Florida

Description

The presence of potassium, magnesium and sodium salts give the waters in the spring a slight salinity. Hence the name Salt Springs. In the early 1900s, many people came to the spring, believing it had medicinal healing powers. Today’s visitors will find Salt Springs gushes forth 52 million gallons of water daily at a constant 74° Fahrenheit. The presence of potassium, magnesium and sodium salts give the waters in the spring a slight salinity. Hence the name Salt Springs. There are several boils, native americans believed each one held different healing properties.

Additional info: http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/florida/ocala/attractions/saltSpringsRecArea.php

Nearest Address

CR 314 and Hwy 19

Directions from Nearest Address

From I-75 at Ocala: drive east on State Highway 40 for about 12 miles, then turn north on County Road 314 for another 18 miles. Turn north on State Highway 19 for about ½ mile to the recreation entrance of the left.

Vital Information

Hours Spring is Open:

8am till dark

GPS: N/A

Map Link: Salt Springs Map

Submitted by: Hope Lucky

Description

The park covers 611 acres (2.4 km²) of Volusia County, built around a natural sulfur spring, flowing at a rate of about 20 million gallons a day, that remains 72 degrees Fahrenheit year-round and reaches a depth of 30 feet at the spring boil.

DeLeon Springs was first occupied as early as 6000 BC (a dugout canoe dating back to at least 6000 BC was found on the site) by local Native American tribes. In the 1500s, Spanish forces, possibly including Juan Ponce de León, passed through. The Spanish would return in 1783 after regaining the land from England (who had held it since 1763), granting land near the springs to settlers to establish a plantation called “Spring Garden” where corn, cotton, and sugar cane were grown. Sometime around this time the Seminole began to settle in the area. The area came under American ownership some time after Florida became a territory in 1821; Colonel Orlando Rees built a mill to grind the corn and sugar. Most of the facilities were destroyed by Union troops during the American Civil War; however, the waterwheel and building remain on the site to this day, now housing a pancake restaurant called “The Old Spanish Sugar Mill”, owned and operated by local residents.

More info here: http://www.floridastateparks.org/deleonsprings/default.cfm

Nearest Address

601 Ponce de Leon Boulevard

Directions from Nearest Address

From De Leon Springs town, go west on Reynolds Rd toward FL-15 N/US-17 N Take the 1st right onto FL-15 N/US-17 N

Vital Information

Hours Spring is Open:

8:00 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year.

GPS:

29°08′24″N 81°22′08″W / 29.14°N 81.36889°W / 29.14; -81.36889

Map Link: De Leon Springs State Park Map

Submitted by: Janet Patterson

Description

The main spring is a convergence of two underground water flows, and produces 14 million gallons of water daily.

The main spring is a convergence of two underground water flows, and produces 14 million gallons of water daily This beautiful spring is named for Juan Ponce de León, who led the first Spanish expedition to Florida in 1513-as legend has it-in search of the “fountain of youth.”

More info here: http://www.floridastateparks.org/poncedeleonsprings/default.cfm

Nearest Address

2860 Ponce de Leon Springs Road

Directions from Nearest Address

It is located in the town of Ponce de Leon, a half mile south of U.S. 90 on C.R 181A.

Vital Information

Hours Spring is Open:

8:00 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year.

GPS:

30°42′29″N 85°55′37″W / 30.70806°N 85.92694°W / 30.70806; -85.92694

Map Link: Ponce de Leon Springs Map

Submitted by: Janet Patterson

Description

Continous flow into the Santa Fe river. 72 Degree water year round. There are 7 freshwater springs.

Nearest Address

7300 NE Ginnie Springs Road High Springs, FL 32643

Directions from Nearest Address

N/A

Vital Information

Hours Spring is Open:

8AM – 7PM, 7 days a week.

GPS: N/A

Map Link: Ginnie Springs Map

Submitted by: Donya Cayce

Description

This 300-acre park provides a refreshing break from the beach. It contains one of the area’s few freshwater springs, which maintains a water temperature of 72 degrees year-round and attracts swimmers who want a change from seawater. Located along the Alafia River, this Tampa park also features changing rooms, camping facilities.

Nearest Address

3932 Lithia Springs Road Lithia, FL 33547

Directions from Nearest Address

N/A

Vital Information

Hours Spring is Open:

Spring 8 am – 6 pm (M-F) 8 am – 7 pm (Sa, Su) Summer 8 am – 7 pm (M-F) 8 am – 8 pm (Sa, Su) Fall/Winter 8 am – 6 pm

GPS: N/A

Map Link: Lithia State Park Springs Map

Submitted by: sophia ruiz

Description

This used to be a natural spring, but as the town grew, the water level sank and they drilled a well over 200 ft. deep. It doesn’t bubble up naturally anymore, but it’s from the original aquifer.

Nearest Address

11 Magnolia Avenue St Augustine, FL 32084-2827

Directions from Nearest Address

N/A

Vital Information

Hours Spring is Open:

9am-5pm

GPS: N/A

Map Link: The Fountain of Youth Map

Submitted by: Anandi

Note: Gemini Springs in Debary, Florida has closed its spring for swimming due to,what they believe is, a collaspe in the aquafer.Thus they have a bacterial problem due to no fresh water supply. The water in the park (ie. facuets,etc.) is public municipal water source. – CJ Talley

Description:

2 springs in a park.

Nearest Address

37 Dirksen Drive Debary, FL 32713-3707 (386) 668-3810

Directions from Nearest Address

I-4 to Debary exit. Debary is NE of Orlando and SW of Daytona Beach.

Vital Information

Hours Spring is Open:

Sunrise to sunset.

GPS: N/A

Map Link: Gemini Springs Map

Submitted by: Rebecca

Description:

This unique natural mineral spring exits to the ground at 82* F and flows out of a fountain into two soaking pools, one under a dome cover. It has a very high sulfur content and there are large pieces of the compounds floating around. This spring is NOT for drinking water.

You DO NOT need to be staying at the hotel to use the springs.

Additional info: http://www.thespringsresort.com/amenities.html

Nearest Address

Best Western Hotel 18051 South Tamiami Trail Fort Myers, Florida 33908

Directions from Nearest Address

Traveling on Interstate 75, take Exit 128 (Alico Road, old exit 20). Proceed west on Alico Road (3 miles) to U.S. Highway 41, then turn left and head south one mile on U.S. Highway 41 to The Springs Resort hotel. Airports: 12.6 miles from South West Florida Regional Airport 125 miles from Tampa International Airport 125 miles from Miami International Airport 120 miles from Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport

Vital Information

Hours Spring is Open:

Dawn till dusk (and they are not very strict about that since its a hotel and open 24 hours anyway.)

GPS: N/A

Map Link: San Carlos Park Mineral Springs Map

Submitted by: Nicole Lechowicz

Description

Vortex Spring produces 28 million gallons of crystal clear water daily at a year-round temperature of 68 degrees with no thermocline.

More info here: http://www.vortexspring.com/index.html

Nearest Address

1517 Vortex Spring Lane

Directions from Nearest Address

N/A

Vital Information

Hours Spring is Open:

Hours of Operation:

Monday thru Thursday 8:00-5:00
Friday 8:00-7:00
Saturday 7:00-7:00
Sunday 7:00-5:00

GPS:

Unknown

Map Link: Vortex Spring Map

Submitted by: C.S.