Spring Near The Villages
 

DW and I are coming for a Lifestyle visit. i hear there are springs near the village one can go to swim in. Can you please advise the name of the springs so I can research them?

A lot of info here.
Florida Springs Map – Florida Springs Institute

Great list of springs for swimming.
12 Natural Springs in Florida where you can Swim + Go Tubing

Rainbow Springs isn't too far. Rainbow Springs State Park | Florida State Parks

If you want to do a little kayaking check these guys out. Rainbow River Canoe, Kayak, & Pontoon Boat Rentals | Dunnellon, FL | Rainbow River Canoe & Kayak

Blue Springs is very nice also.

Just watch out for gators, they can be in places you would not expect.

The clear water springs are typically gator free. They like the cover of murky water for sneaking up on their prey.

Thanks had no idea

Springs
 

My favorite, especially when you have young visitors, is Ichetucknee Springs. Great for tubing. It's about 1.5 hrs from the intersection of Hwy 466 and 301; west of Gainesville. It's part of the state park system. Beautiful! No need to bring tubes. As you get close to the park, there are places where you can rent them. The store will tie them to the top of your car, and when done tubing, you can leave them at the designated area at the end of your run. The complete float trip is about 2 hrs. but you can also end it sooner at marked areas. .

You should check out the "Chrissa Travels" utube channel. She does videos on Florida destinations focusing on the Orlando and surrounding area. There are quite a few about the springs in the area.

For sure! And also, the spring waters are usually too cold for them

The smaller ones are fine to swim with. They know when prey is to large.

Look up Silver Springs alligator:
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are there alligators in florida springs - Google Search

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6m35mKJJ3RE

Expect them every where not so much at a spring

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3efsrh92fg8


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tefHwPqQFDA

NOTE: Unsure of conditions right now due to hurricane. Best to call ahead and check these.

I've been swimming at 5 so far:

Alexander Springs has kayak rentals and an area where people snorkel and swim. It closed down for a while a year or two ago due to a gator in the swimming area but reopened.

Juniper Springs has a pretty swimming area with an old mill. The swimming area is so self-enclosed that a gator would probably never venture in during the day. Also kayak rentals available but I haven't been kayaking at this location.

Salt Springs. People swim and snorkel here. Be aware that you have to be a good swimmer here because there is no shallow area to stand around if I remember correctly, despite what the website says. Can actually see some cool rock formations down in the spring if you are good at holding your breath.

Rainbow River - Go directly to the park and swim in the spring, or you can rent a kayak from KP Hole, paddle up to the head spring, tie up at the park entrance and swim in the spring, and float back. On the right (east) side as you paddle towards the head spring there is a little shallow tributary where you can divert and swim as well (google maps location 29.090347027426045, -82.42578515166015). The land becomes private up this path so people don't go too far up this but it's all over instagram because it's so pretty. They also have tube rentals and pickups where the tubing ends.

Citrus Blue Springs aka "Big Blue" (28°58'10.2"N 82°18'52.1"W) - Can only get to this one by a 2 1/2 hour kayak paddle (and no rentals at the put-in place - Spruce Boat Ramp). But once there, there is a cool rope swing. Probably the most fun at the spring itself and you can "float" back downstream. This may be "browned out" now due to hurricane Debby.

Just be aware that 72F, the temperature of the springs, can feel like ice cold water even on a hot day. If you just want to swim somewhere that is not a pool, pay the money (I think it's up to $7 now, on the honor system on a weekday but there are rangers) to go into Carney Island at Lake Weir and there is a designated swimming area (actually 2 - little lake weir and big lake weir). Check hours on Marion County website.