THE TOP 10 SPRINGS
Spring time in the summer
Beat the Florida heat and dive into the natural beauty of Central Florida's springs.
By Don Wilson
Orlando Sentinel Staff Writer
Important: This article was last updated on June 24, 2005. Please call ahead to confirm hours, prices, dates and other information.
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While the summertime heat in Florida keeps our body temperatures on the rise, nature also provides us with a soothing way to cool down.
Flowing springs with temperatures usually in the low 70s during the summer dot the Central Florida landscape. But they're certainly more than just nature's swimming pools. Natives and visitors alike flock to the refreshing waters for canoeing, kayaking, tube floating, manatee watching, scuba diving, snorkeling, picnicking, nature walks and more.
Jump in a boat at Silver Springs, and it's like entering the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disney World, except this adventure is the real thing. Blue Spring, Juniper Springs and Alexander Spring offer nature at its finest, with plenty of chances to see the wild creatures that live in and around the waters. And they're always ready for visitors.
Florida has more than 700 springs. Almost all are north of Interstate 4 because they bubble up through the Floridan Aquifer, an underground limestone formation that is nearest the surface north of the interstate highway. South of the highway, the aquifer runs much deeper beneath the surface.
Here are the top 10 springs in Central Florida:
Flowing springs with temperatures usually in the low 70s during the summer dot the Central Florida landscape. But they're certainly more than just nature's swimming pools. Natives and visitors alike flock to the refreshing waters for canoeing, kayaking, tube floating, manatee watching, scuba diving, snorkeling, picnicking, nature walks and more.
Jump in a boat at Silver Springs, and it's like entering the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disney World, except this adventure is the real thing. Blue Spring, Juniper Springs and Alexander Spring offer nature at its finest, with plenty of chances to see the wild creatures that live in and around the waters. And they're always ready for visitors.
Florida has more than 700 springs. Almost all are north of Interstate 4 because they bubble up through the Floridan Aquifer, an underground limestone formation that is nearest the surface north of the interstate highway. South of the highway, the aquifer runs much deeper beneath the surface.
Here are the top 10 springs in Central Florida: