Florida Springs

Florida’s springs pump out water at 72 degrees year-round, clear enough to count the fish from a tube. These guides cover the ones worth the drive: what they cost, where you launch, and what the headsprings are really like on a summer weekend versus a weekday in October.

Spring-fed rivers and state parks

Each guide has the fees, launches, hours and camping from the park’s own pages.

Clear spring water reflecting blue sky and trees at Ichetucknee SpringsIchetucknee Springs State ParkSwimmers in the clear blue headspring swimming area at Rainbow Springs State ParkRainbow Springs State ParkA clear turquoise spring pool ringed by cypress trees at Ginnie Springs, FloridaGinnie Springs GuideThe Weeki Wachee River flowing downstream from Weeki Wachee Springs in FloridaWeeki Wachee Springs State Park

Tubing

Where the springs rank against the rest of the country’s tubing rivers.

Clear blue water at the Head Spring in Ichetucknee Springs State Park, FloridaBest Places to Go Tubing

Manatee season

Manatees crowd into the warm springs from mid-November through March. Start with the timing guide, then pick the spring that fits your trip.

A Florida manatee swimming in clear waterBest Time to See Manatees in FloridaA group of manatees gathered in the clear water of Blue Spring State ParkBlue Spring State Park ManateesSnorkelers in wetsuits floating near a manatee in Crystal RiverCrystal River Manatee ToursManatees resting among rocks in clear spring water at Crystal River, marked by a sanctuary boundary lineThree Sisters Springs ManateesA wooden boardwalk bridge over the clear spring water at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State ParkHomosassa Springs Wildlife State ParkManatee Springs State Park in Chiefland, FloridaManatee Springs State Park

More springs

Ocala National Forest and the springs around Orlando and Gainesville, each with fees, hours and what the water is like.

Glass-bottom boats loaded with visitors on the water at Silver Springs State ParkSilver Springs State ParkPanoramic view of the spring-fed swimming area at Wekiwa Springs State ParkWekiwa Springs State ParkSwimmers in the clear blue water at Juniper Springs in Ocala National ForestJuniper SpringsWide panoramic view of the Alexander Springs basin in Ocala National ForestAlexander Springs Ocala National ForestWide view of open water and marsh from the Salt Springs Observation Trail in Ocala National ForestSalt SpringsDe Leon Springs State Park in FloridaDe Leon Springs State Park

Plan the trip

Road trip routes, springs sorted by drive time, camping, and what to pack.

Clear underwater view of the spring at Silver Springs State Park, Ocala, FloridaFlorida Springs Road Trip ItineraryThe clear blue spring boil at Blue Spring State Park in FloridaBest Florida Springs Near OrlandoSwimming cove at Poe Springs Park near High Springs, FloridaBest Florida Springs Near GainesvillePine and scrub forest inside Ocala National Forest, Florida, home to the Juniper, Alexander and Salt Springs campgrounds.Best Florida Springs for CampingThe spring swimming area at Wekiwa Springs State Park with clear water and a sandy edgeWhat to Bring to Florida Springs

The rest of the state, from the Keys to Orlando, is on our Florida page.