FLORIDA'S TOP 10 MUST SEE SPRINGS

Hello all,

As you know, Florida is the world capital of springs, boasting over 1000. With us Floridians enjoying our water activities, its no wonder they are so popular. Here are some of the best worth checking out:

1 .Three Sisters Springs, Crystal River- This spring is the best place to see manatees. The water is a constant 72 degrees and provides the essential warm water refuge for the manatees during the winter months. To protect the manatees, the springs manatee sanctuaries  are closed from November 15th to March 31st. It is located at 601 Three Sisters Springs Trail, Crystal River.

FLORIDA'S TOP 10 MUST SEE SPRINGS -  THREE SISTERS SPRINGS

2. Silver Springs State Park, Ocala- This is one of florida's first tourist attractions. It is also one of the worlds largest artesian springs. It is known for its glass bottom boat tours. You can also enjoy it by kayak or canoe. It is located at 1425 NE 58th Ave., Ocala.

FLORIDA'S TOP 10 MUST SEE SPRINGS - SILVER SPRINGS STATE PARK

3. Weeki Wachee, Spring Hill-  This is home of the live mermaid shows. It also has a beautiful spring for swimming, canoeing or tubing. It even has a waterpark with waterslides catapulting you into the springs. I go here yearly. It is located at 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill.

FLORIDA'S TOP 10 MUST SEE SPRINGS - WEEKI WACHEE

4. Rainbow Springs, Dunnellon- This Florida's 4th largest spring. Here you can enjoy waterfalls, swimming and tubing. They have a beautiful 2 mile hiking trail here and campground. It is located at 10830 SW 180th Ave., Dunnellon.

FLORIDA'S TOP 10 MUST SEE SPRINGS - RAINBOW SPRINGS

5. Blue Springs State Park, Orange City-  This is the largest spring on the St, Johns River. During manatee season, several hundred can be seen from the springs overlook.  The water is a crystal clear 73 degrees and is enjoyed by swimmers, snorkelers, and scuba divers. It is a designated manatee refuge. It is located at 2100 W. French Ave., Orange City.

FLORIDA'S TOP 10 MUST SEE SPRINGS - BLUE SPRINGS

6. Ichetucknee Springs State Park, Fort White-  The crystal clear river flows 6 miles through wetlands and shaded hammocks till it joins the Santa Fe River. The head of the spring is a natural national landmark. You can go tubing, canoeing snorkeling. Scuba diving is only allowed if you're certified. It is located at 12807 US-27. Fort White.

FLORIDA'S TOP 10 MUST SEE SPRINGS - ICHETUCKNEE SPRINGS

7. Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, Crawfordville -  This is one of the largest, deepest freshwater springs in the world. It has a lot of wildlife such as manatees, alligators, turtles, and deer. They have guided glass bottom boat tours. Swimmers can find  observation and diving platforms  at the head of the spring. Scuba diving is only for those certified. It is located at 465 Wakulla Park Dr.,Crawfordville.

FLORIDA'S TOP 10 MUST SEE SPRINGS - WAKULLA SPRINGS

8. Fanning Springs, Fanning Springs-  This springs is located on the Suwanee River. It is a second magnitude springs, meaning it produces 65 millions of water daily. Manatees visit here during the winter months. You can enter the park by boat or car. It has a boardwalk overlooking the springs. Many come here to swim and snorkel. They have a campground here with cabin rentals. I have went camping here and it is beautiful, but the water is very cold. It is located at 18020 US 19., Fanning Springs.

FLORIDA'S TOP 10 MUST SEE SPRINGS - FANNING SPRINGS

9. Madison Blue Springs State Park, Lee-  This is a crystal clear first magnitude springs, That means it produces 100 million gallons of water daily. Its 82 feet wide and 25 feet deep and bubbles up to a limestone basin. There is an extensive underwater cave system for those certified in cave diving. It is located at 8300 FL-6, Lee.

FLORIDA'S TOP 10 MUST SEE SPRINGS - MADISON BLUE SPRINGS

10. Juniper Springs in the Ocala National Forest, Ocala-  This is one of the east coasts oldest well known recreation areas. It has swimming, picnicking, trails and a campground. It has hundreds of tiny bubbling springs and a massive spring that gushes out of crevices in the earth underneath canopies of palm and oak trees. It is located at 26701 FL-40, Silver Springs.

FLORIDA'S TOP 10 MUST SEE SPRINGS - JUNIPER SPRINGS