The Florida Springs are home to the highest density of freshwater springs, that you won’t find anywhere else in the world. There are a whopping 700 springs in the state! Making this wonderful region, a natural playground for travellers searching for a unique, and somewhat underrated road trip in Florida.
Whilst many tourists flock to Florida for the white sand beaches and Disneyland Orlando. By the end of this guide, we are sure you will be convinced to explore ‘the other side’ of this beautiful state. One that promises off the beaten track adventures, memorable wildlife encounters and adventurous experiences.
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When to visit the Florida Springs
Florida is blessed with a subtropical/tropical climate. Meaning that no matter what time of year you decide to visit, it is unlikely that you will experience ‘cold’ weather. However, due to its tropical climate the state does experience a distinct wet season. Which also brings the potential for hurricanes. This season is typically June to November; however, most storms tend to occur in August and September.
If you can travel outside of these months, then you won’t need to worry about your plans being disrupted by tropical storms. We visited the Florida Springs in September and whilst we had perfect weather for our entire trip (although humid). The week after we left, Florida experienced a huge hurricane. We were very lucky to have just missed it!
How to reach the Florida Springs
Flying into Florida is super easy from the UK and Europe. Particularly from London there are direct flights leaving every single day to Orlando and Miami. Once in Florida, you will need to rent a car in order to reach the springs and follow this road trip guide. We rented a car from Miami with Hertz. We found their service to be brilliant, and we didn’t encounter any issues along the way.
If you choose to start your adventure in Miami, be mindful that the first Florida Spring in this guide is around a 5-hour drive north of the city. However, if you choose to fly into Orlando, you have the benefit of being much closer to the springs. Only 1 hour 30 minutes away.
How long to spend in the Florida Springs
The route that you can find in the map below, could be done in a single day. As the furthest Spring is only 4 hours from Orlando. However, we definitely recommend that you complete this road trip over the course of 2-3 days as we did. This will allow you time to experience the Springs at a slower pace and really take in the magic of them. Without feeling rushed or ‘on a schedule’.
Furthermore, there are 700 Florida Springs, this guide is only focussing on three. The longer you spend in this region the more Springs you will have the chance to explore. How many is too many right?
See the map below for the road trip route.
Silver Springs State Park
The first of the Florida Springs on this route is the stunning Silver Springs State Park. As mentioned above, this spring is only around 1 hour 30 minutes’ drive north from Orlando. Silver Springs is one of Florida’s largest and most beloved springs. It is easy to understand why when you learn that you can get up close to River Manatee’s, Rhesus Macaque Monkeys, Turtles, Alligators and much more!
Glass bottom kayaking
The best way to explore Silver Springs and get up close to the animals that live here, is definitely by renting a glass bottom kayak. We recommend that you check out Epic Paddle Adventures. As not only do they offer kayak rental, but they also offer guided tours of the Springs with an expert guide, via kayak. We chose to jump on one of the tours. As we were keen to learn more about the Springs, wildlife and the unique habitat that they call home.
During the tour you will no doubt come face to face with the River Manatee’s. They migrate from the oceans and travel upstream to the Florida Springs during the cooler months. They love to play in the water around your kayak, watch them through the glass bottom as they swim underneath, it’s a truly magical experience. Peak Manatee season is November to April. However, don’t take this too literally as we saw plenty of Manatee’s in September.
Silver Springs is breathtaking; the water is crystal clear and as you float down the river keep an eye out for the elusive Rhesus Macaque Monkeys, that can be found hanging from the trees (Yes, there are monkeys in Florida)! As well as groups of Turtles and the occasional Alligator resting on the banks.
The exact tour that we did was the Manatee’s and Monkeys Tour and although the monkeys stayed hidden from us, the Manatee’s certainly made an appearance as we spotted so many. The tour duration is 2 hours and its best that you wear a swimsuit, or anything you don’t mind getting wet. Cost of the tour and kayak rental was $80 USD per person, tips are appreciated, and this does not cover the launch fee.
It is important to know that swimming at Silver Springs is strictly forbidden in order to protect the delicate habitat and the animals that live here. Always keep a safe distance from any animal you may encounter in the park.
Entry fees to Silver Springs State Park: $2 USD per person plus a $4 USD launch fee per kayak. There is parking available onsite.
Rainbow Springs State Park
From Silver Springs, the Rainbow Springs State Park is only a 45-minute drive west and is the perfect place to enjoy a refreshing swim in a freshwater spring. We believe that this spring is a little more off the usual tourist trail, as when we visited it was mostly locals using the park for a morning swim. This makes it usually pretty quiet, especially early in the morning.
Swimming and Snorkelling
There is a designated swimming area at the entrance to the park, you can’t miss it as its cornered off with yellow buoys. Moreover, at the water’s edge there is a floating platform to leave your stuff on or take advantage of the lovely Florida weather and sunbathe in between dips in the spring. Do not swim outside of the designated swimming area, it is cornered off for your safety and the safety of the wildlife that lives here, namely Alligators. There are plenty of signs dotted around to warn you of the potential dangers.
In addition to swimming, it is well worth bringing your own snorkel gear to Rainbow Springs if you have it. This way you will be able to catch of glimpse of what lurks beneath the surface at the headspring of the river.
Water sports
If swimming isn’t really your thing, then you can rent canoes and stand-up paddle boards here too. The water is incredibly clear at Rainbow Springs, so no doubt it would make for a wonderful paddle adventure. Canoe/SUP rental is $19 USD per hour or $56 USD for the entire day. Furthermore, if you are looking for a mix of adventure and relaxation then you can also try Tubing down the river at a leisurely pace, the cost for this activity is $24 USD.
Walking Trails
Rainbow Springs State Park offers visitors leisurely strolls through shady gardens adorned with azaleas, oaks and magnolias. The trails meander past three man-made waterfalls and a native plant garden. A nature trail winds back behind the gardens through an oak forest. There are stunning views across the river and surrounding woodlands, the trail is around 2.5 miles long. Make sure to keep an eye out for the iconic Spanish Moss that hangs from the trees a common plant species that you will find in the deep south of America.
Entry fee to Rainbow Springs: $2 USD per person
Ichetucknee Springs State Park
If you continue driving north around 1 hour and 30 minutes, you will eventually arrive at the picturesque Ichetucknee Springs State Park. The river here is fed by nine different springs, providing a tranquil natural oasis to get lost and relax in. For photos we found Ichetucknee to be the most photogenic out of the three springs. We recommend that you enter the park via the North Entrance, as this is where you will be able to access the swimming spots.
Swimming, Snorkelling and Scuba Diving
As you enter through the North Entrance you will be greeted by the Headspring, which offers a cool and crystal-clear circular pool to swim and float in. There are stairs to guide you into the pool, they make for a lovely place to sit in peace and tranquillity amongst nature. The waters at Ichetucknee are a pleasant 22 degrees (Celsius), offering welcomed relief from the Florida humidity.
The Headspring is great for snorkelling and there are plenty of beautiful fish and turtles to admire beneath the surface. If you can hold your breath long enough, you can even free dive down to the opening of the Headspring, which is where the spring water flows from underground.
A short walk from the Headspring you will find the Blue Hole, another swim and dive spot. Below the surface of the Blue Hole there is an intricate cave system, that starts 40 feet below the surface. This complex cave system has been measured at nearly 600 feet of twisting passages, some large and, others with barely enough room to turn around in. This is a popular dive site for scuba divers looking for a unique adventure in the Florida Springs.
Note that, in order to Scuba dive at the Blue Hole you must be certified to dive in caves and caverns. You must also register your dive with the North Ranger Station at the park. Scuba dives are not permitted anywhere else inside the park. There is nowhere to rent Scuba gear from at the park, so you must bring your own.
Water Sports
Much like at the other springs we have mentioned in this guide you can rent kayaks, canoe’s and SUP’s at Ichetucknee Springs and take advantage of the pristine waterways from onboard your vessel. Kayak rental starts at $35 USD, canoe’s start at $55 USD and paddleboards start at $50 USD. Paddle at your own pace along the Ichetucknee River, under the shade of the canopy. You can choose to paddle only halfway, or the full 9 miles of the river. Tubing is also available at the spring, starting at only $11 USD.
Walking Trails
If you’d prefer to stay on dry land, then Ichetucknee Springs also offers three different walking trails. All three of the trails are located at the North Entrance to the park and meander their way through lush forests, stopping at the water’s edge every now and then. Keep an eye out for native wildlife as you walk through the park. Ichetucknee Springs is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail, there is ample opportunity to spot the local residents.
Entry fees for Ichetucknee Springs State Park: $6 USD per vehicle.
Where to stay in the Florida Springs area
If you plan to do this Florida Springs road trip over the course of a few days, then you could definitely camp to only add to the adventure of your trip. Find camping information for each State Park below:
Silver Springs
Camping information
- Onsite campground offers cabins, RV and tent sites and primitive camp sites.
- Prices start at $24 USD per night, excluding additional fees.
Rainbow Springs
Camping information
- Campground available a few miles from the Headspring. All sites have water and electric.
- Prices start at $30 USD per night, excluding additional charges.
Ichetucknee Springs
Camping information
- Camping is not permitted within the park.
- Two campgrounds are available within 5 miles of the park. Ichetucknee Springs Campground and Moonshine Acres RV Park.
For those of you that may not fancy camping, or perhaps it’s just a little too warm to spend the night in a tent. Then you could always do what we did and find Motels to stay in along the way. Most of the nearby towns will have plenty of Motels available. Furthermore, this also requires less organisation as you can just show up on the day and pay for a room. On average a night in a Motel in Florida will cost you $50-$70 USD per night.
Final thoughts on the Florida Springs
The Florida Springs is an unforgettable and underrated adventure through some of this State’s most pristine natural beauty. We personally think that a trip to the Florida Springs rivals a more traditional beach-going trip to Florida. The springs have something for everyone to enjoy, for both the adventurous traveller and the more relaxed type. What’s more, the crystal-clear waters undoubtedly make for some gorgeous photos!
With 700 springs to explore, there are endless adventures to be had in the Florida Springs. We hope that this guide has offered you some inspiration on where to start your Florida Springs road trip. If you want to learn about more adventures like this and for more travel tips, you can always join us on Instagram.
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