Florida is home to over 1000 natural springs between the sun-soaked beaches of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, which have drawn people to the state for thousands of years.
Contrary to popular belief, they aren’t just the source of fresh water; they’re just one part of the long journey water takes from the atmosphere to the land surface, into the ground through the Floridan Aquifer, and back to the surface.
They are of great ecological importance and are home to hundreds of plants and animals. They also provide drinking water that comes from the aquifer.
Five government agencies manage these bodies of water. The Florida Springs region has four water management districts, the first being the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Some are state-run and state parks. Some are private; some are neither and are remote.
Long before theme parks came to town, the freshwater springs were the top tourist attraction in the state. Join us across the state to explore 40 of the best springs in Florida that you can still visit today. Filled with vivid photos from the past and present, this guide will show you a side of the Sunshine State you won’t see in commercials. Complete with information on conservation and a key for activities offered, this book is a must-have for locals and tourists alike.
I was somewhat reluctant to write this article because the Rainbow River Florida is unlike anything you will ever experience. It is not full of tourists, nor is it full of city slickers. It is a natural, old-fashioned watering hole where people tube the river, drink beer, connect tubes, and drag their stash behind them…