Swimming, paddling, and snorkeling draw campers to Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park Campground in High Springs, Florida, where the main spring sits close enough to the campsites that some visitors can see the water from their RV windows. The spring maintains a consistent 72 degrees year-round, making it usable across seasons. Kayaks and canoes are available to rent on-site, and the Santa Fe River, accessible from the spring run, gives paddlers room to extend their time on the water. Hikers have forest trails to work through, and the park's birding draws visitors who come specifically to watch. Nearby, Ginnie Springs Outdoors provides another spring-fed option for those building a longer itinerary in the area.
The campground itself is compact and open. RV sites and tent sites share the same general space, and reviewers consistently flag the lack of privacy between sites as the most notable tradeoff. As Perry J. puts it, "this place is about the water, not the facilities." The bathhouse is shared with day visitors, which means cleanliness can degrade quickly during busy periods, particularly on weekends. Sites are sandy, and leveling an RV can take some effort.
Access requires navigating a long dirt road into the park. The road is manageable in dry conditions but worth noting for larger rigs. The campground accommodates RVs up to 40 feet, with electric and water hookups available. Reviewers note that water hookup placement varies by site, and some sites require an unusually long hose to reach the connection. A dump station is not currently on-site, so plan accordingly. Reservations are available and recommended, since the park has roughly 30 sites and fills up on weekends and holidays. Registered campers are admitted regardless of day-use capacity limits.
Cell service is limited throughout the park, though WiFi is reportedly available near the ranger station. Weekends bring local day visitors in addition to campers, which adds activity around the spring during peak hours. Christina describes the overall feel as "one of our absolute favorites," and notes the hiking paths through the forest as a worthwhile addition beyond the spring itself. For those building a trip around Florida's spring country, places to camp near High Springs give a broader picture of what the surrounding corridor has to offer.
If proximity to a natural spring matters more than polished facilities, this campground delivers that trade-off directly.
Description
Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park is the newest addition to Florida State Parks!
The park contains a collection of natural springs, including a large second magnitude spring that produces an average of 44 million gallons of water per day. This spring, known as Gilchrist Blue, has outstanding water clarity and discharges water through a shallow spring run about one-quarter mile to the Santa Fe River. The other named springs on-site are Little Blue Spring, Naked Spring, Kiefer Spring and Johnson Spring.
The most significant ecological habitats within the park include the spring run stream and floodplain communities. The main spring run is renowned for its support of a diversity of wildlife species including turtles, fish and invertebrates.
Paddling, snorkeling and swimming are all popular at the main springhead and spring run. Pavilions are available and a concession stand provides food and beverage service. Other popular activities include hiking, nature study and picnicking.
The park features 23 campsites: 16 sites for RV/tent camping (30 amp available) and seven tent-only camping.
For reservations, visit the Florida State Parks reservations website or call 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsGilchrist Blue Springs State Park Campground is located in Florida near High Springs
Directions
Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park is located in Gilchrist County about 5 miles to the west of High Springs, FL off NW 182nd Ave. (CR340) in the north central part of the state along the Santa Fe River. The park is located 25 miles south of Lake City and about 20 miles to the northwest of Gainesville.
Address
7450 NE 60th St
High Springs, FL 32643
Coordinates
29.82940945 N
82.68364518 W
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/26/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/26/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GGood Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/26/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/26/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- 30 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 33 min from Gainesville, FL
- 52 min from Ocala, FL
- 1 hr 21 min from Jacksonville, FL
- 1 hr 23 min from Homosassa Springs, FL























































