Deer Spring
Gilchrist County
Summary of Features
- Scale - 3rd magnitude
- Scenery - fair-good
- How Pristine? - land cleared around spring, road near spring, exotics in water, posts around spring
- Swimming - no
- Protection - good
- Crowds - small
- Access - excellent
- Facilities - excellent
- Safety - very good
- Scuba - no
- Cost - free from river; $14 for adults and $4 for children age 6-12 to swim
Directions
Part of the Ginnie Springs complex at 5000 NE 60th Avenue, High Springs, FL 32643.
Web link and map at Website.
From High Springs, drive south on U.S. 27/41 about 1 mile. Turn west (right) onto State Road 340 (Poe Springs Road), drive about 6.5 miles, and then turn right onto graded road at sign for Ginnie Springs. Follow another mile to the entrance.
Spring Description
The spring forms an oval pool, perhaps 60 by 30 feet, and is 2-5 feet deep. The fringes of the pool are choked with vegetation, but the water is clear over the center area and the vent, where a mild slick and limestones are visible. The vent is in the back end of the pool and appears to be 5-6 feet deep. The spring forms a shallow and narrow run about 200 feet to the Santa Fe River.
Use/Access
- The spring has not been developed for recreation like the other springs. At the same time, it is not cleared of exotic vegetation and so has little attraction.
- The spring is part of the Ginnie Springs complex, the most popular freshwater diving location in the world. The private park area has a camp store, swimming, tubing, diving, camping, picnic facilities, bathrooms, and other amenities.
- A dirt road passes next to the spring, and it may also be reached by pathway.
Personal Impressions
Worth a look and that's about it; Deer does not have the visual or recreational appeal of the other springs in the Ginnie Springs complex.
Nearby Springs
- Poe Springs Darby Spring Hornsby Spring ALA112791 ALA930971 Lily Springs Pickard Springs COL101971 Rum Island Springs Blue Spring Naked Spring Johnson Spring Ginnie Springs group Sawdust Spring COL1012972 COL1012971 GIL1012973 Myrtle's Fissure GIL1012971 GIL1012972 47 Boatramp Spring (or GIL1012974)
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
- Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park