Florida spring country is honestly one of the most amazing places in the world, and after a full day soaking it in, Madison and I got to chill out in the Florida woods at one of the most unique properties I’ve stayed at. This video is about where we stayed and the journey along the way. I’m giving you an honest take on Postcard Cabins in Gilchrist Springs, Florida: the stay, the cost, whether it was worth it, and the gorgeous area this property calls home.
Assuming you’ve already watched it (if not, go watch, the springs footage alone makes it worth it), here’s the full recap of everything we covered.
Quick Facts: Postcard Cabins Gilchrist Springs
- Location: About six miles southwest of High Springs, Florida, tucked in sleepy farmland off the county road
- Size: Around 45 cabins on the property
- Cabin size: A couple hundred square feet, modern sleek trailer style, with your own outdoor space next to the cabin
- Distance to the springs: 10 to 30 minutes from some of the area’s most popular spots, including Ginnie Springs
- Nightly rate: We paid around $150 a night all in with the destination fee. Rates can climb into the high $200 range depending on the time of year
- Destination fee: $40, which covers basics like firewood and coffee
- Brand: Postcard Cabins is a Marriott brand, so you can earn or redeem Marriott points on your stay
The Cabin: What You Actually Get
Our cabin was quite small, but it’s a very intentional use of space. The main kitchen area has two burners, a faucet, and utensils they provide, along with coffee, hot chocolate, and a few snacks. Nothing crazy, but everything you’d actually need. They also leave out some books, a deck of cards, an FM radio, and a Bluetooth speaker. The bed is queen size, and the main window looks out over a gorgeous, picturesque view, with a smaller window facing the fire pit area. The bathroom is basic: toilet, shower, towels.
The air conditioning runs on a mini split system and it’s great. It genuinely feels like a hotel room, just smaller, out in the woods. These cabins are essentially trailers they park on-site and build out afterward (the mini split, the stairs, all of it added later), but once you’re set up, you’ve got your cabin, a picnic bench, two relaxation chairs, and your own fire pit with firewood and fire starters kept in waterproof boxes right outside.
Privacy between cabins is pretty solid thanks to the tree cover. You can see your neighbors, but you don’t feel like you’re right on top of them. The main window faces the woods instead of the road, so that adds to the privacy too. The outdoor space is more than enough for two people, and honestly you could probably fit a small family out there. The property road does a small loop off the county road, mostly dirt, with a nature trail that runs about a quarter mile to the other side of the loop.
The Cost: Is Postcard Cabins Worth the Price?
We paid around $150 a night all in with the destination fee, and that felt right. But rates can climb close to $300 a night depending on the season, and at that price, it starts to feel steep for what you actually get.
What made it worth it for us at our price point was everything handed to you as part of the glamping experience: the firewood, the coffee, the snacks, the s’mores kit, all the pots and pans you’d need. Cold AC at night made it easy to sleep, and that combination is really what sold us on the whole concept.
If I’m nitpicking, I still wish the property had a few more amenities, something like a volleyball court or a shared picnic area. It felt a little desolate on that front, though I get that a lot of people are there just to unplug and camp.
One more thing worth knowing: Postcard Cabins is a Marriott brand, so if you’re already in the Marriott ecosystem, you can earn or redeem points here.
The Area: Ginnie Springs, Rum Island & High Springs, Florida
Your main attraction out here is Ginnie Springs. It’s a seven-spring system that’s world renowned for some of the clearest water anyone’s ever seen, and honestly some of the best freshwater diving in the country. We came early on a weekday and it still got crowded quickly, so definitely plan around that if you’re coming on a weekend. It’s private property, so we paid $25 a person for a day pass (there are other pass options if you’re staying multiple days or camping on-site). It feels steep, but it’s worth it for what you get to see. You can paddle, swim, tube, bring your own craft, or dive if you’re certified.
A lesser known spot worth checking out is Rum Island Springs, a county park about 25 minutes from the cabins with a $5 entrance fee. It’s more of a locals spot, though it still gets crowded. You can paddle straight from the spring since it sits right on the Santa Fe River. From there you’re also close to Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park and a lesser known spot just up the river called Little Mermaid Spring. Blue Springs was closed for restoration when we visited, but we could still check out the spring run and see the water coming through. Not as beautiful as Ginnie, but worth the time, both because it’s cheaper and because it gives you a taste of the more wild, untouched side of Florida.
Beyond these spots, there are springs scattered all along the Santa Fe River. If you’re up for it, several outfitters offer drop-off and pick-up float trips, renting kayaks or other watercraft so you can spend the whole day floating without paying separate entry fees at each stop. We didn’t do this ourselves, but it’s honestly worth considering for a future trip.
Outside of the springs, there’s not a ton going on in the area. High Springs is a nice little town with a bit of a tourist vibe, but it’s still pretty sleepy. There are some small shops worth a look, but don’t expect a lot to do beyond the springs themselves.
The Verdict: Would We Go Back?
Definitely yes, for the right price. At the roughly $150 a night we paid, Postcard Cabins is absolutely worth it. If we were paying close to $300 a night, that starts to feel steep for what you’re getting.
These properties are really built for couples or maybe a small family. They do have some bigger cabins on-site, and we saw families staying there, but I couldn’t picture fitting more than two people comfortably in ours, let alone a group of kids. Just not enough space for that. Keep that in mind if you’re planning a family trip.
Bottom line: for the right price, Postcard Cabins is an awesome concept, and we’d love to check out more of their properties scattered around the country. I wouldn’t pay the steep peak season rates, but at a fair price, this is absolutely worth booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Postcard Cabins Gilchrist Springs cost per night?
We paid around $150 a night all in with the $40 destination fee included. Rates can climb into the high $200s or close to $300 during peak season.
How far is Postcard Cabins Gilchrist Springs from Ginnie Springs?
About 10 to 30 minutes, depending on which spring access point you’re headed to.
Is Postcard Cabins a Marriott property?
Yes. It’s a Marriott brand, so you can earn or redeem Marriott points on your stay.
Is Postcard Cabins Gilchrist Springs good for families?
It’s better suited for couples or a small family. The standard cabins are only a couple hundred square feet, and while bigger units exist on the property, even those have limited space.
Is Postcard Cabins Gilchrist Springs worth it?
At around $150 a night, yes, absolutely. At closer to $300 a night during peak season, it starts to feel steep for what you get.
Gear We Used on This Trip
The paddling footage in the video was shot from my Glide inflatable paddleboard, the same one I used on Lake Davidson here in North Carolina. And since this property is genuinely out in the middle of nowhere, it’s worth running through my camping trip checklist before you go. That “if you don’t bring it, it doesn’t exist” mindset applies here more than you’d think.
If you liked this one, check out my other video breakdown on car camping in Pisgah National Forest, and keep an eye out, a full Ginnie Springs and Little Mermaid Spring video is coming soon.
Let me know down in the comments if you’ve been to Postcard Cabins before, or if you’ve got a trip planned. Now, go enjoy the day!
