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25 stunning Florida springs and waterfalls within driving distance of Orlando

By Orlando Weekly Staff on Fri, Feb 24, 2017 at 6:58 pm

It's not hard to see why early Spanish explorers thought Florida would be the home of the mythical Fountain of Youth – our springs are unlike anything else in the world. Luckily, many of these unique watering holes are just a gas tank away from Orlando and offer beautiful scenic views and crystal clear blue waters.

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Rock Springs Run

30601 County Road 433, Sorrento, FL 32776; 39 minutes from Orlando
Even though this spring isn’t completely swimmer-friendly (visitors can’t dip into the Wekiwa side of things), you shouldn’t write this one off. Enjoy the unique experience of only being able to reach the primitive campgrounds by canoe, and take part in the hunting season from September to January.

Photo via ssmonarch/Instagram

Salt Springs

13851 N. SR 19, Salt Springs, FL 32134; 1 hour, 33 minutes from Orlando
In case the name didn’t clue you in, you’ll want to keep your mouth and eyes closed as you swim through this unusually salty spring. If you don’t want to risk it, canoe your way through the waters or take a hike on the park’s trails instead. Fishing is a-okay as long as you stay away from the swimming areas and have a Florida Freshwater Fishing License.

Photo via aflowfilms/Instagram

Hart Springs

4240 SW 86th Ave, Bell, FL 32619; 2 hours, 17 minutes from Orlando
With one of the largest swimming facilities in the area and water that stays 72 degrees year-round, Hart Springs in the perfect place to take a dip on a scorching Florida day. Bring a tube or raft and work on your tan as you soak in the sun or grab a snorkel and explore the spring bottom for unique shells. Swimmers have even found arrowheads hidden between the rocks.

Photo via Hart Springs/Facebook

Suwannee Springs

3243 91st Dr, Live Oak, FL 32060; 2 hours, 30 minutes from Orlando
This historic park is composed of six springs clustered in a sandy hundred-foot stretch at the base of the Suwannee River. The main spring is surrounded by the walls of a late 1800s bath house made out of limestone rock. Unfortunately sand is building up in the pool and tree roots are growing into the walls, so this hundred-year-old testament to Florida’s rich past could soon disappear; Enjoy it while it lasts.

Photo via thndrbuni/Instagram

Homosassa Springs

4150 S Suncoast Blvd, Homosassa, FL 34446; 1 hour, 34 minutesfrom Orlando
Unless you want to get in trouble with the fuzz, you might not want to touch the West Indian manatee aggregations, but you can definitely gaze at them as they come through the springs. Check them out either aboveground or through the underwater observatory.

Photo via whosforreal/Instagram