By Terry Tomalin
Summer means taking the family to the water. In these Florida springs, the water flows pure and clear, and it's always cool.
Florida is full of places to beat the summer heat. When it comes to keeping cool, all you have to do is head to one of Florida’s most unique treasures – a freshwater spring.
These places are the ultimate in summer fun, with many natural Florida springs under the protection of the state’s award-winning state park system.
For your next adventure, make sure to stop at one of these natural Florida springs located in or near Florida state parks.:
The headsprings at Ichetucknee Springs State Park.
- Julie Fletcher
Rainbow River
Rainbow River and Springs, a pristine system about two hours north of Tampa, has six miles of gin-clear water just waiting for swimmers, snorkelers and inner-tube riders eager to cool off.
The headwaters are a semicircular spring with four main boils. Just 14 feet at its deepest, the river features public swimming access at Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon, one of Florida’s original attractions.
For those interested in tubing, you have options. Rainbow Springs State Park has a separate entrance about a mile and a half away from the headsprings, where visitors can rent tubes and shuttle two miles upriver. The float takes about two hours to complete.
Downstream from Rainbow Springs State Park, K.P. Hole County Park is another popular starting point for tube trips. From here, it’s a 4-hour float downriver to the take-out point at Blue Run Park located at the CR 484 bridge in Dunnellon. Shuttle service is available daily during the summer season, typically from around April through Sept. 30. Before you go, make sure to check out their website for updated information on shuttles and conditions.
The water remains a constant 74 degrees, so it’s a place perfectly suited to summer. Snorkelers and scuba divers who drift with the gentle current may see fossils and stone tools left by the area’s first inhabitants. These items are part of the preserve and protected by law.
North Florida
Another great place to tube, paddle and swim is Ichetucknee Springs State Park, which is one of the state’s most popular summertime escapes. This short, spring-fed river is located 35 miles northwest of Gainesville. Despite its popularity, this river remains crystal clear because park operators allow only a limited number of people on the river each day. On a summer weekend, the park can fill up quickly. Go early, and if possible, go on a weekday. No food or drink is allowed on the river, and there are no camping facilities
The Ocala area has plenty of swimming holes. About 25 miles northeast of Ocala, Salt Springs Recreation Area is one of four springs in Florida's Ocala National Forest. Day-use activities include picnicking, canoeing, hiking and swimming.
Alexander Springs Recreation Area is about 30 miles southeast of Ocala and offers swimming, canoeing and good scuba diving.
Juniper Springs Recreation Area is one of the oldest and better-known recreation areas in the forest. It’s about 25 miles east of Ocala and great for swimming and snorkeling. Activities at Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area include swimming, snorkeling, kayaking and canoeing, fishing, wildlife viewing and hiking. Picnic areas are also available.
Manatee Springs State Park, about six miles west of Chiefland, is a first-magnitude spring (the term refers to water volume) that pumps more than 100 million gallons of water daily. It gets its name from the endangered manatees that swim up the river in cooler weather to spend the night in the warm waters of the headspring.
This state park welcomes scuba divers and paddlers. An isolated patch of paradise, it is a perfect place to get away from civilization, even if just for a day.
Troy Spring State Park, a 70-foot-deep, first-magnitude spring, is another great place to swim, snorkel and scuba dive. This state park, located near Branford, northwest of Gainesville, contains the wreckage of the Civil War-era steamboat Madison, which was scuttled in the spring run in 1863 to keep it from being captured by Union troops.
Diving into Alexander Springs in the Ocala National Forest.
- Julie Fletcher
Juniper Springs Recreation Area is the very definition of refreshing
- Julie Fletcher for VISIT FLORIDA
Florida Springs Near Orlando
Blue Spring in Orange City spews 104 million gallons of pure, fresh water every day. Swimming is allowed April through October in a designated area separated by buoys from the manatee refuge zone. For more adventurous souls, scuba diving is allowed in the spring.
Wekiwa Springs, located near Apopka, is another favorite for locals hoping to beat the heat. The spring, with 72-degree water, is surrounded by a natural park area that is ideal for spreading out a blanket and enjoying a picnic lunch.
This state park is located at the headwaters of the Wekiva River, which hasn’t changed much since Timucuan Indians fished it and hunted in the surrounding forests. The river, one of the most pristine in Florida, is popular with canoeists and kayakers, who can also paddle nearby Rock Springs Run.
Ponce de Leon Springs State Park
A dip in Ponce de Leon Springs in Florida, named for the Spanish explorer who came to Florida in search of the legendary “Fountain of Youth,” might just add a few years to your life. The main spring, a constant 68 degrees year round, pumps out 14 million gallons of water each day. After a swim, take a leisurely hike along two nature trails that meander through a lush, hardwood forest. Picnic tables, grills and restrooms are also available. In the northwest part of the state, Ponce de Leon State Park is about halfway between Pensacola and Tallahassee.
