Situated in north central Florida, Ocala and surrounding Marion County is a area identified for its pure magnificence. Internationally famend, this hidden gem of a vacation spot attracts equestrians, geologists, and outside adventurists with its pure wonders and state-of-the-art sporting services.
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Whereas many guests are drawn to Ocala for its equestrian heritage because the Horse Capital of the World, for us, the area’s greatest draw card was its nature. We spent a couple of days visiting Ocala’s greatest springs on our latest go to to the area, and because it turned out – it was effectively value it!
Learn on to search out out extra in regards to the distinctive geology of Florida Springs and study the very best springs in Ocala, Florida.
Touring Quickly? Here’s a checklist of our favorite journey suppliers and equipment to assist get you prepared to your upcoming journey!
About Florida Springs
There are over 700 pure springs scattered round Florida. This distinctive geology is because of the excessive porosity of the underlying limestone bedrock, which permits water to seep up from the underground aquifer.
Fed by the underlying aquifer, these Florida springs keep at round a cool 22℃ (72℉) year-round. As you’d anticipate, these cool, crystal-clear springs are a well-liked attraction in the course of the scorching, humid summer time months. If you happen to go to Ocala in the course of the summer time, it’s a good suggestion to have a backup plan simply in case you get to your vacation spot and it’s packed!
About Ocala Springs
The Ocala area is house to a whole lot of lakes, rivers, and pure springs. There are 4 springs in Ocala Nationwide Forest alone and much more within the surrounding space, together with well-known spots like Silver Glen Springs, Juniper Springs, Salt Springs, Alexander Springs, Rainbow Springs, Scott Springs, and lots of different springs.
Every spring in Ocala is exclusive in its personal approach. Some are extra appropriate for swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, diving, or different water actions. Some are greatest fitted to a household, whereas others are greatest for journey seekers.
Greatest Springs in Ocala
1. Silver Springs State Park
Silver Springs is without doubt one of the hottest pure springs in Ocala, and for a great purpose. Situated only a 15-minute drive from downtown Ocala, Silver Springs State Park is house to the most important spring within the U.S., a historic web site with Nineteenth-century pioneer buildings, strolling trails, an adventures heart, and many alternatives for outside actions like bicycling, mountain climbing, geo-seeking, and paddling.
The park is well-known for its glass-bottom boat excursions, working at Silver Springs because the 1870s. These excursions supply a singular perspective by permitting you to get near the underwater life and admire the springs, together with the well-known Mammoth Spring, from up shut, with out truly getting within the water.
There are 2 completely different tour choices out there with tickets beginning at $13 simply USD
30-minute Boat Tour runs each 15-20 minutes one year a 12 months. The tour follows a regular route alongside about 1 km down Silver River.
Prolonged Boat Tour is a 90-minute tour out there solely on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday at 9:30am, 11:30am and 1:30pm. This route continues additional down the river, providing a greater probability to identify wildlife like crocs, turtles, and birds.
There’s additionally an journey heart on-site at Silver Springs, the place you may hire kayaks, canoes, and SUP to discover additional. Plus, there are a few nice nature trails all through the park the place you will get nearer to wildlife.
Be aware that swimming is, sadly, not permitted at Silver Springs.
If you wish to make a go to to Silver Springs right into a full-day journey, you’ll be glad to know that concessions can be found within the park, in addition to a number of outlets and interpretive reveals within the Discovery Heart and Silver River Museum.
Admission:
$8 USD per car, $2 USD for pedestrians or cyclists. Digital passes might be bought here.
Glass Backside Boat at Silver Springs
Contained in the glass backside boat
Kayaking at Silver Springs
2. Rainbow Springs State Park
Situated about 40 minutes outdoors of downtown Ocala, Rainbow Springs State Park encompasses 1,472 acres and the headsprings of the Rainbow River. The park is known for its stunning swimming space, snorkeling alternatives, and water adventures like tubbing, kayaking, and canoeing down the Rainbow River.
There are additionally a lot of nature trails all through the park and a campground the place you may park for a couple of days.
The swimming space is without doubt one of the better of all of the springs in Ocala. It’s roped off and crystal clear with turquoise water and a mean depth that may go down to five meters (18 ft). Youngsters and non-swimmers must have floaties, as there isn’t any shallow part of the springs, that means that it’s a must to deal with water all the time.
To entry the river, guests must go to the onsite campground on the opposite aspect of the river.
Tubes, canoes, and kayaks can be found for hire from the close by KP Gap Park. That is one other entry level to the river that doesn’t require you to go to the campground. Be aware that the KP Gap Park is non-public and never part of the State Park, so there are separate entrance charges of $7 per particular person not included in rental charges.
For a tour that’s a bit extra distinctive, take into account becoming a member of a guided kayaking tour with Get Up and Go Kayaking, one in every of our private favourite experiences in Ocala!
This distinctive clear kayak journey lasts about 2 hours and prices $62 per particular person. The tour features a mild paddle up and down Rainbow River and a cease at Rainbow Springs Canal, one of the crucial picturesque hidden components of the river.
We noticed many birds alongside the river throughout our paddle, loads of fish, and even a couple of turtles.
Meals concessions can be found, in addition to picnic services, restrooms, and a bathe station. This park can get very busy on weekends and vacation breaks. When the park reaches capability, the gates to the headsprings will near all guests.
Admission:
$2 USD per particular person
On the Rainbow Springs swimming gap
Rainbow Springs, Ocala
3. Silver Glen Springs
One other stunning spring situated in Ocala Nationwide Forest is Silver Glen Springs. It’s a well-liked recreation space and a terrific swimming and snorkeling spot, with the swimming space clearly marked to keep away from harm to delicate underwater habitats.
As Silver Glen Springs Recreation Space is in Ocala Nationwide Forest, there may be a lot extra to do within the space. The close by Lake George Path is a simple day hike to viewpoints of Lake George, or you may hire a kayak to discover Silver Glen Springs Run.
This recreation space is about 45 minutes outdoors of Ocala, however there are various actions to show this right into a day journey. Simply do not forget that this recreation space will get very busy in the summertime, and reservations are now required to go to the springs throughout this time of the 12 months. Admission is $12 USD per particular person.
The capability is restricted to only 95 vehicles, so in case you plan on visiting in the course of the summer time, plan forward! Throughout our go to in July, the world was totally booked for two weeks out. Our greatest recommendation is to plan your go to in the course of the week or outdoors of the summer time months.
Admission:
$12 USD per particular person and entry for all of the springs in Ocala Nationwide Forest might be paid by way of this app.
4. Juniper Springs
One of many oldest recreation areas on this a part of the nation, Juniper Springs is a posh of a whole lot of tiny effervescent springs surrounded by a lush pure space filled with dwell oaks and palm bushes.
Situated about 35 minutes from downtown Ocala, this recreation space consists of Juniper Spring and Fern Hammock Spring, however swimming is just permitted within the Juniper Springs space.
There’s a developed swimming space within the springs, with one shallow finish and one deep finish, lined in pure tape grass. An previous mill that after generated power has been transformed into an interpretive heart.
To see and be taught extra in regards to the subtropical habitat surrounding the spring, take the brief stroll down the Juniper Springs Run Nature Path. Hold an eye fixed out on the water. You simply would possibly spot an otter or an American eel!
Admission:
$12 USD per particular person and fee might be accomplished by way of an app.
5. Salt Springs Recreation Space
Situated about 40 minutes from Ocala, Salt Springs Recreation Space is one other gem in Ocala Nationwide Forest. The springs listed here are distinctive in that the waters have a slight salinity because of the potassium, magnesium, and sodium minerals within the water.
The massive swimming space is fairly shallow, with a barrier to dam boats and paddlers, and the crystal clear water offers alternatives for snorkeling.
There’s loads of wildlife that thrives within the springs, so don’t be stunned in case you see numerous fish species and even some blue crabs. The realm surrounding the spring is developed, with simple entry/exit factors and an enormous picnic space below stunning dwell oaks.
Restrooms and showers can be found for guests, and the close by group of Salt Springs has a number of eating places and comfort shops for snacks and drinks. Canoe and kayak leases can be found at Salt Springs Marina, situated in the beginning of the Salt Springs Run.
READ NEXT: 10 Things to Do in Ocala, Florida
Different Ocala Springs You Can Go to
The above 5 Florida springs are the most important and most developed recreation areas round Ocala, however there are a lot extra springs to discover within the space. Listed here are a couple of that we didn’t get to go to personally however discovered fascinating sufficient to incorporate on this checklist.
Alexander Springs
Situated in Ocala Nationwide Forest, Alexander Springs is the one spring within the park that enables scuba diving. Licensed scuba divers with their very own gear can dive within the springs on their very own or be a part of a tour with an authorized native Dive Grasp.
Alexander Springs can also be one of many most family-friendly swimming holes within the forest protect, with a seashore that lightly slopes into the spring basin. Picnic tables can be found for guests to make use of, as are bogs and a bathhouse with scorching showers.
From the spring, there may be entry to a boardwalk portion of a 1.5 km nature path that loops by way of the palm hammock to commentary decks alongside the spring run.
Admission:
$12 USD per particular person. Fee might be accomplished by way of an app.
Blue Springs State Park
Whereas swimming is just permitted within the spring run, Blue Springs State Park is a superb place to scuba dive. There are designated areas for diving within the springs, and the situation is an ideal spot for introductory scuba dive for many who should not already licensed.
Manatees are sometimes seen on this space, and all water actions are prohibited in the course of the manatee migration season, which normally runs from late Fall to early Spring.
Be aware that this park will get busy in the course of the summer time, so to ensure entry, we advocate making a ship tour or canoe/kayak reservation.
Admission:
$6 USD per car
Paradise Springs
For thrill-seekers with expertise in cave diving, Paradise Springs is a superb spot to discover.
Situated simply 20 minutes from downtown Ocala, this pure spring options an enormous cavern space filled with prehistoric fossils which are seen to divers.
This privately owned site has restrooms, showers, and altering rooms out there to guests. Working hours range, so it’s a good suggestion to test the website earlier than heading out.
Admission:
$30 USD, money solely. Test the Paradise Springs website for guidelines and suggestions for scuba diving.
Disclaimer: Our go to to Ocala Marion County was organized as part of a partnership with Visit Florida, however as all the time, all opinions expressed on this article are our personal.
