Hart Springs Park

We have wintered in the area for two years and make Hart Springs a part of our stay, usually a couple of times a month. Friendly staff, great board walk and a walking trail that leads to the campground. We usually bring a picnic lunch before walking, but have not swam the spring yet. Last year the Suwannee River was flooded, meaning the springs were murky and the board walk closed. That did not stop us from enjoying our visit.

My family brought me here on July 3^rd and we had a really nice time. We were able to share some tables under a Pavilion and that saved us from the heat. The water felt cold getting in, but the water was clear and beautiful.

Great campground super super super clean. The sites are bigger than most resort sites and the camp host is very friendly and helpful. We’ve stayed there in a tent and with our huge 43 foot fifth wheel and had plenty of room. We stayed with our friends and they had a great time and we will be back with more friends. If you stay here with or without kids you will have a great time!!!

Hart Springs is a recreation park owned by Gilchrist County. There is a fee for entry ($ 4.00 or more per car, based on how many people are in the car) and their fees seem pretty much the same as the State Parks command for their parks, too. Hart Springs is a very pretty place, and there is an extensive boardwalk system taking you through cypress swamp, out to the Suwannee River, and back to the springs themselves. At the river there is a dock so you can approach the springs via boat from the Suwannee, too. The springs themselves include ample swimming areas and are pretty, however, they are not – especially right now – very deep and in place due to the dry winter and spring we’ve had in north-​central Florida there’s only about three feet of water in places, making it better for wading than swimming. Also because of the drought, with people moving around in the spring pool, sand is kicked up and the water is much more murky than say Fanning Springs or Juniper Springs. There is a floating platform for kids to dive off of into the water but not as much of a diving space as some other springs have, either.
There is a store selling pool goods and food and drinks plus a bath house with restrooms and showers. There is also a large camping area and I think a large cabin which can be rented for groups overnight. Hart Springs is certainly nice enough, but for swimming I recommend the clearer, deeper, waters of nearby Fanning Springs State Park. It’s the same cost, so for swimming it seems like a better deal. For camping though or the nature trails, Hart Springs seems pretty good.

I do a fair amount of cave diving here (I am a guide). There are 2 entrances to the Hart Springs Cave System (Little Hart and Black Lagoon). The cave is one of the most pristine in Florida and has little traffic by divers. (for more info on the cave itself check out
)
For the non-​divers, the clear cool waters of the spring make for a great place to relax and cool off. The board walk takes you out the Suwannee River and is perfect for photographing the flora and fauna.
Managed by Gilchrist County, there is a bath house, general store and plenty of camp sites (primitive as well as with hook ups).