Yes, we know, it's hot. Africa hot. How long have you lived here, anyway? When the water park, the pool and even the ocean get too warm to refresh, there's still H2O brisk enough to do the trick at Ginnie Springs, as long as you've got access to an air-conditioned vehicle that'll make the long drive.
Located northwest of Gainesville in the quintessential Florida small town of High Springs, Ginnie is an outdoor recreation and camping complex boasting seven clear, cold freshwater springs that feed into the Santa Fe River. It's one of the state's top destinations for cave and spring divers of all levels of experience, but the main attraction for pedestrian aqua-enthusiasts is a leisurely spring-to-spring tube run down the river itself. The park rents big, comfy donuts for singles or doubles; you can let the current carry you away, or bask in one of the springs' glassine backwaters.
Just don't expect a vibe of complete isolation. Ginnie Springs is a haven for families with loud kids and University of Florida cliques of louder young adults. On weekends, there's a whole lot of partying going on. The Ginnie Deli doesn't sell alcohol, but bringing your own doesn't seem to be a problem — one enterprising group of college students stuffed a full-size keg into a tube and floated it down the river with 'em. If serenity is your goal, we highly recommend making the park a weekday destination.
In addition to swimming, tubing and diving, the complex also sports beach-style volleyball courts, full-service campsites, outdoor grills and canoe rentals. General admission to the park is $10 for adults for one day, and $3 for children ages 7-14. Rental prices for everything from tubes to the fully furnished Ginnie Cottage vary wildly, but if you're gonna do anything other than swim and grill, expect to cough up some extra dough. It's worth it, though, to spend a day or two lazing among the cypress trees on water that'll send a chill down your spine on summer's hottest days.
For more information and detailed driving directions — you'll need 'em — call Ginnie Springs at 386-454-7188, or check out www.ginniespringsoutdoors.com.
This article appears in May 14-20, 2003.