Visit: OCTOBER, 2016
I’ve written about the natural springs of Florida before, when I visited several in 2009. There are so many of them and you can get the experience from just going to one or two. Since the water is cool, it’s best if you can go in warm weather and swim in them; diving is also possible as some of these springs lead to underwater caves hundreds of feet deep.
Ichetucknee is in the Santa Fe River watershed, west of Gainesville in the north-central part of Florida. For my Mom and I, it was a fairly quick side trip between Orlando and the Panama City area, and has easy access to the first spring (pictured above). This one is most clear and shallow, with steps into the water for wading or swimming. It was peaceful for sure all through our visit, though it probably becomes busy in hotter weather.
The Blue Hole spring below is much deeper and can be found down a 1/2 mile or so path.
Scuba diving is allowed here at certain times of the year, and the sign on the following picture explains that and some of the wildlife the springs support.
Favorite other springs I have visited include Manatee (west of Ocala), Wakulla (south of Tallahassee), Econfina Creek (north of Panama City), and Wekiva (north of Orlando). All but Econfina are state park controlled and may have admission fees.
arianna's creative travels 