Tubing at Ichetucknee Springs

On a hot, humid day, nothing is more refreshing than diving into a cold spring, and in North Florida, you don't have to drive far to find one. Central Florida, West Central Florida and the Panhandle areas have a greater concentration of springs than any other place in the world, 360 to be exact, and all have a year round average water temperature of 70 degrees.

Why so many springs in one area? Underground, deep under Florida's streets and houses, a porous limestone layer acts as an aquifer between salt water and fresh water. Where the pressure is great enough, fresh water breaks through and spews out as a spring. The water is perfect and pure. You could drill a hole in the ground and drink it. Some springs actually come up in the ocean and are found as much as 20 miles offshore. Legend has it that they provided fresh drinking water for pirates. Unfortunately, companies selling bottled water, are pumping too much out of Florida's springs.

At some point in their course, nearly all Florida rivers run underground. Acids in the water have created a network of tunnels in the limestone layer. Hundreds of feet beneath your kitchen, there may be a water filled limestone tunnel. These tunnels are some of the last unexplored places on earth. Every year the media report incidents of sink holes breaking through the limestone and swallowing houses and cars. These sink holes and the springs are gateways to the tunnels.

(Most of the information about springs in the above paragraphs is from Nature:Springs Eternal:Florida's Fountain of Youth, a PBS telecast on May 4, 2000.)

Several large springs in Florida have become tourist destinations.Silver Springs about six miles south of Ocala attracts millions for glass bottom boat and jungle cruise rides. Weeki Wachee Springs north of Clearwater has "mermaids" performing underwater ballet behind glass observation areas.

Many excellent springs are the focus of state or national recreation areas, and many are in the totally undeveloped backwoods. Those that follow are accessible and within one hundred miles of Jacksonville. They are listed from the closest to Jacksonville to the most distant.:

Ichetucknee Springs
Imagine floating down a spring run for three hours in an inner tube. You float past dense woods with no house, car, store or other sign of civilization in sight. You hear the sounds of birds and glimpse wildlife at the wood's edge. This is not a dream; it's Ichetucknee.

You'll have no problem finding inner tubes. On the drive to the park, numerous vendors are waiting to rent you one. You can also paddle your kayak or canoe down the run. Do arrive early. There is a limit to the number of visitors allowed in per day.

Directions: From Jacksonville--(About 80 miles) Take 10 west to US 90 exit, follow 90 to Lake City to 41 south, follow 41 south to SR 47 south, follow park signs.

Ginnie Springs
This spring located near the Santa Fe River is part of a camping recreational area. Decks extend around the springs, and bathhouses with hot showers, a country store, and campsites make this a popular area. This is also a favorite scuba diving spot.

Directions: From Jacksonville--(About 85 miles) Drive west on I-10 to I-75. Continue South on I-75 to exit 79 that goes to High Springs. At High Springs take US 41, south to S-236.

Silver Glen Springs
White sandy beach and bottom, roped section for swimmers, boat and canoe rental, wilderness camping, regular campsites, and cabins attract many visitors to this spring in the Ocala National Forest.

Directions: (About 90 miles from Jacksonville) Take 17 south out of Jacksonville to south of Palatka. In Palataka, catch 19 south. Silver Glen is just past Salt Springs.

Alexander Springs
Swimming, scuba diving, and canoeing the crystal clear water are the favorite activities at this Ocala National Forest Recreation Area spring. It has tent sites and RV connections.

Directions: (About 100 miles from Jacksonville) From the intersection of S-19 and S-40 in the Ocala National Forest travel drive east on S-40 about 5 miles. Turn right at the sign.

DeLeon Springs
The canoe, kayak, paddleboat rentals, swimming, fishing in the run, boat launch, hiking and nature trails and picnic pavilion make this a popular family recreation area. Inside the Old Spanish Sugar Mill building is an excellent restaurant. Easy access to Lake Woodruff, a National Wildlife Refuge, offers canoeists opportunity to explore 18,000 acres of lakes, creeks and marshes.

Directions: (About 100 miles from Jacksonville) Travel South on I-95 to the Deland exit, SR92. In Deland, drive north on 17 to De Leon Springs.

Juniper Springs
Excellent family recreation area in the Ocala National Forest. Swimming , camping, hiking trails, canoe rentals, bathhouse, small concession.

Directions: (About 100 miles from Jacksonville) Drive 17 south to Palatka. In Palatka, take 19 south. From the intersection of S-19 and S-40 in the Ocala National Forest travel west on S-40 for 4.7 miles to a sign at the entrance.