Florida is known for its chaotic climate, but one thing is always constant: the inviting temperatures of its freshwater springs. Bubbling out from the limestone-covered aquifer and into sinkholes, Florida’s spring water usually falls somewhere in the range of high sixties to mid-seventies Fahrenheit—a sweet spot that manages to feel warm in the winter (just ask the manatees) and refreshingly cool in summer. Below, discover some of the state’s best swimming holes in which to beat the heat.
Madison Blue Spring
Lee, Florida
When you descend the stairs at Madison Blue Spring in rural North Florida, you enter an oasis in which the water hovers at a refreshing 72 degrees (even in summer) and the surrounding forests help cool the land. Relax and watch mullet and yellow-bellied sliders follow the spring’s flow to the Withlacoochee River—but be sure to check the park status ahead of a visit, as the river can sometimes rise and cause the spring to close for the day.
Three Sisters Springs
Crystal River, Florida
When temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico drop, Three Sisters is filled bank to bank with manatees; when temperatures rise, it’s packed with adventurers seeking the perfect spot to kayak and paddleboard. To swim in the vibrant blue and green waters, visitors must paddle or boat in from a nearby launch, but there are plenty of rental locations nearby. (Tip: The sides of the spring can erode from too much activity, so act like a manatee and stay in the water.) Visitors not looking to go for a dip can visit the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge and see the surrounding restored wetland habitat from the boardwalk and connected nature trails.
Ichetucknee Springs
Fort White, Florida
The ultimate lazy river, Ichetucknee Springs is actually made up of eight separate springs that are part of the peaceful flow of the river of the same name. Visitors can rent tubes at the park’s south entrance and enjoy a journey down a waterway of unparalleled clarity. You won’t be the only one drifting with the gentle current; look out for otters, turtles, and gar, too. If you’re hoping to go for a swim, head to the north entrance and explore Blue Hole Spring, which, true to its name, offers crisp water in a myriad of cerulean shades. (Pro tip: Cap off the perfect summer day with strawberry and peach milkshakes from the nearby Branford Farm Stand.)
Devil’s Den
Williston, Florida
Thousands of years ago, a sinkhole in the bedrock of Williston formed, water from the aquifer filled it, and rainwater washed through the area’s limestone until the ground collapsed. This exposed the spring beneath the surrounding dome of rock. The result is a diver’s delight. With fossil beds tens of millions of years old and rock walls that plunge over fifty feet under the water, Devil’s Den is the perfect place to scuba, spelunk, swim, and snorkel. Above the surface, a hole in the cavernous walls emits steam from the warm spring in the winter months, like smoke from the underworld (hence the name). Sun streaming through the natural skylight at the top of the cave streaks the blue water, illuminating the way for snorkelers and divers. (If you plan to snorkel or to dive at night, be sure to get a reservation online before you go.)
Wakulla Springs
Wakulla Springs, Florida
Softshell turtles, manatees, and anhingas alike enjoy the cool water of Wakulla Springs, the largest and deepest freshwater spring in the world. This state park is a phenomenal place to view wildlife, from basking cormorants to wading common gallinules (known colloquially as the swamp chicken). Take a forty-five-minute guided boat tour from the spring down the Wakulla River and you’ll understand why the landscape inspired the 1954 flick Creature from the Black Lagoon. Mossy oaks conceal lively gator nests, and cypress knees jut from the emerald water. When it comes time to swim, plunge into the heart of the spring from a twenty-two-foot dive tower. And when you need a respite from the sun, the nearby lodge built from Tennessee marble offers Southern snacks like boiled peanuts, plus historic curiosities like an eleven-foot-two taxidermied alligator named Old Joe.
Ponce de Leon Springs
Ponce de Leon, Florida
Conquistador Ponce de León arrived in Florida looking for the fountain of youth. Although he never visited this spring, its crisp 68-degree water will still rejuvenate anyone in the summertime. Located just off I-10, less than an hour from 30A, the state park offers a fresh alternative to salty seas. For those looking to do some exploring themselves, head to Sandy Creek or Spring Run, which are short hikes perfect for observing wildlife away from the crowds. Watch the clear spring water meld into the blackwater of Sandy Creek, and keep an eye out for gopher tortoises and pitcher plants along the way.
Manatee Springs
Chiefland, Florida
There’s more ways than one to enjoy the 100 million gallons of crystal clear water that funnel out of the earth daily at Manatee Springs. Take a walk on the eight-hundred-foot boardwalk through the cypress forest; dive into the aquamarine water to cool off; bike the eight miles of trails within the park; canoe and fish in the connected Suwannee River; or learn about life at the spring when it was inhabited by Native Americans nine thousand years ago. And when the day is done, you don’t have to leave the oasis—guests can stay overnight at one of the park’s several glamping sites.
