Springs Fever: A Field & Recreation Guide to 500 Florida Springs.
3rd Edition by Joe Follman and Richard Buchanan

Oasis Spring

Gilchrist County

Summary of Features

  • Scale - 3rd magnitude
  • Scenery - fair-good
  • How Pristine? - dredging behind spring, boat ramp next to spring, land cleared, erosion
  • Swimming - good
  • Protection - unknown
  • Crowds - some on warm weekends
  • Access - good, boat and by land with authorization
  • Facilities - private dock adjacent to spring
  • Safety - very good
  • Scuba - no
  • Cost - free

Quick Directions

At Oasis boat ramp, or 3 miles below Wilson Springs boat ramp on the south side of the Santa Fe River.

Full Directions

From Branford, drive east/south on U.S. 27 to junction with Highway 129/49. Turn south. Drive about 5 miles to Highway 138 and turn east. Drive 3.4 miles to NE 2nd Way. Follow 2nd Way for 2.6 miles to dirt road on right and the boat ramp. Oasis Spring is just upriver of and adjacent to the ramp.

Spring Description

The spring pool is on the riverbank and is a semicircle about 40 feet in diameter. Water in the spring was clear and greenish, and there was some algae in the spring. Water flows from a limestone opening and a mild boil was present. On date of visit (January 2001), a time of drought, the water was very low and exposed limestone extended out of the water at the back end of the pool. Water in the spring was 3-6 feet deep.

A channel, which may be manmade, loops behind the spring, forms a small island, and reenters the river upstream. On date of visit, there was no flow of spring water back into this channel due to low river levels.

Use/Access

The site appears to be used for swimming and hanging out. Under normal rain conditions, it would be deeper and more conducive to swimming and snorkeling.

Personal Impressions

Not a bad little spring, despite the unattractive manmade "improvements" around it. The authors would like to return when the water is higher and snorkel at the site.

Nearby Springs

Other Nearby Natural Features