National Forest - 5 Suitcases

5 Springs in Ocala National Forest

Elle MacRae — Sat, 30 Jul 2022 17:50:00 +0000

The springs in Ocala National Forest are some of the most stunning scenery you’ll find in the Sunshine State. Most people that vacation in Florida head to the beaches or the theme parks…us Floridians, on the other hand, head straight for the springs! There are more than 1,000 natural springs sprinkled throughout Florida- more than any other place on the planet! The springs stay a refreshing 72 degrees Fahrenheit year round, making them a great place to beat the heat.

There are five springs in the Ocala National Forest that are accessible to visitors. These springs are: Alexander Springs, Fern Hammock Springs, Juniper Springs, Salt Springs, and Silver Glen Springs. Join us as we explore the springs in Ocala National Forest and explore the real Florida!

5 Springs in Ocala National Forest

Alexander Springs

Alexander Springs is one of the best springs for snorkeling and diving. The swimming area is a huge, wide open space and there are parts that are shallow enough for little ones to enjoy. There are steps that lead down to the spring. This is a great spot for little ones to get acclimated to the temperature of the water. Once you’re in the water, it isn’t exceptionally deep (but still deep enough that they can swim).

The kayak and paddleboard launch site is also very close to the swimming hole, making it easy to go back and forth between the two.

The swimming area isn’t all shallow, however. In fact, local dive schools use the springs for training since parts of the spring are as deep as 25 feet.

Alexander Springs is also known for camping, hiking, canoeing, and paddleboarding. There is a 0.9 mile interpretive trail called the Timucuan Trail. The loop consists of a shady boardwalk that travels through the forest along the spring run.

Fern Hammock Springs

Fern Hammock Springs are accessible from Juniper Springs. Unlike the other springs in the Ocala National Forest, swimming isn’t permitted here. This spring is environmentally protected and has a higher alligator and snake population. It’s still absolutely worth the short walk from Juniper Springs. Fern Hammock Springs is absolutely stunning and considered by many to be one of the most beautiful springs in the world!

Juniper Springs

An old watermill constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s helps make this one of the most picturesque springs in the area. The springs are popular for swimming, snorkeling, floating, camping, hiking, and paddling.

Juniper Run is a narrow, winding waterway that travels through a dense canopy of an ancient forest. It is an excellent spot to paddle out in search for turtles, fish, birds, and alligators.

Salt Springs

Salt Springs is another excellent swimming hole found in the Ocala National Forest. The swimming area is massive and the parts away from the spring head are shallow enough for wading. The water near the boils, however, are deep and full of slippery rocks.

Salt Springs is unique in the sense that it is salty and is home to an abundance of blue crabs. The water is naturally salty due to the high levels of magnesium and potassium- but not nearly as salty as ocean water.

Silver Glen Springs

Silver Glen Springs is one of many Floridian’s favorite springs! The water is crystal clear and the swimming area is massive. Historians believe that this site has been popular with humans for over 10,000 years! It was once the home to an ancient village. Today, it is home to Florida black bears, racoons, an abundance of fish and birds, turtles, and manatees.

Silver Glen Springs is popular for swimming, snorkeling, floating, and paddling.

When is the Best time to Visit?

If you’re brave, you can swim year round. The water temperature is the same all year. Florida’s weather is really inconsistent in the winter. We can go from being in the 80s one day to the 50s the next. As long as you can handle the outside temperatures when you exit the springs, you can absolutely swim in the springs 365 days a year.

Our Spring Essentials

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Exploring the Beautiful Salt Springs Recreation Area in Ocala National Forest

Elle MacRae — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 11:32:00 +0000

Salt Springs Recreation Area is one of the highlights of the Ocala National Forest. The forest is just north of Orlando and is the perfect day trip for nature lovers! It is a great spot for hiking, paddling, swimming and camping. Within the forest there are four crystal-clear, picturesque springs just begging to be explored! The springs are Juniper Springs, Salt Springs, Silver Glen Springs, and the lovely Alexander Springs.

One of our favorite things about Salt Springs is that it is perfect for families! 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. Rows of limestone rocks line the floor the the springs- almost as if an earthquake rumbled through the area causing a massive ancient ruin to collapse. Other rocks look like giant fingers reaching out from the underworld. It’s really quite magical! These rocks allow you to stand around the vent, which can be very slippery at times. You’ll probably want to pack some water shoes with you! These will help protect your feet from the rocks and the blue crabs that inhabit the area.

Several visitors tried their hand at diving into the spring vents only to find they were almost immediately forced back up to the surface by the pressure. Salt Springs is a 2nd magnitude spring which pushes about 55 million gallons of water out through the four vents. That’s a lot of water pressure escaping through these small caverns!

The water at Salt Springs is a constant 72-degrees, which can be quite an adjustment in the summer months. Once you’re in the water though, you’ll acclimate quickly. You probably may have guessed by the name that the springs are a little salty. The water is nothing like you’ll find at the beach however, it does have some salinity to it due to natural magnesium, sodium, and potassium salts.

Are There Alligators in the Springs?

Yes! There are most definitely alligators in the springs. And snakes. In fact, a rule of thumb here in Florida is that you should assume that there is an alligator in every body of freshwater. That being said, alligators typically want nothing to do with you. They are completely content laying on the bank of the spring catching some rays. As long as you don’t approach them, you’re typically fine. Even during the summer, when the springs are jam-packed with people, there will be alligators present. They tend to situate themselves outside of the run (where you can’t swim or tube) so that they don’t have to deal with you. Chances are, if you kayak, canoe, or paddle board, you’ll spot a gator sunning on the banks.

What Animals Live at Salt Springs?

Around the springs you’ll find bears, racoons, deer, and an impressive number of vultures. Inside the springs you may find fish, otters (in the early morning hours), turtles, and alligators. During the winter months, you may also spot a manatee. The spring is also well-known for having blue crabs. These crabs are a small reminder that Florida was once completely underwater millions of years ago. This is also why you can find shark teeth in Central Florida!

Where is Salt Springs Located?

The springs are a part of the Ocala National Forest. Salt Springs is easily accessible as a day trip from Orlando, Daytona, and Jacksonville.

Physical Address: 13851 SR 19, Salt Springs

Visiting Information

The hours vary by season so be sure to check their website to plan accordingly. During the summer months it is typically open from 8 AM until 8 PM.

The current fees are:

Weekday Day Use: $8/person
Weekend Day Use: $11/person

What is there to do at Salt Springs?

It goes without saying that most people visit this park to visit the springs. This is a great spot for swimming and snorkeling.

Other activities include hiking, camping, boating, and fishing.

Hiking: There is a 1.4 mile Bear Swamp Trail loop that begins near the campground. There is also the Salt Springs Observation Trail which is a 1.9 mile easy loop.

Camping There are over 150 campsites at the park. In fact, Salt Springs is home to the largest campground in the Ocala National Forest.

Boating & Fishing: Just outside of the park, you’ll find the Salt Springs Marina. Parking is $10 and the site features a boat launch and kaya rentals. There is not boating, paddling, or fishing permitted in the swimming area, so if you want to get your pole or paddle wet, you’ll have to do it here.

Fun Fact: The above mentioned marina butts up to the edge of the park. Many of the locals enjoy the springs from the boat launch rather than the park because it is more cost effective.

Nearby Springs

The four springs of the Ocala National Forest all are within a 30 minute drive of each other. Many visitors choose to “spring hop” and visit more than one spring in a day. We like to take things a little slower, however, so we pick just one spring to visit each day.

Silver Glen Spring Recreation Area (10.3 miles)
Juniper Springs (16.9 miles)
Alexander Springs (26.9 miles)
de Leon Springs State Park (35.6 miles)
Wekiwa Springs State Park (40 miles)
Blue Spring State Park (61.8 miles)

Our Spring Essentials

Floats and Rafts

SportsStuff Noodler 2
River Run Inflatable American Flag 2 Person Tube Float with Cooler
Giant Flamingo Float
Giant Unicorn Float

More Fun Stuff!

Inflatable Kayak
Inflatable Paddleboard (I swear by this one!)
Full-Face Snorkel Mask

Safety

Puddle Jumper Vest
Swim Vest
First Aid Kit

Skin Care & Insect Repellent

Coppertone Kids Sunscreen
OFF! Family Care Insect Spray
Cliganic Mosquito Repellent Bracelets

Towels & Swim Suits

Toddler Striped Hooded Poncho Towels
Women’s Boardshorts
Women’s 50+ SPF Shirt
Girl’s Roxy Rashguard

When is the Best time to Visit?

The springs are phenomenal year round! If you want a glimpse of the manatees, come during the winter (January and February seem to be peak times). If you want to kayak, canoe, or paddle board you can do so year round, but you’ll find it less crowded in the cooler months. Just remember that you’ll have to launch from the marina next door as the park doesn’t allow paddling within its boundaries.

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**Please note that this post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. All opinions are my own. Pinkie swear**

The Mendenhall Glacier and Tongass National Forest

Elle MacRae — Sat, 04 Jul 2020 12:23:41 +0000

If you’re gearing up for an Alaskan cruise this summer, chances are you’ll be paying a visit to the capital city of Juneau. While you’re in town, we suggest making a trip to the Mendenhall Glacier, one of the most popular attractions in the area. We highly suggest that you make a pit stop at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center to learn all about the glacier and the surrounding area.

What is the Mendenhall Glacier?

The Mendenhall Glacier is one of the many large glaciers that flow from the 1500 square mile area known as the Juneau Icefield. Around 3,000 ago, the earth experienced the Little Ice Age. When the climate warmed, much of the ice sheet melted back and exposed the valleys that we see today.

The glacier is located in Tongass National Forest. It is about 1.5 miles wide and more than 100 feet high.

How do I access the Mendenhall Glacier?

We took a quick 12-minute bus ride from the capital city of Juneau to Tongass National Forest. A roundtrip bus ticket from downtown will cost you about $30. You can also take a taxi, which runs about $35 each way.

We departed via bus from downtown Juneau to head out to Tongass National Forest. You won’t believe what happened as we were driving through the downtown streets! A black bear ran right in front of our bus! The bear was on a mission to chow down some skunk cabbage on the side of the road. Our guide said it was his first black bear of the season. It was such a cool sight!

The $5 entrance fee (ages 16+) covers admission to the Observatory building, as well as access to the trails and viewing areas.

How cold is it on the Glacier?

Even if it’s a balmy 70 degrees in Juneau, you’ll want to pack a jacket. Temperatures on and around the glacier will most likely be around 32 degrees, or possibly cooler depending on the winds.

Highlights of the Mendenhall Glacier and Tongass National Forest

Learn All About the Glacier and Surrounding Forest

The Visitor Center building has several exhibits that breakdown how the terrain and landscape have changed over time. There are photos that show how much the glacier has changed and receded since the center first opened in 1962.

There’s also a 15 minute documentary that shows the changes, as well.

Hike the Photo Trail

Okay… even if you’re not a hiker, you’ll most definitely want to walk the 1/3 mile path along the Photo Trail. The trail is a paved walkway that gives you absolutely remarkable glimpses of the Mendenhall Glacier.

Get Up Close & Personal With a Waterfall

Nugget Falls

One of the highlights of our visit was the 2-mile hike on the Nugget Falls Trail. The trail took us to the 377-foot Nugget Falls and the base of the Mendenhall Glacier. The view couldn’t have been more photogenic with bald eagles flying around, the falls pounding into Mendenhall Lake and the glacier as the backdrop.

The water from the falls actually comes from Nugget Glacier, which is upstream from Mendenhall Glacier. It’s one of the 38 glacier that make up the Juneau Ice Field. There are also more impressive views of the Mendenhall Glacier from this location.

Hit the Other Trails

There are four other hiking trails that cover about six miles worth of terrain. Some of them are even paved, making them a bit easier to navigate. Make sure to grab a map from the visitor’s center before you venture out on your own.

It is strongly recommended that you remain alert and are aware of your surroundings. There’s a chance of running into bears while you’re out in the forest- they’re hungry and on the hunt for food! In fact, no food or drinks (other than water) is allowed on the trails during peak season due to bear activity. If you’re hitting the trails, make sure to pack some bear spray (yes, that’s a thing!), a bear horn, and a good pair of hiking shoes or boots.

Where can I see these bears?

Black bears are often seen close to the parking lot near the Steep Creek Trail. There are several boardwalks near creeks that can give you aerial views of bears fishing in the creek.

While in Juneau…

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**Please note that this post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. All opinions are my own. Pinkie swear**

Updated: 12/14/2020