Florida isn’t just beaches and theme parks. In fact, it’s a fairly wild place that’s full of wildlife refuges, dense marshland and 900 freshwater springs.
Many of these springs are surrounded by lush tropics or forest, making the surrounding areas great for trail walking when you aren’t enjoying a cold dip or kayaking your way through the waters. Some Florida springs also run into larger rivers, making a visit worthy of a weekend trip or longer. After all, you’ll want to explore the abundant Florida wildlife — think manatees swimming, gators or turtles sunbathing and an assortment of birds.
Here are 15 springs in Florida that offer a magical experience away from the touristy beaches for which the state is known.
