Ichetucknee. Most children in North Florida know how to pronounce this word long before they can read, as tubing the crystal-clear river is a rite of passage in this part of the state.
Crowds flock to this natural spring and river during the summer months to take a break from Florida’s intense heat. Depending on where you begin and your water activity of choice, it offers up to a three-hour respite from technology and the real world. And on a recent Sunday in August, Michael and I woke up early and made the drive to the Ichetucknee Springs State Park as one of our monthly Florida trips.
We arrived about forty minutes after the park opened to find the grounds already buzzing with activity. We paid the $6 admission fee (charged per vehicle) and were given a ticket allowing us entry from the North launch point, which has a capacity of 750 people per day. After parking our car, we lathered up with sunscreen and left everything in our vehicle, save for our camera, sunglasses, reusable water bottles, cash, and car key—which all went into our dry bag.
A quick consultation of the tube menu board led us to the conclusion that the headrest tube with a bottom was the best value for us. We paid for the tube rentals and purchased our wristbands, which are valid for transit both to and from the launch site. One last restroom break (there’s no way to answer nature’s call out on the river!) and we were ready to go.
A shuttle van arrived shortly after, and ten minutes later we were dropped off at the North launch point. A short walk led us to the tube pick-up, and we stopped for a few minutes to check out Ichetucknee Spring. The water was crystal clear and though it was still pretty early, folks were already swimming.
From there, we walked right over to the launch point, laid our tubes down in the water, and clambered in. The first few minutes on the river after launching can be a little hectic – some visitors are trying to head downstream and others are trying to stay back to wait for the rest of their party to join.
On the day we visited, a group of first-time kayakers was trying out their paddling skills near the entrance, creating a bit of a bottleneck. Once we had cleared through the crowd, the river opened up and gently pulled us along.
We were finally free to relax and float along side-by-side. The turtles and fish floated along lazily with us—except for the mullet, which would leap out of the water unexpectedly. During the first half of the float, we each ended up slightly stuck at the river’s edge, paddling with our hands to free ourselves.
There were times when we caught up with other tubers, or other tubers caught up with us, which caused a bit of a bumper-car reaction, bounding toward the riverbank or into the river’s grasses and weeds. We found that it helped to hold on to each other’s tube handles to stay more centered on the river. As we reached the second half of the river, the current felt stronger and steadier and we encountered fewer bumps in our steady float downstream.
Our float lasted slightly longer than three hours, and as the weather warmed, we dipped our toes in the water to cool off. While I never felt bored, I did begin to feel a little restless sitting in the same spot, and by the time we neared the river’s exit, we were very ready for lunch and a cold beverage. Had the park’s rules permitted it, I would have gratefully towed a six-pack of local beer behind me in the cool water!
Climbing out at the tube landing was easy, as stairs and handrails are provided. From there, we carried our tubes to the tram and rode back to the car park. It’s important to keep your wristband on until you arrive back to your car; without one you won’t be able to ride the tram and instead will need to make the twenty-minute walk back to the parking lot. Most of the time I would have opted to walk, but we both felt too hot and sweaty to do so and gladly boarded the tram.
Once back we exited the park and drove to a nearby town for lunch at a well-known spot: The Great Outdoors in High Springs. By this time it was around 2 p.m. and we were quickly seated. We shared a small salad (which could hardly be described as small) and each ordered a burger and a local beer. Having such a great meal felt so rewarding after a day in the heat. Though floating in a tube isn’t physically challenging, there is something about being in the sun for so long that causes you to feel utterly exhausted.
The town of High Springs has a cute downtown area, with a one-screen movie theater (now closed), historic train station, and plenty of mom-and-pop and antique shops. About half of the businesses were closed on our Sunday visit, but it was still a pleasant stroll. Before heading back to our car, we perked up with a coffee and goodies from the local coffee shop The Talented Cookie now Colsie Coffee, sweetly ending our lazy summer day.
Travel Tips: Ichetucknee Springs
Ichetucknee Springs State Park is about an hour from Gainesville, an hour and a half from Jacksonville, and a little over two hours away from Orlando and Tampa. Arrive early to beat the crowds, particularly on a summer Saturday, and if you want to tube from the North entrance (the North tubing launch has a capacity of 750 tubers per day). Carpool if possible, and to save on transportation within the park, have the driver drop everyone at the North entrance before parking at the South entrance and taking the shuttle back. From the river’s exit point, it is about a twenty-minute walk back to your vehicle (a savings of $7.50 per person).
If you arrive and the North entrance has reached capacity, don’t fret! You can enter the river at two other points for a 45- or 90-minute tubing session. Tubes are available for rental within the park and through outside vendors; I recommend renting from the park directly for the sake of ease. The water is a cool 72°F year-round, and I was grateful to have a tube with a panel covering the middle (i.e., my bum).
Be sure to have a hearty breakfast beforehand, apply sunscreen and bug spray, wear a hat and/or sunglasses, and bring a reusable water bottle (no food, alcohol, or disposable items are allowed on the river). A rope or tether would be a smart thing to bring along if you are tubing with children; it’s easy to get stuck along the river bank, and if you plan on swimming at any of the springs along the way, it could be used to secure your tube while you swim.
Along those same lines, a paddle would be helpful if you happen to veer off course and into some of the weeds and other river grasses. And a final reminder, if you opted for the shuttle or tram, be sure to leave your wristband on until you arrive at your vehicle (you’re welcome!).
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Do you have any similar natural features near you?
