Discover the best hot springs in Florida!
Florida is such a popular holiday destination that the list of attractions and activities available there could go on forever.
Disney World, the Everglades, and beaches aside, today we want to introduce you to another gem in Florida’s crown: hot springs, or rather warm springs.
The state plays host to over 700 springs. While some of these are cold, the warm springs have water temperatures of 68-74 F, which makes them pleasant to use all year round. Known for their crystal blue waters, most of these warm springs are surrounded by the natural tropical landscape. Most of them have been left in their natural condition with minimal amenities built around them.
Most of Florida’s warm springs are part of a State Park, so visitors need to follow their rules when swimming in the pools. Many springs will have camping facilities on-site or nearby if you want to make this a multiple-day experience.
In this guide, we are going to explore some of the stunning natural hot springs that can be found in Florida and give you a complete list of every hot spring in the state.
5 of the Best Hot Springs in Florida
Now, you may be thinking, why would you want to soak in a hot spring in Florida? Well, it’s all about the natural mineral water, which is said to have healing properties. They are also incredibly relaxing, like soaking in a natural hot tub.
The natural springs are not, in fact, true hot springs but are instead considered to be warm springs. Their moderate heat levels mean you can visit most of these hot springs all year round.
There are so many great hot springs in Florida that you’ll be spoiled for choice, but we have put together a sample of just what the state has to offer.
Here are our five favorite Florida hot springs:
Alexander Springs Recreational Area
Located in the stunning Ocala National Forest is one of Florida’s most famous swimming areas, Alexander Springs.
This warm spring is one of Florida’s first-magnitude springs, which means that it expels over 1000 cubic feet of water per second. The waters are perfectly crystal clear and full of wildlife like aquatic plants, fish and even alligators!
The warm spring pool is 300ft wide and 28ft deep, so the sandy basin is perfect for swimming as well as snorkeling. Other activities around the warm spring include free diving, paddling, and canoeing.
Camping facilities are available on-site if you want to spend a few days basking in the healing warm mineral spring.
The warm springs can be found along the Florida National Scenic Trail and feeds into Alexander Creek.
Devil’s Den Prehistoric Spring
The Devil’s Den is like no other warm spring you’ve seen before.
Formed out of limestone over millions of years, the Devil’s Den is a series of underwater caves filled with a warm mineral spring that bubbles up from below. Initially, you could only view this hot spring through a small sinkhole, but that has been enlarged into a karst window as the spot has become more popular. The light from this hole perfectly lights up the small cave and the azure pool that fills the bottom of it.
The cave itself is relatively small, but the caves beneath are 54ft deep, so there is a lot to explore. A set of steps have been built to make accessing the spring easy.
This warm spring is not open for swimming, so you can only access it if you are snorkeling or scuba diving. Anyone wanting to scuba dive must be open-water certified. Since it opened in the 90s, divers have found many fossils in the caves, hence its prehistoric name.
There are tent and RV camping spots available, as well as a few four and six-sleeper cabins to rent on-site.
Gilchrist Blue Springs Park
Situated within Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park, the Gilchrist Blue Spring is a stunning turquoise oasis of relaxation in north Florida.
The crystal clear pool sits within a gorgeous forested landscape and runs down to the Santa Fe river. Its beauty is breathtaking, and its mineral water is warm and comforting; it’s no wonder this spot has become one of the most popular natural Florida hot springs.
The warm springs pool has a 20ft vent, but there is ample shoreline with shallower waters for you to soak and swim in. Its depth means that it is ideal for snorkeling, where you may encounter some fish and turtle friends.
Apart from snorkeling, paddling, hiking trails, and picnicking are available beside the warm spring. For overnight stays, there is a tent and RV camping area.
Madison Blue Springs Park
As you arrive at Madison Blue Springs, the first thing that hits you is the warm spring pool’s stunning beauty. Although this first-magnitude spring is 82ft wide and 25ft deep, you can see almost every inch of it down to the deepest point because of how incredibly clear the water is.
Located on the banks of the Withlacoochee River in north Florida, the hot spring is surrounded by woodland, which makes the spring feel like a secret gem hidden within the landscape. A series of wooden staircases lead you directly into the hot spring that is open all year round for swimmers, snorkelers, and scuba divers.
Anyone wanting to explore the caves should be open-water certified in scuba diving.
Any visitors should note that this warm spring gets very busy on the weekends or holidays, and the park will close once it reaches capacity.
There is no camping available on-site, but there are camping grounds nearby in Madison or in the Twin Rivers State Forest.
Three Sisters Springs
One of the major draws that brings tourists to Florida is the manatees that spend their time wintering there. If that’s the experience you are after, then look no further than the Three Sisters Springs.
Located on the Crystal River, which is aptly named, Three Sisters Springs, is made up of three natural springs that are either viewable from the wooden walkways or accessed by water.
Due to the erosion on the banks, there is no land access to the pools for swimmers, so you will need to reach the springs by kayak or motor boat. However, no motorboats are allowed into the springs themselves to protect the manatees.
Although the springs are open to swimmers all year round, the manatees will only be there between November and March. Remember to be gentle when you are swimming with the them and treat them with the respect they deserve. Socializing with these incredible creatures in this gorgeous tropical setting is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
It is worth noting that, as well as manatees, there may be alligators and venomous snakes in the spring, so use them at your own risk.
There are no accommodations next to the springs, but camping areas are available at the nearby Crystal Isles RV resort.
Full List of Florida Hot Springs
As you can see, Florida springs really have a lot to offer.
You will notice that many of these hot springs have ‘blue’ in their name. This is down to the stunning shade of blue that these pools have that makes them all look like something out of a fancy holiday brochure. That is one of the factors that make springs in Florida a must-visit.
Here is a comprehensive list of the all the Florida hot springs:
| Hot Spring | Location in Florida | Developed or Primitive |
| Alexander Springs Recreation Area | Altoona | Primitive |
| Blue Spring Park | Orange City | Primitive (only available for soaking in spring) |
| Cypress Springs | Vernon | Primitive |
| Devil’s Den Prehistoric Spring | Williston | Primitive |
| Edward Ball Wakulla Springs Park | Crawfordville | Primitive |
| Fanning Springs Park | Gainesville | Semi developed |
| Gilchrist Blue Springs Park | High Springs | Semi developed |
| Ginnie Springs Outdoors | High Springs | Primitive |
| Green Cove Springs Pool | Northeast Florida | Developed |
| Ichetucknee Springs Park | Fort White | Primitive |
| Jackson Blue Springs Recreational Centre | Marianna | Semi developed |
| Juniper Springs Recreational Centre | Silver Springs | Developed |
| Kelly Park Rock Springs | Apopka | Primitive |
| Lithia Springs Conservation Park | Lithia | Semi developed |
| Madison Blue Springs Park | Lee | Primitive |
| Merritt’s Mill Pond | Marianna | Primitive |
| Morrison Springs Park | Ponce de Leon | Primitive |
| Pitt and Sylvan Springs | Youngstown | Primitive |
| Ponce de Leon Springs Park | Northwest Florida | Primitive |
| Rainbow Springs State Park | Dunnellon | Primitive |
| Three Sisters Springs | Crystal River | Primitive |
| Vortex Spring | Ponce de Leon | Developed |
| Warm Mineral Springs Park | North Port | Semi developed |
| Weeki Wachee Springs Park | Spring Hil | Developed |
| Wekiwa Springs Park | Apopka | Semi developed |
| Blue Hole Spring | Ichetucknee Springs Park, | Semi developed |
Types of Hot Springs in Florida
As with most areas, Florida hot springs are divided into two groups: primitive and developed.
Primitive Hot Springs
Primitive hot springs in Florida are on another level. The crystal clear water and the gorgeous wild scenery make them into an idyllic little oasis in this tropical state.
Florida is known for its natural wildlife, and that is no different in the warm mineral springs.
Certain Florida hot springs, like Blue Spring Park, have become a sanctuary where over 500 manatees during the winter. For this reason, soaking is only limited to the Spring and only in particular circumstances.
One creature you may need to keep an eye out for is alligators. These feisty predators can easily make their way into primitive hot springs, so it’s very important to check whether that may be a possibility when visiting a primitive hot spring.
Developed Hot Springs
When it comes to developed hot springs in Florida, surprisingly, it doesn’t have any luxury hot spring resorts.
The springs that we have indicated as semi-developed will have walkways and other simple amenities built around them to aid access, but other than that, natural Florida springs have been left as just that, natural.
Most of these hot springs cost a low fee per person to enter and have camping and, occasionally, cabins to stay in overnight.
The next time you take a sunny trip to Florida, make sure to consult this guide, so you know where to go to experience the best of Florida hot springs.