Florida’s springs offer a quieter kind of family adventure: cool, clear water, shaded riverbanks, wildlife and a few wonderfully unexpected surprises. Here are six Old Florida parks to consider for your next outing, with practical details to help you plan around kids, seasonal changes and reservation rules.
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1. Ichetucknee Springs State Park: tube beneath the cypress trees
At Ichetucknee Springs State Park in Fort White, the headline experience is a float on a clear, tree-shaded river. The water stays around 72°F year-round, and the cypress and hardwood canopy makes this a memorable warm-weather outing. It’s a good fit for a wide range of ages, from toddlers riding with an adult to teens ready to paddle.
Admission is $6 per vehicle for two to eight people. The park is open 8 a.m. to sunset, 365 days a year. Tubing currently runs from Dampier’s Landing at the South Entrance. The Midpoint Tube Launch is closed for repairs until further notice, so check the current tubing information before setting out. Tube rentals end at 4:30 p.m., and everyone must be off the river by 6 p.m.
Swimming and snorkeling are allowed at Blue Hole Spring and the Headspring at the North Entrance, not in the river itself at the north end. Pack water shoes for the rocky and sandy bottom. Summer weekends can fill up, and tube counts are limited, so an early arrival helps.
Illustrative, AI-generated image; it is not a photograph of the park.
2. Blue Spring State Park: boardwalk views and winter manatees
Just north of Orlando in Orange City, Blue Spring State Park offers a family-friendly mix of spring scenery and wildlife watching. The accessible boardwalk is stroller-friendly, making it an easy way to explore with little ones.
Admission is $6 per vehicle, and the park is open 8 a.m. to sunset. A 2026 day-use reservation program is in effect: visitors need an advance reservation through Florida State Parks’ reservation system. The park can still reach capacity, so aim to arrive around 7:30–7:45 a.m., especially on weekends.
Swimming and snorkeling in the spring run are permitted through November 14, 2026. From November 15 through March 31, water activities there are prohibited to protect manatees. During that season, the boardwalk becomes a prime place to watch the manatees gather, sometimes in large numbers on cold mornings. Check the park’s current notices before your visit.
Illustrative, AI-generated image; it is not a photograph of the park.
3. De Leon Springs State Park: make your own pancake breakfast
At De Leon Springs State Park in Volusia County, the Old Sugar Mill Pancake House turns breakfast into part of the adventure: families cook pancakes at the table. It’s a simple, hands-on treat that can be a hit with kids of nearly any age.
Admission is $6 per vehicle for two to eight people or $4 for a single-occupant vehicle. The park and restaurant are listed as open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Park admission is required to visit the restaurant, which serves breakfast and lunch. Check the restaurant page for current details before you go.
The park also offers swimming, canoe and kayak rentals, a 600-year-old cypress tree, historic sugar mill ruins and the “fountain of youth” legend. A weather-dependent eco/heritage boat tour is another option; its official tour page lists prices and booking information. There are no lifeguards, so keep a close eye on children in the water.
Illustrative, AI-generated image; it is not a photograph of the park.
4. Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park: take a river tour
About 30 minutes south of Tallahassee, Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park pairs a swimming area with historic river boat tours. On a tour, children can look for wildlife along the riverbanks; trips operate when weather permits.
Admission is $6 per vehicle. River boat tickets cost $8 for ages 13 and older, $5 for ages 3–12, and are free for children under 3. Reserve ahead or call 850-421-2000. The last tour is generally at 4:30 p.m. during standard time and 5 p.m. during daylight saving time. Tours can pause for thunderstorms. Glass-bottom boat trips depend on water clarity, so confirm what’s operating when you book.
The swimming area opens by 8:30 a.m. and closes during thunderstorms. The historic Lodge at Wakulla Springs dates to 1937 and has 27 rooms and no televisions. A distinctive stay for families who want a break from screens. The boat tour can work for all ages; the swimming area is best for children who can swim confidently with close adult supervision.
Illustrative, AI-generated image; it is not a photograph of the park.
5. Florida Caverns State Park: explore underground
For a different kind of outdoor day, Florida Caverns State Park in Marianna offers guided walks through an air-filled cave. Kids can see dripping stalactites, flowstone and bat roosts, then enjoy the park’s swimming area, playground or fishing.
Day-use areas are open 8 a.m. to sunset Central Time. Admission is $5 per vehicle for two to eight people. Cave tours usually run seven days a week, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Central Time, except for scheduled maintenance. Tickets cost $16 for ages 13 and older, $9 for ages 3–12, and are free for children under 3. They’re first-come, first-served at the gift shop, with a limited number of online reservations at FloridaCavernsGiftShop.com.
Tours are about an hour and best for children around age five and up who can manage dim, wet paths and some low ceilings. Strollers aren’t allowed on the cave tour, and busy days can sell out, go early. Important for October 21, 2026: cave tours are unavailable today for maintenance. Check the tour schedule for other dates.
Illustrative, AI-generated image; it is not a photograph of the park.
6. Rainbow Springs State Park: gardens, waterfalls and a winter tubing pause
At Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon, families can swim at the Headsprings and wander garden paths past azaleas and small waterfalls cascading over historic phosphate-rock terraces. The gardens and swimming area make a relaxed outing for all ages.
Headsprings admission is $5 per vehicle for two to eight people. An advance day-use reservation is required; book through Florida State Parks’ reservation system and check for same-day availability if plans are spontaneous. The Headsprings entrance is generally open 8 a.m. to sunset, but capacity can affect entry.
Tubing uses a separate entrance from the Headsprings, and it’s closed for the winter season from October through March. Parking-lot renovation is also underway through February 4, 2027, with limited parking. Check current park alerts and arrive with a flexible plan.
Illustrative, AI-generated image; it is not a photograph of the park.
Family friendly resorts in Florida: choose a comfortable home base
For a family friendly resorts Florida getaway, consider pairing a spring day trip with a convenient base rather than moving hotels each night. You can look for attraction tickets and resort stays through Undercover Tourist, compare lodging options on Trip.com, or stay inside a state park at the Lodge at Wakulla Springs. For travel planning, browse flight deals and North America travel options.
Orlando family vacation tips for a springs day
For Orlando family vacation tips, Blue Spring and De Leon Springs are two of the easiest spring outings, roughly 45–60 minutes from the city. Reserve online ahead when required, and try to arrive before 8 a.m. Renting a car for the day can make the trip easier; compare car rental options. Midweek visits are often quieter. Pack water shoes and reef-safe sunscreen, and check each park’s rules on sunscreen and swimming areas before you go.
A few family travel essentials to pack
A little planning helps make the drive and park day smoother. Keep kids entertained on the way with a travel tray, mini magnet tiles, an LCD doodle tablet, sticker pad, Color Wonder set, activity book, travel board games or a magnetic travel game tin.
For comfort and cleanup, consider flushable wipes, hand sanitizer wipes, a kids’ neck pillow and a motion-sickness roll-on. For airport days, a compact scooter suitcase can keep little travelers moving. Follow park restroom and waste-disposal instructions for wipes.
Find more off-the-beaten-path family ideas on Packed for Fun. Hours, fees and tour schedules can change seasonally, so double-check each park’s official Florida State Parks page before you go.