Geologists have identified more than 700 springs scattered across Florida, representing the largest concentration of freshwater springs in the world. The Sunshine State's multitude of natural springs offers visitors a refreshing, low-cost vacation alternative to the state's crowded and costly mega-theme parks.

Springs bubble up in particular density across a swath of Central Florida, where many of the 15 state parks named for springs are located. We'll visit a select half-dozen of them later in this article.

The origin of these springs is no mystery. Florida is underlain by a porous crust of limestone, defined in the lingo of geologists as karst topography.

Rainwater enters the rock and slowly works its way through the limestone. In the process, it forms an underwater drainage system that through the ages formed the great Florida Aquifer the source of most of the state's freshwater supply — and the water that feeds the springs. Rising from near the porous surface, the springs exhibit a warm and constant temperature, usually 72-74 degrees.

Archaeological evidence indicates that people have been attracted to the springs for thousands of years, with native Floridians finding them an ideal source of food and water. Later, explorers were drawn to the intriguing discharges of fresh water, including the Spanish conquistador Ponce de Leon, who scoured the region in his legendary search for the Fountain of Youth. Some springs came to be valued for their therapeutic qualities, and people flocked to them in droves during the late 1800s and early 1900s to drink from and soak in the "medicinal waters."

While today's mass of theme park-oriented visitors might never imagine it, Florida's springs were once the state's primary visitor attractions.

"Well before the advent of Disney World and other parks from the 1930s well into the '70s springs such as Silver, Rainbow, Homosassa and Weeki Wachee were the main magnets of Florida tourism," notes Martha Robinson, Communications Manager for Florida State Parks.

During their heyday, the springs Robinson mentions were operated as privately-owned attractions, boasting entertainment, rides, ornamental gardens and wildlife exhibits. All have since been purchased by the state, which is committed to returning them to a more natural condition, emphasizing nature over rides and other attractions.

Florida springs continue to attract people with their unique natural beauty and recreational benefits. Swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, canoeing, kayaking, hiking and wildlife viewing are typical of the recreational pursuits available at most springs.

So let's spring into action here, taking a look at six springs all in close proximity to Orlando that represent the best of Florida's amazing array of natural attractions.

1. De Leon Springs State Park

An old mill is home to a restaurant where folks line up each morning to grill pancakes, made from freshly stone-ground flour, right at their tables.


This little gem of a park is located well off the beaten path six miles north of DeLand, where you can kick off a visit by cooking up your own pancake breakfast.

Folklore has it that Ponce de Leon discovered the Fountain of Youth here, but there's no solid proof to support the legend. One reality is that native Floridians resided around the park's spring for thousands of years as evidenced by a 6,000-year-old dugout canoe unearthed at the site. Local planters built a sugar mill beside the spring in 1830. It was torched by Union troops during the Civil War and later rebuilt.

By the 1880s, the spring had become a winter resort, luring tourists with the promise of rejuvenation. In the 1950s, it was further developed as an attraction, adding gardens, a jungle cruise and water circus. Its fortunes faded with the advent of Disney World, and the state acquired the property in 1982, redeveloping it as a state park.

Today, the old mill is home to a restaurant where folks line up each morning to grill pancakes, made from freshly stone-ground flour, right at their tables.

Once satiated, visitors can undertake a variety of activities. Many go for a swim in the tranquil spring, which discharges more than 15 million gallons of water a day at a constant year-round 72 degrees. Others stride out on the park's network of hiking trails or canoe, kayak or paddleboard along the spring run, known as Spring Garden Creek.

2. Blue Spring State Park

Blue Spring reaches its peak in popularity from November to March when several hundred manatees crowd the spring.


This huge spring discharges about 100 million gallons of water daily into the nearby St. Johns River, just west of Orange City and about 32 miles north of Orlando.

A year-round favorite among residents and visitors alike, Blue Spring reaches its peak in popularity from November to March when several hundred manatees crowd the spring run seeking the warmth of its constant 73-degree water. The lazy but loveable "sea cows" are easily viewed from a boardwalk bordering the spring.

Boats (nonmotorized) are OK when manatees are in residence, but since the spring is a certified refuge for the endangered creatures, swimming, snorkeling and diving are not permitted. During the remainder of the year, the springs are open to swimmers, snorkelers, divers, boaters, hikers and fishermen. Park amenities include canoe and kayak rentals, a snack bar, picnic area and a campground with RV sites and six cabins.

3. Silver Springs State Park

The iconic glass bottom boats still serve their mission as the easiest means of exploring the park's natural environs.


Formerly Silver Springs Nature Theme Park, Florida's first tourist attraction opened in 1878. Situated on the eastern fringes of Ocala, Silver Springs entertained generations of visitors with spectacles ranging from a reptile show and a giraffe exhibit to jungle cruises, gondola rides, Jeep safaris and its world-famous glass-bottom boat rides.

The spring and its pristine run the 4.5-mile-long Silver River have served as the setting for countless movies, including six Tarzan films.

While most of the rides and man-made attractions have been disbanded, the iconic glass bottom boats remain. They still serve their mission as the easiest means of exploring the park's natural environs. The overall focus at Silver Springs, however, is on the park's many recreational activities canoeing, kayaking, hiking, bicycling, camping and wildlife viewing.

4. Rainbow Springs State Park

The glassy crystal-clear water of Rainbow Springs is flanked by forests and fringed by marsh grass — as if lifted from the canvas of a landscape painter.


Located three miles north of Dunnellon, this park has gained the prestigious designation of a National Natural Landmark. Such recognition seems justified when viewing the headspring from a lofty overlook near the park entrance. It is an exquisite scene the glassy crystal-clear water flanked by forests and fringed by marsh grass as if lifted from the canvas of a landscape painter.

Rainbow's beauty attracted early developers, who dredged the spring run for glass-bottom boats, built waterfalls, planted ornamental gardens and tacked on a zoo and a monorail.

Here, too, newer theme parks lured away the tourists and the park closed, reopening in the mid-1990s as a state park. The gardens and waterfalls were maintained as a reminder of the park's cultural heritage, but the monorail was replaced in favor of nature trails that meander through the gardens and hilly forests surrounding the spring.

Picnicking is one of the park's most popular pastimes, aided by a number of covered pavilions nicely equipped for grilling. Most visitors, however, come to Rainbow to recreate in the refreshing headspring and beyond on the Rainbow River, pursuing such activities as swimming, snorkeling, canoeing, kayaking, tubing and fishing. The park also features a full-service campground with 60 sites for both RVs and tents.

5. Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

Homosassa is devoted entirely to wildlife. Most of the park's animals and birds are Florida natives that can be observed at close range in relatively natural settings.


Located in the west-central Florida community of Homosassa Springs, this park is named in memory of the late environmentalist and park benefactor Ellie Schiller.

Although its centerpiece is a voluminous spring producing millions of gallons of water a day, Homosassa is devoted entirely to wildlife. Most of the park's animals and birds are Florida natives that can be observed at close range in relatively natural settings.

A narrated jungle cruise along Pepper Creek leads to the zoological heart of the park. A network of trails and boardwalks circulates among exhibits featuring black bears, Florida panthers, cougars, red wolves, key deer and a wide variety of birds and reptiles. Most attention here, however, focuses on the park's resident manatees that can be observed year-round from a floating observatory.

6. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park


Near Spring Hill, Weeki Wachee is world famous for its mermaid show that has been delighting visitors since 1947. It is the one attraction-based spring that has withstood the challenge of Disney World and subsequent mega-theme parks to survive in today's highly competitive tourism market.

Park facilities nestle around a mighty spring that discharges an average of 112 million gallons a day. More notable than its magnitude is the spring's 400-plus-foot depth, making it the nation's deepest naturally formed spring.

For all the grandeur of its spring, it is the mermaids who continue to steal the show at Weeki Wachee. They perform several times daily before the large glass windows of a 400-seat theater embedded in limestone 16 feet beneath the surface of the spring.

Animal shows are part of the entertainment mix, featuring handlers who display and discuss a variety of domesticated birds and reptiles demonstrations that are informative though not terribly exciting.

There is, however, plenty of excitement in store for youngsters and the young at heart on the high-speed body slides and flume rides at Buccaneer Bay, Florida's only spring-fed water park. The Bay, open March through October, also features a tube ride, an area for swimming and snorkeling, and some white sand beaches.

Visitors can join a riverboat ride along a seven-mile run of the Weeki Wachee River, and paddlers can ply the same stretch of river utilizing canoes and kayaks rented from the park concessionaire.

For more information, operating hours and admission fees for all parks, go to www.floridastateparks.org.