While the north entrance can only accommodate 750 people, the south entrance at Dampier's Landing can handle 1,000-1,500 people and the Midpoint can handle 2,250 people a day. The river carries the tubes at about one mile per hour. The official tubing season is from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. From the north entrance, people can tube only during that time, but people can tube year-round from the south entrance. Tubing, sitting at water-level, is only one way to enjoy the river, Preston said.
Visitors can also ride in a canoe or kayak, or can add a third dimension by snorkeling.
The north entrance is open for canoeing every day of the year. The north entrance is where visitors can see the source of the river its two springs, Ichetucknee and Blue Hole. Ichetucknee is an American Indian word that means beaver pond. Blue Hole is named for its appearance. To scuba dive in Blue Hole, a person needs to be cavern or cave certified.