Below you will find a list of all the budget friendly and free springs in Florida! Most of the springs are located within state or county parks, and they typically charge by the car and not by the person.
Springs in Florida are great for swimming in the summer as the water is always a chilly 68-72 degrees and usually the water is very clear. If you are not from the area, most locals prefer to swim in the springs rather than any lake or river (less likely chance to encounter alligators – although they can be in any body of water here!) Most springs are also excellent for snorkeling and some allow for kayaking or have a run for tubes.
The table of contents below will link you to different areas of Florida. At the top under the table of contents is an interactive map of the springs in ALL areas of Florida. Unfortunately, you won’t find any springs in the southern region, but the ocean waters are SUPER blue and great for swimming. Stay tuned for a new page on snorkeling locations in South Florida. If swimming with live fish isn’t your thing, check out our other list of splash pads in Florida.
Feel free to reach out if you know of a secret spring that isn’t on our list! Please check in with each park to see what the status is of their spring. Sometimes, due to conditions, the springs do close. When it doubt, call before heading out on an adventure. Also, please be aware that MANY of the state parks fill to capacity early (think by 8am) on summer days. Plan to arrive early!
Map of Budget Friendly and Free Springs in Florida
Panhandle
The panhandle area on my list includes everything west of Lake City. It includes the major areas of Tallahassee and Panama City Beach.
Destin Area
- Chumuckla Springs, free – 10501 Chumuckla Springs Boat Ramp Rd, Jay, FL 32565.
Panama City Area
- Pitt & Silver Springs, free – 6315 FL-20, Youngstown, FL 32466. Swim, tube, and canoe at this spring.
Ponce De Leon Area
- Ponce De Leon Springs State Park, $4 a car -2860 Ponce De Leon Springs Rd, Ponce De Leon, FL 32455. This park often fills to capacity. Popular place for swimming, snorkeling, and fishing.
- Morrison Springs, free – 874 Morrison Springs Road, Ponce de Leon, FL 32455. Popular swim and dive spot. They also have a boat ramp.
Vernon
- Cypress Springs, Free – Park at Holmes Creek Boat Ramp (Culpepper Landing) 3081 Culpepper Ln Vernon, FL, 32462. ***You can only access springs by canoe, kayak or boat by paddling from the boat ramp to the spring.
Tallahassee Area
- Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, $6 per vehicle – 465 Wakulla Park Drive, Wakulla Springs FL 32327. Snorkeling and swimming are both allowed here.
- Wacissa Springs, free – 433 Wacissa Springs Rd, Wacissa, FL 32344. There are no facilities here, but there is a swimming area and a boat ramp.
Marianna
- Blue Hole Spring (inside Florida Caverns State Park), $5 a car – 3345 Caverns Rd, Marianna, FL 32446. This spring is small, just for swimming or fishing.
- Jackson Blue Springs Recreation Area, $4 per person – 5461 Blue Springs Rd, Marianna, FL 32446. Tube, canoe, and paddle boat rentals available for a fee.
- Spring Creek Park, free – 4289 US-90, Marianna, FL 32446. This is a small area and fills up fast. You are not allowed to bring any disposable containers to the park.
Others in the Area
- Madison Blue Spring State Park, $4-$5 per vehicle – 8300 FL-6, Lee, FL 32059. Perfect spot for swimming. Cave diving is permitted here. You are also permitted to canoe or kayak, but not in the tube run area.
- Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park, $4 per vehicle – 180th St, Live Oak, FL 32060. Diving, snorkeling, and swimming are the most popular activities at this state park.
- Troy Springs State Park, $5 a car – 674 NE Troy Springs Rd, Branford, FL 32008. This spring is 70 feet deep. Diving and swimming are allowed here. You may also fish or paddle.
- Royal Spring, free – 20051 157th Lane, O’Brien, FL 32071. Swimming and diving at this small park.
- Little River Springs, free – 24891 105th Ln, O’Brien, FL 32071.
North Florida
View this section for free springs in Florida outside of the cities of Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Ocala, and Gainesville. Also, remember to arrive early to the springs in the summer!
Green Cove Springs
- Green Cove Springs City Pool, $5 adults, $3 kids- 229 Walnut St, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043. This spring is a little different than the others. It is a pool fed by a spring!
Outside Gainesville – High Springs Area
- Poe Springs Park, $6 per vehicle cash only – 28800 NW 182nd Ave, High Springs, FL. Swimming and kayaking allowed. Pavilions available to rent as well for $40.
- Gilcrest Blue Springs State Park, $6 per vehicle – 7450 N.E. 60th St. High Springs, FL, 32643. Paddling, snorkeling, and swimming are common here.
- Splurge: Ginnie Springs, $5 kids, $15 adults, $20 adults in season – 7300 NE Ginnie Spgs Rd, High Springs, FL 32643. This particular spring isn’t budget friendly, but it’s so popular that I felt it needing to be included on the list. It is different from the others in that it is privately owned. There are often big parties here from neighboring college towns. They have many activities and rentals.
Ocala
- Juniper Springs, $9 per person, $11 on the weekend – 26701 FL-40, Silver Springs, FL 34488. Swimming and kayaking are allowed here.
- Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area, $12 a person – 5271 FL-19, Salt Springs, FL 32134. This is one of the only expensive springs on our list. There are kayak rentals here as well. On the weekends in the summer, you need to go to their website and snag a parking pass – $15 per vehicle.
- Salt Springs Recreation Area, $6 per person – 13851 FL-19, Fort McCoy, FL 32134. Located inside the Ocala National Forest. Swimming, kayaking, and fishing allowed here. They also have a full hookup campground.
- Splurge: Silver Springs State Park, entrance $8 per vehicle – 1425 N.E. 58th Ave, Ocala, FL, 34470. While you cannot swim here, this spring is famous for their glass bottom boat tours. Adults: $13, Children: $12.
Central Florida
In the central Florida section, you’ll find budget friendly and free springs located in Lakeland, Orlando, and Daytona area.
Deland
- Blue Spring State Park, $6 per vehicle – 2100 W. French Ave, Orange City, FL, 32763. This park has a small tube run in the summer. In the winter, you can paddle around the manatees or view them from the boardwalk.m
- De Leon Springs State Park, $6 per vehicle – 601 Ponce Deleon Blvd, De Leon Springs, FL 32130. Swimming, snorkeling, and fishing are allowed at the park.
- Alexander Springs Recreation Area, $8 a person weekday, $11 weekend – 49525 County Rd 445, Altoona, FL 32702. Scuba and open water diving are permitted here – the only spot in Ocala National Forest. Swimming is also allowed.
Orlando
- Kelly/Rock Springs, $3-$5 per vehicle. 400 E Kelly Park Rd, Apopka, FL 32712. This park has a large swimming area and a short 15 minute tube run. You must get here early to get in during the summer months. Even on weekdays.
- Wekiwa Spring State Park, $6 per vehicle – 1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka FL 32712. This park has a large swimming area and tubes are permitted (pictured below.) Rent a kayak here and take a 45 minute paddle out to Wekiva Island.
Gulf Coast
These are closest budget friendly and free springs in Florida on the Gulf coast! If you know of one that isn’t on our list, please email!
Crystal River
- Hunter Springs, free except parking – 18 NE 2nd St, Crystal River, FL 34429. This spring has a small swimming area, and plenty of kayaking opportunities. Parking is limited.
- Splurge: Homosassa Spring State Park – 4150 S. Suncoast Blvd, Homosassa FL 34446. This would be the one spring you would want to visit in the winter. You cannot swim there, but you can see an abundance of wildlife including manatees from their boardwalks. Admission is a little steep: Adults $13, Children 6-12 $5. Another splurge would be Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, where you can swim and see mermaids. Adults $13, kids $8, under 5 is free.
Dunnellon
- Rainbow Springs State Park, $2 per person for the head springs, tubing fees are more expensive- 19158 S.W. 81st Place Road, Dunnellon, FL 34432 . Rainbow springs has a head spring area were you can swim in a designed spot. You can also kayak here, or rent a tube and do their 2 hour tube run (tube run starts at a separate location from the head spring.)
Tampa Area
- Lithia Springs, $2 per vehicle, $2 per person to swim -3932 Lithia Springs Rd., Lithia, FL 33547.
North Port
- Warm Mineral Springs, $8 a person for residents, $11 for non-residents -12200 San Servando Ave, North Port, FL 34287. The only warm spring in Florida!
We hope you found one for your family to enjoy! Stay tuned for more comprehensive lists of free things to do in Florida!