[floridarebel]

I was considering taking a trip to one of the springs here in Central Florida, haven't ever been to one and would like to visit to see what they are all about. I'm thinking about going to Wekiwa Springs outside of Orlando or Lithia Springs by Brandon. Do the springs parks in general have the same entrance fees?

[kyle19125]

Wekiwa Springs and Blue Springs are super-crowded on the weekend which you may not find a lot of fun. Since you don't mind a bit of a drive given Brandon is about 2 hours away, would recommend Rainbow Springs in Dunnellon, Alexander Springs in Altoona or Juniper Springs in Astor. All three are far less crowded and in beautiful settings. Rainbow Springs is probably my favorite. It has a $2 entrance fee. https://www.floridastateparks.org/pa...ngs-state-park

[bmw335xi]

Central Florida has some amazing springs!


If you want to swim/tube go to Kelly Park. It's beautiful. You can rent tubes near the entrance too. If it's a weekend, plan to arrive before opening... weekdays are more chill though.



If you want to kayak go to King's Landing. It's beautiful there as well, there is a cool rope swing near the start of the spring. You can go to the two mile marker and turn around or go all the way down to Wekiva Island and they will pick you and your kayak up and drive you back.




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXUrl4hk0Ak

[Dave_n_Tenn]

It's not central.... but my favorite is Wakula Springs. I've been to most of them.

https://www.floridastateparks.org/WakullaSprings

[floridarebel]

Went to Lithia Springs park today. Was relaxing and peaceful, not too many other people were there which was unexpected. Thought it'd be busier with the snowbirds. The water was extremely comfortable. There was also a trail in the area that goes along the Alafia river in some parts. Overall pleasant experience. It was 2 dollars to go in and another 2 dollars to swim.

[EscAlaMike]

There are so many amazing springs.

Canoeing at Juniper Springs

DeLeon Springs and the Sugar Mill Restaurant

Kelly Park @ Rock Springs - swimming and tubing

[Fredesch]

We regularly go to DeLeon Springs state park and Blue Springs state park. We have also been to Silver Springs which has glass bottom boat ride. Silver Springs and DeLeon Springs were tourist traps that became state parks after the tourist trap era ended. DeLeon Springs is a good place to go swimming in the winter. The water is always 72 degrees and they allow swimming all year round. Blue Springs has a lot of manatees during the winter and you cannot swim during manatee season. Other times of the year you can swim at Blue Springs.

Florida has so many springs and state parks you can get picky about what you want to do there. A spring is going to have a boil - where water comes out. After that they diverge in activities.

DeLeon Springs has year round swimming, kayak rentals and you can paddle down the river to a big lake. On the weekend you will usually see folks taking scuba lessons and there is a pontoon boat ride available. There is a restaurant that serves gritty pancakes and has a obnoxious load speaker like car dealerships have to let folks know their table is ready.

Blue Springs is all about manatees. It will be crowded on weekends during manatee season. You can swim there when the manatees are not there, but we have never been there when the manatees are gone. For us, there isn't a reason to go there without manatees as it is 10 minutes farther from our house.

Sliver Springs still resembles a tourist trap and the glass bottom boats run all the time. Silver Springs is an hour father than Blue Springs or DeLeon Springs so we have only gone once. If you don't do the glass bottom boat ride there isn't a good reason to go. They do have a nice raised walk around a swampy area.

There are over 90 Florida State parks, many are old tourist traps. You can even find one with a mermaid show.

[DreamingofSunshine]

Are there alligators in the various springs? I always thought wherever there is a body of water in Florida to watch out for gators. True or do you feel comfortable swimming in the springs?

[Dave_n_Tenn]

Yes... there's gators. Generally speaking, water lizards avoid human commotion, at the springs.

[bmw335xi]

Originally Posted by DreamingofSunshine

Are there alligators in the various springs? I always thought wherever there is a body of water in Florida to watch out for gators. True or do you feel comfortable swimming in the springs?

Yes, just like there are sharks in the ocean. A common misconception about gators is that they are always seeking human flesh. Don't get me wrong, they are dangerous, but I know people who actually swim in the rivers instead of the springs!