Stay Cool: 6 Local Springs For Family Fun Tubing & Swimming

As summer heats up the Florida coast, it seems like everyone is heading out to the water. While swimming is a fun way to beat the heat, there’s nothing quite like tubing down Florida’s springs. Choose your excursion, from a brief ride to a leisurely afternoon, and enjoy some summer tube time relaxing with your family and friends.  

Looking for the best places to hit the tubes or swimming? You’ll never go wrong with any one of these Florida favorites. 

1. Weeki Wachee Springs –

6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL 34606

Visit Buccaneer Bay for the lazy river float. Kick back, relax, and float around the natural river that flows around the swimming area. Weeki Wachee Springs also features live mermaid shows, paddleboard, and kayak rentals. Located at 6131 Commercial Way in Spring Hill, it’s sure to become a family favorite. Other highlights include:

• Snorkeling & Swimming 
• Thrilling water slides (Open Saturday & Sundays only)
• Kiddie pool 
• Mermaid Show
• Concession stand and seasonal restaurant 

FEES:

Lazy River Wristband: $10 per person

• Please note you must be 42 inches to ride the Lazy River. One rider per tube.

Learn more about the Lazy River Float at Weeki Wachee. 

2. Rainbow Springs –

Located at 19158 SW 81^st Place Rd. in Dunnellon, the natural beauty of this park draws in visitors daily through the summertime. The water stays at a consistent 72 degrees all year long, making it the perfect cool spot for hot Florida families.

A two-hour or four-hour float down the Rainbow River provides relaxation and fun. Tram service is provided for a fee.  Other highlights of Rainbow Springs include:

ACTIVITIES: 

• Snorkeling
• Canoe rentals
• Kayak rentals 
• Food services 

Contact Guest Services at (833) 945-2925 for tube rental and shuttle fees.

3. Blue Springs State Park –

Arrive early at this family-friendly destination at 2100 W French Avenue in Orange City, because it fills frequently. This naturally preserved location attracts masses of wildlife, such as wading birds, fish, and of course, the ever-popular manatees.

Tube rentals are available at the park’s concessionaire, with a tube run that lasts about an eighth of a mile.

ACTIVITIES: Other activities at Blue Springs State Park include: 

• Hiking & Fishing 
• Canoe and kayak rentals
• Guided riverboat cruises 
• Swimming, Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
• Camping 
• Cabins

Learn more at Blue Springs State Park.

4. Ichetucknee Springs State Park –

12087 S.W. U.S. Highway 27
Fort White FL 32038

(386) 497-4690

Bring your own or rent one from the park, then spend a long lazy day tubing down the natural river. The float time provides 3 ½ hours of leisure, but entry at different points of the park can cut the time down to 1 ¾ hours or even as little as 45 minutes. Tram services are available for the return trip. Ichetucknee Springs State Park is located at 12087 SW U.S. Highway 27 in Fort White, Florida.

HOURS: 8 a.m. until sunset

Learn more about Ichetucknee Springs State Park.

5. Rock Springs Run at Kelly Park

400 E Kelly Park RD
Apopka, FL 32712

Located at 400 E Kelly Park Road in Apopka, tubing is one of the favorite activities at Kelly Park. Kelly Park features a free-flowing natural spring (68 degrees year round), a full-service concession, picnic pavilions and a playground.

Tube rentals are available from vendors outside the park; guests may bring their own pool noodles or floats that must be less than five feet in length or width. The park typically fills to capacity on weekends, so get there early.

How can we find out if the park has reached capacity?

Once the park reaches capacity, they update their web page to reflect that the park is now full. They also have an Information Line that they update when the park is full: call 407-254-1906.

ACTIVITIES:

• Tubing
• Picnic & Playground areas
• Kayaking & Canoeing
• Concessions
• Tent and RV Camping

Learn more about Kelly Park.

6. Lithia Springs –

Head out to 3932 Lithia Springs Road in Lithia and swim at this natural spring and recreation area. Here you’ll find cool clear waters that provide the perfect place to beat the heat as you relax among the wonders of nature. Swim times are divided into two, four-hour time limits with a maximum capacity of 200 swimmers during each time slot. Time Slot #1: 9 AM – 1 PM and Time Slot #2: 2 PM – 6 PM.

ACTIVITIES:

Other activities at Lithia Springs include: 

• Picnic shelters and grills 
• Swimming
• Camping 
• Hiking & Fishing 
• Volleyball & Playground area 

Learn more about Lithia Springs.

Before you go, here are some great tips for families while tubing at a local park.

Tubing Tips for Families:

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