Florida Springs News Archive

Apr 23, 2020 - Fern Hammock Springs is a hidden gem is less than 2 hours outside of JAX. This second-magnitude spring and is one of the most picturesque spots in St. Johns River Water Management District.

Apr 17, 2020 - From the moment we read you could consume a beer or two while floating down the lazy river we were sold ' Ginnie Springs Tubing in Florida had officially made it on our Florida bucket list!

Apr 1, 2020 - Juniper Springs was a perfect place for us to go for a sunny afternoon together. With a relatively short drive to the Silver Springs area, about an hour and a half north of Orlando, we packed a lunch and hit the road.

Sep 1, 2019 - Along Ecofina Creek in Washington and Bay counties there are 11 springs or spring groups comprised of 39 individual vents, most of them within a mile of State Road 20 (Hwy 20).

Jul 10, 2019 - We are almost three weeks into the Summer season, so don't think it's too late to plan a trip to one Floridas amazing springs and cool off from the heat! The springs are a perfect vacation to take your friends or family to as most of the parks offer Kayaking, Canoeing, Stand-up Paddle boards, Tubes, Wildlife, & Nature Trails.

May 8, 2019 - There's a place in Florida where the water is always 72 degrees. Not kidding. And this slice of heaven is all you need when the state tries to kill you with its toaster temperatures. Natural springs are some of the most beautiful sights you'll ever see, and they're all over Florida.

May 1, 2019 - Crystal River and Homosassa are home to an abundance of family-friendly activities that will help everyone disconnect from technology in favor of outdoors adventures

Apr 22, 2019 - Rock Springs at Kelly Park is one of our favorite places for tubing, kayaking, and camping in Florida. This beautiful Spring, located in Apopka, is like a natural lazy river that's crystal clear year round. It's the perfect summer day trip in Central Florida.

Mar 29, 2019 - The plan was to kayak twelve miles of the Santa Fe River today. In order to do that, there was some strategy involved because the current is too strong to paddle back and we didn't want to pay to rent equipment when we already have our own.

Mar 28, 2019 - I had very little idea what to expect from Rock Springs run, and you know what? Sometimes having no expectations is the best way, since it leaves plenty of room to be pleasantly surprised. And surprised we were. Rock Springs is hard to beat when it comes to natural unspoiled beauty.

Mar 10, 2019 - Just south of Ponce De Leon, the 161-acre park is well known in the area, and popular with divers and nature enthusiasts across the south. Cypress trees abound around the spring with their crisp, bright green needles defining the landscape.

Mar 3, 2019 - As part of Florida's statewide system of Greenways and Trails, Holmes Creek flows through a variety of diverse habitats. The upper and lower portions pass high sandy banks while the majority of the tail is through low-lying swamplands.

Feb 11, 2019 - There's several things that make experiencing another trip around the sun happy and more palatable. For myself, one of those things is being underwater in the manatee's world. It has become a tradition for me to express my appreciation to the manatees.

Feb 10, 2019 - During my six weeks in Florida, I only scratched the surface of all the wonderful springs the state has to offer, but I thought I would share some of my favorites with you here.

Feb 8, 2019 - I woke up early enough to catch the sun coming up through the mist rising off of Salt Springs. I shared the view with this Blue Heron who stood on one leg watching me over his shoulder.

Jan 29, 2019 - This is the time of year when Floridians, snowbirds, and visitors alike head to the warmer waters of springs and electric plants and even nuclear plant complexes to watch our favorite manatees.

Jan 28, 2019 - Weather's been cool and rainy during our three day visit, but we got a nice kayak paddle in. This area of Florida is full of natural springs. Warm but not hot at a consistent water temperature of 72.

Jan 13, 2019 - Who needs Disney World when you can see and swim with wild manatees in their natural habitat? From November through February, manatees come to Florida by the thousands seeking the warmer water of Florida's natural springs.

Jan 9, 2019 - Starting January 1, people launching into the river from the park's dock can only bring reusable containers or bottles with them. Several signs reading "only non-disposable items allowed on the river" have been posted throughout the parking lot and park entrance.

Jan 2, 2019 - We've lost track at how many times we've spent visiting Florida to escape the cold. It has usually been along the Gulf or Atlantic beaches or one of the Orlando parks. But over the past few years, we've 'discovered' the beautiful and unique springs of Florida.

Dec 30, 2018 - The new institute would house a series of displays describing Florida's rich springs diversity, including their hydrology, chemistry, biology and cultural resources

Dec 13, 2018 - The EPA's own figures show the rollback of Obama-era regulations will leave 51 percent of the nation's wetlands unprotected. Florida has 12 million acres of wetlands, more than all but one other state

Dec 11, 2018 - The Suwannee River Water Management District (District) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) are partnering to restore the natural spring run and ecology of Bell Springs in Columbia County.

Nov 27, 2018 - The rural areas near Branford, Florida have many wonderful springs. I know that many people have heard of Ginnie Springs as it is a very popular spring and is known well even down here in central Florida.

Nov 25, 2018 - Royal Springs Park is one of many different parks featuring a spring in North Florida. This is a county park officially known as 'Hugh Bryon Hollingsworth, Sr.' park - free to all who come to visit.

Nov 15, 2018 - We were lucky enough to secure a full week reservation at Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park in High Springs, about 30 minutes west of Gainesville.

Oct 30, 2018 - Big changes are coming to the Weeki Wachee River. The state park has cut back on the number of kayakers allowed on the river each day in an effort to reduce the amount of garbage those kayakers leave behind.

Oct 10, 2018 - North Florida is home to a vast underground plumbing system known as the Floridan Aquifer. Comprising more than 100,000 square miles and several thousand feet in thickness, the Floridan Aquifer is like a gigantic, rock-filled bucket.

Oct 4, 2018 - Last weekend Jason and Emma set off to explore Sylvan and Cypress Springs. As usual, they captured their adventure in video and photography.

Sep 1, 2018 - Plans for cleaning up springs systems in Volusia County and the rest of Florida have been pushed back until after the first of the year. The action plans, ordered by a state Legislature mandate in 2016, were supposed to be final by July 1 this year

Aug 26, 2018 - Blue Springs in Orange City. The surrounding waters are popular for swimming, free diving and floating away on inter-tubes during warmer weather. You may see gators basking in the sunlight and other indigenous aquatic life moving around the waterline.

Aug 17, 2018 - After our paddle on the Juniper Run, we had nothing else on the agenda so we opted to hang out at the Juniper Springs pool itself and take a walk over to its sister spring, Fern Hammock springs.

Aug 16, 2018 - Tampa is justifiably famous for its bay access to the beaches and turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Less known, except to locals, are the many rivers, streams and springs that flow in and around Tampa. I

Aug 9, 2018 - Florida springs and aquifer at risk warns top environmentalist. This year the environment is emerging as a top issue in both the primary and the general election.

Aug 9, 2018 - The gently sloped crystal-clear swimming area is perfect for kids to play and swim. The water is a constant 72°F and incredibly clear. Surrounded by a floodplain forest of maples, sweetgum and cabbage palms, this recreation area feels almost tropical.

Aug 3, 2018 - Unsustainable aquifer use through the over-pumping of wells and springs reduces fresh groundwater volumes and allows for the intrusion of seawater.

Jul 19, 2018 - Florida is well known for its beaches and outdoor nature activities. Tucked away from the coastal lines exists a private natural spring park called Ginnie Springs just six miles outside the city of High Springs, Florida. This hidden gem is located along the Santa Fe River and highlights Florida's northern central nature scene.

Jul 18, 2018 - Visit the new Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park and, if you can get in, you will see what your neighbors do to tolerate the summer heat. They spend the day in the springs.

Jul 18, 2018 - With toxic algae blooms now erupting all over Florida ' from the St. Johns River to Lake Okeechobee as well as on both coasts ' scientists are pointing a finger at one likely fuel source: pollution from leaking septic tanks.

Jul 17, 2018 - You shouldn't be surprised that I would make sure and visit any National Forest if I am near one. In Florida, this is the Ocala National Forest.

Jul 3, 2018 - A friend called and said her nephew who was visiting for the holiday was anxious to try kayaking and she asked where could we go for a short kayak trip with spring for swimming that would not be totally inundated with people on the day before the Fourth of July

Jul 1, 2018 - Tucked away in an off-the-beaten-trail corner of Orange County is a gorgeous Florida gem called Rock Springs. Not that it is a sleepy place... the locals know and love it well, with hundreds of tubers floating the run on any pretty weekend.

Jun 30, 2018 - Decided to welcome summer by adventuring to some of Florida's natural springs.

Jun 21, 2018 - A friend called and said she was in need of a short, relaxing trip on cool water. She suggested the Santa Fe. She enjoyed playing with her new SUP and I was hunting up what little wildlife there is to see along the Santa Fe in hopes of getting some good photos with my new camera.

Jun 21, 2018 - This beautiful spring is named for Juan Ponce de León, who led the first Spanish expedition to Florida in 1513 in search of the "fountain of youth."

Jun 13, 2018 - Today I led my monthly Florida Trail Association Wednesday paddle on the Suwannee River. 14 paddlers showed up to play on one of my favorite sections of the Suwannee featuring several named springs.

Jun 5, 2018 - The Florida springs are awesome! They are especially a great place to spend time during the summer. Hot and humid summer Florida summer days are made pleasant within seconds of dipping into one of the Florida Springs.

May 21, 2018 - Since 2002 or so, we've joined dozens of friends and family members at Ginnie Springs for our annual Mother's Day small-cation to the woods. It's probably the most highly anticipated event outside of Christmas for our crew.

May 9, 2018 - We met up at K.P. Hole County park , unloaded the kayaks, then drove all the cars down to CR 484 to the Blue Run boat ramp and all the drivers rode back in two cars to K.P Hole County Park to launch. ($5 admission /launch fee).

Apr 18, 2018 - Usually on Juniper Creek, with it's swift current, many twists and turns and obstacles, and hordes of people, I only have time for a grab shot every now and then. My wish for this trip was to take our time so I could get a few more pictures than normal.