Ginnie Springs Outdoors

Beautiful but not appropriate for kids. High alcohol and drug use and high crime rate at times. Only electric golf carts no side by sides.

A perfect spot to camp and swim with your friends!!! This spot isn’t far from st Pete and is great for group camping! There is alot of space too!

This is clearly one of the best natural springs in all of Florida complete with 250 wooded acres of pure Florida wilderness. Not only does this site offer up more than 1 crystal-clear, freshwater spring to chose from(there’s a total of 7 for the singular admission price ($15-$20 for adults and$5 for kids (aged 5-12) depending upon season), but there’s also a lazy river to float down in an inner-tube, kayak or canoe. While I have been to plenty of springs all over Florida and Georgia, thus far, this is by far, the best run one. 

One of the best bits of this privately managed natural spring is that they are true capitalists and offer just about everything you can think of to buy or rent, this includes: snorkeling gear (masks, fins, wetsuits, dive flag, etc.) diving equipment(cylinders, fins, BC, regulator, octopus, weight belt, dive light, etc.), single or double inner-tube, paddles, volleyball, football, canoes, kayaks, paddle boards (but note that there is no pick-up service). Beyond a massive retail operation, there’s also a decent deli here offering up breakfast, sandwiches, hot dogs, appetizers, ice cream, snacks and drinks. 

Further afield, you’ll find a substantial number of river-front campsites seemingly spread out all over this entire water adventure land. You’ll see a decent smattering of covered picnic pavilions, sand volleyball courts, laundr-O-mat, country store, BBQ grills and some of the best kept restroom, shower facilities and heated, tiled bath houses of any campground I’ve been to (and I’ve been to quite a few). Another thing I really like – unlike any other campground is that check-in can be as early as 8am and you don’t have to depart until half hour before sunset the following day – that’s HUGE! You’ll want to note though that you have to be at least 18 to rent a campsite. You can only reserve specific sites for groups of 30 or more, otherwise, primitive campsites are first come, first served. 

While there’s basically 3 different primitive camping areas to chose from – The Out Back, Turkey Roost and Beaver Landing – it’s important you know a little bit about each for an EZ selection. To begin with, regardless of which one you select, know that each has plenty of space for even the largest of tents and the space between sites is decent, although there is nothing separating one site from the next – it’s basically wherever you want to plop your tent, you’re good to go. There’s scattered picnic tables and BBQ grilles all over the place (not necessarily one set per campsite, so get what you want by arriving early) and all three locations will give you a front row seat to the Sante Fe River as well as direct access to a few nearby springs and of course, nearby restroom and shower facilities. 

For those hauling their living rooms on wheels, there’s pull-through sites and a few back-in sites and all come with electric and water (requiring a reservation) – these sites are located just behind the main entrance / county store area. Upon exiting the park, there’s proper dump stations for disposal. For those not wanting to pitch a tent or roll-up in an RV, they do have cottage for let that sleeps up to 8 (3BR and 2 BA) where linens along with washer / dryer and fully-equipped kitchen are offered, along with A/C, central heat, large deck and charcoal grill – bonus: lodging fee includes daily park admission, but requires a 2-night minimum stay. 

Insider’s tips? Here's a few: (1) For all of you traveling with your pets, you will want to take note that Ginnie Springs is NOT pet friendly, so keep your animals at home (or hidden); (2) Unlike the state-run parks which prohibit not only alcohol but all forms of water bottles or beverage containers, there are no restrictions to what you can bring with you on a kayak or inner-tube here, so that’s another HUGE bonus to Ginnie Springs, but please, don’t take this as your opportunity to litter – do the right thing and dispose of your cans and bottles in the recycling bins!; (3) If you get tired of the scene at Ginnie Springs and want to explore other nearby springs, I suggest Devils Ear or Dogwood Springs – and of course, there’s Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park (see my review for particular details about this campground), which is pretty amazing too; and (4) While there is not much (or anything) around Ginnie Springs from a foodie standpoint, apart from its own deli (and that will get old very quickly), if you are looking for something decent that is nearby in High Springs, I highly recommend the sweet potato basket and cheeseburger egg rolls (don’t ask, just order and be prepared to be amazed) at the neon-lit Pink Flamingo Diner with its amazing craft beer selection, mini golf and live music. 

Happy Camping!

Very nice. Very well maintained. Lots of sites but it was very empty. Bathrooms and laundry were very clean. Tenting sites right on the water.

 would rate the staff in the camp store and dive rental FIVE STARS…. But once you exit those doors, be prepared! It’s crowded, but that’s expected. What is NOT expected is that everyone is ALLOWED to blast speakers everywhere, between the hours of 8am- 11pm. The volume at several sites was maximum level. Golf carts with gigantic speakers driving and stopping with speakers blaring! I asked the park rangers if music at this level was allowed.“YES, all hours until 11pm” What a shame that such a beautiful place is ruined by not enforcing common decency rules. We left with headaches!

There are SO MANY places to camp next to springs where it's nice, quiet, cheap...Well this isn't that. This is a privately own river party resort. If you're expecting peace and quiet, just come on the weekdays. Bring more booze than you think you'll need, you'll never know who you're gonna meet.

My girlfriend and I went for two nights/three days. Parked by the tent, enjoyed the fire at night, went swimming and kayaking. Staff was friendly and no one bothered anyone else.

Been going here forever yesrs

Great place for group camping and day trips down the river. Loud and heavily populated so not the best option for those looking to get away for some peace and quiet.

Beautiful location, springs were quite nice too... Camping on the other hand was just not private enough for what I was looking for

Always a great time and super spaced out. If you're looking for a campground that has plenty to do and has friendly staff this is the place.

Beautiful but Loud and raucous. Someone shot a gun and security couldn’t figure out which site it was. Campers from different sites yelling and arguing. No respect for quiet time and no enforcement. Beautiful springs. Kayaking and tubing was great. Lots of wildlife.

We have gone the same weekend for years on end. Love how it is privately owned. Gets loud, but always a good time.

Welcome to party central...very loud and rowdy park. Huge with springs. Paddle board or tube down river. Take canoe tour of gators. Soak in the crystal springs...tons to do and see.

Lots of room between camp sites, beautiful spring, kayak and tube rentals to go down the spring, beautiful scenery, clean, store on site to get any necessities.

Great place to enjoy a nice swim with friend and family. Beautiful clean and clear water

Ginnie is a great place to enjoy crystal clear springs and a nice float down the river. It is super pricey but you can pretty much do whatever you want.

Great time 😄. Not for the little kids during the warmer months on the weekends.

Had to leave because they don't allow pets

Wife and I decided to give Ginnie a try... We have read the reviews and listened to stories on Facebook about how it’s a No holds barred drinking paradise.

We went for a Monday-Wednesday stay. Primitive camping in our new roof top tent in an effort to avoid the pub crawl atmosphere. I love my camping to be primitive and quiet.

Entrance to camp ground is great. Camp store was very inviting and the workers very friendly with great advice.

Bath house is great and cleaned daily. In the age of COVID, you have to love the smell of bleach. Showers were great and the hot water flows extra steamy.

We stayed at a campsite along the river. Campsite includes a picnic table and a charcoal grill. Camp fires set up right on the ground. Although not needed, I like to have a campfire ring.

We loved the “tube trail” and visiting each of the spring on the property.

There was a group camping that were college kids and partying was their mission.

We chose a site several 100 yards down river and enjoyed solitude and picture perfect river scenery!

Ginnie is so large that if you simply drive through you can find the perfect site for you.

I love the springs. The lazy river is amazing and connects with 4 different springs. However, there are a lot of young drank people. Many of them were smoking Marijuana. People going crazy in their cars, a lot of noise. Not a good camping when you go with little ones.

We just spent a great long weekend at Ginnie Springs. Here is a review. Area is great. Campground is clean and beautiful. If you want seclusion, camp there between Sunday evening and Thursday. The weekends have sooo many people with lots of young college age people. Loud music, partying. If that’s your thing, then weekend is your time there. There is tubing, kayaking, snorkeling. Cave scuba diving for the folks that do that. About 45min from Gainsville but the local small town is quite cute with a few good restaurants if you are looking to get out of the campsite for a little while. Over all, we will probably visit again, just during the week. Lol!!

I love the springs but don’t go at Peak summer times if you don’t like the “party campers” the ones that are just there for the WiFi, grills and beers, but if that’s what your in to go in the peak summer times lol I personally like it when it’s not so busy, so you can get the most for your money. The springs are vary packed and it’s hard to get around when it’s bus.

There are 5 springs on this private property. If you camp here, be prepared to always hear young people partying and having fun. You’ll see lots of cool, huge floats, and divers. The bathrooms get very dirty so be ware.

Not suitable for families. Zero customer service. No water or electrical hookups. Bathhouse too crowed. They made us pay for two nights even though we wanted to stay for one night, apparently this is a new policy(2 night minimum)

We stayed here in Sept 2018 and Sept 2019. Campsite 107 both times. We like that area because it is a quieter part of the campground. Lots of young people, but not too crazy since we went after Labor Day. Bathrooms are clean, sites are shady and big. The float down the Sante Fe river is awesome. The springs are beautiful.

Clearest water I have ever swam in. So beautiful, words can’t describe just have to visit!

Ginnie Springs is beautiful! Although, we went as a family and it’s definitely more for the college or adult crowd. This is probably because alcohol is allowed, where the other springs in this area it is not. It’s also a lot more crowded of a place, even being there on a Wednesday. If you get there early there aren’t too many people, besides the divers. By lunch time it’s comparable to a busy beach on a weekend. This would definitely be a fun adult trip!

First I want to say that Ginny Springs is an absolute shit show! Like South Beach or Daytona during spring break. Especially in the summer. But that doesn’t mean that it isn’t really great, it is. 

Camping at Ginny is a right of passage for any Florida boy. Like my father who went to UF, I camped at Ginny springs as a kid and so did my son. It hasn’t changed much at all over the years except to become a little more crowded. It’s a true Florida experience. 

You can only make reservations in one area of the park with the water and electric hook ups. All others are first come, first serve. You simply drive around til you find an available site and claim your own piece of paradise. The sites along the river are the best. It’s private so if you envision a state park, its not quite like that but in many ways camping is camping. This is similar only more crowded. 

The campground with all the amenities is tight. There will be every form of camping from big rigs to people in tents and everything in between including refrigerator boxes(not really but not far from the truth). It is not quiet in any way and the partying never seems to stop. The kids will start riding their bikes, playing ball and flying drones in the AM so get your sleep while you can. 

The spring gets packed with tubers, floaters, coolers, kayaks, canoes, scuba divers and every other human powered vessel as well but that just gives Ginny it’s vibe. What most people don’t realize is that if you get to the spring EARLY in the morning you can have it mostly to yourself and that includes the spring run and river too! 

The biggest dichotomy of Ginny Springs is how can something with constant pressure and crowding over decades remain so incredibly beautiful? 

If you have an open mind and can adjust your schedule to work around some of the crowded and go with the flow when you can’t it’s hard not to have a great time and appreciate the beauty of this magical place! It is and will always be one of my favorite places.

I love camping at Ginnie Springs, but not for every occasion.  It's typically very crowded and a big "party" campground - you have to be 18+.  There is a side that most stay away from that is more secluded - this is actually where I camped each time I went to Ginnie Springs.  Other friends in the group opted to camp on the "party side."

Tons of fun, but if you are looking for a relaxing, secluded, private, QUIET camping experience, this might not be it.