The Best Natural Springs In Florida To Visit This Summer

While Florida might be notorious for its scorchingly hot summers, thankfully it’s also plentiful in solutions for beating the heat. One of the most popular options for cooling off on a hot summer day are venturing out to its plethora of more than 700 natural springs in Florida spread across the state.

Like natural swimming pools bubbling up through the Florida Aquifer, natural springs in Florida usually hover around the 70-degree mark in the summer months making them the ideal place to cool off.

Where to See Manatees in Florida

Whether you’re looking for springs for swimming in Florida, camping, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, scuba diving or even swimming with mermaids and manatees, natural freshwater springs in Florida are a beloved family outing and definitely worth the drive.

While manatees can be found throughout the state, we’ve shared some of our favorite natural springs in Florida where you can see and even swim with manatees this summer.

Blue Spring State Park

The largest spring on the St. Johns River, Blue Spring State Park is a popular gathering spot for Manatees during the winter months.

In fact, you can observe hundreds of Manatee from the observation deck, however, this is one state park where swimming with Manatees during winter months is strictly off limits.

You can enjoy Blue Spring State Park tubing in the spring and summer months while swimmers, divers, and snorkelers enjoy the 73-degree water along the St. Johns River.

As you can imagine, this Florida State Park is extremely popular year round and will reach maximum capacity quickly, both on weekdays and weekends. We recommend making it a point to visit early.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

As of May 10, 2021, Blue Spring State Park is currently open. Due to an ongoing restoration project, the spring run is closed to kayaks, paddleboards and canoes until mid August.

There is a $6 fee per vehicle. Camping is available at $24 per night (plus tax and a non-refundable $6.70 reservation fee). Fee includes water and electricity.