The Top 15 Springs Near Orlando You Have to See

THINKING ABOUT VISITING SPRINGS NEAR ORLANDO?

You’ve landed on the right page! We’ve been traveling together since 2010 and have spent months traveling Florida. There are so many great outdoor activities near the city, and one of our favorite things to do with our kids is to visit the natural springs in Florida near Orlando.

We have visited some of the springs during the winter months, so we were lucky to see a ton of manatees and got to enjoy the springs without the summer crowds.

Visits to the surrounding springs make for great family-friendly day trips outside of Orlando. But we speak from experience when saying that adventures with kids are always more fun when you know something about the place you’re visiting and what to expect.

That’s why we’ve put together this guide detailing the top 15 springs near Orlando that your family is sure to love.

Pack a lunch for picnicking and your swimming suits, sunscreen, and towels, and get ready for a fun day!

Natural Springs Near Orlando

1. Wekiwa Springs State Park

Wekiwa Springs State Park is the closest springs near Orlando. The park opens every day at 8 am. It can be busy during the summer, so be sure to get there early for a parking spot. There is a $6 entrance fee per vehicle.

The swimming area at Wekiwa Springs is famous for being one of the best swimming lakes in Florida. In the state park, you can also camp, fish, hike, and picnic.

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There is a kayak launch where you can launch your own kayak or rent one. There is quite a walk from the parking area to the kayak launch. You can rent a kayak at the concession stand starting at $25 for a single kayak or $30 for a double kayak.

The most popular route for kayaking is paddling towards Wekiva Island. Because you are traveling with the current, it is about a 35-minute trip to the island. The trip back is against the current and takes just over an hour.

There may be alligators in Wekiwa Springs. You are most likely to see the alligators in the spring months. Keep your distance and do not disturb them.

2. Rock Springs at Kelly Park

We visited Rock Springs at Kelly Park during our stay in Orlando. It is a beautiful park. Kelly Park is a 325-acre park with lots of day-use areas, a very nice playground, and 26 campsites. There are seven miles of hiking trails as well.

There are no kayak or canoe rentals in the park, but if you have your own, you can launch it at Camp Joy if you are camping in the park. The paddling trail is 8.5 miles and takes four hours.

Kings Landing is a private company at the end of Baptist Camp Road that can help you with shuttling and rentals to use on the river outside the park.

Entrance fees are $3 per vehicle with 1-2 passengers and $5 per vehicle with 3-8 passengers. Walk-ins and bicycles are $1 per person.

Eco Kayak Tour in Rock Springs

A unique way to experience the wildlife and beauty of Rock Springs is on a guided kayak tour. This two-hour tour will take you through one of the prettiest and unique parts of Rock Springs, known as “Emerald Cut.” Throughout the tour, you will find calm water, overhead tree canopies, and lots of wildlife.

Watch for fish, turtles, birds, deer, otters, alligators, and more. It is a unique opportunity to see these beautiful animals in their natural habitat.

You can even get out of your kayak to enjoy some swimming and a rope swing if you would like.

▶️ Check Rates & Availability for a Kayak Tour

3. Blue Springs State Park

The time of year you visit will dictate your experience at Blue Springs. During the winter months, swimming and paddling are not allowed because of manatee season, but there is still plenty to do at Blue Springs State Park during the winter.

We walked along the river to where the springs started and down the river to see the manatees, alligators, and birds. A path runs along the spring, so you can easily see the manatees.

In the summer, Blue Springs State Park is a popular place for floating. You can bring your own tube or rent one from the concession stand for a few dollars. The float is about 1/8 of a mile. There is a 10-minute walk to the entrance if you want to go down the spring again.

The entrance fee is $6 per vehicle, and the park is open from 8 am to sunset, 365 days a year.

If you plan on visiting the west coast of Florida near Daytona or St Augustine (one of family’s favorite beaches in Florida), Blue Springs State Park is right on your way.

Blue Springs Kayak Tour

Blue Springs is a great place to get out on the water and explore the diverse ecosystem found in Florida’s natural springs. During the winter months, Blue Springs is home to one of Florida’s largest manatee populations. Going on a Blue Springs kayak tour is a great way to get a good look at these unique animals.

Throughout the tour, watch for bald eagles, hawks, wild hogs, alligators, and other native birds. Along with helping you spot wildlife, your guide will teach you about the region’s plants and animals. It is considered an easy kayak trail suitable for all skill levels, even if you haven’t kayaked before.

▶️ Check Rates & Availability for Blue Springs Kayak Tours

4. De Leon Springs State Park

If you’re looking to combine some history with a visit to the springs near Orlando, De Leon Springs State Park is a good spring to visit. Over 6,000 years ago, it was the home of the Mayaca Native Americans.

The park is also home to the first water-powered sugar mill in Florida. The Sugar Mill restaurant is a great place to cook your own pancakes on the table-top griddles.

The spring has a 500-foot-long swimming area with beautiful views of the Spring Garden Run. There is snorkeling as well as nature trails and boat tours. Amenities include a playground, visitor center, and picnic areas.

5. Alexander Springs

Alexander Springs Recreation Area is home to one of 27 first-magnitude springs, which produce over 64 million gallons of water every day. The springs are open year-round. In addition to great swimming, canoe and kayak rentals are available.

A visit to Alexander Springs is one of our favorite things to do with kids near Orlando. There is a great beach area where they can play with their sand toys, as well as other amenities like picnic tables and restrooms.

The springs here have a light bottom and it is pretty shallow at the stairs. Be careful getting in because the stairs are very slippery. You can swim out to the middle to see where the springs feed into the river.

It is a great place to utilize your snorkeling gear and underwater camera. We snorkeled down with our Go Pro and got some fun pictures of the spring head.

6. Silver Glen Springs

Silver Glen Springs is one of the largest springs in the region. There is a large and beautiful swimming area.

There are two picnic areas. One near the entrance to the swimming area and the other by the start of the Spring Boils Trail. Raccoons come around often looking for food, so don’t leave it unattended.

There are two nice hiking trails in the area. The first is the Spring Boils Trail. It is a half-mile loop overlooking bubbling sand boils.

The second is the Lake George Trail. It is 2.3 miles long. It is an easy hike but a bit longer in length.

🛶 Canoe and kayak rentals are available. Rentals are $16-$38 plus a deposit. There is no fee to launch your own canoe or kayak.

7. Juniper Springs

Juniper Springs is just outside Ocala in the Ocala National Forest. It is a great place for swimming, tubing, and snorkeling. Juniper Springs is surrounded by a cement wall, making it feel almost like a swimming pool.

The spring is smaller than some of the other springs in the area and is very deep. There is also a stand for canoe and kayak rentals. The canoe run is 7 miles long.

The Juniper Creek Nature Trail is just behind the old mill. It is about .75 miles to the end of the trail, where you turn around to return back to the springs. It is stroller and wheelchair accessible. Be sure to tour the old mill before heading back.

8. Rainbow Springs State Park

There is a large swimming area at Rainbow Springs State Park, which is the headspring. Around the park, there is a picnic area, walking trails, and a concession stand.

The entrance fee is $2 per person to get into the swimming area.

You can launch your kayak or SUP from the park, but it is a walk from the parking lot to the launch. Rentals are available inside the park and at other private places along the river.

• Rainbow River Canoe and Kayak
• Rainbow River Kayak

A good majority of the float goes through residential areas, but it is still very beautiful.

You can also go on a guided kayaking tour of Rainbow Springs.

The two-hour tour will take you through the heart of the springs, where you can enjoy beautiful views through the glass bottom. There are lots of opportunities to view wildlife like otters, alligators, fish, and turtles. This is a great experience to soak in the diverse ecosystem that is found in the best springs near Orlando.

▶️ Check Rates & Availability for a Kayak Tour

9. Silver Springs State Park

We visited Silver Springs State Park during our stay in Ocala, but we loved it so much that we would argue it would be a good day trip from Orlando. Silver Springs has been famous since the 1870s because of its glass-bottom boat tours.

There are canoe and kayak rentals available at the headwater. We opted for the glass-bottom boat tours because we had our one-year-old daughter with us, but if I were to return to kayak in any of the natural springs near Orlando, this would be the one. There are manatees, alligators, birds, and wild monkeys here.

If you can’t or don’t want to kayak, the glass-bottom boat tours are a great way to experience the springs. You can see down into the water through the bottom of the boat, which is really cool.

Along with the water activities, there are beautiful gardens, a boardwalk that goes through the springs, and lots of hiking trails. We had a great time exploring Silver Springs State Park.

10. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park has a lot of different activities. There is a waterpark with slides and a lazy river. There are also mermaid shows and wildlife demonstrations throughout the day. The underwater mermaid show dates back to the 40s.

You can take your own kayak here, or they are available to rent. One thing to note, though, is they will not transport your personal kayaks back to the starting point. If you paddle with another person, someone can go back on the shuttle to get the car.

The float is about 5.5 miles and takes 3-4 hours.

The river is a protected area and only allows a certain number of kayakers a day. It is highly recommended to make a reservation ahead of time online. Without a reservation, you could be turned away.

If you want to get out on the water but don’t want to paddle, you can go out on a boat tour. It is a good opportunity to see the manatees in the winter.

This spring is very popular during the summer months. In the summer, you can paddle and swim, but there are a lot of people there, especially on the weekends.

If you are wanting a quieter visit to the springs, consider a visit during the winter months. There could be manatees in the springs and fewer people.

11. Ginnie Springs

Ginnie Springs has some of the clearest and bluest water in Florida. There are seven springs that open up into deep caves. These caves make it a famous diving area.

It is also a great spot for tubing, kayaking, swimming, picnicking, and hiking. The park rents snorkeling equipment as well as tubes, canoes, kayaks, and SUPs.

The tube run is around an hour. You can walk to the start of the run, float down, and then walk back to the top if you want to float again.

Keep in mind you will be floating on the Santa Fe River, not in the actual spring. The water is darker, so you can’t see into the water.

12. Wekiva Falls

If you’re looking to explore hidden gems in Central Florida, there’s no better place than Wekiva Falls. It’s one of the most developed spring experiences when it comes to fun and entertainment. 

The sulfur spring has a lovely lagoon, perfect for paddling around and swimming, and an amazing beach for sunbathing. The gorgeous waterfall and water slides sure are a fun bonus, though! 

You can stay overnight here at the RV Park, go kayaking, and just enjoy the Florida sunshine!

13. Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

Homosassa Springs is another one of the best natural springs near Orlando to visit. This spot is unique because it has a zoo-like feel and is a great place to see manatees. We planned on visiting Crystal River when we were in the area, but there were no manatees in the river that day.

That’s when we decided to check out Homosassa Springs instead. There are two popular spots to see manatees here, along with a variety of different animals.

There is an underwater “fishbowl” observatory at the headspring and also a pavilion overlooking the water. While visiting, there was also a manatee under care that was available for viewing.

This is one of the best springs near Orlando with manatees. The park offers daily programs about manatees and the work they are doing at the park for manatees.

14. Hunter Springs Park

Hunter Springs Park is a beautiful part of the Crystal River. There is a short boardwalk, which is a great place to see the manatees. There is also a beach, playground, and kayak launch.

You cannot park at the park. You can take the trolley from the town center over to the refuge. It is only about a five-minute drive or so.

The Crystal River is one of the few places where swimming with the manatees during the winter months is allowed. There are lots of great tour options, or if you prefer to go out on your own, you can reserve a kayak here for four hours.

Snorkeling in the Crystal River

A small-group snorkeling trip is one of the best ways to spend a day on the Crystal River. Crystal River allows visitors to experience manatees in different ways than any of the other springs near Orlando.

Here, you can swim along with the manatees in Kings Bay, which is an amazing and unforgettable adventure, especially if you want to see the manatees up close.

The tour provides everything you will need for your snorkeling trip, like 5 mm wetsuits, masks, snorkels, and changing facilities. You can purchase pictures or videos for an additional cost.

▶️ Check Rates & Availability for a Snorkeling Tour

Kayaking in the Crystal River

Another fun way to explore the Crystal River is in a kayak, one of the best unique things to do in Orlando. You can still get up close to the manatees and have a lot of fun kayaking through the crystal-clear water. The clear kayak tours make it really easy to see the beautiful spring water and manatees.

Tour guides will help you find the manatees and enjoy the nature of this beautiful river, all without getting wet. The Crystal River is known as the manatee capital of the world, making it very likely you will see a manatee.

Throughout the two-hour tour, you may also see dolphins, fish, turtles, and other native birds. It is a very relaxing way to enjoy your time in Florida.

▶️ Check Rates & Availability for a Kayak Tour

15. Salt Springs

If you find yourself with extra time while visiting Ocala National Forest, we definitely recommend checking out Salt Springs Recreation Area. Aptly named, the natural spring near Orlando includes the presence of potassium, magnesium, and sodium – hence, Salt Springs. 

The clear water here is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and boating. Fishing and hiking around the spring area are also popular pastimes. 

Given the mixture of fresh and salt water, the wildlife here is varied and fascinating. Fish, turtles, crabs, and even manatees call these waters home.

Map of the Springs Near Orlando, Florida

How to Use This Map: Click on the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest.

If you click the star next to the title of the map, this will be added to your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps. Then click on the menu button, go to “Your Place,” and click on Maps. You will see this map added to your list.

Tips for Swimming at Natural Springs Near Orlando

Bring the Proper Equipment

You will get much more from your visit to the springs if you bring the right gear.

☑️ Good Mask and Snorkel: There are many opportunities to see the springs’ head and other marine life in the springs.

▶️ SHOP Snorkel Gear

☑️ Floating Tube: A floating tube is great for kids who need a break from swimming and adds a whole new level of relaxation at the springs.

▶️ SHOP Tubes

☑️ Sunscreen: Nothing is worse than leaving a fun day in the water with a sunburn. Make sure you have proper sun protection. The sun in Florida is hot!

▶️ SHOP Sunscreen

☑️ Beach Towels: Lightweight and quick dry towels will make leaving the springs easy.

▶️ SHOP Beach Towels

☑️ Waterproof Camera: Don’t worry about dropping your camera in the water and capture your memories with a waterproof camera.

▶️ SHOP Waterproof Cameras

Plan Your Trip to the Springs Near Orlando

The springs in Florida are popular year-round. During the winter, tourists and residents alike come to see the manatees and even swim. During the summer, everyone escapes the heat to the year-round 72-degree water.

Park staff will suspend entrances to the springs when they have reached parking capacity. We visited Blue Springs State Park during the manatee viewing season and had about a 45-minute wait to get into the park. Plan on getting there early in the morning or visiting during the weekday to avoid larger crowds.

Planning ahead will also ensure that you’re able to figure out where to stay in Orlando, that will best fit your family’s needs.

Respect the Springs near Orlando

When visiting the springs near Orlando, use clearly marked and established trails and boardwalks. This will help preserve the native plants. Dispose of your trash to keep the springs clean.

Also, be respectful and aware of rules throughout the year at the springs. During the manatee season, some springs prohibit swimming, floating, and boating.

If you are fishing, make sure you have a Florida Freshwater Fishing License.

Keep an Eye Out for Wildlife

The springs near Orlando are home to a variety of wildlife, including turtles, fish, and a wide variety of birds. It is not common to see alligators or snakes in the water. If you do see one, let the staff on-site know. Stay aware of your surroundings.

If you are hoping to see alligators in the wild, go on an Everglades airboat tour. It is a great way to see the Everglades and an activity that everyone will enjoy.

FAQ: Springs Near Orlando

Conclusion: Springs Near Orlando

There you have it! We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide counting down some of the best natural springs in Florida near Orlando. The springs near Orlando are a great place to spend the day. Have you visited before? If so, share your favorite spring in the comments below!

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