Hi there!
The best springs in Florida are located in Ocala National Forest, and state parks in Central Florida, and state parks in Northern Florida.
I’ve been to a bunch of springs in Florida, and here are springs you need to know about!
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1. Juniper Springs Recreation Area in Ocala National Forest
Juniper Springs is located in Central Florida. (map)
It can be a perfect day trip from Orlando or Gainesville.
What can you do at Juniper Springs?
- Swimming? Yes! You can go swimming in Juniper Springs.
- Hiking? Yes! You can take a nature trail from Juniper Springs back to see more springs, including bubbling springs at Fern Hammock Springs! You might even see an alligator! This means there is no swimming at Fern Hammock Springs!
- Kayaking? Yes, you can go kayaking in the Juniper Run. The US National Forest Service says it’s been named one of the top canoe runs in America.
- Camping? Yes! There is a Juniper Springs campground.
See more about visiting Florida springs:
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There are waterproof waist pouches that you can store your valuables and take into the water with you.
/end side note
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2. Rainbow Springs State Park
Rainbow Springs can be a perfect day trip from Gainesville, Orlando, or Tampa. (map)
What can you do at Rainbow Springs?
- Swimming? Yes! You can go swimming in Rainbow Springs.
- Kayaking? Yes, you can go kayaking in the Rainbow River. There are kayak rentals and canoe rentals.
- Tubing? Yes, tubing is very popular in the Rainbow River.
- Camping? Yes, there is a Rainbow Springs State Park campground, although it is located in a different area from the springs.
3. Blue Spring State Park
Blue Spring State Park is located in Central Florida. (map)
It can be a perfect day trip from Orlando.
What can you do at Blue Spring?
- Manatees? Yes! You can see manatees in Blue Spring State Park in the winter! Sometimes there are 500+ manatees at this Florida spring!
- Swimming? Yes! You can go swimming in Blue Spring in the summer when manatees are not around.
- Kayaking? Yes, you can go kayaking in the Blue Spring Run and St Johns River. There are kayak rentals and canoe rentals.
- Boat tours? Yes, there are boat tours on the St Johns River.
- Camping? Yes! There is a Blue Spring State Park campground!
- Cabins? Yes! Blue Spring State Park is one of the Florida state parks with cabins!
See more about visiting Florida springs:
Blue Spring State Park is not to be confused with Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park which is a different “blue spring” for swimming and kayaking!
4. Ichetucknee Springs State Park
Ichetucknee Springs State Park is located in Northern Florida. (map)
It can be a perfect day trip from Gainesville or Jacksonville.
What can you do at Ichetucknee Springs?
- Swimming? Yes, you can go swimming at Ichetucknee Spring and Blue Hole Spring!
- Scuba diving? Yes, there is scuba diving at Blue Hole Spring in Ichetucknee Springs State Park. You will be diving through caves and you are allowed to go scuba diving if you are certified as a cavern diver, per the Florida Park Service.
- Kayaking? Yes, you can go kayaking in the Ichetucknee River. There are kayak rentals and canoe rentals, along with transportation to the launch spot. You can also go tubing.
- Camping? No, there is no camping in Ichetucknee Springs State Park, but there is a privately owned campground nearby. (map)
The Blue Hole Spring of Ichetucknee Springs State Park is not to be confused with Blue Hole Spring of Florida Caverns State Park!
5. Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area in Ocala National Forest
Silver Glen Springs is located in Central Florida. (map)
It can be a perfect day trip from Orlando or Gainesville.
What can you do at Silver Glen Springs?
- Swimming? Yes! You can go swimming in Silver Glen Springs.
- Kayaking? Yes, you can go kayaking in the Silver Glen Run.
- Hiking? Yes, you can do a short nature trail from Silver Glen Springs to some bubbling springs! You can also hike to Lake George. It’s a nice walk through the forest, but there are no springs, though!
- Camping? No, there is no camping at Silver Glen Springs. But there are other Ocala National Forest springs with campgrounds!
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See more about visiting Florida springs:
What can you do at the best springs in Florida?
The most popular things to do at Florida springs are swimming and kayaking!
According to the Florida Park Service, there are over 1,000 springs in Florida!
👆 There are over 1,000 springs in Florida! There are several springs in one of Florida’s most popular national forest, and there are many Florida state parks with springs!
👆 You can go swimming and kayaking at springs in Florida! One of the most popular springs to kayak in Florida is Rainbow Springs.
Yes, there are a lot of springs in Florida for swimming and snorkeling!
Many springs in Florida have a designated swimming area.
It’s like swimming at an outdoor pool!
You’ll be swimming at a natural outdoor swimming pool when you go to Florida springs!
According to the U.S. Forest Service, the water temperature of springs in Florida are a constant 72 to 74 degrees year-round.
This means that in theory, you can go swimming at springs in Florida 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 Florida 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 in natural springs!
There could be areas of a spring that are shallow enough that you can stand.
And there may also be areas that are deeper where you can’t reach the bottom.
👆 Add a personal float to your Florida springs packing list! This way if you are in deeper water you won’t have to constantly be treading water!
👆 Florida springs have some of the clearest water on earth, according to the Florida Park Service. You can find some of the clearest springs in Florida state parks, including Rainbow Springs State Park!
And that’s a little bit about some Florida springs!
I have been to all 3 national forests in Florida, a national park, a national seashore, and over 40 Florida state parks! See ideas for what to do during your Florida road trip: Florida travel blog
HAPPY SWIMMING AT THE PRETTIEST NATURAL SPRINGS IN FLORIDA!
Here's a sample 2-day drive from Orlando to St Augustine to Amelia Island!
In the morning head to Blue Spring State Park to see manatees (winter only).
Then drive along the A1A through Flagler Beach.
Then stop by Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
Then stop by Fort Matanzas National Monument
And then stay overnight in St Augustine!
The next morning, watch a St Augustine sunrise!
Then you can continue your drive up north, stopping by the St Augustine Lighthouse, maybe Anastasia State Park, maybe a St Augustine food truck, maybe historic St Augustine including Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.
Continue the drive on the A1A and stop to go shelling at South Ponte Vedra Beach, and then onwards to take the Mayport car ferry. (The ferry is closed through early May 2023, check for updates.)
Then stop by Big Talbot Island State Park to go to Boneyard Beach (short hike).
And then finally... you've made it to Amelia Island beaches!
How to save money on your trip
I tend to use booking.com or hotels.com to look for the cheapest hotels. You can also try the expedia hotels site or see if you like any of the vrbo vacation rentals.