13 Best Florida Springs to Visit with Kids

Did you know that Florida has more than 700 natural springs? That is more than any other place on Earth! From the largest springs (Wakulla Springs which is the largest and deepest freshwater spring in the world) to tiny trickles, the springs hold eight billion gallons of water.

Most of the natural springs in Florida are in the north and central regions- meaning that they make for great day trips from Orlando, Daytona Beach, St. Augustine, and Jacksonville.

Florida has 15 state parks that preserve the crystal-clear springs and the creatures that call these springs home. They also help protect the animals that call these springs home. Florida’s natural springs are home to manatees, otters, Florida gar, alligators, eels, turtles, and countless specifies of fish.

Table of Contents

What is there to do at the springs?

Freshwater springs are the ultimate year-round Florida attraction. With Florida’s warm climate and the water temperature maintaining a constant 72 degrees, you can visit the springs 12 months out of the year.

The springs were actually Florida’s original tourist attraction. Long before people came to Florida to visit Disney World, Legoland, and Universal Studios, they hopped on steamboats to explore the waterways. Silver Springs was once one of the most popular tourist attractions in the entire country.

Today, many of Florida’s springs offer swimming, snorkeling, diving, canoeing, paddleboarding, tubing, and kayaking in constant temperatures of 72 degrees. Many springs also offer hiking trails and camping.

Silver Springs and Wakulla Springs also offer glass-bottom boat tours.

13 Best Florida Springs to Visit with Kids

Three Sisters Springs- Crystal River, Florida

This park is home to absolutely crystal clear water. In fact, it’s so clean that you can see straight through it! Three Sister Springs is the perfect place to kayak, canoe, or paddleboard. Due to the high population of manatees, there are no motorized water vessels allowed inside of the park.

If you want to view the springs without getting wet, you can walk along the boardwalk at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, which offers 57 acres of wetlands to explore.

Weeki Wachee Springs- Weeki Wachee, Florida

You won’t believe what makes this State Park so famous. Mermaids. Yes, mermaids! Weeki Wachee Springs is home to the world-famous mermaid show! The mermaids have been entertaining guests since 1947.

While you can kayak and canoe at the springs, swimming is not permitted. Don’t fret because the park is also home to Buccaneer Bay. Buccaneer Bay has white sandy beaches and water slides! If water slides aren’t your thing, you could also take a riverboat cruise.

Oh, and another cool thing about these springs? Weeki Wachee Springs has a bottom so deep that it has yet to be found!

Experienced divers can also explore the freshwater cave system that is the deepest in all of North America.

Ichetucknee Springs- Fort White, Florida

Ichetucknee Springs is one of the most well-known springs in the state. The Ichetucknee River is the ultimate place to grab an inner tube and simply let the current take you away. This no-frills adventure is fun for all ages. This is also a great spot for snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding.

The park is also home to Blue Hole Spring. Trust me, this is natural Florida at its finest!

The main spring (a.k.a. the Ichetucknee Head Spring) has been deemed a national natural landmark and is home to many of Florida’s most precious wildlife species.

Wakulla Springs- Wakulla Springs, Florida

Wakulla Springs State Park is located just 15 minutes south of Tallahassee. This is the deepest and largest freshwater spring in the world! After being featured in classic movies such as “Tarzan” and “Creature from the Black Lagoon” this spring became a popular tourist attraction.

This is the place to spend the day swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Experienced scuba divers can explore the system of underground caves. Be sure to take the famous river cruise during your visit!

It has also been deemed a National Natural Landmark and a National Archaeological and Historic District.

Ginnie Springs- High Springs, Florida

Like Ichetucknee, Ginnie Springs are some of the most popular in the state. This is pure, natural Florida! The park boasts magnificently clear turquoise water that entices visitors to dive in. Snorkeling, scuba diving, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and rafting are all popular here. To make things even easier, you can rent the equipment on-site!

Experienced divers can check out the caves.

Drinking is allowed at Ginnie Springs because it is privately owned, unlike other popular springs which are city or Florida State Parks. This means that it does tend to draw a more party-type crowd.

Madison Blue Springs- Lee, Florida

Voted the #1 swimming hole in the country by USA Today, Madison Blue Springs is considered to be one of the best springs in Florida. Head about 70 miles east of Tallahassee to this stunning blue, clear, freshwater spring. This popular swimming hole is 25 feet deep and 82 feet wide. You can hop on a raft to enjoy a float down the 150-foot run, or you can hop on a paddleboard or canoe to experience the springs from the water’s surface.

Like Three Sisters Springs, this is the perfect spot to swim, snorkel, and scuba dive. If you’re an experienced diver, you can even hit up some underwater caves!

Rainbow Springs- Dunnellon, Florida

Rainbow Springs is 90 miles northwest of Orlando making them the perfect spot for a day trip! These springs are more than 10,000 years old, making them one of the oldest and largest in the state! Native Floridians regularly visited these sapphire waters believing that they had healing powers. And, perhaps they do? The only way to find out is to get your toes wet!

Rainbow Springs State Park is a popular haven for tubing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and camping. There is a gigantic swimming area with white sand. The park is also home to nature trails that are surrounded by man-made waterfalls and natural gardens.

Alexander Springs- Altoona, Florida

Tucked away in the Ocala National Forest is Alexander Springs. This is one of the best places for families to visit because it is relatively shallow, gradient slow, slope eases swimmers into the stunning water.

Popular activities include swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, paddleboarding, and canoeing. This is also a great spot for hiking and camping.

Silver Springs, Silver Springs, Florida

Hop aboard a glass-bottom boat for a unique view of the spring’s creatures, including manatees! Or, hop in the water for a bit of swimming and snorkeling.

You can also rent a kayak or a canoe onsite if you’d like to add to the fun!

The Silver Springs is located in Ocala National Forest and are a notable archeological site. Be on the lookout for fossils!

Visitors are encouraged to arrive early in the day, as capacity is limited!

Gilchrist Blue Springs- High Springs, Florida

Gilchrist Blue Springs is one of Florida’ youngest state parks. Located just 25 miles south of Lake City, this park is ideal for a day of snorkeling, swimming, and paddling. The park also has hiking trails.

This park is so much fun that it often fills up to capacity (okay…the fact that the park is smaller may have something to do with that, too). Plan on getting there very early or go late in the afternoon. Gilchrist Blue is considered to be one of Florida’s greatest hidden gems! If the park is full, we recommend heading to nearby Ginnie Springs. Ginnie Springs is larger so it is less likely to reach capacity.

Blue Spring- Orange City, Florida

Blue Spring is a state park located in Central Florida. What was once a hub for steamboats is now a winter refuge for manatee. Temperatures in the spring run remain at 72 degrees, year-round, making it a safe haven for West Indian manatee. In fact, as many as 360 manatees were recorded at the springs on March 1st, 2020! When the weather cools down, manatees congregate in the natural spring where the water temperature is warmer than in the surrounding areas.

This place is great for swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, paddleboarding, and kayaking. There are also trails that you can hike or bike.

De Leon Springs- De Leon Springs, Florida

De Leon Springs State Park is AMAZING! The site is a former plantation and fancy schmancy hotel. There are remnants of both periods of the properties history on the ground. De Leon Springs was one of the first eco-parks in the state of Florida. There are hiking trail, kayak and canoe rentals, and a swimming area.

The park is famous for its Old Sugar Mill Restaurant. People come from all around to make their own pancakes at the griddle-topped tables. It’s a super fun experience!

Salt Springs- Fort McCoy, Florida

Salt Springs is located in the Ocala National Forest. Most of the swimming area is actually quite shallow- once you get away from the entrance area. The park also permits floats, which makes the springs extra fun for kids! We found a cove across from the entranceway and it was the ideal spot for our littles. The closer you get to the spring vent, the deeper- and rockier- the water gets.

Are there alligators in the springs?

Something visitors need to understand about Florida is that alligators can be found in any fresh body of water. Our state is home to more than a million alligators that live in lakes, rivers, marshes, canals, springs, and even ponds at places like Disney and golf courses.

There is always the possibility of seeing an alligator in a fresh body of water. In fact, as Floridians we just assume that they are lurking around.

However, alligators don’t tend to like all of the splishing and splashing. Think of them as cranky old people. They’ll try to stay as far away from humans as possible.

Dealing with the Crowds

The springs get packed on holidays, weekends, and summer months. In fact, several springs often reach capacity early in the day. Plan accordingly. You may want to consider camping, if it is available, or staying at an Airbnb close to the springs so you can get there early.

For the least crowds, go during the off-season or shoulder season such as October or April.