Florida spring
Poe Spring
Photo by: Florida SpringsWithin Poe Springs Park in Alachua County, it is known for its crystal-clear, 72-degree water and a steady flow of about 45 million gallons per day. Nestled along the Santa Fe River, its inviting basin—up to 25 feet deep with a sandy bottom and limestone edges—offers a tranquil spot for swimming and snorkeling, framed by cypress trees and hardwood hammocks. Accessible via the park entrance off Poe Springs Road (no boat required), it’s a short walk from the parking area, with steps leading down to the spring. Summer weekends and holidays like Memorial Day bring lively crowds of locals and families—arrive early to enjoy it before it fills up. For a quieter experience, visit weekdays in spring (April-May) or fall (September-October), when early mornings highlight the water’s clarity and peaceful surroundings. Pets are allowed in the park but not in the spring. Water clarity is typically stunning but can turn tannic when the Santa Fe River rises and backflows into the spring after heavy rain. The water begins to clear when the water level is below approximately 1 foot and improves with lower levels until about 0.5 feet. Above one foot, the river can intrude. Below 0.5 feet expect less favorable conditions due to drought and low flows.
Amenities & Rules
Access & Rules
Activities & Amenities
Amenities & Rules status summary
Access & Rules
- Private: No access via land or water: No
- Reservation Required: No
- ADA Access: Yes
- Alcohol: No
- Boat Ramp: Yes
- Disposables: Yes
- Land Access: Yes
- Paddle Access: Yes
- Park: Yes
- Pets: Yes
Activities & Amenities
- Bathrooms: Yes
- Boating: Yes
- Camping: No
- Changing Rooms: Yes
- Fishing: Yes
- Food: Yes
- Free Diving: Yes
- Gear Rental: Yes
- Grills: Yes
- Hiking: Yes
- Lockers: No
- Paddling: Yes
- Pavilions: Yes
- Picnic Tables: Yes
- Portajohn: No
- Scuba Diving: No
- Showers: Yes
- Shuttle: No
- Swimming: Yes
- Trash Cans: Yes