You may have swapped your vacation plans for a staycation this year, but that doesn't mean you have to sit at home, glued to your laptop or TV. While Central Florida offers ample opportunities for playing tourist in your own town, one of the best ways to recharge is spending a little time in nature. Though famous for its beaches, Florida is also home to hundreds of sparkling, clear freshwater springs. Some of the most scenic are just a short drive away on the River of Lakes Heritage Corridor, so you can get out of the house for a relaxing afternoon walk or stay for a few days to take advantage of the many fun things to do in Central Florida parks. Phone ahead to check for closures and safety requirements, as well as permit or license requirements if you plan to fish.
Blue Spring State Park
2100 W. French Ave., Orange City
What’s here: Manatees! The springs and spring run leading into the St. Johns River stay about 72 degrees year-round, so it's the perfect place for these large mammals to keep warm when temperatures turn cooler. From mid-November through March, hundreds of manatees winter in the spring run, said to be one of the largest manatee gatherings in Florida.
What to do:
April to Mid-November
• Swim, float, snorkel or rent a canoe or kayak, and paddle along the crystal-clear spring run.
Mid-November through March
• Stroll along the one-third-mile boardwalk and view the manatees and other wildlife including fish, turtles, wading birds and the occasional alligator.
• Hike the Pine Island Trail, a 7.2-mile out-and-back loop through forest, cypress swamp and palm hammock. The trail is open year-round, but it may be flooded during the rainy season, generally May through October.
Year-round:
• Take a guided river boat cruise on the St. Johns River. St. Johns River Cruises offers narrated cruises and nature tours.
• Picnic in the park. There's a playground here if you have little ones.
• Fish from a dock on the St. Johns River.
• View exhibits in the historic Thursby House, once a stop for steamboat passengers traveling on the St. Johns River.
Best for: Fun for all ages.
What to know before you go: Go early; this park reaches capacity year-round.
Camping: Campsites and cabins are available.
De Leon Springs State Park
601 Ponce De Leon Blvd., De Leon Springs
What's here: The spring at the center of this park is surrounded by 625 acres of lush forest and steeped in thousands of years of history. First inhabited by the Mayaca people, the site was later settled by Spanish priests and became a plantation that was destroyed twice, by Seminole Indians in the Second Seminole War and later by Union troops in the Civil War. The building housing the wheel from the former mill was reconstructed in the early 1900s and became The Old Spanish Sugar Mill restaurant in 1961; though ownership changed in 2022, the AAA Diamond restaurant remains a beloved fan favorite for breakfast and lunch. What the park's rich and fascinating history doesn't include is any record of Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon having been there; residents renamed the former town of Spring Garden to De Leon Springs in the 1880s to attract tourists.
What to do:
• See exhibits about the park's 6,000-year history at the De Leon Springs visitor center.
• View wildlife and learn more about the area's history on a 50-minute boat tour of the spring run.
• Have breakfast or lunch at The Old Spanish Sugar Mill & Griddle House, where you can cook your own pancakes on a griddle at your table, or grab sandwiches to go for a picnic under an the park's massive live oak trees.
• Swim or snorkel in the crystal-clear, 72-degree swimming area.
• Fish from the fishing pier or in the Spring Garden Run.
• Take a walk on the paved, half-mile nature trail or explore the 4-mile Wild Persimmon Hiking Trail, where wildlife sightings have included deer, turkeys, wild hogs and even Florida black bears.
• Rent a canoe or kayak and explore nearby lakes, creeks and marshes in the Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge.
• Best for: History buffs, families
What to know before you go: There can be a long wait for the The Old Sugar Mill Pancake House. Get your name on the list, then enjoy the park while you wait.
Camping: No camping available.
Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY/User: MrX
Gemini Springs Park
37 Dirksen Dr., Debary
What’s here: Two springs pump out millions of gallons of fresh water each day in this 212-acre park on the shore of Mullet Lake, just northeast of Lake Monroe. Once a cattle and sugar cane farm, the site now features several miles of paved and unpaved paths for walking and biking.
What to do:
• Explore the park and springs and look for wildlife. There are a variety of marked paths here totaling 4.6 miles, so you can enjoy a short nature walk or wander for as long as you like.
• Rent a canoe and paddle along the spring run.
• Enjoy a picnic lunch in one of the park's pavilions.
• Fish from the fishing dock.
• Let your pup get some exercise in Gemini Springs Dog Park, which has two sections for small and large dogs to play, along with dog wash stations and water fountains.
Best for: Pet owners and families, day trip
What to know before you go: No swimming is allowed here. The dog park is open only to adult pet handlers.
Camping: Primitive tent camping only.
Green Springs Park
994 Enterprise/Osteen Rd., Deltona
What’s here: One of Florida's few sulphur springs is the centerpiece of this park that was once the site of one of Florida's first health spas. The spring changes color depending on the time of year, ranging from jade to turquoise.
What to do:
• This 31-acre park is perfect for a quick trip to get out and enjoy nature. Stroll along natural and paved nature trails and enjoy scenic overlooks. There are picnic pavilions and a playground available, too.
Best for: All ages, a quick trip to get outdoors
What to know before you go: No swimming or fishing is allowed.
Camping: No camping available.
Kelly Park and Rock Springs
400 E. Kelly Park Rd., Apopka
What’s here: A natural spring in Kelly Park pumps fresh water into Rock Springs Run, creating a crystal-clear stream that stays at a constant 68 degrees as it flows through a scenic forest canopy.
What to do:
• At press time the spring run is closed to swimmers and floaters, but when it's open, you can rent a tube from a vendor just outside the park or bring your own to enjoy a lazy-river-like float through a chain of swimming holes.
• Though closed at press time, the park has a concession in summer, picnic pavilions and a playground.
• Bring your paddleboard, kayak or canoe for a scenic paddle down the spring run.
• Look for wildlife along the park's easy, well-marked hiking trails.
Best for: Things for couples to do, families
What to know before you go: Go early; in peak summer season the park can fill up within an hour of opening.
Camping: Tent and RV camping
Wekiwa Springs State Park
1800 Wekiwa Cir., Apopka
What’s here: Only 7 miles from Kelly Park, 40 million gallons of water flow from the Floridian aquifer into Wekiwa Springs and down a scenic, 72-degree stream to the Wekiva River. (That's not a typo; you'll encounter both spellings throughout the area and conflicting stories about the origins. Pronounce the river Wuh-KIVE-uh and the springs Wuh-KYE-wuh.) A wide variety of recreational activities make this state park especially fun for a multi-day camping trip.
What to do:
• Swim or snorkel in the crystal clear, 72-degree springs swimming area.
• Rent a kayak, canoe or paddleboat and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Wekiva River or Rock Springs Run. Guided trips are available.
• Have lunch at a picnic area that includes a playground, volleyball court and horseshoe pit.
• Walk and hike on trails ranging from a short boardwalk along the spring run to various hikes among 13.5 miles of wilderness trails.
• Bring your bicycle for a fun ride on the park's 9-mile bicycle trail. Bicycles are also allowed on the park's 8 miles of horseback-riding trails.
Best for: All ages, day trip or camping.
What to know before you go: Make a reservation online for Wekiwa Springs State Park; an entry fee will be collected during your reservation. This popular park is especially busy on weekends; the park closes once it reaches capacity except for registered campers.
Camping: Tent and RV camping with full facilities as well as two sites that can only be accessed by canoe or kayak. The Bedtime Story Camper Lending Library offers picture books for campers ages 4 to 9.
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