What is the temperature of the water in Florida's springs?

Around 22 °C (72 °F) year-round. The temperature is derived from the water table and varies very little with the seasons.

Which spring is best to visit with children?

Rainbow Springs, for the tube ride, and Silver Springs, for the glass-bottom boat tour. The springs in the Ocala National Forest are more laid-back and perfect for a full day of swimming without breaking the bank.

Can you see manatees at the springs?

In winter, it’s common to see them at Blue Spring, where they gather in the river to escape the cold; they can be observed from the boardwalk. During this time of year, swimming at the spring is usually off-limits because of the animals.

Do you need to make a camping reservation at the springs?

Yes, especially in state parks, which fill up on weekends and holidays. In national forests, there are more spots available, but some of them don't have electrical hookups.

How long does it take to get from Orlando to the springs?

It's about an hour and a half to the Ocala and Silver Springs area, somewhere between 130 and 160 km (80 to 100 miles).

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Florida's Springs by RV: 22-degree water just an hour from Orlando

Crystal-clear water flowing from the ground, a constant temperature of around 22 °C (72 °F) year-round, a forest all around, and almost no Brazilian tourists. Silver Springs has offered glass-bottom boat tours since the 19th century, and monkeys come down to the water’s edge. It’s just over an hour from the parks.

Why does this place work as a motorhome?

It’s the most hassle-free destination in the portfolio: just over an hour from Orlando, low-cost, and a stark contrast to a day at the park. You can do it in two or three days without affecting your ticket budget.

The springs are scattered throughout state parks and the Ocala National Forest, with campgrounds located in or near the water. An RV is the natural choice there: most of these places don't have any hotels nearby.

Where the RV Sleeps

State parks: well-maintained campgrounds with RV-sized sites and hookups available at most sites. These are the most popular and require reservations made well in advance.

Ocala National Forest: simpler facilities and, in many areas, no electrical hookups at the campsites. This is where your RV’s range matters—arriving with a full water tank and a charged battery makes all the difference.

It's worth checking each campground's vehicle length limit before choosing your RV: some forest campsites do not accept large motorhomes.

Everyday Life: What Are the Different Springs Used For?

Silver Springs: The glass-bottom boat is the classic attraction, having been in operation for nearly a century and a half. You can rent a kayak and see the monkeys that roam freely along the riverbanks—from a distance, without feeding them.

Rainbow Springs: blue-green water and a float down the river—that’s the activity the child asks to do over and over again.

Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs, and Salt Springs, in the national forest: natural hot springs with basic facilities, perfect for a full day out at almost no cost.

Blue Spring in winter: manatees gather in the river and can be seen from the boardwalk. During this time of year, swimming is usually prohibited precisely because of them.

With children

The water is shallow in the swimming areas and the bottom is visible, which provides visual reassurance for parents. Life jackets are usually available to borrow at state parks.

Floating down the river works well for children ages 6 and up. For younger children, the swimming area at the spring is a better option.

The ranger program, short hike, and picnic table cover the rest of the day at no additional cost.

Best season

The water temperature doesn't change: it stays around 22 °C (72 °F) all year round. What changes is the air around it.

In the summer, with temperatures of 33 °C (91 °F) and high humidity, stepping into the spring brings immediate relief—it’s the best time for a swim and the worst time for mosquitoes at dusk.

In winter, the contrast is reversed: the water feels warm on a cold day, but swimming is less inviting. On the other hand, that’s when the manatees appear at Blue Spring.

How much does it cost?

The charges include: daily camping fee, park entrance fee per person, kayak or float rental, and the boat tour, when available.

It's the cheapest destination of the bunch: without a theme park ticket and with meals on board, the whole day costs a fraction of what a day in Orlando would cost.

What Almost No One Talks About

"Twenty-two degrees" sounds cold on paper, but it's perfect after two days of waiting in line at the park—the entrance is a ten-second shock.

Some state parks have a daily limit on the number of vehicles allowed in and close the gate once they reach capacity, especially on hot weekends. Arriving early is the solution.

Not every spring allows for rafting, kayaking, and swimming at the same time; each park has its own rules, and they change by season.

Wild monkeys are pretty from a distance: feeding them is prohibited, and they bite.

Cell phone reception is weak or nonexistent inside the national forest—download the map beforehand.

How to Fit It Into a Trip to Orlando

Two days are enough to explore a single tranquil spring. Three days allow you to visit both Silver Springs and a forest spring, or head to Crystal River, which is just over an hour away.

It’s the ideal itinerary for the start of the trip, when the family is still adjusting to the time zone, or for the middle of the trip, as a breather between two park visits.

When It's Not Worth It

A cold winter day, if you're planning to take a bath.

If you're expecting a heated pool and resort-style amenities—this is the exact opposite.

An itinerary with no days off: a rushed trip loses its charm.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the temperature of the water in Florida's springs?: Around 22 °C (72 °F) year-round. The temperature is derived from the water table and varies very little with the seasons.
Which spring is best to visit with children?: Rainbow Springs, for the tube ride, and Silver Springs, for the glass-bottom boat tour. The springs in the Ocala National Forest are more laid-back and perfect for a full day of swimming without breaking the bank.
Can you see manatees at the springs?: In winter, it’s common to see them at Blue Spring, where they gather in the river to escape the cold; they can be observed from the boardwalk. During this time of year, swimming at the spring is usually off-limits because of the animals.
Do you need to make a camping reservation at the springs?: Yes, especially in state parks, which fill up on weekends and holidays. In national forests, there are more spots available, but some of them don't have electrical hookups.
How long does it take to get from Orlando to the springs?: It's about an hour and a half to the Ocala and Silver Springs area, somewhere between 130 and 160 km (80 to 100 miles).

Guides

Camping at Disney in an RV: Fort Wilderness Explained for Families — You wake up in a pine forest, surrounded by the scent of the woods and the sound of birdsong. You walk to the pier, hop on a boat, and disembark right in front of Magic Kingdom. It’s the same park day everyone else experiences—only it starts in a way no one will ever forget.
How to Fit a 4-Day RV Trip Into a Trip to Orlando — The trip to Orlando is already booked: flight, hotel, tickets, outlet mall. This guide covers the logistics of fitting in four days in an RV in the middle of all that—when to leave, what to do with the rental car, what to do with your luggage, and how many days before or after visiting the parks.
Swimming with Manatees in Crystal River: How It Works, When to Go, and What's True — The water is crystal clear and stays around 22 °C (72 °F) all year round. You wade in slowly, without splashing your legs, and wait. A half-metric-ton creature appears from the depths, swims by a meter away, and continues on its way as if you weren’t even there. It’s two hours from Orlando, and almost no Brazilians know it exists.
Florida's Springs by RV: 22-degree water just an hour from Orlando — Crystal-clear water flowing from the ground, a constant temperature of around 22 °C (72 °F) year-round, a forest all around, and almost no Brazilian tourists. Silver Springs has offered glass-bottom boat tours since the 19th century, and monkeys come down to the water’s edge. It’s just over an hour from the parks.
The Everglades by RV: Sleeping at the End of the Continent, Among Alligators and Stars — Flamingo is located 61 km past the park entrance, at the southernmost point of the American continent. At night, there is no town, no cell phone signal, and no artificial light anywhere. A child raised in a big city often sees the entire sky there for the first time.
Key West by RV: The Overseas Highway, Campgrounds, and What Nobody Tells You Ahead of Time — There are 42 bridges over turquoise water. In some spots, you can’t see land on either side—just the road and the sea—and it feels like you’ve taken a wrong turn and driven right into the ocean. Spending the night in Bahia Honda, with your RV just a few meters from the water, is the kind of night the family will talk about for years to come.
Renting an RV in Florida: How It Works for Brazilians — What Changes When Renting an RV (or Trailer) in Florida: Documents Required for Brazilian Citizens, the Difference Between an RV and a Trailer, Where to Camp Between Miami, Orlando, and the Keys, the Best Time to Visit, and What’s Usually Not Included in the Advertised Price.
RV Trip in the U.S.: The Complete Guide for Brazilians — How a motorhome (RV) trip through the United States works: driver’s license requirements for Brazilians, types of vehicles, where to stay, how many miles you drive per day, how much it costs, and the differences between driving yourself and having the RV set up for you at the campground.