Springs Near Ocala, Florida
Silver Springs is 6 miles from downtown Ocala. Rainbow Springs and five Ocala National Forest springs are within about an hour. Here is what each one costs, who runs it and whether you can swim.
The spring in Ocala itself is Silver Springs State Park, 6.3 miles east of the downtown square: $8 per vehicle, open 8 a.m. to sundown, with glass bottom boats and kayaking but no swimming. To swim, drive 22 miles to Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon ($5 per vehicle, reservation required) or about 28 to 44 miles into the Ocala National Forest, where Juniper, Salt, Silver Glen and Alexander springs charge $14.50 per person plus tax and the water holds at 72 to 74 degrees.
Which Natural Springs Are Near Ocala, Florida?
Seven springs in and around Ocala, nearest first. Two are Florida state parks; the other five are U.S. Forest Service recreation areas in the Ocala National Forest, run day to day by the concessionaire Naventure. Drive times are from Ocala Downtown Square on Google Maps and will run longer on summer weekends.
Fees, rules and temperatures come from Florida State Parks, the U.S. Forest Service and Naventure, checked October 21, 2026.
| Spring | Drive from downtown Ocala | Managed by | Entry | Swimming | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Springs State Park | 6.3 miles, about 20 min | Florida State Parks | $8 per vehicle (2 to 8 people) | No | Not published (no swimming) |
| Rainbow Springs State Park | 22 miles, about 45 min | Florida State Parks | $5 per vehicle (2 to 8 people); day-use reservation required | Yes, at the headsprings | Averages 72°F |
| Juniper Springs | 27.5 miles, about 40 min | U.S. Forest Service; run by Naventure | $14.50 per person plus tax; 5 and under free | Yes, in the designated area | 72°F |
| Fern Hammock Springs | Same as Juniper Springs | U.S. Forest Service; run by Naventure | Covered by the Juniper Springs day-use fee | No | Not published |
| Salt Springs | 29.8 miles, about 45 min | U.S. Forest Service; run by Naventure | $14.50 per person plus tax; 5 and under free | Yes, in the designated area | 74°F |
| Silver Glen Springs | 38.2 miles, about 52 min | U.S. Forest Service; run by Naventure | $14.50 per person plus tax; $20 vehicle reservation on summer weekends and holidays | Yes, inside the marked area | 72 to 73°F |
| Alexander Springs | 43.6 miles, about 1 hour | U.S. Forest Service; run by Naventure | $14.50 per person plus tax; $20 vehicle reservation on summer weekends and holidays | Yes, from a gently sloped beach | 72°F |
Drive
6.3 miles, about 20 min
Entry
$8 per vehicle (2 to 8 people)
Swimming
No
Water
Not published (no swimming)
Best for: Glass bottom boats, kayaking the Silver River, trails, camping and cabins
Open 8 a.m. to sundown, 365 days a year. Glass bottom boat tours cost $17 for adults on the 30-minute trip and $35 on the 90-minute trip. Swimming is not among the park’s listed activities; visitors see the spring from the boats, the river and the walkways.
Managed by Florida State Parks. Official page
Drive
22 miles, about 45 min
Entry
$5 per vehicle (2 to 8 people); day-use reservation required
Swimming
Yes, at the headsprings
Water
Averages 72°F
Best for: Swimming, snorkeling, the gardens and tubing the Rainbow River (April to September)
Open 8 a.m. to sunset. Since April 29, 2026, every day-use visitor needs a reservation. The swimming area averages 10 to 18 feet deep with no lifeguard, and inflatables are not allowed. Tubing runs from a separate entrance on SW 180th Avenue Road.
Managed by Florida State Parks. Official page
Drive
27.5 miles, about 40 min
Entry
$14.50 per person plus tax; 5 and under free
Swimming
Yes, in the designated area
Water
72°F
Best for: Swimming in a second-magnitude spring and paddling the 7-mile Juniper Run (experienced paddlers)
The gate closes at 8 p.m. from March through October and 6 p.m. from November through February. As of October 2026 the Forest Service lists the boardwalk area as closed for renovations. Pets are allowed only in the campground.
Managed by U.S. Forest Service; run by Naventure. Official page
Drive
Same as Juniper Springs
Entry
Covered by the Juniper Springs day-use fee
Swimming
No
Water
Not published
Best for: Looking, not swimming
Fern Hammock Springs sits in the Juniper Springs fee area; the Forest Service says Juniper and Fern Hammock springs together put out about 13 million gallons a day. With the Juniper boardwalk area closed for renovations as of October 2026, call the gatehouse at (352) 625-3147 before making the trip just to see it.
Managed by U.S. Forest Service; run by Naventure. Official page
Drive
29.8 miles, about 45 min
Entry
$14.50 per person plus tax; 5 and under free
Swimming
Yes, in the designated area
Water
74°F
Best for: Families, a marina with canoe rentals, and the only full-hookup campground in the forest
A mineral spring putting out about 52 million gallons a day, according to the Forest Service. It is a U.S. Forest Service recreation area, not a state park, and the run flows southeast about 4 miles to Lake George. Families often wade in the shallows near the source.
Managed by U.S. Forest Service; run by Naventure. Official page
Drive
38.2 miles, about 52 min
Entry
$14.50 per person plus tax; $20 vehicle reservation on summer weekends and holidays
Swimming
Yes, inside the marked area
Water
72 to 73°F
Best for: Calm, shallow water with a sandy bottom; snorkeling (no scuba)
Day use only, with no camping. Pets are not allowed anywhere in the recreation area. From May 23 through Sept. 7, 2026, weekend and holiday visitors needed a $20 vehicle reservation from ReserveOcala.com on top of admission.
Managed by U.S. Forest Service; run by Naventure. Official page
Drive
43.6 miles, about 1 hour
Entry
$14.50 per person plus tax; $20 vehicle reservation on summer weekends and holidays
Swimming
Yes, from a gently sloped beach
Water
72°F
Best for: A sandy swimming beach, canoe and kayak rentals, and scuba diving
Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., later in some seasons. The Forest Service calls it the only place in the Ocala National Forest where scuba diving is permitted. The 67-site campground has no hookups.
Managed by U.S. Forest Service; run by Naventure. Official page
What Activities Can You Do at Springs Near Ocala?
Rainbow Springs, Juniper, Salt, Silver Glen and Alexander springs all have designated swimming and snorkeling areas. Silver Springs and Fern Hammock Springs do not allow swimming. Alexander Springs is the only place in the Ocala National Forest where scuba diving is permitted; Silver Glen does not allow diving or scuba.
Juniper Run is a 7-mile canoe run that Naventure calls challenging and not for beginners. Silver Springs State Park rents kayaks, canoes and paddleboards on the Silver River, including a five-mile trip to Ray Wayside with a return shuttle. Rainbow Springs, Alexander Springs and the Salt Springs marina also rent boats. See kayaking at Silver Springs.
Rainbow Springs State Park runs tubing from its separate tubing entrance in Dunnellon, April through September. The shuttle takes you 2 miles upstream and the float back takes about two hours. Tubers must be at least 5. Details in our Rainbow River tubing guide.
Fishing is not allowed at the Rainbow Springs headsprings, which sit in an aquatic preserve; Florida State Parks allows it from the campground for registered campers only. The Forest Service bans fishing in the springs and runs at Juniper Springs and lists Salt Springs Run as a place to fish. Check each site's rules before you bring a rod; Florida requires a freshwater fishing license.
Both state parks list wildlife viewing and birding, and Naventure lists manatees among the wildlife at Silver Glen Springs. Silver Springs' glass bottom boats show the fish and plants below the surface. For winter manatees, see the best places to see manatees near Ocala.
Salt Springs has the forest's only full-hookup campground: Recreation.gov lists 94 full-hookup RV sites and 52 tent-only sites. Juniper Springs has 79 tent and RV sites and Alexander Springs 67 sites with no hookups, all booked on Recreation.gov. Silver Springs and Rainbow Springs state parks have their own campgrounds. Silver Glen is day use only.
Best Spring Near Ocala for…
Pick the spring that matches what you came to do.
Rainbow Springs State Park, from the tubing entrance on SW 180th Avenue Road in Dunnellon. Open weekends from the first Saturday in April, daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and closed October through March.
Alexander Springs for its gently sloped beach, or Silver Glen Springs for its shallow, sandy wading area. The Rainbow Springs swimming area averages 10 to 18 feet deep with no lifeguard.
Juniper Run for experienced paddlers: 7 miles, narrow and technical. For an easier paddle, rent a kayak on the Silver River at Silver Springs State Park.
Silver Springs State Park: glass bottom boat tours run 30 minutes ($17 adults) or 90 minutes ($35 adults), and children under 2 ride free.
Rainbow Springs State Park welcomes dogs on a 6-foot leash, out of the water. Silver Springs allows leashed pets in the campground, picnic area and on trails. Dogs are not allowed in the national forest day-use areas.
Salt Springs for RV hookups and a marina, Juniper Springs or Alexander Springs for forest sites without hookups, or the campgrounds at the two state parks.
Alexander Springs, the only place in the Ocala National Forest where the Forest Service permits scuba diving.
Silver Springs State Park, 6.3 miles and about 20 minutes from the downtown square. The next closest is Rainbow Springs, 22 miles and about 45 minutes away.
Arrive early anywhere: every site on this page can close when it fills. Book Rainbow Springs ahead, and in summer reserve a vehicle slot for Silver Glen or Alexander on ReserveOcala.com.
What Temperature Are Florida Springs Near Ocala?
The swimming springs near Ocala stay between 72 and 74 degrees Fahrenheit all year. Florida State Parks says Rainbow Springs averages 72 degrees. The Forest Service lists Juniper Springs and Alexander Springs at 72 degrees, Silver Glen Springs at 72 to 73 degrees and Salt Springs at 74 degrees.
That water feels cool on a July afternoon and mild in January, which is why the springs stay open and busy all year. If you would rather have the Gulf, the closest beach to Ocala is about 75 minutes west.
Florida does not have hot springs like those in western states; the full explanation, including the state's one warm spring, is in the guide to hot water springs in Florida.
Marion County calls septic tanks "a major source of nitrate pollution in the aquifer" that feeds Silver Springs, Rainbow Springs and Silver Glen. Its Run for the Springs grant reimburses unincorporated-county residents and businesses up to $200 for a septic pump-out and inspection; see how the county's septic grants aim to protect the springs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Springs Near Ocala
What springs are in Ocala, Florida?
Silver Springs State Park is the spring inside the Ocala area itself, 6.3 miles east of the downtown square at 5656 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Within about an hour's drive are Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon (22 miles) and five springs in the Ocala National Forest: Juniper Springs and Fern Hammock Springs (27.5 miles), Salt Springs (29.8 miles), Silver Glen Springs (38.2 miles) and Alexander Springs (43.6 miles). Distances are Google Maps driving distances from Ocala Downtown Square.
Can you swim at Silver Springs in Ocala?
No. Swimming is not one of the activities Florida State Parks lists for Silver Springs State Park. Visitors see the spring from glass bottom boats ($17 for adults on the 30-minute tour), from rented kayaks and canoes on the Silver River, and from the park's walkways. For a swim, Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon and the Ocala National Forest springs have designated swimming areas.
Which springs near Ocala can you swim in?
Rainbow Springs State Park, Juniper Springs, Salt Springs, Silver Glen Springs and Alexander Springs all have designated swimming areas. Silver Springs State Park and Fern Hammock Springs do not allow swimming. At Rainbow Springs the swimming area averages 10 to 18 feet deep and has no lifeguard; at Silver Glen swimmers must stay inside the marked boundaries.
How much does it cost to visit springs near Ocala?
Silver Springs State Park charges $8 per vehicle of two to eight people and Rainbow Springs State Park charges $5 per vehicle, according to Florida State Parks. Juniper, Salt, Silver Glen and Alexander springs in the Ocala National Forest each charge $14.50 per person plus tax, with children 5 and under free, according to the concessionaire Naventure. Naventure also sells an $80 (plus tax) annual day-use pass on site.
Do I need a reservation for the springs near Ocala?
Rainbow Springs State Park has required a day-use reservation for every visitor since April 29, 2026. Silver Glen and Alexander springs required a $20 vehicle reservation, bought on ReserveOcala.com, on weekends and holidays from May 23 through Sept. 7, 2026; on other days entry is first come, first served until the site fills. Any site on this page can close when it reaches capacity, so arrive early on weekends.
What temperature is the water at springs near Ocala?
Rainbow Springs averages 72 degrees, according to Florida State Parks. The Forest Service lists Juniper Springs and Alexander Springs at 72 degrees, Silver Glen Springs at 72 to 73 degrees and Salt Springs at 74 degrees, all year. Florida State Parks does not publish a temperature for Silver Springs, where swimming is not allowed.
How far is Rainbow Springs from Ocala?
The Rainbow Springs State Park headsprings entrance, 19158 SW 81st Place Road in Dunnellon, is 22 miles from Ocala Downtown Square, about 45 minutes by car via State Road 40 West, according to Google Maps. The tubing entrance on SW 180th Avenue Road and the campground are separate entrances, so set the GPS to the one you need.
Which springs are best for tubing?
Rainbow Springs State Park is the tubing spring near Ocala. Tubing is not allowed at the headsprings; it runs from the separate tubing entrance in Dunnellon, which opens weekends from the first Saturday in April, daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and weekends through the end of September. Guest Services Inc. shuttles tubers 2 miles upstream and the float back takes about two hours. Tubers must be at least 5. Call 833-945-2925 for tube rental and shuttle prices.
Which spring near Ocala is best for kids?
For young children, look for shallow water. The Forest Service describes Alexander Springs as having a gently sloped beach and says families often wade in the shallows at Salt Springs, and Naventure describes a shallow wading area with a white sandy bottom at Silver Glen Springs. Rainbow Springs is a popular family park, but its swimming area averages 10 to 18 feet deep with no lifeguard, so plan on life jackets for non-swimmers. Silver Springs has no swimming, but children under 2 ride its glass bottom boats free.
Which springs near Ocala are dog-friendly?
The two state parks are the dog-friendly choices. Rainbow Springs State Park welcomes dogs on a 6-foot leash, but they may not enter the water, including the headsprings, swim areas, river and ponds. Silver Springs State Park allows leashed pets in the campground, picnic area and on the hiking trails, but not on the glass bottom boats or in buildings. In the Ocala National Forest, pets are not allowed in the day-use areas at Juniper, Salt, Silver Glen or Alexander springs; Silver Glen bans them from the whole recreation area.
Where can you see manatees near Ocala?
Naventure lists manatees among the wildlife at Silver Glen Springs. For winter manatee viewing around Ocala, including Silver Springs and the Silver River, see our guide to the best places to see manatees near Ocala; sightings depend on the weather and are never guaranteed.
Which spring near Ocala is best for kayaking?
Juniper Run is the most celebrated paddle: the Forest Service describes a 7-mile canoe run down Juniper Creek, and Naventure says it is a challenging, technical paddle not recommended for beginners. For easier water, Silver Springs State Park rents kayaks, canoes and paddleboards on the Silver River through Paddling Adventures, Rainbow Springs State Park has daily canoe and kayak rentals inside the park, and Alexander Springs and the Salt Springs marina rent canoes on site.
Are there alligators in springs near Ocala?
Alligators can turn up in any Florida fresh water, including spring runs and the rivers and lakes the springs feed. Swim only inside the marked swimming areas, during daylight, and follow posted signs. Pets are already banned from the water or the swimming areas at every spring on this page, which also keeps them away from wildlife.
Is Salt Springs a state park?
No. Salt Springs Recreation Area is a U.S. Forest Service site in the Ocala National Forest, run by the concessionaire Naventure. The only Florida state parks among the springs near Ocala are Silver Springs State Park and Rainbow Springs State Park.
Explore Individual Springs
Salt Springs
Forest Service recreation area with a marina and full-hookup camping.
Juniper Springs
Swimming and the 7-mile Juniper Run.
Manatees at Silver Springs
Wildlife viewing on the Silver River.
Fern Hammock Springs
A no-swimming spring inside the Juniper Springs area.
Silver Glen Springs
Day-use spring off State Road 19 in the Ocala National Forest.
Poe Springs
A spring on the Santa Fe River, north of Marion County.
Alexander Springs
The only Ocala National Forest spring that permits scuba diving.
Rainbow Springs Swimming
Swimming at the Rainbow Springs headsprings.
Rainbow Springs Dog-Friendly
Pet-friendly guide to Rainbow Springs.
Rainbow River Kayaking
Paddle the Rainbow River.
Rainbow River Water Taxi
Shuttle service along the Rainbow River.
River Tubing in Ocala
Tubing spots and outfitters near Ocala.
Springs in Ocala National Forest
All the national forest springs in one guide.
Plan Your Springs Trip: Where to Stay
Most springs are an easy day trip from Ocala, but several are closer to a campsite than to the city. Rainbow Springs State Park runs its own riverside campground near Dunnellon with RV and hike-in tent sites; see our guide to camping at Rainbow Springs.
Hotels in Ocala
A base for Silver Springs, Rainbow Springs and the national forest springs.
Vacation Rentals
Cabins, cottages and homes for groups or multi-day springs trips.
Camping in Ocala
RV parks and tent sites across Marion County.
National Forest Camping
Campgrounds at Salt Springs, Juniper Springs and Alexander Springs. Silver Glen is day use only.
- -Silver Springs State Park is 6.3 miles from downtown Ocala: $8 per vehicle, glass bottom boats and kayaking, no swimming
- -Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon (22 miles) is $5 per vehicle, needs a day-use reservation, and has swimming and seasonal tubing
- -Juniper, Salt, Silver Glen and Alexander springs in the Ocala National Forest charge $14.50 per person plus tax; water is 72 to 74°F
About This Guide
By the Only In Ocala team. Fees, hours, swimming rules and water temperatures were checked on October 21, 2026 against Florida State Parks (Silver Springs hours and fees, Rainbow Springs hours and fees, Rainbow Springs experiences), the U.S. Forest Service pages for Juniper, Salt, Silver Glen and Alexander springs, and the concessionaire Naventure. Where Naventure and the Forest Service give different water temperatures, we use the Forest Service figure. Drive distances and times are from Google Maps, starting at Ocala Downtown Square. Rules change, so check the official page before you go.
AI tools helped gather the sources and draft this page; each fact was checked against those sources before publishing.
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Manantiales cerca de Ocala, Florida
El manantial más cercano al centro de Ocala es Silver Springs State Park, en 5656 E. Silver Springs Blvd., a 6.3 millas de la plaza del centro: la entrada cuesta $8 por vehículo y abre de 8 a. m. hasta la puesta del sol, con botes de fondo de cristal y kayaks, pero no se permite nadar. Para nadar, Rainbow Springs State Park en Dunnellon, a 22 millas, cobra $5 por vehículo y exige reservación para entrar. En el Bosque Nacional de Ocala, Juniper, Salt, Silver Glen y Alexander Springs cobran $14.50 por persona más impuestos (gratis para niños de 5 años o menos), y el agua se mantiene entre 72 y 74 grados todo el año. Las mascotas no se permiten en las áreas de uso diurno del bosque nacional.
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.