Best Springs for Swimming

Royal Springs, a spring in Suwannee County, Florida
North Florida

Royal Springs

A deep, rope-swing swimming hole for $5 a car.

Free EntrySnorkelingSwimming
$5 / vehicle (verified — corrected from earlier "free" listing)★ 6.8
Suwannee Springs, Florida
North Florida

Suwannee Springs

Historic sulphur springs and 19th-century ruins on the Suwannee.

Free EntryKayakingSwimming
Free★ 6.7
Vortex Spring, a freshwater spring in Ponce de Leon, Florida
Panhandle

Vortex Spring

The Panhandle's dive resort — training, cavern, and camping.

CampingScuba DivingSnorkeling
$15 adult / $10 child (12 & under) day-use, diving priced separately (confirmed on official site, Aug 2026 — up from prior posted rate)★ 7.2
Cypress Spring on Holmes Creek, Vernon, Florida
Panhandle

Cypress Springs

The clearest water in the Panhandle — reachable only by paddle.

Free EntryKayakingSnorkeling
Free (water access only)★ 7.9
Fanning Springs, a Florida spring
North Florida

Fanning Springs

An easy roadside Suwannee swim.

Family-FriendlySnorkelingSwimming
$6 / vehicle★ 7.6
Ponce de Leon Springs, a Florida spring
Panhandle

Ponce de Leon Springs

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

Family-FriendlyFree EntrySnorkeling
$4 / vehicle★ 7.7
Troy Spring, a Florida spring
North Florida

Troy Spring

Snorkeling over a sunken Civil War steamboat.

Scuba DivingSnorkelingSwimming
$5 / vehicle (verified)★ 7.7
Lafayette Blue Springs State Park, Lafayette County, Florida
North Florida

Lafayette Blue Springs

A natural limestone bridge over first-magnitude blue.

CampingFamily-FriendlySnorkeling
$5/vehicle (2–8 occupants), $4 single-occupant, $2 pedestrian/bike (FL State Parks, 2026)★ 7.5
Rainbow Springs, a Florida spring
Central Florida

Rainbow Springs

The easiest great spring day in Florida.

CampingFamily-FriendlyKayaking
$5/vehicle (2-8 people), $2 pedestrian/bike; tubing separate (verified)★ 8.6
Manatees in the clear water of the Weeki Wachee River
Gulf Coast

Weeki Wachee Springs

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

Family-FriendlyKayakingSwimming
$13 / adult★ 8.4