Decades before Walt Disney ever set his sights on bringing Mickey Mouse to Florida and building theme parks that have drawn countless millions, the Sunshine State’s tourism revolved around springs.
Read more Feel like running away? This show’s for you | Review
From the glass-bottom boat tours of Silver Springs, which began in the 1870s, to the Weeki Wachee mermaid show, which began in the 1940s, Florida’s freshwater gems have long drawn visitors from around the world and still do.
Beginning in Central Florida, it’s possible to embark on a road trip to see several of these pristine blue jewels in one go. While it’s wise to attempt one or two springs a day at most, our ambitious journey had six stops covering 300 miles in two days. Even that only scratches the surface, considering Florida has more than 1,000 such examples throughout the state.
This self-guided springs tour gave a glimpse into the Sunshine State’s oldest tourism draws, revealing its awe-inspiring natural and human history along the way.
Stop 1 – Rock Springs at Kelly Park
It was a sunny and serendipitous Thursday morning when my partner and I packed the car and headed for Rock Springs, one of the azure-blue wonders right in Orlando’s backyard.
Kelly Park, an Orange County property that’s home to the headwaters of Rock Springs Run, is a magnet for locals and tourists alike seeking to tube down a natural lazy river. While sunny summer days can see the park reaching capacity early, weekdays in the fall and winter are quiet and serene.
As many visitors do, we rented tubes from the Rock Springs Bar & Grill ($19 for two tubes), hung them from the side-view mirrors and held them against the car for the one-minute drive to Kelly Park. We entered the beautiful 355-acre space beneath a canopy of oak and pine trees, and found the parking area next to a concession stand, restrooms, pavilions, charcoal grills and a volleyball court.
After hauling our tubes to the headsprings, we braced for the cold spring water as we plopped down into our tubes, ready to relax.
The run winds through a forested area where deer or wading birds sometimes forage alongside human visitors, especially on a quiet day. The run goes under a pedestrian bridge and opens into a large swimming area, perfect for families or couples having a springside picnic.
The final stretch of the 30-minute tube run returns to a wild area where fish swim and eelgrass sways with the current. After the tubing experience, it’s time to get out, walk back to the headsprings and do it all again, or perhaps take a nap in the sunny splendor of a Florida afternoon.
Address: 400 E. Kelly Park Road in Apopka
Fee: $3 per vehicle for 1-2 people; $5 per vehicle for 3-8 people
More information: ocfl.net
Stop 2 – Silver Springs State Park
When visitors first started flocking to Silver Springs for tourism more than 150 years ago, the area had 19th-century steamboats churning up and down the Ocklawaha and Silver Rivers.
The glass-bottom boat tours started in the late 1870s when Hullam Jones and Phillip Morrell attached a piece of glass to the bottom of a rowboat, allowing visitors to gaze down into the crystal-clear springs without getting wet.
On a modern-day glass-bottom boat tour, visitors learn about the movies filmed at Silver Springs, including “Tarzan” and “Creature from the Black Lagoon,” the health of the springs and the Florida fauna people might encounter. There’s a chance of seeing alligators, native birds and nonnative monkeys that were introduced by a jungle boat captain in the 1930s.
The 30-minute tour stops at several major springs that make up the Silver River headwaters, including the largest and most stunning one, Mammoth Spring. A lot has changed in Florida over the history of Silver Springs tourism, but the boat tours feel like a time capsule in the best way.
While a glass-bottom boat tour is the highlight of many visits to Silver Springs, the park also offers a gift shop, food, paddling experiences, camping and hiking.
It’s recommended to book tours online in advance, especially during times of peak visitation.
Address: 5656 E. Silver Springs Blvd. in Silver Springs
Fee: $17 per 30-minute tour; $2 per person admission fee (before taxes)
More information: floridastateparks.org/silversprings or silversprings.com
Stop 3 – Juniper Springs
Among wild Florida’s natural features, encapsulated by the 387,000-acre Ocala National Forest, the natural springs are the most serene and sought-after points of interest.
Not only is Juniper Springs a perfect place to camp and swim, but it’s also one of the best and most beautiful paddle runs in the state.
Visit by day to bathe in the refreshing spring waters or see a historic mill house and waterwheel built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, which now serves as a museum. The spring head and swimming area feature plenty of room to spread out, picnic pavilions and a decent amount of natural shade.
After dark, the campground presents lush greenery and majestic stars overhead, making an ideal setting for unwinding by a campfire.
The Juniper Springs paddle run takes adventurous kayakers and paddleboarders on a 7-mile journey through the heart of Ocala National Forest, winding through Juniper Prairie Wilderness, where motorized vehicles are not allowed. While challenging, the paddling excursion is worth every scenic twist and turn.
Address: 26701 FL-40 in Silver Springs
Fee: $14.50 per person (plus tax), paddlecraft rentals and shuttle service available for an additional fee. Camping costs $46 per night plus taxes and fees.
More information: naventure.com
Stop 4 – Devil’s Den
After a comfortable night of camping at Juniper Springs, we awoke early for the one-hour drive to Devil’s Den Spring, a private diving and snorkeling site housed within a 120-foot-wide cave.
When early settlers came upon the “Devil’s Den” prehistoric spring, they noticed what they thought was smoke rising from the underworld and kept their distance. In reality, it was just harmless steam rising from the spring.
If only they had known how beautiful the place was, they could have discovered something truly remarkable. Now the site welcomes divers and snorkelers to enjoy the refreshing spring waters while exploring a whole other hidden world located beneath the earth.
Camping is also available on site, as is the “new and improved” John’s Oasis swimming pond. Visitors are welcome to swim, snorkel or dive in the oasis before or after their experience swimming in Devil’s Den. Serenity is abundant, especially for a place with such a menacing name.
Read more Potential Democratic candidates race to respond to AI threat amid Trump’s dismissals
Address: 5390 N.E. 180th Ave. in Williston
Fees: $30 per person for a 90-minute snorkeling session; $15 per person for a non-snorkeling day pass. Equipment rentals and diving are available.
More information: devilsden.com
Stop 5 – Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River
When visiting the “manatee capital of the world,” there are multiple ways to engage with Florida’s fabled and beloved sea cows.
The most intimate manatee encounters can be experienced while swimming with the gentle giants on a guided tour. There are several dozen area outfitters to help in achieving this bucket-list endeavor.
For people hoping to see manatees without hopping onto a boat or getting wet, it’s possible to see the marine mammals during a visit to Three Sisters Springs, a unit of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge.
On a winter day this past season, around 500 manatees were spotted congregating in the springs at once, keeping warm as temperatures in the Gulf dropped.
A network of trails and boardwalks at Three Sisters Springs helps visitors see manatees up close. Ranger-led discussions and volunteer-guided walking tours provide more information and context during manatee season, ensuring an educational experience.
Address: 917 Three Sisters Springs Trail in Crystal River
Fees: $12.50 per adult in the summer; $20 in winter. Discounts available for seniors ages 55+, military members and children.
More information: crystalriverfl.org
Stop 6 – Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
Weeki Wachee Springs finds its place in Florida history as one of the state’s oldest roadside attractions. In 1946, Navy veteran Newton Perry, who trained Navy Frogmen to swim underwater, saw a business opportunity and bought the land surrounding the spring.
He invented an air hose method for underwater breathing and enlisted the help of attractive women to train as mermaids. Perry built a theater submerged 6 feet below the water’s surface, and in October 1947, the first mermaid show was held.
Modern-day mermaids pay tribute to the park’s history and the mermaids of yesterday during a “Wonders of Weeki” show, touching on the time Elvis visited and how to help the springs. The show also showcases feats from the past six decades, including eating and drinking underwater.
The other underwater offering is Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid,” presenting an “under the springs” twist on the classic story.
Aside from the famous mermaid show, the park offers the Buccaneer Bay waterpark, river boat cruises, food concessions, paddling and tubing.
The park even offers a “Magical Mermaid Boutique” on Saturdays, giving children ages 2-10 a full mermaid makeover for an added fee.
Address: 6131 Commercial Way in Spring Hill
Fees: $13 for adults, $8 for children ages 6-12, and free for children 5 and younger
More information: weekiwachee.com
Honorable Mentions
In the world of Central Florida springs, the above six gems are only the start. Many other freshwater gems are worth visiting for tubing, swimming, snorkeling and sightseeing.
Rainbow Springs State Park: The park offers beautiful manmade waterfalls leftover from the park’s private attraction days, plus a swimming area right at the spring head. A tubing run is available from a separate entrance further downstream. Paddling is also a popular option. Dunnellon offers plenty of options for eating and drinking after a springs visit. More information: floridastateparks.org
Ichetucknee Springs State Park: Northwest of Gainesville, this park offers paddling and tubing on a picturesque spring run, perfect for cooling off on hot summer days. The three-hour tube run makes for a great spring-fed lazy river. More information: floridastateparks.org
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park: This Citrus County park invites visitors into the wild side of Florida with a wildlife park featuring Florida panthers, red wolves, manatees and whooping cranes. Guests can visit the Underwater Observatory, also known as “The Fish Bowl,” which provides an up-close view of fish, spring water and manatees. More information: homosassaspringswildlife.com
Ocala National Forest: The natural springs present places to swim, paddle or sunbathe. Visit Alexander Springs, Salt Springs and Silver Glen Springs to see the variety of experiences available in addition to Juniper Springs. Some springs require online reservations in advance. More information: naventure.com/florida
Wekiwa Springs State Park: In Seminole County, this park is one of Central Florida’s favorite outdoor playgrounds with a large swimming area, kayaking opportunities and a long hillside for soaking in the sun. The park also offers a network of hiking trails and a campground. The park requires online reservations in advance. More information: floridastateparks.org
Blue Spring State Park: Best known as a wintertime haven for Florida manatees seeking refuge from the cold, the spring run opens to swimmers, snorkelers, tubers and paddlers before a certain time each morning during the summer months. The park now requires online reservations in advance. More information: floridastateparks.org
De Leon Springs State Park: This Volusia County park presents fresh, cool water in a large swimming area at the spring for cooling off in the heat. The park is also famous for its Old Sugar Mill Pancake House, a cook-your-own-breakfast restaurant. More information: floridastateparks.org
A Florida Springs Passport: Available online, it contains 20 of Florida’s springs and places to take notes about the experience of each one. More information: floridaspringspassport.com
Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: [email protected]. Stay up to date with our latest travel, arts and events coverage by subscribing to our newsletters at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.
Read more Today in History: September 20, Queen Elizabeth 2 christened in Scotland