The Best Springs in Orlando, Florida

One of the closest natural springs to downtown Orlando is Wekiwa Springs State Park, a really popular weekend destination for locals. Arrive early to slide into the small parking lot, and be prepared to plant your picnic blanket on whatever tiny patch of grass you can find. And if you roll up to a full parking lot? Don’t despair – head a mile (1.6km) east down to the “island”, a riverside hangout with a bar, food trucks, kayak rentals and plenty of extra parking.

Don’t freak out if you feel something bump the bottom of your kayak – it’s doubtless just one of the hundreds of manatees welcoming you to Blue Spring State Park. These protected sea cows aren’t the only beauties you’ll see on a guided cruise up the St Johns River. Florida scrub jays and ospreys are among the many bird species you can expect to fly by to say hi as you explore this lush green expanse, only an hour away from Orlando.

Bring your tubes to Kelly Park, and the Rock Springs Run will whisk you all the way to the Wekiva River. These waters run a little cooler – roughly 68F (20C) year-round – but that’s nothing that a little between-dips sunbathing won’t resolve. Don’t be afraid to dive right in – snakes and alligators are as good as nonexistent around these parts. And what Kelly Park lacks in wildlife viewing it more than makes up for with supreme serenity as you float around on its untroubled waters.

If you really need to get away from it all, here are 7mi (11km) of splendor and solitude. All you need is a canoe, and you can paddle down the Juniper Run at the Juniper Springs Recreation Area. Here in the Ocala National Forest, hundreds of bubbling springs gently sway the otters, alligators and turtles floating through the water. And if you don’t like water? Get a view of the Juniper Run from the ground by hiking an interpretive trail through the Juniper Prairie Wilderness.