Coffee Spring Spring (on the Ichetucknee)
Suwannee County
Summary of Features
- Scale -2nd magnitude
- Scenery -fine
- How Pristine? -fenced off, otherwise very natural
- Swimming -no
- Protection -exceptional
- Crowds -none in actual spring, heavy in adjacent river on warm days
- Access -visual only, from canoe or tube
- Facilities -none at spring; excellent in park nearby
- Safety -very good
- Scuba -no
- Cost -Varies by use--see Use/Access below
Directions (address: 12087 SW U.S. Highway 27 Fort White, FL 32038 (386) 497-4690)
From Branford, drive SE on U.S. 27 for about 10 miles. Turn left at sign into south entrance of Ichetucknee Springs State Park shortly after crossing the river. The spring is a short distance below Dampiers Landing behind the main park building. Alternatively, the spring is about one mile downriver of Mill Pond Spring if you put in at the north entrance, or 0.8 mile below the midpoint tube launch.
Spring Description
The spring is blocked by a sturdy wire fence. The spring area is on the riverbank and forms a C-shaped pool with exposed limestone and two primary flows. The upstream spring is larger and is a small grotto about 35 feet from the river. Water cascades from limestone openings and into the spring pool. The second flow is 25 feet downriver from the larger spring and about 30 feet from the river. It is a limestone opening with water cascading out. The two springs form a shallow pool that empties directly into the river. The pool was covered with aquatic vegetation.
Use/Access
- The spring may be reached only by canoe or tube.
- Access to the spring is blocked to protect a unique and endangered snail whose only known habitat is in the spring and its pool. Many common snails were observed on date of visit (December 2000).
- In the summer months, the spring pool and fence along it are so covered with vegetation that most tubers do not even see it as they pass by.
- This spring is one of a series of springs that form the Ichetucknee River. Altogether, the springs discharge an average of over 230 million gallons of water per day.
- Park fees are as follows: $6 per vehicle (up to 8 people per vehicle, and no river use/tubing/canoeing); $4 for single car occupant; $4 for 1 – 2 persons on a motorcycle; $2 for pedestrians, bicyclists, and people with annual entrance permits; The cost for tram service is $5.00 plus tax per person. The cost for shuttle service is $7.00 plus tax per person which also includes tram service. Tram and shuttle tickets and wrist bands are purchased at the concession facility adjacent to the parking lot at the South Entrance of the park.
- Tubing at the park can be done from three locations: North end (3 hours). Mid-point ( 1.5 hours), and Dampier's LAnding (1 hour). The peak tubing season is from Memorial Day to Labor Day. A shuttle service ferries tubers from the parking area to the river and back from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Tubes must be obtained outside the park. The tubing is in the river and not in the springs.
- A citizen support organization, the Friends of Ichetucknee Springs, Inc., has been established to support Ichetucnkee Springs and its watershed. For more information, see www.floridastateparks.org/content/friends-ichetucknee-springs-state-park.
- The park includes bathrooms and picnic facilities, and a concession stand at the south entrance.There is a nature trail along part of the spring run just below Ichetucknee Spring at the canoe/tube put-in on the west side. A shuttle service ferries tubers from the parking area to the river and back from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Tubes must be obtained outside the park.
Springiana
- The rare endemic snail in Coffee Spring is the Ichetucknee Silt Snail.
Nearby Springs
- Blue Hole Spring
- Cedar Head Spring
- Mission/Roaring/Fig/Singing Springs
- Devil's Eye Springs
- Grassy Hole Spring
- Mill Pond Spring
- Ichetucknee Spring
Other Nearby Natural Features
- Ichetucknee Springs State Park
- O’Leno State Park
- San Felasco Hammock State Preserve
- Devil’s Millhopper State Geologic Site
- River Rise State Preserve