Orlando Florida day trip! Alexander Springs (views!) things to do! swimming, snorkeling, diving, camping 🌴 Ocala National Forest 🌴 Florida vacation travel tips

Hi there!

If you go to Alexander Springs, you can go swimming and camping in Ocala National Forest!

Alexander Springs Recreation Area is one of the many springs in Ocala National Forest.

Ocala National Forest can make for a perfect stop as a part of an epic Florida road trip if you will be driving through the Orlando area.

It’s located a 1.5 hour drive or so north of Orlando.

 

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According to Florida state parks, there are over 1,000 springs in Florida!

So a “very Florida” thing you need to do during your Florida road trip is a stop for some Florida springs… and Alexander Springs Recreation Area can be perfect if you are looking for some swimming and camping along the way!

 

 

Here are some things to know about Alexander Springs Recreation Area!

 

 

1. Alexander Springs swimming

The main attraction of Alexander Springs Recreation Area is Alexander Springs!

Yes… 🤪

As you can say about all of the main springs in Ocala National Forest, Alexander Springs is a springs with amazing views!

 

 

Make a trip to Alexander Springs Recreation Area just to see the amazing water color of the springs, or experience it more by getting in the water!

 

 

There are a number of picnic tables around the springs so you can make it a picnic with views of Alexander Springs!

Stop by the Publix grocery store before you go to Ocala National Forest! You can find grab-and-go food there, or you can pick up your favorite picnic items.

 

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Can you go swimming at Alexander Springs?

Yes, you can swim in Alexander Springs!

There is a designated swimming area for Alexander Springs.

 

 

According to the U.S. Forest Service, the water temperature of the Ocala National Forest springs are a constant 72 to 74 degrees year-round, and this includes Alexander Springs.

This means that in theory, you can go swimming at Silver Glen Springs any time of year.

In terms of water temperature, the 70s can be considered warm enough for swimming for many people!

As long as you can handle coming out of the water wet to a cooler air temperature, then you can go swimming in Silver Glen Springs any time of year – summer, spring, fall, and even winter!

It really just depends on your tolerance for colder water and just how much you want to go swimming!

 

See more for your trip to Alexander Springs Recreation Area:

• What to pack for swimming in Florida springs

 

 

2. Alexander Springs diving

 

If you’re an experienced scuba diver, you can go diving in Ocala National Forest at Alexander Springs.

 

According to PADI:

Divers can explore a small cavern at Alexander Springs and feel the strong current coming from the underwater vent.

Alligators have been spotted at Alexander Springs, but the dive site is regarded as safe for divers of all levels.

 

It is best to be certified as a cavern diver before going scuba diving in Ocala National Forest or any of Florida’s springs.

Blue Hole in the Ichetucknee State Park is another one of Florida’s well-known springs with diving.

 

 

3. Alexander Springs campground

There is a campground at Alexander Springs Recreation Area so you can go camping near Alexander Springs!

There is a trail from the Alexander Springs campground to the swimming area.

It’s one of the campgrounds in Ocala National Forest that you can go camping near springs!

You make reservations through recreation.gov.

 

 

Cost to go to Alexander Springs Recreation Area

You can just drive through Ocala National Forest, and it will be free.

But to go to Alexander Springs Recreation Area, there is an entry fee.

The cost to go to Alexander Springs Recreation Area is around $12 per person. See current fees.

 

There are many “recreation areas” in Ocala National Forest, and Alexander Springs Recreation Area is one of them!

For more Ocala National Forest springs, you can choose from Alexander Springs, Silver Glen Springs, Juniper Springs, and Salt Springs. You can also choose from more springs near Orlando.

 

 

Alligators in Alexander Springs?!

There are alligators in Alexander Springs.

There have been alligator sightings in Alexander Springs as recently as July 2023… twice.

Read the news story.

 

Where to see alligators (safely!) in Florida:

• Lake Kissimmee alligators
• Lake Louisa State Park alligators
• Myakka River State Park alligators
• Everglades National Park alligators

 

 

And that’s a bit about making a trip to Alexander Springs Recreation Area!

I went to Alexander Springs Recreation Area in May 2022. Your experience may vary!

 

• Ocala National Forest springs
• Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area
• Juniper Springs Recreation Area
• Salt Springs Recreation Area
• Best springs in Florida
• Springs near Orlando

 

HAPPY VISIT TO ALEXANDER SPRINGS RECREATION AREA!