Hi there!
Florida Caverns State Park is one of the many Florida state parks with springs.
As you can imagine, THE reason to go to this state park is for the caves!
And that’s true.
You must do the cave tour when you go!
But if you’re looking for things to do above ground in Florida Caverns State Park, then instead of driving off after your cave tour, one option is to go swimming in Florida Caverns State Park.
Florida State Parks says that there are over 1,000 springs in Florida!
Blue Hole Spring in Florida Caverns State Park is one of those Florida springs!
The Blue Hole Spring is a drive of a few minutes from where you will do the Florida Caverns cave tour.
Swimming in Blue Hole Spring
According to Florida State Parks, the water temperature of Blue Hole Spring in Florida Caverns State Park is 64 degrees.
👆 The temperature of Blue Hole Spring is 64 degrees all year long.
Although this water temperature is on the cooler side (or straight up COLD for some people?!), in terms of water temperature it can still be considered “warm” enough for swimming… for some people!
As long as you can handle that water temperature along with coming out of the water wet to a cooler air temperature, then you can go swimming at Blue Hole Spring any time of year – summer, spring, fall, and even winter!
That said, a water temperature in the upper 70s or lower 80s is an ideal water temperature for swimming for most people!
And a water temperature of mid-60s is cold!
So, it really depends on your tolerance for colder water and just how much you want to go swimming at Florida Caverns State Park in Blue Hole Spring!
There is a designated swimming area for Blue Hole Spring.
There is a floating pier where you can climb down into the springs.
And there is also a small sandy “beach” area to walk into the springs.
Bridge at Blue Hole Spring
There is also a bridge at Blue Hole Spring, and on the other side of the bridge you can look down to see a river.
It’s also possible to walk from the Florida Caverns State Park campground to Blue Hole Spring. You will end up at this bridge.
Blue Hole Spring picnic area
And then the Blue Hole spring also is one of the day use areas of Florida Caverns State Park.
This means that you will also find some picnic tables at Blue Hole Spring.
Cost of swimming at Blue Hole Spring
In order to go swimming at Blue Hole Spring you’ll need to enter the Florida Caverns State Park.
So the cost of swimming at these Florida springs is the cost of entry into Florida Caverns State Park.
This is around $5 a car for a one-day pass. See current fees.
If you plan to make this a year of going to a ton of Florida state parks, then there is also the Florida state parks annual pass.
What to bring to Blue Hole Spring
Swimming at Blue Hole Spring can be a pretty minimalist activity!
Wear your swimsuit and you can be off swimming in Blue Hole Spring!
But it’s also a good idea to bring swimming goggles or snorkeling gear so you can see underwater at Blue Hole Spring!
For some more ideas of what to pack for Blue Hole Spring, also see: What to pack for a trip to the Florida springs.
There is a bathroom at Blue Hole Spring.
The boring safety message for swimming at Blue Hole Spring
In short, take care!
There are no lifeguards at Blue Hole Spring.
There are alligators in Florida Caverns State Park.
According to Florida State Parks:
Alligators are present along the trails and waterways of Florida Caverns State Park.
They usually eat fish, turtles, and other small animals, but may attack larger animals such as deer.
Alligators have been known to attack humans.
Alligators are dangerous.
Do not swim with alligators.
Do not approach, frighten, or feed alligators.
As a designated swimming area, people do go swimming in Blue Hole Spring.
In general, alligators are most active at dusk.
It generally seems safe to go swimming in Florida Caverns State Park, but you may want to avoid swimming in the evening.
If you do spot an alligator in the Florida Caverns State Park swimming area, as per the alligator caution sign, you’re asked to report it to a park ranger!
What the people of Florida State Parks say if you see alligators while swimming in Fanning Springs:
Immediately report alligator sighting in the swimming area to Florida Caverns State Park staff.
See more about alligators in Florida state parks:
- Wakulla Springs State Park alligators
- Lake Louisa State Park alligators
- Fakahatchee Strand State Park alligators
Blue Hole in Florida
Also note that there is a Blue Hole in Ichetucknee Springs State Park, and there is also the Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park.
And then there is also a Blue Spring State Park.
The Blue Spring State Park that is 45 minutes away from Orlando (map) is popular for being able to see tons of manatees in the winter.
The Blue Hole Spring in Florida Caverns State Park is a different “blue hole” and “blue spring” from these other places!
More Florida springs
- Ocala National Forest springs
- Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park
- Wekiwa Springs State Park
- Fanning Springs State Park
More below about a trip to Blue Hole Spring in Florida Caverns State Park!
🌴🏊♀️
Now…
Trip to Blue Hole Spring
My trip to Blue Hole Spring was in March 2022.
Your experience may vary!
Things can change!
Getting to Blue Hole Spring
Florida Caverns State Park is on google maps, and so is Blue Hole Spring (map).
So once you have entered Florida Caverns State Park and paid the state park entrance fee, you can look for a sign and follow it to the cave tours and visitor center.
You’ll want to buy your cave tour first just in case, since it’s possible for cave tours to sell out!
When you’re ready to go to the Blue Hole Spring, you can continue to follow the signs! It is in the same direction as camping.
You’ll pass the Florida Caverns State Park campground that is listed as the Blue Hole family campground on the sign.
Then if you continue to drive, you’ll arrive Blue Hole Spring.
The Blue Hole Spring parking area is along the side of the road.
You can ask for a Florida Caverns State Park map when you enter the park to get a better idea of the visual!
Blue Hole Spring swimming area
And then once you have parked, you can walk out to the spring!
And that’s a bit about the Blue Hole Spring swimming area!
See more for your Florida road trip:
- What to pack for a trip to the Florida springs
- Driving from Pensacola to Tallahassee
- Driving from Tallahassee to Orlando
HAPPY SWIMMING IN BLUE HOLE SPRING!
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