Did you know that Florida’s first tourist attraction was its fresh water springs? For ages, people have flocked from all around to experience some of the most remarkable natural springs in the world. In fact, Florida has more natural springs than any other place on the planet.
The Florida State Park system has created parks at several of the 700 natural springs. The parks offer amenities such as hiking trails and campsites. Some parks also offer eco tours and watercraft rentals.
Florida Springs State Parks
Blue Spring State Park- Blue Spring State Park is a great day trip from Orlando. The park offers kayak and canoe rentals and has an excellent boat tour that will take you out on the Saint Johns River.
Our favorite thing about this spring is that there is a launch area for inner tubes so that you can float down the spring. The exit landing is a short hike back to the beginning of the run.
If you plan on launching a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard, consider putting in at nearby French Landing.
Ichetucknee Springs State Park- The Ichetucknee Springs are iconic Florida springs. People come from all around to float down the river. There are several different launch sites, so be sure to do your research before you head out. The park has kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards available to rent. There are also vendors that rent out inner tubes.
This popular destination often closes due to reaching full capacity early on. If the park is closed when you arrive check nearby Poe Springs, Rum Island, Ginnie Springs, or Gilchrist Blue Springs.
Wekiwa Springs State Park- Did you know that you could find emerald springs and a lush tropical hammock just minutes from downtown Orlando? Wekiwa Springs is Orange County’s oldest tourist attraction and the perfect place to hit up during your Orlando vacation! They offer canoe and kayak rentals on site.
The park also has several trails ranging from 8/10 mile to 13.5 miles in length! From the trails you might spot white-tailed deer, gopher tortoise, turkeys, and many other birds. You might even spot a bobcat or Florida black bear!
Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park- Gilchrist Blue Springs is one of Florida’s newest state parks. The park offers an impressive spring that leads out to the Sante Fe River. The park offers camping, and kayak/canoe rentals. The park is located right next to Ginnie Springs, Rum Island, and Poe Springs, so if it is at capacity, you can always try one of those.
De Leon Springs State Park- This park served as one of Florida’s first tourist attractions. Visitors would cruise down to the springs via steam boat to relax and unwind in the springs.
Today, De Leon Springs has relics that help document the history from the park- all the way back to its days as a plantation.
The park offers kayak rentals, boat tours, and has a popular restaurant where you can make your own pancakes. Be sure to check out the hiking trails while you’re there.
Silver Springs State Park- This is probably the most commercialized Florida spring. One of the main attractions is the glass bottom boat ride- Florida’s oldest attraction! The 30 minute tour will set you back $12/person, where as the 1.5 hour one is $25/person. It is an amazing way to experience the springs!
Silver Springs State Park also has kayak, SUP, and canoe rentals. You can even book a guided paddling tour!
Silver Springs also has a restaurant on site where you can purchase sandwiches, wraps, burgers, chicken tenders, salads and more. There is also an ice cream shop on the property. You could easily spend an entire day at these springs!
Madison Blue Springs State Park- Did you know that Madison Blue Springs was voted as America’s #1 Swimming Hole? Spend a day here and it is easy to see why! Pack an innertube so you can kick back and enjoy this amazing spring!
Lafayette Blue Springs State Park- Located on the Suwannee River, this first-magnitude spring is the perfect place to take a dip or paddle. The park also has a unique feature- a nature limestone bridge that crosses the spring run. Be sure to check the Florida State Park official website before heading to these springs (and any on the Suwannee), as it sometimes gets browned out from the rain.
Fanning Springs State Park- Also located on the Suwannee, you’ll find Fanning Springs. These springs are known for their abundance of underwater wildlife! You’ll find turtles, bass, flounder, mullet, bowfins, and even manatees (on cooler days!).
Fanning Springs is also known as a training site for divers. The maximum depth is about 21 feet, making it a great place to begin learning how to scuba.
Troy Springs State Park- Troy Springs is a hidden gem along the Suwannee River. Like the neighboring springs, it is well-known as a paddling, snorkeling, and scuba diving site. One thing that set this site apart from the rest, is that just under the water’s surface you’ll find the remains of a Civil War-era steamboat. The Madison was scuttled in 1863 to prevent it from being captured by Union Troops.
Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park- This amazing park has two major springs, a spring run, and six sinkholes all in near-perfect condition! The park was named in honor of a world-class underwater explorer and diver so it is no surprise that cave divers from all over the world flock here to explore the underwater caverns. To date, more than 33,000 feet of underwater passages have been surveyed, making it one of the longest underwater cave systems in the world!
Don’t worry, if diving isn’t your thing you can also swim and paddle here!
Rainbow Springs State Park- Picture this- ornamental gardens, waterfalls, surrounding a sapphire blue spring. That, my friends, is Rainbow Springs.
This is one of the state’s most popular springs, so it often hits capacity very early in the day.
Manatee Springs State Park- The park has a 800-foot boardwalk that runs through the cypress forest and looks out onto the emerald green springs. The park was named for the manatees that flock to these waters in the cooler months.
Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park- This spring is small but mighty! It measures an impressive 351 feet deep! Unfortunately, there is no swimming at Werner-Boyce (due to the mangroves), but it is a popular place for paddling. The Salty Dog offers kayak and canoe rentals on-site. There are also guided paddling tours and kayaking lessons.
Wakulla Springs State Park- This sapphire blue spring is the world’s largest and deepest freshwater spring! The spring maintains a year-round temperature of 70 degrees (a bit cooler than most other Florida springs).
The park offers historic boat tours and has concession stands and a restaurant on site.
O’Leno State Park & River Rise- This unique park was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. It is one Florida’s first state parks! The CCC constructed a suspension bridge and other structures amongst the trees on the banks of the Santa Fe River. There are more than 20 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails to explore.
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park- Anytime the word “wildlife” is included in the name of a park- it’s gotta be great! This park is home to the endangered Florida panther, red wolves, key deer, Florida blackboards, the elusive bobcat, manatees, an abundance of birds (even flamingos!), and of course, fish, turtles, and alligators.
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park- Naturally, we’ve saved one of the most unique springs for last! Weeki Wachee is home to the famous mermaid shows! The iconic mermaids perform in a stunning, natural, spring. Oh…and there is also a water park here called Buccaneer Bay. The waterpark features two water slides that dump out into the springs. There is also a play area designed for children 6 and under.
In addition to all of the commercial hooplah- visitors can swim or paddle in the stunning water. The park is also known for housing the deepest freshwater cave system in the United States.
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