The Best-Kept Secret Swimming Holes of Central Florida

A reminder of what Florida used to look like when it was inhabited by the Timucua Indians, Wekiwa Springs State Park will be the first stop on your wet and wild adventure. Along with a beautiful cold spring to swim in, the park offers 13 miles of hiking trails as well as opportunities for canoeing and kayaking. The swimming spring is only five feet deep, making it a great and safe spot for the whole family to take a dip. Make sure to arrive early, as the parking lot fills up quickly.

With more than 625 acres of fun, De Leon Springs State Park is ideal for travelers with varied interests. The spring remains at 72°F year round and produces 19 million gallons of water per day. That’s a whole lotta agua! The swimming area is handicap accessible and offers both scuba and snorkeling opportunities, and the park rents out kayaks, and canoes. Make sure to check out the nearby Sugar Mill Restaurant where you can cook your own pancakes right at the table. Sounds divine, doesn’t it?

The southernmost woodland in the United States, Ocala National Forest is a wonderful place to explore the beauty of nature. The park has an impressive number of crystal-clear springs, ponds, lakes and springs (more than 600, actually) which are perfect for swimming and snorkeling. The park also hosts a 66-mile stretch of the Florida Scenic Trail as well as a variety of bike and horse-friendly trails. In December, Ocala is one of the few places you can go to cut down your own Christmas tree.

With swamps, pines, and springs, Rock Springs Run State Reserve is your next stop. The park has 17 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback-riding trails, as well as designated hunting areas. The park (along with 74 other Florida state parks) offers a geocaching program for those looking to go on a high-tech treasure hunt. Keep an eye out for a variety of wildlife within the park, such as the Florida black bear and the sandhill crane.

Named for a painting of a yellow dog owned by Chef Fish Morgan, Yellow Dog Eats is a perfect place to refuel during your trip. All of the delicious meals—which feature creative titles such as “What the Fig?” and “Are You Chicken?”—are made from scratch, and the ingredients are locally grown. They even have a menu for the “pups” (kids)!

Next up on your journey is the peaceful Lake Louisa State Park—a wonderful escape right outside of Orlando. The park, which lies within the Green Swamp, features a variety of lakes for your swimming pleasure and is a great place to spot bald eagles. It also has quiet campsites and cabins. Make sure to watch the sunset over the lake—it’s a photo op that cannot be missed!