s so easy to access the spring, that if you’re not careful, your paddleboard might just sneak off without you! 

Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) As with most popular (and even unpopular) natural springs in the state of Florida, it can get quite jam packed here on weekends as well as with major holidays, so get here early – but note: if you are a registered camper already, then you will be admitted entrance no matter how busy it gets; (2) Recently this SP has removed its dump station, so be prepared to carry out whatever you bring in; (3) While you’ll certainly want to spend a decent amount of time at Blue Spring itself, be sure to get out beyond this shallow spring to float among the currents of the Sante Fe River; and (4) Don’t be fooled by the amazing spring you are swimming in – there’s four other nearby springs to explore: Johnson Spring, Naked Spring, Kiefer Spring and Little Blue Spring. 

Happy Camping!

At about 20$ with electric and water plus a shower house and a natural spring that stays 72* all year around you just can't go wrong. The sites are pretty close together so you hear your neighbors and there's no privacy between them. Friendly staff and there's sand volley ball plus an area that looks to be for music possibly.

This is off the beaten path a bit, just out of High Springs Florida.  The RV campsites are relatively small with little space between them.  The campers there were quiet and respectful. The tent sites, however, are tremendously spacious by comparison.  The whole area is beneath shady live oak trees.  There is a little camp store that was not open during my visit there.  Kayaks were available for rent. The rangers were wonderful folks and very helpful.  They told me that I was there during a "very wet time" with a lot of standing water = MOSQUITOS!  They are not normally a bother at this campground, but they were when I was there.

My girlfriend and I camped out at this site and we completely fell in love with it. The place is overly beautiful and the spring is amazing.

Good place and beautiful blue spring lake. Poor tmobile signal

Gorgeous spring, great for swimming, tubing, and kayaking. Kayak rental onsite as well as some concessions. Limited cell service but WiFi available near ranger station. Everything is in walking distance. Rangers are super friendly and helpful. Lots of locals grilling out on the weekends and kids, fun atmosphere. Bathrooms are a bit rough. 17 is a huge site, also stayed at 4

Sites are not level and hook ups are in weird locations. Very close the spring. Bathhouse is shared with the day use people.

So apparently every so often the Sante Fe river floods out this spring with no warning. We checked the website the morning we left all was well. By the time we drove 2.5 hours to get there it was brown and murky and unusable. Sadly the spring is the only reason to camp there and with no warning system we wasted a lot of traveling for no reason. The place was a ghost town everyone left. Other cons… 1.5 mile very uneven dirt road with big bumps and trenches. Beat the heck out of my camper just trying to get there. Entrance to campsites once inside not maintained any better my minivan barely had clearance to reach campsites. The springs are beautiful when open but in my opinion not worth the risk traveling to unless you are very local. Campsites very blah very close very basic. We left after about 30 minutes.

The proximity to the spring is what did it for me! We stayed in site 1 and it could see the spring from our RV. The staff was friendly and the park host was so full of information. In all, we enjoyed the stay. One note: site 1 in particular requires a looooooong hose. The hookups are all over the place and we couldn’t even use water because of that. The bathrooms are public for spring goers and since the space is a lot of dirt, they got dirty quick. That would be our only downside. Otherwise, great park, beautiful spring, we walked the trails, and enjoyed our time there.

We loved camping here, but the hurricane caused the springs to flood and they were unswimmable muddy brown. And it was 98 degrees outside. Beautiful place, but make sure the springs are open before you go!!! Especially if it’s hot 🥵!

Sites are small. Spring is gorgeous - you can swim, yak, canoe, and SUP. Be aware of the electric situation - might need converter. Some trails. Bathrooms need updating. Not privacy between sites.

Campground close to the spring. Beautiful place. Not a lot of privacy. Amenities okay.

Have waited six months into our RV life to start reviews for fair comparisons. Stayed 2 nights in 35 foot RV+tow car in site#14 at$23/night. At the time, this was our cheapest per night stay and one of our absolute favorites. New small state park. There is a long dirt road to get in but was very manageable. Same with the sites(sand) which made us a bit nervous looking at it that we would get stuck, but no issues. Did have some issues trying to level. The springs were gorgeous to look at and we even took a swim. You can rent kayaks as well. Not extensive, but very nice hiking paths through the forest. Could hear owls occasionally although never saw one. The sites were close and in“corrals” but something about it made it feel nicer. Can’t explain it. Just great feel to this park. The tent area was also very nicely laid out. Highly recommend!

This is one of the first places I ever camped as a kid. The springs here were always magical to me and still are. A lot has changed over the years, especially with the influx of people and the pressure on our environment. I was here the day Florida State Parks took over this property from the private owners. I was relieved that this spring wouldn’t go into private hands so others could enjoy it like I do. 

This being one of Florida’s newest parks is very unlike the others in terms of facilities as little has changed since Florida State Parks took over the property. The health of the springs has improved significantly by limiting some of the public access there once was when the springs were private. The boardwalk that once went the length of the spring run down to the Sante Fe River is gone, and so is the diving platform into the spring I remember from my youth. 

Understand before you come here, this place is about the water, not the facilities. The park is small by Florida State Park standards, roads are sand, sites small and not private at all. The bath house at the camp grounds is open to day visitors as well in addition to being quite old and“tired”. There are only about 30 camping sites so it is difficult to get in and we mostly rely on last minute trips by cancellation. 

The vibe is great however, at least for me. The big rigs found at many state parks are replaced mostly by tent campers, smaller trailers and those embracing the Van Life. People don’t usually hang out here for weeks, rather drop in for a night or two then move on so it is much more transient. 

I’ll welcome the day that Florida State Parks will make the improvements to the property they envision like improving the camping area, adding a dump station, paving some of the roads etc. but at the same time I appreciate how it still is what it once was, the facilities were ALWAYS second to the water here and this spring and accompanying spring run is unmatched for beauty.

We camped here in our 32’ Bluebird skoolie, Hypatia, on a Friday night in December. It was cool and grey out so the spring was empty although the campgrounds were busy. This is one of the most gorgeous springs in Florida, a must-see for nature enthusiasts.

Amazing pristine spring with paddling gateway to many other springs via the tannin santa fe river. Great campground, family atmosphere. Amazing town nearby.

Visited here over the summer. The spring was absolutely beautiful and had a great priced kayak rental. I will definitely be coming back again

This spring is one of the newer State parks in Florida. The bathrooms need updating. The sites are small. The electrical boxes are limited to amp hookup. The spring is AMAZING!!! When you camp here you can use the spring before and after those who come for day use (there are a lot). I’m the evenings we had the spring to ourselves. There are hiking paths. You can rent canoes, kayaks, and SUP. They do not sell firewood or ice here.

We stayed in this park in the month of November and although the weather was cool we really had a great time in the River. It’s a small park and RV sites are shared with tent sites. It’s has a beautiful spring that you can either swim in or go down the River in kayaks or canoes( bring your own or rent at the park). Please note that there are daily visitors and can get crowded during the day.  Only one bathroom on the site that is shared with daily visitors. Great trails and beautiful nature walks.

Beautiful place! We can’t wait to go back. My phone died so I didn’t get pic’s of everything.

We didn't stay here but enjoyed it as a day use facility. The spring is MAGNIFICENT! We swam, floated, dove, and played in the sand. The Swimming area around the spring was nice and sandy and graded, not just rocky and/or deep some of the other near by springs. There were pavilions and picnic tables spread out around the swimming area, there was some shade, and a little beach area to throw a blanket on and tan. 

As the newest acquisition of FL State Parks, there were some things that need to be brought up to par. Getting down to the spring was a bit haphazard as the terraced steps had been washed out, leaving you to have to step over exposed retainer boards. The bathhouse had been cleaned and touched up, but were still pretty dilapidated. We drove through to check out the camp ground, it is pretty small but well shaded. There currently isn't a Dump station on site.

The State Park web site: Indicates that they are Planning for Amenity upgrades.https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/ruth-b-kirby-gilchrist-blue-springs-state-park