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The 20 best swimming holes within driving distance of Tampa

By on Fri, Jul 2, 2021 at 12:10 pm

Living in Florida has many advantages, and an essential one is access to our beautiful, freshwater springs. But not all springs are created equal, and not all springs allow swimming. So here are a few great options within driving distance of Tampa Bay.

Be sure to check the park’s website, or call ahead before you plan a day at the spring as many have updated rules and regulations.

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Ichetucknee Springs State Park 12087 SW U.S. Highway 27, Fort White, (386) 497-4690, starting at $6 per vehicle Known best for its warm weather tubing experience, the Ichetucknee River also offers canoeing, kayaking, fishing, wildlife viewing and eight major springs that join together to create the 6-mile river run. Although no camping is offered on site, River Run campground, Ichetucknee Family Canoe and Cabins, and Ichetucknee Springs campground. Photo via Ichetucknee State Park

Ichetucknee Springs State Park

12087 SW U.S. Highway 27, Fort White, (386) 497-4690, starting at $6 per vehicle
Known best for its warm weather tubing experience, the Ichetucknee River also offers canoeing, kayaking, fishing, wildlife viewing and eight major springs that join together to create the 6-mile river run. Although no camping is offered on site, River Run campground, Ichetucknee Family Canoe and Cabins, and Ichetucknee Springs campground.

Photo via Ichetucknee State Park
Juniper Springs Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 2 hours Juniper Springs is located between Ocala and Ormond Beach and is a great place for people looking to swim in its clear water. Amenities available to visitors include drinking water, picnic tables, parking, restrooms and on-site canoe rentals for $42. Admission into the spring will run $5.50 per person. Photo via State Park Website

Juniper Springs

Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 2 hours
Juniper Springs is located between Ocala and Ormond Beach and is a great place for people looking to swim in its clear water. Amenities available to visitors include drinking water, picnic tables, parking, restrooms and on-site canoe rentals for $42. Admission into the spring will run $5.50 per person.

Photo via State Park Website
Rainbow Springs State Park Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 1 hour and 30 minutes Rainbow Springs has a long history, but recent additions of manmade waterfalls and hills add to the grandeur of the spring. The clear, warm water makes it an ideal place to swim, snorkel and tube. Amenities available to guests include exhibits, shower stations, restrooms, laundry facilities, gardens and parking. The headspring is open from 8 a.m. to sunset every day; admission is $2 per persona and children under the age of 6 are granted free admission. Photo via Adobe Images

Rainbow Springs State Park

Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Rainbow Springs has a long history, but recent additions of manmade waterfalls and hills add to the grandeur of the spring. The clear, warm water makes it an ideal place to swim, snorkel and tube. Amenities available to guests include exhibits, shower stations, restrooms, laundry facilities, gardens and parking. The headspring is open from 8 a.m. to sunset every day; admission is $2 per persona and children under the age of 6 are granted free admission.

Photo via Adobe Images
Ichetucknee Springs State Park Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 2 hours and 30 minutes Ichetucknee Springs State Park is located on the Ichetucknee river and is a perfect place for people looking to swim, canoe, kayak, or observe the park’s wildlife such as beavers, otters, turtles, wild turkeys and ducks. Amenities available to visitors include shower stations, restrooms, nature trails, a pavilion, a playground and parking. A day at the spring costs $6, which is limited between two and eight people; a single person car costs 4$ for entry. The park is open everyday from 8 a.m. until sundown. Photo via State Park Website

Ichetucknee Springs State Park

Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Ichetucknee Springs State Park is located on the Ichetucknee river and is a perfect place for people looking to swim, canoe, kayak, or observe the park’s wildlife such as beavers, otters, turtles, wild turkeys and ducks. Amenities available to visitors include shower stations, restrooms, nature trails, a pavilion, a playground and parking. A day at the spring costs $6, which is limited between two and eight people; a single person car costs 4$ for entry. The park is open everyday from 8 a.m. until sundown.

Photo via State Park Website
Wekiwa Springs State Park Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 1 hour and 30 minutes Arrive early at Wekiwa Springs State Park if you are planning a visit because it is one of the best swimming springs near Orlando and it frequently reaches capacity, 150 cars, quickly during the summer months. Admission is $6 per vehicle, which can include up to eight people. Amenities at the park include restrooms, parking, playgrounds, pavilions and more. Right down the street is Wekiva Island, a private beach island with a bar and restaurant open to visitors. Photo via State Park Website

Wekiwa Springs State Park

Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Arrive early at Wekiwa Springs State Park if you are planning a visit because it is one of the best swimming springs near Orlando and it frequently reaches capacity, 150 cars, quickly during the summer months. Admission is $6 per vehicle, which can include up to eight people. Amenities at the park include restrooms, parking, playgrounds, pavilions and more. Right down the street is Wekiva Island, a private beach island with a bar and restaurant open to visitors.

Photo via State Park Website
Silver Glen Springs Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 2 hours and 15 minutes Silver Glen Springs is on the eastern end of the Ocala National Forest. Visitors can snorkel, rent a canoe ($16 for two hours) and swim in the clear waters of Silver Glen Springs. Amenities include picnic tables, drinking water, toilets and parking. The cost for day use is $6 per person and hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Photo via Adobe Images

Silver Glen Springs

Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 2 hours and 15 minutes
Silver Glen Springs is on the eastern end of the Ocala National Forest. Visitors can snorkel, rent a canoe ($16 for two hours) and swim in the clear waters of Silver Glen Springs. Amenities include picnic tables, drinking water, toilets and parking. The cost for day use is $6 per person and hours are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Photo via Adobe Images
Ginnie Springs Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 2 hours and 20 minutes Ginnie Springs is a privately owned park in Gilchrist County famous for its breathtaking swimming and snorkeling experience. Practically all water activities are permitted and highly regarded at the spring. If you do not have any of your own tubes, goggles, kayaks or paddle boards they are available for rent. Admission for adults start at $14 per day and the spring is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Photo via Adobe Images

Ginnie Springs

Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 2 hours and 20 minutes
Ginnie Springs is a privately owned park in Gilchrist County famous for its breathtaking swimming and snorkeling experience. Practically all water activities are permitted and highly regarded at the spring. If you do not have any of your own tubes, goggles, kayaks or paddle boards they are available for rent. Admission for adults start at $14 per day and the spring is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Photo via Adobe Images
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 1 hour Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is famous for its water park, mermaid shows and its natural springs. Weeki Wachee also features one of the deepest freshwater cave systems in the United States. Those wishing to swim in the clear water can enter at Buccaneer Bay or Rogers Park, which is free. Kayak and paddle boards are available for rent at nearly every main park entrance. Park hours are from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Photo via State Park Website

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 1 hour
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is famous for its water park, mermaid shows and its natural springs. Weeki Wachee also features one of the deepest freshwater cave systems in the United States. Those wishing to swim in the clear water can enter at Buccaneer Bay or Rogers Park, which is free. Kayak and paddle boards are available for rent at nearly every main park entrance. Park hours are from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Photo via State Park Website
Blue Spring State Park Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 2 hours Blue Spring State Park can be found along the St. Johns River. Wildlife that are common in the park include manatees, ospreys, eagles and kingfishers. Visitors often come to swim, but activities like snorkeling, paddling, kayaking, scuba diving and tubing are also common. Amenities available to guests include parking, restrooms, a playground, shower stations and a picnic pavilion. A single-occupant vehicle will cost $4 for admission, and the park is open from 8 a.m. to sundown every day. Photo via State Park Website

Blue Spring State Park

Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 2 hours
Blue Spring State Park can be found along the St. Johns River. Wildlife that are common in the park include manatees, ospreys, eagles and kingfishers. Visitors often come to swim, but activities like snorkeling, paddling, kayaking, scuba diving and tubing are also common. Amenities available to guests include parking, restrooms, a playground, shower stations and a picnic pavilion. A single-occupant vehicle will cost $4 for admission, and the park is open from 8 a.m. to sundown every day.

Photo via State Park Website
Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 2 hours and 30 minutes The Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park is the newest Florida State Park. But, in its short history the park has become known for its snorkeling, paddling and swimming features. Amenities include picnic pavilions, restrooms and concessions. The cost of admission starts at $4. Photo via State Park Website

Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park

Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 2 hours and 30 minutes
The Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park is the newest Florida State Park. But, in its short history the park has become known for its snorkeling, paddling and swimming features. Amenities include picnic pavilions, restrooms and concessions. The cost of admission starts at $4.

Photo via State Park Website
Lithia Springs Conservation Park Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 30 minutes Lithia Springs is well-known for its clear and cool water, which flows into the Alafia River. Amenities available to visitors include restrooms, showers, grills, walking trails and parking. Admission into the spring is $2 per car and swimming costs another $2 per person. Photo via Lithia Springs Park Facebook

Lithia Springs Conservation Park

Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 30 minutes
Lithia Springs is well-known for its clear and cool water, which flows into the Alafia River. Amenities available to visitors include restrooms, showers, grills, walking trails and parking. Admission into the spring is $2 per car and swimming costs another $2 per person.

Photo via Lithia Springs Park Facebook
Madison Blue State Park Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 3 hours This 150-foot spring that merges with the Withlacoochee River was rated the no. 1 swimming hole in the country by USA Today. Apart from its clear water and wildlife the park has amenities like restrooms, parking and picnic pavilions available to its guests. With deep caves, this spring is ideal for diving. Admission into the park starts at $4 per vehicle. Photo via State Park Website

Madison Blue State Park

Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 3 hours
This 150-foot spring that merges with the Withlacoochee River was rated the no. 1 swimming hole in the country by USA Today. Apart from its clear water and wildlife the park has amenities like restrooms, parking and picnic pavilions available to its guests. With deep caves, this spring is ideal for diving. Admission into the park starts at $4 per vehicle.

Photo via State Park Website
Manatee Springs State Park Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 2 hours and 30 minutes Manatee Springs State Park is one of Florida’s first-magnitude springs. As the name suggests manatee sightings are frequent. Amenities open to visitors include restrooms, shower stations, pavilions, picnic tables, campfire circles and more. The park is open from 8 a.m. to sundown everyday. Admission into the spring is $6, which is limited between two and eight people; a single person car costs 4$ for entry. Photo via State Park Website

Manatee Springs State Park

Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Manatee Springs State Park is one of Florida’s first-magnitude springs. As the name suggests manatee sightings are frequent. Amenities open to visitors include restrooms, shower stations, pavilions, picnic tables, campfire circles and more. The park is open from 8 a.m. to sundown everyday. Admission into the spring is $6, which is limited between two and eight people; a single person car costs 4$ for entry.

Photo via State Park Website
Salt Springs Recreation Area Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 2 hours and 30 minutes Salt Springs is located in the Ocala National Forest. The water of the spring has a slight salinity, hence the name. Amenities such as restrooms, picnic tables, toilets and drinking water, are available to guests. A day of swimming will cost $6.50 per person and there is a $10 parking fee. Photo via Ocala National Forrest Website

Salt Springs Recreation Area

Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Salt Springs is located in the Ocala National Forest. The water of the spring has a slight salinity, hence the name. Amenities such as restrooms, picnic tables, toilets and drinking water, are available to guests. A day of swimming will cost $6.50 per person and there is a $10 parking fee.

Photo via Ocala National Forrest Website
Kelly Park/Rock Springs Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 1 hour and 30 minutes Rock Springs is accessible from kayak, tube or canoe. As you enter the Kelly Park parking lot, which holds 280 vehicles, you can rent a kayak, canoe or paddle board starting at $3 per vehicle. Amenities on the park include playgrounds, concessions and picnic pavilions. The park is usually filled to capacity by mid-morning so make sure to arrive early. Photo via Adobe Images

Kelly Park/Rock Springs

Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Rock Springs is accessible from kayak, tube or canoe. As you enter the Kelly Park parking lot, which holds 280 vehicles, you can rent a kayak, canoe or paddle board starting at $3 per vehicle. Amenities on the park include playgrounds, concessions and picnic pavilions. The park is usually filled to capacity by mid-morning so make sure to arrive early.

Photo via Adobe Images
Three Sisters Spring State Park Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 1 hour and 30 minutes This famous Crystal River spring has limited accessibility due to erosion, but it is worth the trek. Those wishing to swim in the spring have a number of options for spring access: by boardwalk, by trolley, or by water. You can find exact addresses and parking information on its website. An adult ticket, for the summer season, starts at $12.50. Photo via Three Sisters Spring Website

Three Sisters Spring State Park

Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 1 hour and 30 minutes
This famous Crystal River spring has limited accessibility due to erosion, but it is worth the trek. Those wishing to swim in the spring have a number of options for spring access: by boardwalk, by trolley, or by water. You can find exact addresses and parking information on its website. An adult ticket, for the summer season, starts at $12.50.

Photo via Three Sisters Spring Website
Alexander Springs Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 2 hours and 30 minutes The clear, 72 degree water of Alexander Springs has made it one of Florida's easiest first-magnitude springs for visitors to enjoy. Amenities include picnic tables, toilets, parking and tent camping. The price of admission is $6 per person and canoe rentals start at $16 for two hours. Photo via Visit Florida

Alexander Springs

Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 2 hours and 30 minutes
The clear, 72 degree water of Alexander Springs has made it one of Florida's easiest first-magnitude springs for visitors to enjoy. Amenities include picnic tables, toilets, parking and tent camping. The price of admission is $6 per person and canoe rentals start at $16 for two hours.

Photo via Visit Florida
Fanning Springs Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 2 hours and 30 minutes Fanning Springs State Park is located along the Suwannee River and is a great place to swim and observe wildlife like turtles, bass, flounders and manatees. Amenities offered by the park include restrooms, shower stations, grills, kayak launches and parking. The park is open from 8 a.m. until sundown year round and admission into the park $6 per vehicle, which can include up to eight people. Photo via Adobe Images

Fanning Springs

Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Fanning Springs State Park is located along the Suwannee River and is a great place to swim and observe wildlife like turtles, bass, flounders and manatees. Amenities offered by the park include restrooms, shower stations, grills, kayak launches and parking. The park is open from 8 a.m. until sundown year round and admission into the park $6 per vehicle, which can include up to eight people.

Photo via Adobe Images
Wes Skiles Peacock Springs Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 3 hours Wes Skiles Peacock Springs is famous for its two pristine springs and for having the longest underwater cave system in the continental United States. But to access this cave, you must show proof of scuba certification. Common experiences include diving, snorkeling, picnicking and wildlife viewing. Amenities at the park include a nature trail, restrooms, a picnic pavilion and parking. The park is open from 8 a.m. until sundown and admission is $4 per vehicle. Photo via Adobe Images

Wes Skiles Peacock Springs

Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 3 hours
Wes Skiles Peacock Springs is famous for its two pristine springs and for having the longest underwater cave system in the continental United States. But to access this cave, you must show proof of scuba certification. Common experiences include diving, snorkeling, picnicking and wildlife viewing. Amenities at the park include a nature trail, restrooms, a picnic pavilion and parking. The park is open from 8 a.m. until sundown and admission is $4 per vehicle.

Photo via Adobe Images
Seven Sisters Spring Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 1 hour Seven Sisters Spring is located on the Chaz, Chassahowitzka River. For access to the spring, rent a kayak and paddle 5 for five minutes. The spring is certainly worth the journey. Wildlife abound, but the manatees will certainly catch your eye as you take in the springs clear water. Kayak rentals at the local campground start at $25 per day and parking is free. Photo via Adobe Images

Seven Sisters Spring

Estimated Drive Time from Tampa: 1 hour
Seven Sisters Spring is located on the Chaz, Chassahowitzka River. For access to the spring, rent a kayak and paddle 5 for five minutes. The spring is certainly worth the journey. Wildlife abound, but the manatees will certainly catch your eye as you take in the springs clear water. Kayak rentals at the local campground start at $25 per day and parking is free.

Photo via Adobe Images
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