Campground Spring
Gilchrist County
Summary of Features
- Scale - 2nd magnitude
- Scenery - very good
- How Pristine? - land partially cleared above pool for campground
- Swimming - fair-good
- Protection - unknown
- Crowds - unknown
- Access - excellent, from water or land
- Facilities - excellent at adjacent campground
- Safety - good
- Scuba - yes
- Cost - fee to launch boat or camp at site, free if approached by boat fromdifferent boat ramp
Directions
From Branford, drive east/south on U.S. 27 about 4 miles to junction with U.S. 129. Drive south on U.S. 129 for about 4 miles, and turn right (west) at sign for Elly Ray's RV Resort and Lounge (www.ellieraysrvresort.com/map) on graded road about one mile below the bridge over the Santa Fe River. Follow to campground and river, and the spring is about 150 feet upriver on the right.
Spring Description
The spring is adjacent to the river and forms a semicircular pool 75 feet across and framed/canopied on three sides by 8 or so large cypress trees. On date of visit, which was also late in the day and with low sunlight (January 2001), the water in the spring was dark and the depth could notbe determined. According to Hornsby & Ceryak (1998, p. 45), the spring has a maximum depth of 23 feet. No boil was visible.
Use/Access
- Canoers and boaters cannot make unauthorized landfall; the site is posted. One can put in at the boat ramp, swim at the spring, or camp for a fee.
- There was a trail to the spring, but the authors could not tell if the spring was used for swimming/snorkeling/diving or just for sightseeing.
Personal Impressions
The evenly spaced cypress trees along the edge of the spring create an attractive sight. The authors plan to return to the spring in the summer and visit under conditions that are more conducive to swimming and snorkeling.
Nearby Springs
- GIL729972
- GIL729973
- Betty Spring
- Trail Spring
- SUW107971
- GIL107971
- GIL729971
Other Nearby Natural Features
- Ichetucknee Springs State Park
- O'Leno State Park
- River Rise State Preserve