When you think of Orlando, you likely think of Mickey Mouse, roller coasters, and theme parks. But for those seeking a more tranquil escape into the heart of Florida’s nature, make sure to rent a car and head out to the beautiful natural springs near Orlando!
Psst. I’ve included a Florida Springs map and a free printable bucket list at the bottom of this post for easy planning!
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Table of Contents
The Best Natural Springs near Orlando (from closest to farthest!)
Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a sustainable traveler, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of the great outdoors, each of these natural springs near Orlando offers something unique and unforgettable. Trust me, you are going to want to plan an epic Florida Springs road trip after reading this!
1. Gemini Springs Park
- Distance from Orlando: 25 Minutes
- Entry fee: Free
- Hours: Sunrise to Sundown
Located in DeBary, Florida, Gemini Springs Park is a picturesque 210-acre public nature park featuring two freshwater springs. The park offers a range of recreational activities, including camping, canoeing, fishing, horseback riding, and picnicking.
With nearly 5 miles of gentle woodland paths and paved trails, it is a popular destination for hikers, mountain bikers, and trail runners. Additionally, the park boasts a dog park, making it an ideal spot for pet owners to enjoy the outdoors with their furry best friends. Woo Woo!
2. Wekiwa Springs
- Distance from Orlando: 30 Minutes
- Entry fee: $6 Per Vehicle
- Hours: 8 AM to Sundown
Wekiwa Springs State Park, situated in Apopka, Florida, is a captivating natural oasis spanning 7,000 acres and encompassing the headwaters of the Wekiva River. This is one of my most favorite natural springs near Orlando as it’s home to sparkling blue water springs that are perfect for a dip.
The park offers an array of recreational opportunities, including hiking, biking, horseback riding, canoeing, and kayaking along the Wekiva River. With thirteen miles of trails, adventurers can explore the park’s picturesque landscapes on some of the best trails in Florida!
Additionally, the campground within the park provides 60 single-family full hookup campsites, offering a close proximity to the enchanting emerald springs.
Due to its popularity, it is common for this park to reach capacity, especially during peak and holiday seasons. Be sure to plan ahead and arrive early!
3. Blue Spring State Park
- Distance from Orlando: 30 Minutes
- Entry fee: $6 Per Vehicle
- Hours: 8 AM to Sundown
Blue Spring State Park, located in Orange City, Florida, is a haven for nature enthusiasts and a crucial sanctuary for the endangered West Indian manatees. The park’s main attraction is the Blue Spring, which pumps out around 104 million gallons of crystal-clear water daily, providing a year-round home for hundreds of manatees.
Visitors can observe these gentle giants from the overlooks, offering a rare and awe-inspiring experience.
Aside from manatee viewing, the park offers numerous recreational activities, including swimming, tubing, kayaking, and canoeing in the spring’s turquoise waters. Additionally, visitors can explore the park’s extensive walking trails and revel in the scenic beauty that surrounds them.
The park also serves as a vital habitat for various wildlife species, making it an ideal destination for wildlife observation and nature photography.
Please note, during Manatee season, you are not permitted to enter the springs for any reason.
4. Lake Louisa State Park
- Distance from Orlando: 35 Minutes
- Entry fee: $5 Per Vehicle
- Hours: 8 AM to Sundown
Lake Louisa State Park, situated just a short drive from Orlando, encompasses approximately 4,372 acres of natural beauty, offering a serene retreat from the urban hustle. The park is characterized by its stunning lakes, rolling hills, and lush landscapes, making it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
Visitors can indulge in a myriad of activities such as hiking, birdwatching, kayaking, and camping, providing ample opportunities to immerse themselves in the park’s natural wonders.
For those seeking overnight stays, Lake Louisa State Park provides 20 cabins that overlook the picturesque Dixie Lake, accommodating up to six people with modern amenities. Additionally, the park boasts a 60-site family campground, allowing visitors to enjoy the tranquility of the surroundings while being in close proximity to the park’s attractions.
5. Rock Springs Run State Reserve
- Distance from Orlando: 40 MInutes
- Entry fee: $3 Per Vehicle
- Hours: 8 AM to 6 PM
Rock Springs Run State Reserve boasts some of the most stunning untouched landscapes in the region. The Reserve is renowned for its 10,000-acre stretch of sand pine and scrub oak terrain, and the Rock Springs Run River provides ample opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and lazing along the gentle current.
A highlight here is tubing down the spring run. You can find many tube rental vendors outside the park.
6. De Leon Springs State Park
- Distance from Orlando: 50 Minutes
- Entry fee: 6 Per Vehicle
- Hours: 8 AM to Sundown
De Leon Springs State Park, nestled in Volusia County, Florida, is a fascinating natural haven that offers a diverse array of recreational activities and serene landscapes. The park covers 625 acres and revolves around a natural spring that flows at a rate of about 20 million gallons a day, constituting a second-magnitude spring.
While visiting De Leon Springs State Park, you can partake in many different experiences, including a half-mile, wheelchair-accessible paved nature trail through a floodplain forest and/or a relaxing pontoon ride.
The state park is also home to the Old Spanish Sugar Mill, where visitors can enjoy a delish pancake breakfast cooked on their own griddle in the middle of their table.
7. Alexander Springs Recreation Area
- Distance from Orlando: 1 Hour
- Entry fee: $35 for overnight camping
- Hours: 8 AM to 6 PM
Tucked away in the Ocala National Forest (one of my personal favorite hidden gems near Orlando), Alexander Springs is an oasis with a pre-historic feel. It’s one of the few first-magnitude springs in Florida that allows swimming and provides a serene setting for enjoying the wonders of nature.
In addition to swimming, you can also go canoeing, scuba diving, hiking, or birding. It’s actually the sole location in the Ocala National Forest where you can scuba dive.
8. Juniper Springs Recreation Area
- Distance from Orlando: 1 Hour and 10 Minutes
- Entry fee: $34 for overnight camping
- Hours: 8 AM to Sundown
At the heart of Ocala National Forest, Juniper Springs Recreation Area offers a chance to explore the oldest recreational area on the east coast of Florida while canoeing or kayaking down Juniper Run, hiking through the ancient subtropical forest, or camping under the stars.
The area offers pristine swimming spots, deeply shaded camping sites, and oasis-like springs that are refreshing to both the body and the eyes. Constructed in the 1930s, Juniper Springs has become one of the oldest and best-known recreation areas on the East Coast, attracting visitors with its natural beauty and recreational amenities.
With this being said, you should definitely expect to share the springs with many other visitors 🙂
9. Silver Glen Springs
- Distance from Orlando: 1 Hour and 15 Minutes
- Entry fee: $12 per person
- Hours: 8 AM to 6 PM
Silver Glen Springs is a natural gem located in the Ocala National Forest in Florida. This first-magnitude spring maintains a consistent year-round water temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit and discharges about 65 million gallons of crystal-clear water daily.
The area surrounding the springs offers various amenities such as picnic tables, a swimming area, bathrooms, changing facilities, and two hiking trails, including the St. George trail. Visitors can engage in activities like swimming, snorkeling, and paddling, making it a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts.
There are no campsites open for overnight stays. Scuba diving is not permitted, however snorkeling is. The water temperature here is consistently 72 degrees, making this a seasonal haven for manatees.
Love Manatees? Make sure to plan a trip to Crystal River, the manatee capital of the world!
10. Rainbow Springs State Park
- Distance from Orlando: 1 Hour and 20 Minutes
- Entry fee: $2 per person. Children 6 and under are free.
- Hours: 8 AM to Sundown
Rainbow Springs State Park, located in Dunnellon, Florida, is a scenic natural wonder boasting a 70-foot deep, first-magnitude spring with opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. With crystal-clear waters and an abundance of natural beauty, this park offers various recreational activities for visitors to enjoy.
The park’s campground provides an outstanding birding area and is part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, showcasing a diverse range of bird species.
For a quiet retreat into nature, the campground features 60 sites for both RVers and tent campers. The park also features the stunning Rainbow River, which is fed by the fourth-largest freshwater spring in Florida, producing over 450 million gallons of water per day.
11. Silver Springs State Park
- Distance from Orlando: 1 Hour and 25 Minutes
- Entry fee: $2 per person. Children 6 and under are free.
- Hours: 8 AM to Sundown
Silver Springs State Park, renowned for its world-famous glass bottom boat tours, is a captivating natural gem located in central Florida, just east of Ocala. The park is characterized by its emerald springs that feed the Wekiwa River and lush tropical hammocks, offering a perfect setting for observing abundant wildlife. With a history dating back to the 1870s, the park has been a popular tourist destination for generations.
The park provides various experiences and amenities, including family gathering options with pavilions and grills available at the campground. Visitors can enjoy leisurely walks around the spring-fed lake, where they may encounter diverse bird species, fish, and perhaps even an alligator. The glass bottom boat tours, running year-round, provide a unique opportunity to observe the underwater wonders of the springs.
12. Salt Springs Recreation Area
- Distance from Orlando: 1 Hour and 25 Minutes
- Entry fee: $12 per person
- Hours: 8 AM to 8 PM
Salt Springs is named for its mineral-rich waters, which were thought to have curative properties by Native American and European settlers. Today, the springs still beckon with their clear, salty waters that appeal to swimmers and divers.
Salt Springs Recreation Area, situated in the Ocala National Forest, Florida, is a cherished destination renowned for its spectacular natural mineral spring and lush surroundings.
Visitors to the Salt Springs Recreation Area can revel in the beauty of the largest campground in the Ocala National Forest, providing spacious campsites with full hookups for RVs. The facility caters to a diverse range of interests, from camping and picnicking to swimming and boating on the scenic Salt Springs Run.
13. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
- Distance from Orlando: 1 Hour and 40 Minutes
- Entry fee: $13 for Adults, $8 for Children. Children 5 and under are free.
- Hours: 9 AM to 5:30 PM
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, a historic and enchanting natural wonder located in Weeki Wachee, Florida, and one of the very best natural springs near Orlando. The park is renowned for its classic mermaid show, providing visitors with an opportunity to witness live mermaids in an iconic submerged theater with 400 seats.
Additionally, guests can enjoy a river boat cruise, observe Florida wildlife, and swim in Buccaneer Bay, making it a captivating destination for families and nature enthusiasts. However, if you are looking for a more quiet retreat, I would definitely recommend a different spring on this list…this one is more of an amusement park (which can be fun sometimes too).
Moreover, the 538-acre park features a first-magnitude spring, providing a firsthand glimpse of the park’s native wildlife, including alligators. It also offers a waterpark with natural attractions, adding to the allure of the park’s offerings.
14. Ginnie Springs
- Distance from Orlando: 2 Hours
- Entry fee: Adults start at $15. Children for $5. Children 4 and under are free.
- Hours: 8 AM to 6 PM
Ginnie Springs, located in High Springs, Florida, is a captivating natural gem offering a slice of pure Florida. The park boasts seven crystal-clear springs that maintain a refreshing 72 degrees year-round, providing a delightful environment for various water activities such as swimming, snorkeling, tubing, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
The park is known for its secluded spots suitable for grilling and camping, making it an ideal destination for both day trips and extended outdoor adventures. Ginnie Springs is situated near the city of High Springs, just a short distance from Gainesville, Florida, providing easy access for visitors seeking a day of exploration, fun, and aquatic adventure.
15. Ichetucknee Springs Recreation Area
- Distance from Orlando: 2 Hours and 15 Minutes
- Entry fee: $12 per person
- Hours: 8 AM to 8 PM
Ichetucknee Springs Recreation Area, nestled in Fort White, Florida, is a captivating natural haven renowned for its crystal-clear, first-magnitude spring and the picturesque woodlands of mixed hardwoods and pines.
The area offers a range of outdoor activities, including swimming, tubing, cave diving (no thank you), and bird-watching, providing ample opportunities for visitors to immerse themselves in the serene beauty of its blue-green waterways and lush surroundings.
The state park, part of the Great Florida Birding Trail, invites bird-watchers to explore and observe the diverse avian species that inhabit the area.
Additionally, Ichetucknee Springs State Park is home to the pristine Ichetucknee River, a six-mile natural waterway flowing through shaded hammocks and offering crystalline swimming holes for visitors to enjoy.
Florida Springs near Orlando Leaderboard
As an Orlando local, I have loved spending time exploring all the best natural springs near Orlando. Here are my top rankings!
- Best for Swimming: Wekiwa Springs State Park
- Best for Manatees: Blue Springs State Park (psst: Check out more of the best places to see manatees in Florida here!)
- Best for Hiking: Silver Springs State Park
- Best for Kids: Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
- Best for Camping: Rainbow Springs State Park
- Best Springs Tour: Silver Springs State Park
Natural Springs near Orlando Map
Who’s ready for a Florida Springs road trip?! Book your flight to Orlando, pick up your rental car, and hit the road. AND use this map to help you plan your route! Happy springin’!
About The Author!
Carissa is one half of the Jersey-born, now Florida local team of Two Geeks Travel. Avid travelers that are constantly on the go, whether it’s exploring their now home state or sharing the big world with their little one. When not writing, she’s practicing watercolor painting and trying fun ways to get her toddler to eat his veggies!
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