The Best Natural Springs and Lakes Near St. Petersburg

by Pablo Koch-Schick September 11, 2022

Discover the best natural springs and lakes near St. Petersburg, Florida, perfect for relaxation and adventure. Notable spots include Blue Spring State Park, Homosassa Springs, Rainbow Springs State Park, Wekiwa Springs State Park, Crystal River Preserve State Park, Weeki Wachee Springs, Ginnie Springs, Silver Springs State Park, and Devil's Den. Enjoy activities like swimming, and kayaking, and discover the wildlife. These locations offer amazing natural beauty and diverse recreational opportunities, making them ideal for family outdoor activities.

The 9 Most Beautiful Natural Florida Springs and Lakes Near St. Pete:

#1: Blue Spring State Park

the best natural lakes and springs near st petersburg

At approximately 2:30 driving time from St. Petersburg, Florida, you will find Blue Spring State Park, the largest spring on the St. Johns River. It is a designated Manatee Refuge and winter home (November through March) for a colony of West Indian Manatees. For centuries, this spring area was home to Native Americans.

While swimming or diving with the manatees is not permitted, fishing, canoeing, and boat tours are popular on the river. For scuba divers, up-to-date accreditation cards are required at the entrance station.

You can select from various water excursions available at the Blue Spring State Park. There are numerous picnic sites and walking trails for a day trip. Air-conditioned cabins on those hot summer nights, rustic campsites, and a comprehensive campground are available for an overnight stay.

Annual entrance passes may be purchased at any park ranger station or a museum. Off-peak passes are sold on weekdays during regular business hours 365 days a year.

#2: Homosassa Springs

Natural Springs Near St. Petersburg, Florida

The town of Homosassa Springs, Florida, is about 1.5 hour's drive from Saint Petersburg. It is built around and named after its most magnificent natural feature - Homosassa Florida Springs.

For thousands of years, the mainspring at Homosassa has lured both people and animals. The beautiful area surrounding this spring is home to various animals, making it an ideal spot for nature lovers from all over the world.

The Homosassa Springs is home to a wide range of salt and freshwater fish species. It is recognized for its historical significance as a wintering site for West Indian manatees. Come and visit Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park to see many animals that call this place home!

#3: Rainbow Springs State Park

Rainbow Springs State Park, about 2 hours from St. Petersburg, is home to the headspring of the Rainbow River, one of Florida's most beautiful and well-known waterways. The Manatee River was once known as a beautiful and popular family-owned attraction. The spring became part of the Florida State Park System in 1990.

The Rainbow River, which flows through the Everglades national park in Florida and empties into Biscayne Bay, might be called the state's natural swimming pool.

The Rainbow River is sandwiched between areas of smooth limestone, giving it a "pool-like" appearance.

Swimmers may swim in the main park spring, which has a rope-off zone and a dock with steps for easy access to the spring. Outside the park, visitors float down the Rainbow river in inner tubes, frequently stopping to leap off ropes secured to overhanging tree branches. The leisurely current of the river determines the speed, as little Florida springs bubble up and flow into the Rainbow river.

#4: Wekiwa Springs State Park

The Best Natural Springs and Lakes Near St. Petersburg, Florida

Wekiwa Springs is located at the headwaters of the Wekiva River, about 2 hours from St. Petersburg. It's a true haven for relaxation, perfect for a weekend getaway!

The park offers 13 miles of hiking and cycling paths and equestrian opportunities. The Wekiva River and Rock Springs Run, which flow from Crystal Lake to the east, are popular canoeing and kayaking sites.

There is a full-facility campground and 60 campsites available for rent. Clear water, electricity, a fire ring with a grill and picnic table, and an in-ground fireplace are all available at each campsite. Pets are not allowed.

Otter Camp and Big Buck Camp (canoe or kayak only access) are on the beautiful Rock Springs Run. Visit one of the two Wekiwa Springs State Park stables to begin have a unique experience!

#5: Crystal River Preserve State Park

Crystal River Preserve sprawls over more than 27,500 acres. Many sections of the park are still unspoiled, allowing visitors to see what this region of Florida looked like hundreds of years ago. The park's location in a natural area, combined with its remote and rural setting, enhances the illusion of time travel.

Eelgrass beds are the bays of refuge where freshwater and ocean water mingle. The preserve's swamps assist in recharging Florida's aquifer, making the region vital for wildlife and human societies. The pond is year-round hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding, and birdwatching destination.

Freshwater from various Florida springs in Crystal River mixes with the salty seawater from the Gulf of Mexico every day.

Crystal River Preserve Park provides a variety of activities to try at your own pace and on your schedule. Have a picnic in the park or just watch the action on the river with your family or friends!

If you don't have much time, go for a trail walk on weekends or mornings. There are five hiking paths in the Crystal River Preserve Park, with plenty of butterflies and blossoming wildflowers. Consider heading into the preserve on boat tours or kayak to enjoy some beautiful paddling along its numerous tidal creeks.

#6: Weeki Wachee Springs

From its inception in 1947, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park has enthralled tourists with its stunning beauty. One of Florida's most distinctive roadside attractions is this legendary enchanted spring, the world's only surviving example. It's a perfect location for both leisure and adventure, with its stunning sandy beaches, gorgeous scenery and various water sports.

This lovely seaside resort transforms into a sparkling star at nightfall when the fluttering lights transform the cityscape. The beautiful city center is full of cafés, restaurants serving delicious food, boutiques, and charming streets ideal for strolling or cycling during the day.

The perfect place to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life! At Weeki Wachee Springs Park, you can watch a show of live mermaids, go on boat tours, learn about Florida wildlife, or dip in the fresh spring water. The park also let's you rent kayaks, do canoeing, and tubing down the sparkling Weeki Wachee River.

Buccaneer Bay Waterpark, located inside Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, offers four giant water slides, a large pirate ship, and a lazy river.

Buccaneer Bay is also a great birdwatching spot as it is home to a wide variety of feathered friends. The park provides free binoculars and bird identification guides to help you spot these beautiful creatures.

To have a unique experience the park's natural splendor and wildlife up close, take a 3-hour, 5.5-mile float down the Weeki Wachee River. The river's gentle current will take you through the pristine Florida wilderness. You may glide right over the distinctive West Indian manatee, turtles and fish, pelicans and wood storks, rare otters, ospreys, and bald eagles. You might even catch a glimpse of an alligator or Florida panther!

#7: Ginnie Springs

A woman on a paddleboard enjoying the crystal-clear waters of a natural spring surrounded by lush greenery, showcasing one of the best springs near St. Pete, Florida.

Ginnie Springs is more than just a place to tube, it’s an oasis for adventure seekers. Renting equipment and exploring the natural wonders of Ginnie Springs Park will leave your senses tingling with excitement!
From paddleboarding on shoreline waves or playing volleyball under stars at night - there are countless ways you can spend quality time outdoors in this one-of-a kind location.

There’s nothing like floating down the Santa Fe River with your friends on a hot summer day. Most guests enter the clear water at Beaver's Landing and spend an hour or so lazying around before exiting out of curiosity, then following instructions to get back home as they walk along Tube Trail which takes about 15 minutes walking distance from Ginnie Springs parking lot (free air fill station).

#9: Silver Springs State Park

Two people kayaking in the clear, tranquil waters of a natural spring surrounded by trees, showcasing one of the best springs near St. Pete, Florida.

The Silver River is a hidden gem for outdoor enthusiasts. Kayakers can enjoy the primeval forest wilderness surrounded by some of South Carolina’s best managed sandhills, all while being accessible by trails and dotted with friendly campgrounds that welcome visitors year-round!

The serene and historic gardens nearby of Silver Springs remind visitors that the park has always been a favorite destination for Northerners traveling by steamship. The annual celebration, called “Springsfest” celebrates all Florida natural springs as well as protection or restoration efforts to keep them healthy - it's not just about one spring!

#9: Devil's Den

A stunning view of a natural spring inside a cave with wooden stairs leading down to the crystal-clear water, showcasing one of the best springs near St. Pete, Florida.

Our final selection is the natural marvel of Devil's Den. It was purchased by the current owners in 1993 and has since transformed from a simple scuba dive site to a world-class tourist destination. Visit Devil's Den Spring, one of North America's most ancient sites!

The University of Florida Museum of Natural History has a paleontological collection of bones from extinct animals that have lived in the region for hundreds of thousands of years.

On chilly winter days, you may notice steam, similar to smoke, seeping out of the chimney. As a result, the early settlers dubbed the site "Devil's Den." Devil's Den is home to a wide variety of plant and animal life. Are you down to go cave diving in the Devil's Den?

In Conclusion

There you have it! Our seven must-see Florida state parks with natural Florida lakes and springs near St. Petersburg, offer a little something for everyone to enjoy. You won't be able to get enough of all the beautiful and unique things you'll discover in this stunning paradise!