Hot Water Springs in Florida: Does the State Have Any?
Short answer: no. Florida has no geothermal hot springs. Its springs hold a near-constant temperature in the low 70s all year, which is why they feel warm in January and cold in July. The one naturally warm exception sits on the Gulf coast, not near Ocala.
By Only In Ocala. Temperatures, fees and hours checked against Florida State Parks, the USDA Forest Service and the City of North Port.
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There are no hot water springs in Florida. The state's more than 1,000 known springs rise from the Floridan aquifer at about 72 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. Ocala-area springs run 72 to 74 F according to their official park pages. Florida's only naturally warm spring is Warm Mineral Springs in North Port, which the City of North Port lists at an average of 85 F.
Why Florida Has No Hot Springs
Hot springs in the western United States are heated by geothermal activity: groundwater passes near hot rock or magma and returns to the surface at temperatures that can exceed 100 degrees. Florida has none of that. The peninsula is a thick stack of limestone laid down on an ancient sea floor, with no volcanoes, no fault-driven heat and no deep geothermal plumbing near the surface.
Instead, Florida's springs are fed by the Floridan aquifer, the limestone water supply that Florida State Parks notes "underlies the entire state of Florida" and feeds hundreds of springs, including some of the largest in the world. Rain soaks into the ground, moves through caves and conduits in the limestone and emerges at spring vents. Along the way it settles to the ground's own temperature, which in north-central Florida is in the low 70s. That is why nearly every spring from the Panhandle to the Ocala National Forest is quoted at roughly 72 degrees.
Pages that list "hot springs in Florida" are almost always describing these 72-degree springs, which is a stretch. The honest framing is that Florida has constant-temperature springs, one warm spring and zero hot springs. For a full comparison of the springs within an hour of town, see the guide to springs near Ocala.
Why the Same Spring Feels Warm in Winter and Cold in Summer
The spring does not change; the air does. A 72-degree pool feels like bath water next to a 45-degree January morning and feels like an ice bucket next to a 95-degree July afternoon. The water temperature is identical on both days. This is the entire basis for the "warm springs" marketing that surrounds Florida springs each winter, and it is also why manatees crowd into springs such as Silver Springs when the rivers turn cold.
Winter: the water feels warm
From December through February the air in Marion County regularly drops into the 40s and 50s overnight while the springs stay in the low 70s. Swimmers find the water pleasant for short swims, crowds are the thinnest of the year, and manatees gather in the Silver River. See the Silver Springs manatee guide for the best viewing months.
Summer: the water feels cold
In June, July and August, afternoon highs in the 90s make the same 72-degree water feel bracing. This is peak season, when Silver Glen Springs and Alexander Springs often reach capacity by mid-morning on weekends. The Ocala National Forest springs guide covers summer crowds and arrival tips.
Florida's Only Warm Spring: Warm Mineral Springs, North Port
Warm Mineral Springs Park is the one place in Florida where the water is genuinely warm. The City of North Port, which operates the park, states the spring holds "a consistent average temperature of 85 degrees year-round" and describes it as "the only natural warm spring in Florida." The city also notes the spring is rumored to have one of the highest mineral contents of any natural spring in the United States and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
At 85 degrees it is warm, not hot: comfortable for a long soak, but well short of the 100-plus-degree pools people picture when they search for hot springs. It is also a long way from Ocala. North Port sits on the southwest Gulf coast between Sarasota and Fort Myers, roughly 165 miles south of Ocala via I-75, so plan on two and a half to three hours each way.
Address
12200 San Servando Ave.
North Port, FL 34287
941-429-7275
Hours
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The park closes when lightning is detected within eight miles and reopens after 30 minutes without strikes.
Daily admission (Oct. 1, 2026 to Sept. 30, 2027)
Adults 18+: $20 non-resident, $18 Sarasota County resident, $15 North Port resident. Students 6 to 17: $15, $13 or $11.25. Children 5 and under: free. Resident rates require proof of residency.
Know before you go. The city reports the park sustained significant damage from Hurricanes Elsa and Ian. The historic building complex, including the gift shop, permanent showers, restrooms, changing rooms and lockers, is closed to the public; a temporary admissions building and a portable restroom trailer are in use. No concessions are sold, though small coolers are permitted and food trucks are often staged outside the park.
Rules posted by the city: no pets other than certified service animals, no inflatables or pool toys (pool noodles and Coast Guard-approved life vests are allowed), no glass, alcohol, tobacco or scuba diving, and children under 11 must be with an adult. Confirm hours and fees on the City of North Port's Warm Mineral Springs Park page before driving down.
Water Temperature at Springs Near Ocala, by Official Source
Each figure below is the one printed on the facility manager's own page. Where the manager does not publish a temperature, the table says so rather than guessing. All of these springs are within about 50 miles of Ocala; the Florida springs near Ocala guide has drive times and fees for each.
| Spring | Managed by | Official water temp | Distance from Ocala | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Springs State Park | Florida State Parks | Not stated | About 6 miles east of downtown Ocala on SR 40 | floridastateparks.org |
| Rainbow Springs State Park | Florida State Parks | 72 F | Near Dunnellon, about 25 miles southwest of Ocala | floridastateparks.org |
| Juniper Springs | USDA Forest Service, Ocala National Forest | 72 F | About 30 miles east of Ocala on SR 40 | fs.usda.gov |
| Alexander Springs | USDA Forest Service, Ocala National Forest | 72 F | About 48 miles from Ocala, in Lake County | fs.usda.gov |
| Silver Glen Springs | USDA Forest Service, Ocala National Forest | 72 to 73 F | About 39 miles from Ocala, off SR 19 | fs.usda.gov |
| Salt Springs | USDA Forest Service, Ocala National Forest | 74 F | About 40 miles northeast of Ocala | fs.usda.gov |
| Warm Mineral Springs | City of North Port | 85 F | Roughly 165 miles south (not a day trip) | northportfl.gov |
Silver Springs State Park
Not statedFlorida State Parks
The park page does not publish a temperature. Like other Floridan aquifer springs, it is generally described as about 72 F.
Florida State Parks
The park states the headsprings water "averages 72 degrees year-round," with a swim area 10 to 18 feet deep.
Juniper Springs
72 FUSDA Forest Service, Ocala National Forest
The Forest Service lists the water temperature as "a constant 72 F." Juniper and Fern Hammock springs together flow about 13 million gallons a day.
USDA Forest Service, Ocala National Forest
The Forest Service describes the pool as "a constant 72 F and extraordinarily clear." It is the only Ocala National Forest spring that allows scuba diving.
Silver Glen Springs
72 to 73 FUSDA Forest Service, Ocala National Forest
The Forest Service page gives both "constant 73 F" and "a year round water temperature of 72 degrees." The first-magnitude spring discharges about 65 million gallons a day.
Salt Springs
74 FUSDA Forest Service, Ocala National Forest
The Forest Service calls it a natural mineral spring that stays "a constant 74 Fahrenheit" and flows about 52 million gallons a day. It is the warmest spring in the Ocala area, but still far from hot.
Where to Swim Near Ocala When the Water Feels Warmest
Since every Ocala-area spring is within a couple of degrees of 72, the choice comes down to the setting rather than the thermometer. The warmest reading on any official page is Salt Springs at 74 degrees, which has a marked swimming area, a marina and the largest campground in the Ocala National Forest. Rainbow Springs is the most popular winter swim: Florida State Parks lists the headsprings at 72 degrees and 10 to 18 feet deep, and the Rainbow Springs swimming guide explains why December through February is the quietest time to go.
For snorkeling, Silver Glen Springs and Alexander Springs offer the clearest water, both at a Forest Service-stated 72 to 73 degrees. Juniper Springs, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, has a spring pool the Forest Service describes as shallow at one end and deep at the other, at 72 degrees. Silver Springs State Park does not list swimming among its activities, but its glass bottom boats run daily, 365 days a year, over water generally described as about 72 degrees.
- Bring a rash guard or thin wetsuit for winter snorkeling; 72-degree water chills the body during long sessions even when it feels pleasant at first.
- Winter hours are shorter. Silver Springs State Park closes at sunset, and the Forest Service says Ocala National Forest spring hours vary by season.
- Expect the thinnest crowds from October through March; on summer weekends the Forest Service notes that Ocala National Forest sites may close when capacity is reached.
Hot Water Springs in Florida: Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any hot water springs in Florida?
No. Florida has no geothermal hot springs. The state sits on thick limestone with no volcanic or tectonic heat source, so the water that rises from the Floridan aquifer comes out at roughly the region's average annual temperature, about 72 degrees Fahrenheit. The only naturally warm spring is Warm Mineral Springs in North Port, which the City of North Port says averages 85 degrees year-round and calls the only natural warm spring in Florida.
What is the warmest spring in Florida?
Warm Mineral Springs in North Port, Sarasota County, is the warmest natural spring in Florida. The City of North Port, which operates the park, states the water holds a consistent average of 85 degrees year-round. Every other well-known Florida spring, including those near Ocala, is in the low 70s. Salt Springs in the Ocala National Forest, at a Forest Service-stated 74 degrees, is the warmest spring in the Ocala area.
Why do Florida springs feel warm in winter?
Because the water temperature does not change but the air does. Spring water near Ocala stays around 72 degrees all year. On a January morning when the air is in the 40s or 50s, 72-degree water feels warm, and manatees move into springs such as Silver Springs for the same reason. In July, when the air is in the 90s, the same 72-degree water feels cold. The spring has not changed; the visitor's reference point has.
What temperature are the springs near Ocala?
Official pages state 72 degrees for Rainbow Springs (Florida State Parks), Juniper Springs and Alexander Springs (USDA Forest Service), 72 to 73 degrees for Silver Glen Springs, and 74 degrees for Salt Springs. Florida State Parks does not publish a figure for Silver Springs, which is generally described as about 72 degrees like other Floridan aquifer springs.
How much does Warm Mineral Springs cost and when is it open?
The City of North Port lists Warm Mineral Springs Park at 12200 San Servando Ave., North Port, FL 34287, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Daily admission effective Oct. 1, 2026 through Sept. 30, 2027 is $20 for adult non-residents, $18 for Sarasota County residents and $15 for North Port residents; students 6 to 17 pay $15, $13 or $11.25; children 5 and under are free. The historic building complex remains closed after hurricane damage, so a temporary admissions building and portable restrooms are in use and no concessions are sold.
How far is Warm Mineral Springs from Ocala?
Warm Mineral Springs is in North Port, on Florida's southwest Gulf coast between Sarasota and Fort Myers. From Ocala it is roughly 165 miles south by way of I-75, a drive of about two and a half to three hours each way, so it is an overnight trip rather than a day trip for most Marion County visitors.
Can you swim in Florida springs in winter?
Yes. The water is the same 72 degrees it is in summer, and winter is the least crowded season at Rainbow Springs, Silver Glen Springs and the other Ocala-area springs. Most swimmers find it comfortable for short swims; a rash guard or thin wetsuit helps for longer snorkeling sessions when the air is cold. Hours are shorter in winter because several sites close around sunset.
Is Salt Springs a warm spring?
Only slightly. The USDA Forest Service lists Salt Springs at a constant 74 degrees Fahrenheit, about two degrees warmer than its Ocala National Forest neighbors, and describes it as a natural mineral spring. It is not a warm or hot spring in the sense of Warm Mineral Springs or the geothermal springs of the western United States.
- -Florida has no hot springs: no geothermal heat, so Floridan aquifer springs emerge at about 72 F year-round
- -Ocala-area official temperatures: Rainbow, Juniper, Alexander 72 F; Silver Glen 72 to 73 F; Salt Springs 74 F; Silver Springs not published
- -The only warm spring is Warm Mineral Springs in North Port at 85 F, about 165 miles south of Ocala; $20 adult non-resident admission, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sources
Temperatures, hours and fees on this page come from the official facility managers and were checked on October 11, 2026: City of North Port: Warm Mineral Springs Park · Florida State Parks: Springs of Rainbow Springs · Florida State Parks: Geology of Silver Springs · USDA Forest Service: Juniper Run · USDA Forest Service: Alexander Springs · USDA Forest Service: Silver Glen Springs · USDA Forest Service: Salt Springs
Explore More Ocala Springs
Marion County is the spring capital of Florida — keep planning with these guides to first-magnitude springs, river adventures, and waterfront experiences nearby.
¿Hay manantiales de agua caliente en Florida?
No. Florida no tiene manantiales de agua caliente de origen geotérmico; sus manantiales nacen del acuífero de Florida a unos 72 °F durante todo el año, por eso se sienten tibios en invierno y frescos en verano. Cerca de Ocala, las páginas oficiales indican 72 °F en Rainbow Springs, Juniper Springs y Alexander Springs, de 72 a 73 °F en Silver Glen Springs y 74 °F en Salt Springs. El único manantial naturalmente tibio del estado es Warm Mineral Springs, en 12200 San Servando Ave., North Port, FL 34287, que según la Ciudad de North Port mantiene un promedio de 85 °F. Abre de 9 a.m. a 5 p.m. todos los días, excepto el Día de Acción de Gracias y Navidad, y la entrada para adultos no residentes cuesta $20. Queda a unas 165 millas al sur de Ocala por la I-75.