Snorkel at Ichetucknee Blue Hole

At Ichetucknee Springs State Park, there are 2 main entrances - to get to Blue Hole (aka Jug Hole), go to the NORTH entrance. This is also where the main headspring is. If you accidentally go to the south entrance, you are only a few miles away, don't worry! Ask for directions at the guard shack. You pay a small state park entrance fee then follow the road to the parking lot. During the busy summer season, they limit the number of visitors who can come into the park, in order to protect the river. I recommend coming early in the morning or mid-week in the summer, or during the off-season, although Blue Hole never seems to be too crowded!

Once you park, walk towards the main spring. You will see a boardwalk on your left before the picnic area. Follow the boardwalk, which ends after about a hundred yards, and turns into a dirt trail that leads you 1/2 mile through the woods to the spring. It only takes 10-15 minutes and is worth every second. The max depth of the spring is about 30-40 feet, depending on water levels in the river, and there is always quite a bit of flow coming from the spring vent. There is also a cave that is popular with cave divers, but it is only open May-November (cave divers must register at the guard shack). Swimming at Blue Hole is allowed all year round.