16 Most Beautiful Freshwater Springs in Florida

Crystal-clear and a refreshing temperature year-round, Florida's springs are the swimming holes of your dreams.

Home to about 700 glorious springs, Florida boasts an impressive collection of freshwater pools. The state sits atop an aquifer, so fresh water bubbles up from below ground — especially in the central and northern regions — resulting in many swimming holes that offer an adventurous alternative to the Sunshine State's beloved beaches.

Choosing which Florida springs to visit can prove a challenge. They are crystal-clear and remain around a crisp 72 degrees Fahrenheit all year, but some are better for diving, while others are more photogenic. Below, we've selected 16 of the best springs in Florida.

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Ginnie Springs

For those seeking pristine nature, it doesn't get much better than Ginnie Springs, which has some of the clearest waters of all the natural springs in Florida. Located within a two-hour drive of major hubs like Orlando, Jacksonville, and Tallahassee, it's off the beaten path yet easy to reach. While there, you can float in an inner tube or enjoy one of the most beautiful freshwater dives in the world — or if the water's just a bit too nippy for you, enjoy it all sans immersion by kayaking, paddle boarding, or canoeing.

Because Ginnie Springs is a privately owned park, there is an admission fee to access it. Leave your furry friends at home, though, as the park has a strict no-pet policy.

Rainbow Springs

Located within Rainbow Springs State Park near the small city of Dunnellon, these springs are home to thousands of years of history and a few waterfalls. Canoe and kayak rentals are available, but visitors can also enjoy tubing, paddling, swimming, or hiking the trails.

Rainbow Springs is often considered the most picturesque of Florida's springs. Work up a sweat in the park and then cool off in the springs for a perfect day in Florida. Like most Florida State Parks, Rainbow Springs allows pets, as long as they are kept on a six-foot leash and do not enter the water.

Madison Blue Spring

Situated near the Florida-Georgia border, Madison Blue Spring sits on the west bank of the Withlacoochee River and is home to one of Florida's 33 first-magnitude springs. Spring magnitude is determined by the volume of flow per unit of time, and first-magnitude springs are the largest, discharging at least 65 million gallons of water per day. With underwater caves and sapphire waters, it's a paradise for swimmers and scuba divers.

Homosassa Springs

As one of the largest springs in Florida, Homosassa Springs has attracted visitors for thousands of years. In the early 1900s, tourists would arrive by train to hike to the first-magnitude spring. Decades later, the waters still teem with fresh and saltwater fish and a healthy population of manatees.

The Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park boasts an underwater observatory that allows visitors to walk beneath the spring’s surface to view the marine life. An elevated boardwalk and paved walkways also provide opportunities to view orphaned animals, including the endangered Florida panther, red wolf, black bear, and bobcat. Note that the entrance fee is $13 for adults and teenagers and $5 for children ages six to 12.

Devil's Den Prehistoric Spring

Devil's Den is an underground spring inside a dry cave formed by a karst window, which means that the ground over a subterranean river collapsed, exposing the water to the world above.

Located near the small town of Williston, Devil's Den is a pretty remote spot in Florida, but visiting is more than worth it, especially for scuba divers and snorkelers. Not only is it one of the world's most unique and beautiful places to explore underwater, but it's also shrouded in ancient history since many extinct animal fossils (dating back to the Pleistocene Age!) were found here.

Various amenities are available onsite, including equipment rentals for those eager to explore. Unlike most other Florida springs, pets are not allowed.

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Wekiwa Springs

Located about 20 minutes north of Orlando, Wekiwa Springs State Park is easy to tack onto any Florida vacation. With dense hardwood hammocks, wildlife-spotting opportunities, and tons of adventures on offer — think horseback riding, biking trails, kayaks, fishing, snorkeling, and more — Wekiwa Springs is practically a theme park in itself, but one that celebrates nature rather than human-made wonders.

And in fact, this attraction has been here longer than its famous neighbors. It was discovered in the 1860s, and by the 1890s (more than 70 years before the opening of Walt Disney World!), Wekiwa Springs had a hotel and bathhouse complex to accommodate visitors, making it one of the first tourist attractions in central Florida.

Located in an otherwise commercialized region of Florida, Wekiwa Springs feels like a breath of fresh air. Note that entrance costs $6 per vehicle.

Rock Springs at Kelly Park

Located just a 20-minute drive northwest of Wekiwa Springs, Rock Springs is often called “Orlando’s natural lazy river” due to its flowing waters. Most visitors come here for tubing, with the 68-degree Fahrenheit water offering a refreshing reprieve from the hot Florida sun. Tube rentals are available from vendors outside the park, and visitors can bring their own pool noodles and floats less than five feet in length or width.

Nearby, you’ll find a concession stand, picnic pavilions, and a playground. There’s also tent and RV camping and a launch for kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards in Kelly Park. The swimming area occasionally closes when alligator activity is high, so it's wise to check if it's open before you visit.

De Leon Springs

Steeped in 6,000 years of history, De Leon Springs offers an impressive mix of culture and recreation. The swimmable springs were once called "Acuera," meaning “healing waters,” by the Mayaca people who inhabited the area. And that spirit of wellness lives on in the park, which features trails through a subtropical forest filled with old-growth Cypress trees.

In the 1830s, the spring run was used to turn a sugar cane mill, and during the Civil War, it powered a grist mill that turned corn into flour. Today, an antique replica of the original mill has a pancake house open daily for breakfast and lunch. Note a park admission of $6 per vehicle Is required to dine at the restaurant or visit the springs.

Three Sisters Springs

Head to Crystal River on Florida's west coast to experience one of the state's most precious jewels. Three Sisters Springs — accessible via private boat or kayak launches on Kings Bay — feels like entering another world. For easy access aided by a local's know-how, book a tour with Get Up And Go Kayaking, which leads unforgettable clear kayak adventures into the springs. You'll be amazed at how much you can see through the kayak and the crystalline waters beneath you. Go during manatee season (November through March) for an up-close encounter with Florida's favorite gentle giants. Only registered service animals are allowed at the refuge.

Little River Springs

Situated off of the Suwannee River in O’Brien, Florida — an area known as “Spring Country” — Little River Springs is a popular destination for swimming, snorkeling, and cave diving. There is an extensive underwater cave network beneath the springs that experienced divers can explore. And for casual swimmers, the waters are typically clear, calm, and a consistent temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

The springs are located within Little River Springs County Park, which has picnic areas, restrooms, and a raised wooden boardwalk. Be sure to check out the scenic overlooks, which offer a view of the clear spring water mixing with the dark water of the Suwannee River.

Ichetucknee Springs

Located in northern Florida's Ichetucknee Springs State Park, Ichetucknee Springs features emerald waters from eight major springs that bubble up and join together to create the six-mile Ichetucknee River. Visitors can kayak or float lazily under lush tree canopies, snorkel the blue hole, or keep their eyes peeled for wildlife such as beavers, otters, and wild turkeys. Note that entrance costs $6 per vehicle.

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Wakulla Springs

Florida's Panhandle is where you'll find some of the most picture-perfect beaches in the state, but wander away from the crowds a bit and find yet another wonder to behold: Wakulla Springs is the largest and deepest freshwater spring in the world.

Adding to the enchantment of this spot is the fact that the springs are surrounded by an ancient cypress swamp and contain hundreds of years of history. Even Hollywood filmmakers found Wakulla Springs worthy of prime time: "Tarzan's Secret Treasure" (1941) and "The Creature from the Black Lagoon" (1954) were filmed here. Today, visitors can swim, scuba, take a boat tour, and show off their best dives into the 70-degree Fahrenheit waters from a raised platform. Note that entrance costs $6 per vehicle.

Weeki Wachee Springs

All the springs in Florida house a variety of wildlife, but Weeki Wachee is undoubtedly the only one home to mermaids. An Old Florida icon, Weeki Wachee Springs is a natural tourist attraction where visitors can catch underwater mermaid performances by real-life sirens. You can also take a riverboat cruise, kayak, and even swim in the deep blue waters yourself, tail or not.

Named by the Seminoles, "Weeki Wachee" means "little spring" or "winding river" and the bottom of the spring has never been found — indeed, it's one of the deepest naturally formed underwater caverns in the country. Note that pets are not permitted in the park with the exception of service dogs.

Troy Spring

This first-magnitude spring along the Suwannee River boasts the remains of a Civil War steamboat, making it a favorite swimming hole for history lovers and scuba divers. The submerged ship, “The Madison,” was built in the mid-1880s and served as a floating mail service and trading post before being scuttled in the spring to keep it from being captured.

Today, Troy Spring boasts an accessible walkway, picnic tables, a nature trail, and a riverside dock for boaters. Only open-water scuba diving is permitted — divers must be certified, and no solo diving is allowed. Note that there is a fee of $5 per vehicle.

Ocala National Forest Springs

Located smack-dab in the middle of the state, the funky Ocala National Forest is home to four major springs: Juniper, Alexander, Silver Glen, and Salt Springs. Each of them provides the kind of mind-blowing blues and greens that Florida's springs are known for, as well as perfect visibility beneath the surface of the clear waters. Visitors enjoy swimming in the chilly but pristine waters on blazing-hot summer days and exploring the springs via kayak. No animals, other than service dogs, are allowed in the day-use areas.

Gilchrist Blue Springs

Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park — which became Florida's 175th state park in 2017 — contains six natural springs. The most prominent is Gilchrist Blue, which produces about 44 million gallons of water a day. This spring has outstanding water clarity, so it's no surprise that paddling, snorkeling, and swimming are the main draws here.

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