Natural Springs in Florida

1. Ginnie Springs

Located along the scenic Santa Fe River, Ginnie Springs is a piece of “pure Florida,” boasting some of the state’s clearest waters of any of the natural springs. Made up of a series of seven different springs, limestone, and white sand, the springs open into caves, providing a great spot to explore for snorkelers and cave divers. Other popular activities at Ginnie Springs include swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and tubing. There are also campgrounds available near the springs with volleyball courts, grills, and picnic tables, as well as a rental cottage. Visitors may be able to spot fish in the clear waters.

7300 Ginnie Springs Road, High Springs, FL 32643, Phone: 386-454-7188

2. Silver Spring State Park

The Silver Spring State Park, Florida is one of the most beloved and largest springs in America, offering a look at the underwater world from one of the famous glass-bottomed boats. Historic structures and tranquil gardens surround the park’s main spring, reminiscent of when the springs were once a popular destination for Northerners who used to arrive by steamship. In addition to tours on the Glass Bottom Boats, visitors can also find activities like camping, hiking on nature trails, wildlife viewing, and canoe and kayak trips at the Silver Spring State Park. There are also picnic areas, campgrounds, and a playground.

5656 E Silver Springs Blvd, Silver Springs, FL 34488, Phone: 352-261-5840

3. Blue Spring State Park

Situated west of Orange City and north of Orlando, the Blue Spring State Park in Central Florida features the largest natural spring along the Saint Johns River. Even though the translucent circular hole can be seen percolating with small bubbles, the water is a consistent cool temperature, just like other springs in Florida. Scuba divers, snorkelers, and swimmers can often be found at the Blue Spring, which is particularly well known for its extensive underwater cave system. There is also a boardwalk about a half of a mile in length running along the Blue Spring Run from the spring to the river.

2100 W French Ave, Orange City, FL 32763, Phone: 800-326-3521, Video

4. Rainbow Springs State Park

Rainbow Springs State Park (Video) near Dunnellon is the site of the Rainbow River’s headspring and one of the state’s most loved and beautiful waterways. The river has had a long reputation as a popular and scenic playground ever since it opened as a family-owned attraction back in the 1930’s. Rainbow Springs became a part of Florida’s state park system in 1990. Swimming is possible in the spacious roped off area at the park’s main spring, where stairs and a dock make it easy to enter the spring. Canoeing, kayaking, and camping are popular activities at Rainbow Springs as well.

19158 SW 81st Place Rd, Dunnellon FL 34432, Phone: 352-465-8555

5. Rock Springs Run State Reserve

The Rock Springs Run State Reserve is home to free-flowing springs that are a bit colder than some of the other Florida springs, usually featuring temperatures up to around 68 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes it a great place to relax and have fun in the hot Florida summer. Guests will find many different outdoor recreation activities around the springs and the rest of the state reserve, such as glass bottom boats and canoeing on the waters, swimming, camping along the Wekiva River and Rock Springs Run, and horseback riding, hiking, and biking on the seventeen miles of nature trails.

30601 County Rd 433, Sorrento, FL 32776, Phone: 407-553-4383

6. Salt Springs Recreation Area

The Salt Springs Recreation Area can be found within the northern portion of the Ocala National Forest near Fort McCoy, Florida. Considered one of the gems of the national forest, this recreation area features a natural spring and a semi-tropical, lush environment. The springs get their name “Salt Springs” from the slight salinity of the water caused by the presence of sodium, magnesium, and potassium. The Salt Springs Recreation Area also includes a marina and boat ramp for access to Lake George, the state’s second largest lake, as well as picnic areas and a large campground with RV hookups.

13851 FL-19, Fort McCoy, FL 32134, Phone: 352-685-2048

7. Alexander Springs Recreation Area

The first magnitude spring at the Alexander Springs Recreation Area is thought to be one of the most accessible and easiest of the Florida springs for visitors to get to and explore, for both young and old alike. A slow, gradient slope offers easy access into the crystalline cool water for divers and swimmers. The limestone smooth floor of the Alexander Springs releases little bubbles around snorkelers exploring the clear blue waters. The shallow pool makes the springs a popular destination for families, as well as the adjacent Timucuan Trail providing a short hike through semi-tropical vegetation.

8. Vortex Spring Adventures

Vortex Spring Adventures, founded by Doc and Ruth Dockery, has been recognized as one of the county’s safest and best diving resorts. Home to the red and white “Diver Down Flag,” the Vortex Spring is one of the state’s largest diving facilities. The diving resort encompasses more than five hundred acres, producing around thirty-two million gallons of clear water at a year-round 68-degree temperature. The Vortex Spring Adventures property offers fun experiences for the people of all ages, whether it’s taking a ride down the water slides, relaxing in the spring, exploring nature trails, or scuba diving with certified instructors.

1517 Vortex Springs Ln, Ponce De Leon, FL 32455, Phone: 850-836-4979

9. Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area

The Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area is home to the aquamarine waters and quaint setting of the Silver Glen Springs, surrounded by cedar, oak, and pine trees and offering an ideal place for sunbathing, snorkeling, and swimming. An array of both saltwater and freshwater fish call the spring home, as well as manatees during the winter. Hikers exploring along the Spring Boils Traill can spot a number of small springs feeding into streams flowing into the expansive Lake George. Fishing is allowed downstream from the swimming area, provided anglers have a freshwater license. The Silver Glen Springs is also an archeological site.

5271 FL-19, Salt Springs, FL 32134, Phone: 800-551-6949

10. De Leon Springs State Park

The De Leon Springs State Park provides visitors and locals alike with an experience in Florida that combines interesting history and a recreational swimming area. Once known as Acuera, or Healing Waters, by the Mayaca Indians, the De Leon Springs offers clear waters and a great place to relax and cool off in the summer heat. Visitors can also immerse themselves in the history of the park, which was visited by John James Audubon, a famous naturalist, in 1831. The spring was also used for a sugar cane mill, and then a grist mill during the Civil War era.

601 Ponce de Leon Blvd, De Leon Springs FL 32130, Phone: 386-985-4212