You Can Float For Hours On This Crystal-Clear Natural Lazy River Near Jacksonville

It's no secret that Florida is home to some of the most gorgeous and crystal clear waterways that nature has to offer. Finding the most beautiful ones that let you float down lazy rivers will take a little digging to find though. We found this little gem hidden away in small-town Fort White Florida - and it is seriously stunning. Ichetucknee State Park has a natural lazy river you will want to add to your summer bucket list. 

Ichetucknee Springs State Park is home to one of the most gorgeous clear springs and peaceful lazy rivers you could possibly imagine. Connected to the 6-mile long Ichetucknee River, you can leisurely float in your tube or kayak for hours down-stream while enjoying some breathtaking sights and encounters with nature. 

No matter if you like to float by tube or paddle your own path, it's a great place to go float with your BFF - and it looks so incredibly peaceful, you can even see some turtles lazin' away on the trees that stretch into the river pathway in a video below:

While the park is well known for its tubing and kayaking, you can clearly see everything under the surface on a deep dive or snorkel into the spring as well. The entrance leading into the spring alone has us calling to the water. The water is so clear and so blue that it produces some of the most gorgeous shots to add to your Insta-feed, especially underwater shots. You can check out some of the gorgeous shots of and in the spring below - as well as a video of a free dive to the bottom of the spring:

The Ichetucknee River is also a known hotspot for manatee spottings! Check out this adorable video of a river pupper swimming up-stream below:

The park also features 3 hiking trails as well as options to bird-watch, geocache, paddle, picnic or scuba dive. Their website also suggests a close by camping site that's only 12 miles away, O'Leno State Park, for you to make a whole weekend trip to explore the land and water in its entirety.

To visit this park, it's only $6 per vehicle seating 2- 8 people; If you come alone, it will only cost you $4 to enter. The park also offers options to rent tubes if you don't want to bring your own for an additional cost, as well as have various visitor experiences to choose from when planning your trip. If you bring your own tube, it must be smaller than 5 ft long in order to float the river. We recommend viewing their website to plan your visit before going.

Ichetucknee State Park is open from 8 am to sundown 365 days a year; a perfect in-state getaway from your usual busy routine. If you're ready to spring into this gorgeous crystal clear spring, the state park is located at 12087 SW US Hwy 27 Fort White, FL 32038.

For more information about the Ichetucknee State Park or to plan your visit, check their website here.

Disclaimer: We strongly advise that before you go swimming or visit a potentially hazardous location, you check for the most recent updates on potential hazards, security, water quality, and closures. If you do plan to visit a location, respect the environment.