Ginnie Springs
Seven springs on a private stretch of the Santa Fe River, with water clear enough that snorkellers appear to float on air above the sand.
Ginnie is privately owned, which means it charges more than the state parks and allows things they do not - most obviously camping right on the riverbank and tubing without a shuttle. The springs themselves are exceptional: Ginnie Spring proper is a large basin whose clarity is genuinely startling, and Devil’s Eye and Devil’s Ear are the entrances to a cave system that draws technical divers from around the world. For families the draw is the swimming and the drift down the Santa Fe on a tube, with a shuttle back from the take-out. Two things to know before you commit. It is expensive - day admission runs about $40 a head, so a family of four is $160 through the gate before tube hire. And it has historically been a loud drinking scene at summer weekends; an alcohol and open-container policy introduced in 2026 was aimed at that, so check the current rules rather than either assumption. Midweek is quieter regardless.
Pricing
Day admission around $40 per person - a family of four is $160 before camping or tube hire. Camping is charged per person per night on top (verify)
Common Questions
- How much does Ginnie Springs cost?
- Ginnie Springs charges admission. Day admission around $40 per person - a family of four is $160 before camping or tube hire. Camping is charged per person per night on top (verify)
- What ages is Ginnie Springs good for?
- Ginnie Springs is best for kids ages 5 to 18+.
- Is Ginnie Springs stroller friendly?
- No, Ginnie Springs is not considered stroller friendly.
- Can I bring my dog to Ginnie Springs?
- No, dogs are not allowed at Ginnie Springs.
- How hard is Ginnie Springs?
- The difficulty level is easy. Plan for about 5 hours.
- Is Ginnie Springs free?
- No, there is a cost to visit Ginnie Springs. Day admission around $40 per person - a family of four is $160 before camping or tube hire. Camping is charged per person per night on top (verify)
- What should I bring to Ginnie Springs?
- Mask and snorkel, water shoes, tube or rent on site, cash
- How long does Ginnie Springs take?
- Most families spend about 5 hours at Ginnie Springs.
- When is the best time to visit Ginnie Springs?
- Midweek for quiet. Arrive before 3pm - after that the day rate still applies but you lose the afternoon.