Here in Florida, we’ve got plenty of choices for quick, budget-friendly escapes to water-centric spots (honestly — you’re almost never more than an hour or two from some shore).
But while beach days are great, the true underrated treasures of Florida are the natural springs scattered from the panhandle through the peninsula. If you’re headed to Florida, make a spring — any spring — a top stop on your itinerary.
If you’re not visiting Florida any time soon, chances are there’s a lovely body of water near you (a lake, river or even a natural spring) that would make an easy, inexpensive weekend break.
Still skeptical? Last year, three of us Savinly Readers took an overnight trip to a natural spring near Gainesville, Florida — about a two-hour drive north from our St. Petersburg office. The total cost? $137.57. Split three ways, that’s about $45 per person for a fun (and, believe it or not, relaxing) overnight escape.
Want to plan a waterside (or water-adjacent) budget trip this summer? Here’s exactly how we pulled it off.
How We Prepared
Our plan: A roughly 36-hour drive-and-stay to Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park (which became a state park in 2017 — before that it was privately owned and kept in a family for nearly a century).
On a Wednesday morning, two coworkers and I loaded a red SUV with a cooler, two tents, three sleeping bags, two days’ worth of food, a couple of flashlights, a camp stove and assorted camping and cooking gear.
Between us we already owned the tents, sleeping bags, cooking gear, cooler and flashlights. We borrowed a camping stove from a friend and bought a small propane tank for it (2-pack for $6.24 at Walmart). We also picked up insect repellent and a citronella candle to keep Florida’s notorious mosquitoes at bay ($5.89 and $5.29 at Target, respectively).
We purchased groceries for the four meals we planned to eat on the trip, but more on that in a minute.
Total so far: $17.42
How We Got There
Road trip!
With mild weather, flat scenery and straight interstates, Florida practically begs for drive-centered trips. We drove from St. Petersburg to Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park, just north of Gainesville — about 168 miles.
We budgeted $60 for gasoline; the round trip cost roughly $47, though we did extra local driving while there, so our estimate was spot on.
If you rent a car to break up a Disney vacation or are traveling from another state, your transportation costs may be higher. All the more reason to scout for a hot or cold spring, lake or river closer to home that makes for a quick day or overnight jaunt.
Total so far: $77.42
Where We Stayed
After looking at the park’s campground, nearby motels and several Airbnb listings, we went with an Airbnb campground property.
Called Bowman’s Landing, the 12.5-acre wooded site on the Santa Fe River includes a main house, several tiny standalone cabins and some primitive tent sites — one even has a six-person tent already set up for visitors who don’t bring gear.
We picked primitive tent camping and paid $15 per person per night, totaling $45, though we were able to use two tent sites. The rustic mini cabins (sleeping two to five people, depending on the layout) range from $55 to $62 per night.
A night in the main house goes for $135 and sleeps eight — which works out to about $16.88 per person if you split it among a larger group.
The campsite rental includes access to kayaks and canoes for paddling along the riverfront, complimentary firewood for campfires and the option to pay an extra $15 per person for a personal river cruise and tour.
We chose the Airbnb campground to experience more of the Santa Fe and surrounding scenery, though we could have stayed at Gilchrist Blue Springs’ onsite campground for just $18 total for a tent or RV spot (which holds up to eight people and multiple tents).
Total so far: $122.42
What We Ate
We ate very frugally and ended up spending only $15 on food for the entire trip.
We all had breakfast at home before leaving, so we needed provisions for lunch and dinner on day one, and breakfast and lunch on day two. We bought a loaf of bread ($2.39), a jar of peanut butter and a jar of jelly ($2.29 and $2.09), a box of pasta and a jar of sauce (99 cents and $1.89) plus homemade protein muffins (estimated at $2.50). We also grabbed coffee at a gas station before our morning swim, adding $3.
Overall, food for three people for four meals totaled about $15.15.
Total so far: $137.57
What We Did
There are plenty of enjoyable activities at Gilchrist Blue Springs — and at many Florida springs parks — despite their often secluded locations.
Day passes to Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park cost $6 per vehicle or $2 per pedestrian/cyclist — a big drop from the $10-per-person fee when it was private. (The attendant on duty let us in free when we arrived early; without that waiver our final total would have been $143.57.)
Once you’re through the gate, how you spend your time is largely up to you.
The park has a rental station (common at springs parks) offering inner tubes, canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, plus mask-and-snorkel sets. Rates range from $45 for an all-day canoe to $7 for an all-day inner tube, and a mask-and-snorkel runs about $20.
You can bring your own boogie board, tube or snorkel gear (most dollar stores sell tubes and floats). Personal canoes, kayaks and SUPs are allowed, though shuttle fees apply if you use the river shuttle.
We stuck with masks and snorkels we brought along so we could freely explore underwater without managing a float or boat.
In the main pool, a diving platform above the spring head provides endless entertainment, with a steady line of people eager to leap into the cool water below.
Gilchrist Blue Springs also has trails that meander around the pools and springs; we took a short hike. They were a bit buggy (Florida), but scenic — perfect for campers who want a morning run.
There’s nothing like a quick trail or jog followed by a refreshing dip in the spring.
The park also runs wildlife tours led by attendants who explain the plants and animals found in the area. If you can’t make an official tour, the staff are knowledgeable and happy to answer questions when available.
For lunch, grab a picnic table or claim a spot on the sloping lawn to unpack your cooler. The park has outdoor grills on a first-come, first-served basis, though during busy season a cold lunch is often the simpler choice.
Find an Affordable Overnight Spot Near You
If you’re not within quick driving distance of Florida’s springs, you likely are close to another water-based destination that’s just as enjoyable. Consider a relaxing soak in mineral hot springs or locate a nearby river, lake, beach or waterfront campground.
A little searching online will reveal options close to home (or a bit farther, if you’re up for a longer drive).
Grace Schweizer is an email content writer at Savinly.
