Florida

Photo:

Description:

This spring is know and used frequently by the local community. It also has a great surrounding for gathering local wild edibles.

Nearest Address

765 CR 315

Directions from Nearest Address

Going west on Cr310 passing the Backwoods Barbecue restaurant. CR310 dead-ends on CR315 make a left turn onto Cr310. The Spring is less than 100 yards down on the left hand side. You will notice a small steel bridge crossing the ditch and gravel parking on both sides of the road.

Vital Information

Hours Spring is Open:

24/7/365

GPS:

N29 32′ 59″ W81 52’39″

Map Link: Interlachen Spring Map

Submitted by: Chris Frost

Photo

Description

3,000 gallons per minute flows from the mineral rich, blue spring in the beautiful St. John’s River.

“Local knowledge from the B&B owners is that locals still draw from the spring for their drinking water. In late 1800′s and early 1900′s, this was the most renowned healing springs retreat area in Florida. This is a Sulfur rich spring. ” – Peggy

Nearest Address

103 S Magnolia Avenue Green Cove Springs, Fl 32043

Directions from Nearest Address

South of Jacksonville. On the Corner of South Magnolia Avenue and Spring street, Green Cove Springs, Florida 32043 River Park Inn 103 S. Magnolia Avenue is nearest landmark (across the street).

Vital Information

Hours Spring is Open:

Spring is open year round. The Pool is open in the summer from 11am-6pm, closed wed. and 1pm-5pm on sundays.

GPS: N/A

Map Link: Green Cove Spring Map

Submitted by: Peggy

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

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.” Visitors might well regain their youth by taking a dip in the cool, clear waters of Ponce de Leon Springs where the water temperature remains a constant 68 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. The main spring is a convergence of two underground water flows, and produces 14 million gallons of water daily. Visitors can take a leisurely walk along two self-guided nature trails through a lush, hardwood forest and learn about the local ecology and wildlife. Rangers also conduct seasonal guided walks. Picnicking is a popular activity at the park; grills and pavilions are available. Anglers will enjoy fishing for catfish, largemouth bass, chain pickerel, and panfish.

Main Page: http://www.floridastateparks.org/poncedeleonsprings/default.cfm

History Page: http://www.floridastateparks.org/history/parkhistory.cfm?parkid=42

Annual State Park Pass Info: http://www.floridastateparks.org/thingstoknow/annualpass.cfm

“Please only use BPA Free Plastic Bottles when collecting Wild Water from Ponce de Leon Springs, and any Public Spring, instead of Glass bottles. We don’t want to cause harm to other Spring goers by them stepping on broken glass from a mishandled Glass bottle. This would also increase our chances of the Spring guardians from keeping us from collecting our Pristine Elixir of Life.” – Brian Root

Videos of the spring: http://www.youtube.com/user/OneMoreTag#g/c/AE87A1CC1729566F

Nearest Address

2860 Ponce de Leon Springs Road Ponce de Leon, Florida 32455 (Comes up on Yahoo Maps or Mapquest) 100 Ponce de Leon Springs Road Ponce de Leon, Florida 32455 (Comes up closest on Google Maps)

Directions from Nearest Address

Ponce de Leon Spring Directions: Exit 96 off I-10, go North on 81S (Samson Hwy.) to Hwy. 90 (Co. Rd. 10) .9 miles. Go Right/East on Hwy. 90 to Ponce de Leon Springs Rd. (Co Rd 181A) .2 miles. Go Right/South on Ponce de Leon Springs Rd. to Park Entrance on Right .5 miles. Go to Ranger House .1 mile. Go to Parking Lot .1 mile. Walk down hill to Spring .1 mile.

Vital Information

Hours Spring is Open:

Hours of Operation: The park is open from 8:00 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year.

GPS:

30 Degrees 43′ 15.50″ N 85 Degrees 55′ 5059″ W

Map Link: Ponce de Leon Springs Map

Submitted by: Janet Patterson, Brian Root

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