3. Many are surrounded by parkland, offering hiking, fishing, and more pre-swim family activities. Others include water slides and mini water parks. With more than 700 crystal clear springs, endless summer days, and a variety of lush landscapes, Florida has the perfect combination for a road trip around its pristine Mother Nature-made swimming holes. A portion of Rock Springs Run that is assessable from a Wekiva State Park launch. Most of these parks reach capacity quickly upon opening, especially on weekends. These are the best natural springs for wild swimming in Florida. The spring pumps 42 million gallons every day, filling a swimming area before joining Rock Springs Run and forming the Wekiva River. Take a swim and cool off at Wekiwa Springs! Visitors can hike along the two nature trails or rent a canoe or kayak to travel along the spring run. Kelly Park is a 355-acre public park in Apopka. Miles of trails beg to be explored on foot, bike or horseback, and canoes and kayaks are available on-site. US Forest Service photo by Susan Blake. Its clear, swift ... 2. 8 of the Best Natural Swimming Spots in Central Florida. In fact, Rock Springs Run is one of the most popular tubing destinations in Florida. Click here for more information about this Florida swimming hole. The swimming area is shallow at one end and deep at the other, making it fun for both kids and grown-ups. The water in Alexander Springs is considered the purest in the state, which makes it a good choice for swimmers and canoers. You’ll be able to dive right into this fresh, clear swimming hole, or tube down the river for an extra dose of daily fun. Top 10 Natural Springs in Florida Near Orlando 1. We've rounded up our 10 favorite natural springs in Florida, centrally located around the Orlando area. Captain Mike’s is the #1 customized manatee tour located at King’s Bay in Crystal River, Florida. Blue Spring State Park. If planning on fishing, make sure you have an active Florida Freshwater Fishing License. Salt Springs is located about 75 miles from Orlando, on the northwest side of Lake George. Generally, entry fees are only a few dollars, but it's wise to call ahead or check online to determine the cost of each park before visiting. Blue Spring State Park is located 35 miles from Orlando and features a year-round temperature of 73 degrees, Over 358,000 people visit the springs each year. Plan a trip to take a dip in any one of these refreshing springs with the kids to enjoy the natural beauty Central Florida offers. The spring … Orlando, Florida, is a major travel destination for people from all over the world. DeLeon Springs is known for its sand-shell bottom, blue-green color and nearby Spanish Sugar Mill Restaurant. I'm very interested in taking the kids to some Of the clear springs or state parks. Silver Springs is certainly one of the most famous springs in Florida; at least 24 movies have been filmed at the park including some of the original James Bond movies. A beautiful paddle down the crystal clear water of the Weeki Wachee River. Tags: beaches, getaways, Road trips, springs, swimming holes, travel. Our tours lets you swim with the gentle sea creatures along the warm Nature Coast waters. DeLeon Springs State Park is located about 45 miles north of Orlando and features snorkeling, paddleboat rentals, fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, kayaking, picnic areas, swimming, canoeing, and a playground. Guests can rent a tubes, canoes, and kayaks onsite to explore the river. Silver Springs is located about 90 miles north of Orlando and is the largest opening in the Florida aquifer system. Blue Spring State Park in Orange City is a popular destination for locals. Top 11 Springs in Central Florida Blue Spring State Park, Orange City. This beautiful deep blue spring is surrounded by a lush subtropical landscape and man-made limestone walls. The largest spring on the St. Johns River, Blue Springs State Park boasts 2,600... Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Spring Hill. Florida has more springs than any other state, and some of the best ones are just a short drive east on Interstate 4 from Orlando. Ginnie Springs is located in High Springs, Florida, and is a privately owned park. Silver Glen Springs is known more for boating than for swimming. It is especially popular with locals on holiday weekends when as many as 800 boats line the spring's run. Located about 70 miles from Orlando, the roped-off swimming area of Silver Glen Springs measures 200 feet by 175 feet. The park features a horse-riding trail, canoeing, camping areas, picnic tables with grills, a playground, and areas to bike and hike. Starting at just $ 45 per person, we invite our travelers to customize a variety of tours year-round. In addition to the springs, families might want to check out the gardens, man-made waterfalls, butterfly garden, and nature trail. Orlando may be the theme park capital of the world, but the best spots for water babies are entirely natural. The park boasts scenic hiking trails, wildlife viewing, 92 campsites, and a large swimming area. There is a lot to do at Wekiwa, even if you're not interested in swimming in the 72-degree water. Kelly Park’s waterway (swimming and tubing) and Camp Joy’s dorms remain CLOSED until further notice. Kelly Park/Rock Springs Run. The famous Mermaids of Weeki Wachee perform live in a submerged theater. We have tried to provide the most current information, but check each park’s website or call ahead before you go. The park sits just north of Umatilla, which is about 50 miles from Orlando. Additional amenities and experiences include a playground, animal encounter, paddling, canoeing, kayaking, snorkeling, and boat tours along the river. The area near the head of the springs also will be CLOSED to replace the boardwalk and stairs. Orlando: Springs, Lakes and Rivers - Fun 4 Orlando Kids Family events, kids activities and parenting resources in the Orlando, Florida area! Tubing is also a popular summer activity at this park. One of Florida’s largest springs, this first-magnitude spring includes a series of small vents that expel over 400 million gallons of water per day. RELATED: Top Orlando Hotels and Resorts for Families, Swim, kayak, or otherwise float along in the Silver Glen Springs near Lake George. A beautiful state park that’s perfect for outdoor-loving … Spend the day swimming in the water or explore the 13mi (21km) of nature trails in the area. By using Tripsavvy, you accept our. Wekiwa Springs is located about 20 minutes north of Orlando and is a popular weekend destination for... Rock Springs. US Forest Service photo by Susan Blake. So, paddle, swim, float, and soak to your heart’s content at these gorgeous swimming holes near Orlando. Cool, Refreshing Springs Wekiwa Springs. Alexander Springs is one of only 27 first-magnitude springs in the state, meaning it... 2. It has a sandy beach area and a 300-foot spring basin for wading and swimming, open year-round. 1. Canoeing, kayaking, and camping are also popular activities at Juniper Springs. A DJ plays on family-friendly hits on weekends and leads kids in water games. 3. View these other slideshows: Tim Tebow, former University of Florida football star, … But the water isn't the only draw; canoeing, scuba diving, snorkeling, boating, picnicking, and wildlife viewing are all popular activities at Florida springs. The park features 77 campsites, wildlife watching, swimming, and a 7-mile canoe trail with twists, turns, and obstacles. Set near Orlando, Wekiwa Springs lies in Wekiwa Springs State Park, where visitors can delight in wildlife watching, kayaking and camping. As many as 150,000 people visit the park each year. Be sure to bring your snorkeling gear to view the abundance of fish in the spring. The spring is also a significant archeological site, with large mounds (known as middens) protected behind fences and are considered sacred to Native Americans who once inhabited the spring area. The water is a constant 72°F and extraordinarily clear. Rainbow Springs consists of five primary springs and hundreds of smaller springs. There are picnic areas, walking trails, and snorkeling options, too. A broad and naturally gently sloped spring pool becomes a natural water park when visitors come to picnic, swim and play. Home » Arts and Events » Here’s how to find the 24 best swimming holes in the Orlando area. If you spot an alligator, alert a staff member, so they can take the appropriate actions. Concessions and picnic facilities are also available. Address: Hart Springs Park, 4240 SW 86th Ave, Bell, FL 32619 Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year. Distance from UCF: 45 minutes to an hour; 45 miles. This warm natural sulfur spring has a shallow water spring run plus a swimming lagoon complete with a sandy beach area, water slides, and a 360-degree waterfall. Being close to Orlando this place makes a great swimming getaway and pleasant and relaxing change of scenery, but it also means it gets busy so do arrive early. Kids might enjoy hiking along the nature trail or visiting the historical Thursby House. Doug Alderson, Jr. Find more fun places to visit in Florida with our Family Travel Guide. The spring remains at 72°F year round and produces 19 million gallons of water per day. Blue Spring State Park – Orange City. Photo by Bart Everson/CC BY 2.0. 12 of the Best Outdoor Water Parks in the US, Best Orlando Hotels for Families and Kids, Florida Reopening Phase 1: What's Open and What's Closed in Orlando Now, The Best Places to See Manatees Near Orlando, one of the best places in Central Florida, Top Orlando Hotels and Resorts for Families, Brevard County Drive-In Movies in the Park. The spring is especially popular with scuba divers, as the opening goes straight down 60 feet before angling off into a tunnel that leads to a giant cave. This park’s history dates back over 6,000 years, serving as a home of the Mayaca Native Americans. There is also a small wading area for toddlers. Blue Spring is the largest spring located off … Once the parking lot is full, you’ll be queuing one-in-one-out to get in. The surrounding Ocala National Forest offers its own attractions to locals and tourists. These gorgeous springs in Gilchrist County are some of the most stunning around. 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