Florida's Springs: The State's Natural Water Wonders

Florida has no significant waterfalls — but it has something rarer: over 700 natural springs, more than any other state in the world. These springs discharge billions of gallons of crystal-clear, 68°F water year-round from the Floridan Aquifer, one of the most productive aquifer systems on Earth.

Ichetucknee Springs State Park
Nine springs feed the Ichetucknee River, which flows 6 miles through subtropical forest to the Santa Fe River. Tubing the river from the head spring to the south takeout is one of Florida's most beloved summer activities — the water is so clear you can see the bottom 20 feet down. No motors allowed on the river; capacity is limited to 750 tubers per day in summer.

Silver Springs State Park
Silver Springs is one of the world's largest artesian springs, discharging 550 million gallons daily. The glass-bottom boat tours, started here in the 1870s, are among the oldest tourist attractions in Florida. Wild rhesus macaque monkeys (escaped from a 1930s attraction) still live in the forest around the spring.

Rainbow Springs State Park
Near Dunnellon in Marion County, Rainbow Springs is the fourth-largest spring group in Florida, producing 400–600 million gallons daily. The headspring area has a swimming hole so clear it looks artificial. Tubing the Rainbow River to the state park takeout is a 3.5-hour float through old-growth cypress and native azalea banks.

Wakulla Springs State Park
One of the deepest and largest freshwater springs in the world, Wakulla produces 400,000 gallons per minute and has a recorded depth of 185 feet. Manatees shelter in the spring run in winter. The 1954 Creature from the Black Lagoon was filmed here.

Weeki Wachee Springs
Famous for its underwater "mermaid" shows performed since 1947, Weeki Wachee is a first-magnitude spring (over 100 million gallons/day). The attached water park and river boat tours are a classic old-Florida tourist experience.