Lily Pad Springs
We’re unable to verify a real spring by this name in Marion County or the Ocala National Forest.
Editor’s note (May 2026)
An earlier version of this page described “Lily Pad Springs” as a private, family-owned natural spring near Ocala accessible by reservation. We’re unable to verify a real spring by that name in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s springs database, the U.S. Forest Service Ocala National Forest directory, or the Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau. “Lily pads” appear as a notable habitat feature of real springs in the area — particularly along the lower stretches of Alexander Run, where paddlers pass “prairies of lily pads.” If you originally found this page looking for a specific private rental property, that property is not the same thing as a public spring. The page has been rewritten to redirect to verified Florida springs in the Ocala area.
About “Lily Pads” at Real Ocala-Area Springs
Lily pads are a real and recognizable feature of several Ocala National Forest springs and spring runs. Along Alexander Run, downstream stretches widen into broad prairies of lily pads — one of the most-photographed natural features on that paddle trail. Lily pads also grow in calmer pockets of Juniper Run and along the edges of Silver Glen Springs Run as it approaches Lake George.
None of those features are a discrete “Lily Pad Springs.” If you arrived here looking for swimming or paddling at a verified Florida spring, the directory below covers every real, publicly accessible spring in the Ocala area.
Verified Florida Springs Near Ocala
Alexander Springs
First-magnitude spring with the only scuba diving permitted in the Ocala National Forest. 6.5-mile Alexander Run paddle passes through lily-pad prairies. 67-site campground. $8-$11/person.
View SpringJuniper Springs
Historic 1930s CCC Mill House, 7-mile Juniper Run canoe trail, and a 79-site developed campground at 26701 SR 40. $14.50/person.
View SpringSilver Glen Springs
First-magnitude spring at 5271 SR 19. Spring run flows to Lake George. $14.50/person; summer weekend vehicle reservations required.
View SpringSalt Springs Recreation Area
Brackish mineral spring with a 4.5-mile paddle run to Lake George. Largest campground in the Ocala National Forest with 160 sites — only ONF campground with full RV hookups.
View SpringSilver Springs State Park
Florida’s oldest tourist attraction. Glass Bottom Boats since 1878, the Silver River, manatees and rhesus monkeys. Main entrance $2/person; Silver River entrance $8/vehicle.
View SpringAll Springs Near Ocala
The full directory of verified Florida springs accessible from Ocala — including Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon, Fern Hammock Springs, and Ponce de Leon Springs.
Browse SpringsFrequently Asked Questions About Lily Pad Springs
Is Lily Pad Springs a real spring near Ocala?
No. No verified spring named Lily Pad Springs appears in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection springs database, the U.S. Forest Service Ocala National Forest directory, or the Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau. "Lily pads" are a habitat feature of real springs, not a discrete named spring.
Where do you actually see lily pads near Ocala?
Lily pads grow along the downstream stretches of Alexander Run, which widen into broad prairies of lily pads, and in calmer pockets of Juniper Run and along Silver Glen Springs Run as it approaches Lake George. None of those features is a separate "Lily Pad Springs."
What real springs can I swim or paddle near Ocala?
Verified springs near Ocala include Alexander Springs ($8-$11/person), Juniper Springs ($14.50/person at 26701 SR 40), Silver Glen Springs ($14.50/person at 5271 SR 19), Salt Springs, and Silver Springs State Park. The full directory is at onlyinocala.com/springs-near-ocala.