27 beautiful springs and waterfalls within driving distance of Orlando

Ichetucknee Springs State Park
12087 Southwest U.S. Highway 27, Fort White, FL 32038
2 hours, 10 minutes from Orlando

Back in the early 1900s, this spring was used to mine phosphate. You can still find the mines clustered around the edge of the water, but now, Ichetucknee is a popular tourist attraction, where guests can float lazily through the spring in tubes alongside otters, beavers, wild turkeys and wood ducks. Guests can also canoe, hike, snorkel and scuba dive in Blue Hole Spring as long as they present proper certification.

Photo via siren_of_the_springs on Instagram

Manatee Springs State Park
11650 Northwest 115th Street, Chiefland, FL 32626
2 hours, 7 minutes from Orlando

Living up to its name, Manatee Springs gives guests a chance to catch of glimpse of the gentle sea-cow during early spring as the aquatic mammal seek warmer waters. During manatee season, canoeing and kayaking are forbidden, but the rest of the year, you can fish, swim, boat, snorkel and dive in the Catfish Hotel sink hole.

Photo via sarahndipity_808 on Instagram

Silver Glen Springs
5301 North Highway 19, Ft. McCoy, Fl 32134
1 hour, 15 minutes from Orlando

Perfect for fans of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’ novel The Yearling, bibliophiles will recognize the spots made famous by the Baxter family. Pick up some snorkeling gear on the ride over, and take pleasure in knowing that both canoe and kayak launching are free if you bring your own gear.

Photo via kevirrkleyn on Instagram

Alexander Springs Recreation Area
49525 County Road 445, Altoona, Fl 32702
1 hour, 7 minutes from Orlando

Florida weather might be all over the place, but the water here doesn’t care. At a constant temperature of 72 degrees, this spring is perfect to swim, snorkel and scuba in no matter the time of year. Afterwards, take a stroll through the mile-long interpretive loop trail for a view of the vegetation used by early Native Americans.

Photo via its_b_baby_ on Instagram

Falling Waters State Park
1130 State Park Road, Chipley, FL 32428
4 hours, 25 minutes from Orlando

A trip to the panhandle will land you in front of Florida’s largest waterfall, gushing down at 73 feet. You can’t swim around the rush of water, but you can take a dip in a lake nearby after setting up your tent at the campgrounds and peering down at the sinkholes by the boardwalk.

Photo via hissycrissy on Instagram

Suwannee Springs
9225 CR 49, Live Oak FL 32060
2 hours, 30 minutes from Orlando

This historic park is composed of six springs clustered in a sandy hundred-foot stretch at the base of the Suwannee River. The main spring is surrounded by the walls of a late 1800s bath house made out of limestone rock. Unfortunately sand is building up in the pool and tree roots are growing into the walls, so this hundred-year-old testament to Florida’s rich past could soon disappear; Enjoy it while it lasts.

Photo via floridajah on Instagram

Otter Springs
6470 Southwest 80th Avenue, Trenton, FL 32693
2 hours, 15 minutes from Orlando

For the 21st century outdoorsman, Otter Springs offers an authentic natural experience complete with updated amenities. If stewing in algae-filled water before a two hour drive home makes you feel a little icky and gross, rinse off in one of two bathhouses with hot showers or take a dip in the screened-in pool.

Photo via pureflorida on Instagram

Rainbow Springs
A19158 South West 81st Place Road, Dunnellon, FL 34432
1 hour, 27 minutes from Orlando

Sure, Rainbow Springs waterfalls are manmade, but it's too close to not mention. The remnants of its amusement park past doesn’t remain completely hidden; gardens and man-made waterfalls are scattered throughout the acreage. There have been some additions since it was bought up by the state. Swim, canoe, or kayak around, but know that you can only launch your tubing self at a designated spot near the campgrounds.

Photo via josie_day on Instagram

Blue Grotto Dive Resort
3852 NE 172 Court, Williston, FL 32696
1 hour, 36 minutes from Orlando

Blue Grotto is a certified diver’s paradise. With two underwater ecosystems to explore — an hundred-foot deep cavern and a virtually untouched natural cave — both skilled and novice divers can experience the depths of these crystal clear waters. And for those who are looking to make a splash in the Scuba world, Blue Grotto offers dive classes and certifications.

Photo via paulkatz53 on Instagram

De Leon Springs State Park
601 Ponce de Leon Blvd., De Leon Springs, FL 32130
1 hour, 12 minutes from Orlando

If this place is to be defined by one thing, it’s how massive it is. The 625-acre park is witness to 19 million gallons of water being produced every day, for your canoe, paddleboat and kayak pleasure. Paddle through the water trail to explore the creeks and marshes of the Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge.

Photo via melaniejosa on Instagram

Devil's Den
5390 N.E. 180th Ave, Williston, Fl 32696
1 hour, 31 minutes from Orlando

Pull a Dracula and hide from the sunlight at this underground spring tucked inside a dry cave. Try your hand at some open water and cave diving, and brag to your friends about the stalactites — that’s the pointy things on the ceilings — and 33-million-year-old fossil beds you got to swim around. Don’t make the drive if you’re not scuba- or snorkeling-certified, however, or you won’t be allowed into the spring.

Photo via livelifeinhifi on Instagram

Poe Springs Park
28800 Northwest 182nd Avenue, High Springs, FL 32643
1 hour, 58 minutes from Orlando

Just a half-hour away from Gainsville, Poe Springs has long been a popular spot for locals because of its shallow waters fit for the whole family. But, if you and the kids are starting to get pruney from your dip in the springs, the 202-acre park also features soccer and softball fields, volleyball courts, picnic pavilions and and a playground.

Photo via kelseysolson on Instagram

Ginnie Springs
5000 Northeast 60th Ave., High Springs, FL 32643
2 hours, 5 minutes from Orlando

Located on the Santa Fe River, Ginnie Springs is one of the clearest bodies of water in Florida. Snorkel, swim, canoe and kayak in seven different springs across the park or explore the hidden grottos beneath the water’s surface. Certified divers can travel through 30,000 feet of passageways in the Devil’s Springs systems, where they might catch a glimpse of a prehistoric fossil from the pleistocene era.

Photo via drew.herrick on Instagram

Salt Springs
13851 N. SR 19, Salt Springs, FL 32134
1 hour, 33 minutes from Orlando

In case the name didn’t clue you in, you’ll want to keep your mouth and eyes closed as you swim through this unusually salty spring. If you don’t want to risk it, canoe your way through the waters or take a hike on the park’s trails instead. Fishing is a-okay as long as you stay away from the swimming areas and have a Florida Freshwater Fishing License.

Photo via mikkcakee on Instagram

Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park
Peacock Springs Road, Luraville, FL 32066
2 hours, 46 minutes from Orlando

Cave divers have explored and documented over 33,000 feet of the park’s underwater passageways, making Wes Skiles one of the longest mapped underwater cave systems in the world. Certified divers up to the challenge can take the plunge, while guests with less aquatic experience can swim and dive in shallower waters. If you’re looking for something to try on dry land, the dog-friendly park invites you to grab your pup and walk along a winding nature trail that takes you along the same path as the underwater passage directly beneath your feet.

Photo via dansdiveshop on Instagram

Three Sisters Springs
915 N Suncoast Blvd., Crystal River, FL 34429
1 hour, 38 minutes from Orlando

This one is just for the manatees, folks. Swim with the cute lil sea cows or simply look at them from the spring’s boardwalk. Either way, you’ll get a clear view of them. The amount of manatees on site fluctuates depending on the time of year, but the cooler days after mid-November will get you more mammal for your buck. This spring made headlines after hundreds of the manatees huddled together to keep warm.

Photo via coastie4901 on Instagram

Fanning Springs
18020 Northwest U.S. 19-98, Fanning Springs, FL 32693
2 hours, 11 minutesfrom Orlando

In the 1950s, Fanning Springs used to have a roller rink. Now, in an effort to maintain the park’s natural beauty, guests forgo the cheesy disco lights in favor of clear blue springs, a sandy volleyball court and hikes through a hardwood forest. Or, if you want to relax while you take in the natural splendor, a shady gazebo on the Suwannee river offers a comfortable place to watch the sturgeon jumping out of the water in the warmer months.

Photo via dmf5471 on Instagram

Blue Springs
2100 W. French Ave., Orange City, FL 32763
50 minutes from Orlando

Claiming the title of the biggest spring found on the St. John’s River, this stop on the list is manatee heaven from the middle of November until the end of March. Any in-water activity is put to a halt during this time, but once the park fully reopens, attendees can enjoy some snorkeling, boating, fishing, tubing and, if you’re certified, scuba diving.

Photo via leandromagno1 on Instagram

Hart Springs
4240 SW 86th Avenue, Bell, FL 32619
2 hours, 17 minutes from Orlando

With one of the largest swimming facilities in the area and water that stays 72 degrees year-round, Hart Springs in the perfect place to take a dip on a scorching Florida day. Bring a tube or raft and work on your tan as you soak in the sun or grab a snorkel and explore the spring bottom for unique shells. Swimmers have even found arrowheads hidden between the rocks.

Photo via _armosteven on Instagram

Big Shoals State Park
11330 S.E. County Road 135, White Springs, FL 32096
2 hours, 30 minutes from Orlando

Get your adrenaline pumping at the largest whitewater rapids in Florida, which is the only one in the state that’s a designated Class III. To balance out the rush, head on out to the 28 miles made available for all your equestrian, hiking and biking needs.

Photo via lauraandtheriver on Instagram