Ichetucknee Springs State Park-South Entrance

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Ichetucknee Springs State Park-South Entrance is a beautiful natural area located in the state of Florida.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

The park is a popular destination for those who enjoy outdoor activities and nature. There are many reasons to visit the park, including its crystal-clear waters that are perfect for swimming, tubing, and snorkeling. Visitors can also enjoy hiking, bird watching, and picnicking in the park's scenic surroundings.

One of the park's main attractions is the Ichetucknee River, which runs through the heart of the park and offers visitors a chance to explore its beautiful natural surroundings. The river is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including fish, turtles, and birds, making it a great place for nature lovers to explore.

In addition to the river, the park also features several other points of interest, including Blue Hole Spring and the Head Spring, which are both popular spots for swimming and snorkeling. Visitors can also explore the park's hiking trails, which wind through the surrounding forests and offer stunning views of the park's natural beauty.

Interesting facts about the area include that the park is home to a variety of rare and endangered plant and animal species, including the Florida black bear and the endangered green sea turtle. The park also has a rich history, with evidence of human habitation dating back thousands of years.

The best time of year to visit Ichetucknee Springs State Park-South Entrance is during the summer months when the water is warm and perfect for swimming and tubing. However, visitors can enjoy the park's natural beauty year-round, with mild temperatures and beautiful scenery in the fall, winter, and spring.

       

Weather Forecast

Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
View more

Featured Parks