When you are visiting Lake in the Forest, it is fun to visit our springs in the Ocala National Forests.
Since they are run by concessions, there is a fee of @$5.50 per person. I wouldn't go to the Springs if you are not planning to swim. There are many other facilities in the Forest and the Area which you can visit for non-swimming activities.
Depending on your family and your objectives will decide which Spring you pick. I personally feel that there is so much to enjoy at each Spring, that it would be a waste of money to visit multiple springs on the same day. Floridians - don't forget all the springs are 72 degrees year round -so be prepared to find the water chilly!
1)The closest Spring to Lake in the Forest Resort is Juniper Springs. You would go back to SR40 and turn right(East) and it will be around 10 minutes east on the left. If you reach SR19, you have gone too far. You can swim, walk on the boardwalk trail and swim. Because there is a waterwheel at the entrance of the swimming area, you never need to worry about a wandering gator.
This Spring has a jumping wall where you can jump or dive right into the Spring. There are ledges around the Swimming area where you can spread a blanket or just sit and watch. There are also garbage cans, rest rooms, small store (not always open), canoe rental, picnic tables.
I always enjoy walking the 1/4 mile decked boardwalk around the Spring which makes it accessible to strollers and wheel chairs.
Even though, the Juniper Spring Canoe Run is very beautiful, the water is very low and the trip is very long. There is no place to turn around, so you are stuck going to the end if you want to or not.
See my comments on canoeing in another blog.
2) Another favorite of mine is Silver Glen. From Lake in the Forest, go to 40 and go East 12 miles to SR 19. Turn left (North) and go to entrance on the right. The hiking trail - The Yearling is right accross the street and is also a nice hiking trail through the Forest.
Silver Glen has a big spring in the middle where you can snokel and feel the pressure of the Spring and view all the fish swimming in the Spring entrance. There are picnic tables, grills, porta pottys. You walk into Silver Glen and it gradually gets deep. Goggles and floaties are a plus. There are some trails to walk and canoe rentals which I have not personally used but heard good reviews on.
20 minutes from park using 19.
3) Salt Springs in another uniques spring with lots of little caves to snokel over. It is shallow in most areas. Goggles are a neccesity if you want to view under water by the springs. It is a lot of fun to go from one to the other. There is lots of grassy areas to spread out a blanket and have bathrooms and a small store close to the spring. Salt Spring is located in Salt Springs on 19 north of Silver Glen. Ask me for a short cut map through the woods to bypass 19 and also info. about the Salt Springs Marina. Boating on the run and then visiting the Spring can make a super inexpensive experience for the whole family. 20 minutes from park with shortcut.
4) Alexander Springs is located south of 40 and east of 19. It takes a good 30 minutes from our Park. I think, the easier way is to go past 19 on 40 and then turn to the right at the marked sign and than a right again to the park entrance. There is no easy way to get there. I feel it is the best beach for toddlers and non-swimmers because of the beach area. There is a big spring to snokel into and many of my advid snokeling friends and campers have commented that they felt Alexander Springs is the best to snokel out of the 4. I really enjoy Alexander Springs, but did feel uneasy snokeling there because you are not far from the wild life when you swim out to the cavern area. There is also a hiking area and canoe rentals.
When you book your reservations with us, we can send you a more detailed description of the Springs. Enjoy!!!
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