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Are you planning a trip and looking for the best springs in Florida?
The Sunshine State is known for its beaches, theme parks and cities, but the springs are one of Florida’s best-kept secrets, and honestly, they are actually my favorite thing about Florida!
Most of them are in Central and North Florida, which makes them excellent day trips from Tampa, Orlando, Gainesville or Tallahassee.
The water is crystal clear, often bright blue, and a constant cool temperature year-round.
A lot of them are also home to manatees in winter, which is definitely a pretty magical thing to experience.
So, pack your swimsuit. Here are the best springs in Florida.
1. Three Sisters Springs, Crystal River
📍 Address: 123 NW US Hwy 19, Crystal River, FL 34428
🎟️ Admission: check current prices here
Three Sisters Springs is, in my opinion, the most beautiful spring in Florida.
The water is this impossible shade of turquoise and so clear you can see every detail of the sandy floor beneath you.
I genuinely couldn’t believe it was real the first time I saw it.
Crystal River itself is a lovely small town, located a couple of hours north of Tampa, and the springs are its crown jewel.
This is the only place in the United States where it is legal to swim with wild manatees.
From January to March, hundreds of manatees migrate from the Gulf of Mexico into the Florida springs, and most of them make Three Sisters their winter home.
If you’re going specifically to see them, I’d call the visitor center ahead of time to check how many there are in the spring. They count them daily, so they’ll be able to tell you.
The temperature can sometimes warm up in February and they leave earlier than expected, so it’s worth checking.
That’s what happened to me the first time. I assumed they’d be there because we were in the right season, and I showed up and there wasn’t a single manatee to see.
That said, even outside of manatee season, Three Sisters is stunning.
You can walk the boardwalk around the springs without getting in the water. It takes about 30 minutes and it’s beautiful.
If you want to get out on the water, kayaking between the springs and the river is wonderful. The area is enormous and you can easily spend a few hours exploring.
For something truly unique, try a clear kayak tour. Being able to see the manatees swimming directly beneath your kayak is something I won’t forget in a hurry.
One practical thing to know: there’s no parking at the boardwalk itself. Park at the visitor center and take the shuttle, which runs every 30 minutes.
TRY THIS: Click here to see the prices for a clear kayak tour.
2. Weeki Wachee Springs
📍 Address: 6131 Commercial Way, Weeki Wachee FL 34606
🎟️ Admission: $13 for adults
Weeki Wachee is about an hour north of Tampa and one of the most famous springs in Florida, though its fame comes from an unexpected source: mermaids.
Yes, really.
The springs have been home to live mermaid shows since the 1940s, performed in a submerged auditorium beneath the surface of the water.
It’s one of the most unique things to do in Florida and absolutely worth seeing.
But the spring itself is also genuinely beautiful, and there’s a lot to do beyond the show.
The kayaking here is some of the best I’ve come across. The water is incredibly clear and the surrounding mangroves are stunning to paddle through.
The Buccaneer Bay water park section is great if you’re visiting with kids, and it’s the only part of the grounds where you can actually swim in the spring water.
Reservations are required for kayaking, so book ahead if that’s what you’re coming for.
3. Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
📍 Address: 4150 S. Suncoast Blvd, Homosassa FL 34446
🎟️ Admission: $13 for adults
The Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is in the same area as Crystal River and Weeki Wachee, making it easy to combine all three in one trip.
It’s a wonderful place, particularly if you’re going with kids.
It is centered around a cluster of over 30 springs that feed the Homosassa River.
Once you’ve bought your ticket at the visitor center, you have two ways to reach the springs and wildlife park. You can take a boat along Pepper Creek, or you can walk, drive or hop on the boat.
The boat is a lovely experience. Guides point out wildlife along the way.
That said, the boat service is sometimes suspended when water levels are low, so always check the official park website before your visit to see what’s running on the day.
Once you arrive, the wildlife park is brilliant.
You’ll see manatees, birds of prey, alligators and all sorts of other Florida wildlife.
4. Rainbow Springs
📍 Address: 19158 S.W. 81st Place Road, Dunnellon FL 34432
🎟️ Admission: $2 for adults
Rainbow Springs is about 30 minutes from Ocala and one of only a handful designated as a “first magnitude” spring, which means it discharges an extraordinary volume of water.
It’s a bit quieter than Crystal River or Weeki Wachee, which I actually love.
You’ll find both the headspring and the Rainbow River here, and the range of things to do is excellent.
Tubing is the most popular activity. The river is calm, long and beautiful, and floating down it on a lazy afternoon is one of the most relaxing things you can do in Florida.
If you prefer to be a bit more active, kayaking is superb here.
I’d particularly recommend trying a glass-bottom kayak tour if you can. You’ll see turtles and otters swimming beneath you as you paddle, which is absolutely magical.
Swimming and snorkeling in the headspring are also excellent. The water is incredibly blue and clear.
The area around the springs is also home to beautiful wildlife, and there are walking trails if you want to explore on foot.
TRY THIS: Click here to see the prices for a guided glass-bottom kayak tour.
5. Ginnie Springs
📍 Address: 7300 Ginnie Springs Road, High Springs, FL 32643
🎟️ Admission: $15 in off-season, $20 in season
Made up of 7 springs along the Santa Fe River, Ginnie Springs are particularly popular.
Unlike the others mentioned, they are not a state park but in fact, a private property.
The waters are incredibly blue, clear and calm, making it the perfect place to go kayaking, paddling, swimming and tubing.
You can rent all the equipment you need on site, which makes it very easy to show up without much planning.
There’s also a campground here, which is a real bonus if you want to make a weekend of it. You can choose between tent pitches, with or without electricity, and glamping options.
Ginnie Springs is also one of the best diving spots in Florida, with an impressive underwater cave system.
If you want to learn to dive or rent equipment, they can sort that out for you at the visitor center.
One thing to know: because there’s a campground, this place gets lively, especially with college students on weekends. It’s brilliant fun but it’s not a quiet nature escape, so go in knowing that.
6. Ichetucknee Springs
📍 Address: 12087 S.W. U.S. Highway 27, Fort White FL 32038
🎟️ Admission: $6 per vehicle
Ichetucknee Springs State Park is about 50 minutes from Gainesville and one of the most beautifully preserved spring areas in North Florida.
The Ichetucknee River that runs through the park is a National Natural Landmark, and the water is pristine. Truly some of the clearest you’ll find anywhere in the state.
Tubing is the classic thing to do here. The river is calm, lazy and beautiful, and just floating along it through the lush forest canopy is an experience in itself.
Kayaking is equally wonderful, especially if you want to explore at your own pace rather than drifting.
7. Rock Springs at Kelly Park
📍 Address: 400 E Kelly Park Rd, Apopka, FL 32712
🎟️ Admission: $3 – $5 per vehicle
Located near Apopka, about 40 minutes from Orlando, Kelly Park is home to one of the most beloved springs in Central Florida: Rock Springs.
You’ll find as many locals from the area here as you will tourists, which is always a good sign.
Rock Springs is notable for one thing that sets it apart from almost every other spring in Florida: the water temperature.
Most Florida springs sit at a constant 72°F, but Rock Springs is 68°F. Noticeably cooler and incredibly refreshing on a hot day.
Tubing is hugely popular here and gets busy, so arrive early if that’s your plan.
Kayaking and paddling are also great, especially with a glass-bottom kayak. The water is so clear you can see everything beneath you.
TRY THIS: Click here to see the prices for a glass-bottom kayak tour at Rock Springs.
8. Devil’s Den
📍 Address: 5390 N.E 180th Ave, Williston, FL 32696
🎟️ Admission: starting at $15
The Devil’s Den is unlike anything else on this list, and one of the most extraordinary natural sites in Florida.
It’s a prehistoric underground spring, located about 30 minutes from Gainesville.
If you’re an experienced cave diver, this is an absolute must.
For everyone else, snorkeling is the way to go and it’s a brilliant experience.
You’ll find accommodation on site with tent pitches, an RV park and cabins, making it a great base for a longer stay.
9. Madison Blue Spring
📍 Address: 8300 N.E. State Road 6, Lee FL 32059
🎟️ Admission: $4 to $5 per vehicle
Madison Blue Spring is one of the most beautiful springs in North Florida, tucked away near the Georgia border, about an hour east of Tallahassee and less than 20 minutes from Georgia.
It’s a bit of a journey from most tourist bases, but for divers or people exploring the panhandle, it’s a gem.
The spring sits within a gorgeous lush forest and the water is crystal clear, making it an excellent spot for swimming, snorkeling and, for the more adventurous, cave diving.
The underwater cave system here is impressive and experienced divers will love exploring it.
It’s also a lovely spot for families, with picnic tables and short walking trails around the spring.
10. Silver Springs
📍 Address: 1425 N.E. 58th Ave., Ocala FL 34470
🎟️ Admission: $8 per vehicle
Silver Springs is one of the largest spring systems in the world. It was actually where the original glass-bottom boats were invented.
Those glass-bottom boats are still operating today, and they’re one of the best ways to experience the spring. You can look straight down through the crystal-clear water and see the wildlife below.
Kayaking is also excellent here.
If you want something a bit different, a clear kayak tour lets you see what’s happening beneath you as you paddle.
Silver Springs is also a great day trip from Orlando, and while you’re in the area it’s worth exploring the beautiful small towns nearby.
TRY THIS: Click here to see the prices for a clear kayak adventure at Silver Springs.
11. Juniper Springs
📍 Address: 26701 E Highway 40, Silver Springs, FL 34488
🎟️ Admission: $6 per person
Juniper Springs is one of the oldest recreation areas in the United States. The facilities were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, and you can still feel that history when you visit.
It’s about an hour north of Orlando and set within the Ocala National Forest, which gives it a wonderfully remote, wild feel.
The best springs here are Fern Hammock and Sweetwater. Both are a constant 72°F and genuinely stunning, with blue water and a thick green canopy overhead.
Snorkeling and kayaking are the main draws here, and there are hiking trails in the surrounding national forest if you want to explore beyond the water.
12. Silver Glen Springs
📍 Address: Fort McCoy, FL 32134
🎟️ Admission: $6 per person
Silver Glen Springs is on the edge of the Ocala National Forest and is a beautiful, slightly quieter alternative to some of the busier Central Florida springs.
The water is strikingly clear with gorgeous shades of blue, and the surrounding forest makes for a stunning setting.
It does get busy on weekends, so arriving early is worth it.
In winter, manatees sometimes make their way into the spring, which makes it an extra special visit.
Snorkeling and kayaking are the main draws here, and there are hiking trails in the surrounding national forest if you want to explore beyond the water.
13. Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs
📍 Address: 7450 NE 60th St, High Springs, FL 32643
🎟️ Admission: $6 per vehicle
Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park is one of the newer state parks in Florida. It was acquired by the state in 2017 and opened shortly after, and it’s already become a firm favorite with locals.
It sits along the Santa Fe River in North Florida and is home to six springs, each with beautifully clear shallow water.
It’s a genuinely lovely spot and still feels a little under the radar.
14. Alexander Springs
📍 Address: Alexander Springs, FL 32702
🎟️ Admission: $6 per person
Alexander Springs is one of the most beautiful and least-visited springs in the Ocala National Forest, and it has an added layer of history that sets it apart.
The area was home to the Timucua people for centuries, and there’s a Native American Heritage Trail you can walk to learn more about this history. It’s a fascinating and underrated part of a visit here.
The spring itself is gorgeous. Turquoise water, clear to the bottom, surrounded by forest.
You can swim, snorkel and kayak from here, and the peaceful setting makes it a particularly lovely spot for a relaxed morning or afternoon.
15. Blue Spring State Park
📍 Address: 2100 W. French Ave., Orange City FL 32763
🎟️ Admission: $6 per vehicle
Blue Spring State Park is one of the best places in Florida to see manatees in the wild, and one of the most important sanctuaries they have.
It’s in Orange City, just under an hour from Orlando, along the St. Johns River.
Watching them from the boardwalk, drifting slowly through the crystal-clear water, is extraordinary.
If you want to get out on the water alongside them at a respectful distance, kayaking and paddleboarding are a beautiful way to do it.
The season for manatees is mid-November to March.
TRY THIS: Click here to see the prices for paddling at Blue Spring State Park.
16. Wekiwa Springs
📍 Address: 1800 Wekiwa Cir., Apopka FL 32712
🎟️ Admission: $6 per vehicle
Wekiwa Springs State Park is the closest spring to downtown Orlando, just 20 minutes away, and that alone makes it worth knowing about.
The water isn’t quite the electric blue you’ll find at some of the other springs on this list, but it’s a genuinely lovely park and a brilliant escape from the city.
What makes Wekiwa particularly special is the range of things to do.
Stand-up paddleboarding is excellent here, and if you want to try something genuinely unusual, they offer stand-up paddle yoga on the spring, which is as fun and wobbly as it sounds.
Kayaking is also great, and the surrounding park is beautiful for walking.
If you’re based in Orlando and want a dose of nature, this is your spot.
TRY THIS: Wekiwa Springs Stand Up Paddleboard Adventure
Map of the Best Springs in Florida
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