Springs Near Gainesville

Distances are straight-line miles from Gainesville — drive times vary.

Central Florida · 19 mi

Devil's Den

The most otherworldly swim in Florida.

Scuba DivingSnorkeling

~$18 / person (reservation)★ 8.5

Central Florida · 19 mi

Blue Grotto Dive Resort

Florida's clearest training cavern — divers only.

Scuba DivingSnorkeling

~$30 / diver (verify)★ 7.8

North Florida · 25 mi

Gilchrist Blue Springs

The best backup to Ichetucknee — and a top-five spring in its own right.

CampingFamily-FriendlyKayaking

$6 / vehicle★ 8.7

North Florida · 26 mi

Ginnie Springs

Cave diving and riverside camping.

CampingKayakingScuba Diving

~$25 / adult (seasonal)★ 8.9

Central Florida · 34 mi

Silver Springs

Glass-bottom boats and paddling over giant springs — no swimming.

Family-FriendlyKayaking

$2 / person (pedestrian)★ 8.3

North Florida · 35 mi

Ichetucknee Springs

The definitive Florida tubing run.

Family-FriendlyKayakingSnorkeling

$6 / vehicle★ 9.2

North Florida · 37 mi

Fanning Springs

An easy roadside Suwannee swim.

Family-FriendlySnorkelingSwimming

$6 / vehicle★ 7.6

Central Florida · 39 mi

Rainbow Springs

The easiest great spring day in Florida.

CampingFamily-FriendlyKayaking

$2 / person★ 8.6

North Florida · 41 mi

Manatee Springs

A first-magnitude spring flowing straight into the Suwannee.

CampingKayakingManatees

$6 / vehicle★ 7.9

North Florida · 47 mi

Troy Spring

Snorkeling over a sunken Civil War steamboat.

Scuba DivingSnorkelingSwimming

$5 / vehicle★ 7.7

Central Florida · 49 mi

Juniper Springs

A CCC-era swimming hole and Florida's most famous paddle run.

CampingKayakingSwimming

~$8 / person (USFS)★ 8.1

Central Florida · 50 mi

Silver Glen Springs

A Caribbean-blue basin in the Ocala National Forest.

Family-FriendlyKayakingSnorkeling

~$8 / person (USFS day use)★ 7.9

Gulf Coast · 55 mi

Three Sisters Springs

The only legal wild-manatee swim in America.

ManateesSnorkeling

Boardwalk ~$12 (tours separate)★ 8.8

Central Florida · 60 mi

Alexander Springs

The easiest first-magnitude swim in the state.

CampingKayakingScuba Diving

~$8 / person (USFS)★ 8.2

North Florida · 63 mi

Lafayette Blue Springs

A natural limestone bridge over first-magnitude blue.

CampingFamily-FriendlySnorkeling

$5 / vehicle★ 7.5

Central Florida · 68 mi

De Leon Springs

Swim first, then griddle your own pancakes.

Family-FriendlyKayakingSwimming

$6 / vehicle★ 7.8

Central Florida · 77 mi

Blue Spring State Park

Florida's greatest manatee spectacle.

Family-FriendlyKayakingManatees

$6 / vehicle★ 9

Central Florida · 79 mi

Kelly Park / Rock Springs

Orlando's hometown lazy river.

CampingFamily-FriendlySnorkeling

$5 / vehicle (county)★ 8.4

North Florida · 79 mi

Madison Blue Spring

A perfect blue pool without the crowds.

Family-FriendlyScuba DivingSnorkeling

$5 / vehicle★ 8.1

Gulf Coast · 80 mi

Weeki Wachee Springs

Mermaids, a water park, and Florida's prettiest paddle.

Family-FriendlyKayakingSwimming

$13 / adult★ 8.4

Central Florida · 83 mi

Wekiwa Springs

Orlando's classic swim-and-paddle state park.

CampingFamily-FriendlyKayaking

$6 / vehicle★ 8

Panhandle · 125 mi

Wakulla Springs

Jungle-river boat tours and a historic lodge.

Family-FriendlyKayakingSwimming

$6 / vehicle★ 8.2

Panhandle · 225 mi

Morrison Springs

The best free spring in Florida.

Free EntryKayakingScuba Diving

Free★ 8

Panhandle · 228 mi

Ponce de Leon Springs

The Panhandle's coldest-feeling, prettiest quick stop.

Family-FriendlyFree EntrySnorkeling

$4 / vehicle★ 7.7