Natural Springs near Orlando, FL

The sun shine state is home to over more than 700 individual spring streams scattered all across its spread. These emerald colored beauties are always at a comfortable temperature of 72 F all year down as they bubble up to the surface from deep within the earth's surface.  There are a number of springs and parks on a drivable distance from Orlando, and in no particular order here are three we frequent the most.

Blue Springs State Park

Wildlife at the Blue Springs State Park

 

Blue Springs State Park is located about 34 miles north of Orlando by Orange City, FL. What makes this park special is that when Winter comes around, it turns into a Manatee Refuge. Manatees are gentle marine mammals that are native to the waters of Florida. They are also known as sea cows. In the winter of 2020-2021 we saw more than 250 manatees in the state park.

Manatee swimming in the Blue Spring

Quick Facts
Where : 2100 W French Ave, Orange City, FL 32763 (~50 min drive from Downtown Orlando)

What :

• In the Summer: Swimming, Snorkelling, Tubing (Rentals available for $7 a piece), Kayaking, Scuba Diving, Taking a cruise on St. John's River (tour details)
• In the Winter: Walking on the Boardwalk, Picnicking, Spotting Manatees, Bird Watching 
• The Thursby house at the entrance of the state park stands as a monument of Florida's frontier days. Check it out to savour a piece of early settler history.

How :  You will need a car to get to the State Park. Visitors are charged an entrance fee of $6 per car. Make sure to arrive early since the park can get full pretty quickly on opening. In that case, park officials will ask visitors to line up outside and let cars in as and when people inside leave.

UPDATE: Blue Springs is expected to undergo maintenance projects at the spring run post 6th September which may affect activity hours. Please make sure to check Blue Springs State Park for the latest information before visiting.

Wekiva Springs State Park

Kayaks and Canoes are available for rent at the Park

 

Wekiva Springs State Park is probably the closest natural springs from downtown Orlando located about 17 miles north of the city. Wekiva springs gives visitor a chance to see alligators, turtles and many other Florida native wildlife up close and personal. There is a separate closed off area for swimming and snorkelling with pristine blue water.

Canoes and Kayaks allows you to watch alligators up close

Quick Facts

Where : 1800 Wekiwa Cir, Apopka, FL 32712 (~30 min drive from Downtown Orlando)

What : Swimming, Snorkelling, Canoeing and kayaking on the spring run (Rentals available for both)

How :  You will need to drive up to the State Park. Visitors are charged an entrance fee of $6 per car. More info at Wekiva Springs State Park

Kelly Park/Rock Springs

The most pristine blue water at Kelly Park

Kelly Park is by far our most favorite places to go tubing in Florida. It is an Orange county run park with the bluest water and life guards all around the swimming areas. This makes it a favorite for families with young children. You can tube down from the spring head for about 25 minutes and till the end where you will need to get off. A short 10 minute walk over a wooden boardwalk will take you back to the start. Tubers often see native birds along the spring banks.

Encounter birds as you swim or tube down the spring run

Quick Facts

Where : 400 E Kelly Park RD, Apopka, FL 32712 (~40 min drive from Downtown Orlando)

What : Swimming, Snorkelling, Tubing on the spring run (Rentals NOT available inside the park. Visitors must rent from vendor right outside the entrance)

How :  The park limits 280 vehicles at opening. We had read that people line up outside from 5 am so we tried to reach around 5:45 and we already had about 30 cars ahead of us. There is a Circle K and a subway where the cars line up in case you feel the need for a breakfast fill while you wait. At about 7:10 am, a police car handed out tickets to cars in the line that is to be shown at the park entrance. Apart from the 280, they also hand out an additional 50 tickets to the next in line that allow these vehicles to enter after 1 pm.

Visitors are charged an entrance fee depending on type pf vehicle and number of people in the car. For 2 people it cost us $3. More info at Kelly Park