1. Juniper Springs Recreation Area
In Ocala National Forest, Juniper Springs is a mixture of natural beauty and 20th-century American history. The Great Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps sealed off part of the springs in the 1930s and built trails, stone-ringed swimming holes and in general, a space where humans’ footprint is slightly noticeable, but not to the point that nature is overshadowed.
Juniper Run offers fun canoeing under a dense canopy of trees, the tight waterway opening out into more expansive wetlands towards the end. The Florida Trail runs through the area and for families with younger kids who might not want that much of an ambitious hike, the Juniper Run Nature Train checks in at just less than a mile. It’s also worth a stop in the Old Mill House to learn about the history of the Civilian Conservation Corps’ work, and how the mill used to power the campground.
The Juniper Springs Campground is basic, as you might expect – it can accommodate RVs, trailers and tents, but there are no electric, sewer or water hookups. (There are facilities at the campground.) Other accommodations are easy to find in the communities ringing the national forest; it’s also an easy day trip from the Daytona Beach or Orlando areas.
For more information, please visit recreation.gov.
2. Ichetucknee Springs State Park
Nine springs feed into the Ichetucknee River, giving it a turquoise hue and a clarity that’s uncommon for inland Florida bodies of water. Tubing, canoeing and kayaking are all popular along the six-mile river that the state park is based around and that flows into the larger Santa Fe. The park runs tram service from the park’s south entrance, where you can rent your preferred water transports from a general store that also sells supplies and offers a café. Cave and cavern-certified scuba divers can also dive the springs’ Blue Hole cave system.
Just north of the state park, the Ichetucknee Springs Campground is a private RV park that also offers tent camping, while Moonshine Acres in nearby Fort White offers RV camping only. South of the river on the banks of the Santa Fe, Bowman’s River Landing offers cabins and tent camping. Hotels are found mostly in the nearest large town, Alachua – and you’re also less than an hour northwest of Gainesville if you want to follow your day of tubing with an evening out and some college-town nightlife.
For more information, please visit ichetuckneesprings.com.
3. Weeki Wachee
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is probably most famous for being the place where the State of Florida employs mermaids. Long story short, the springs mermaid shows have been running since the 1940s, first as a private enterprise and then, when the state created the state park, as what we can assume is the country’s only public mermaid organization. And while the show is absolutely worth a watch, there’s so much to do at this west coast park.
You can kayak the 12 miles of the Weeki Wachee River in about four hours. Shorter tubing and floating options are available in and around Buccaneer Bay in the state park. The bay’s a mixture of nature and water park, with a family-friendly beach complete with water slides. The entire vibe of Weeki Wachee is largely one of both Floridas – a bit more tourist attraction than your typical beach or springs, but still more natural Florida and nature-led fun than you’ll get at the big attractions to the east.
Accommodations are plentiful in the largely rural area north of Tampa.
For more information, please visit recreation.gov.
