Natural North Florida is Springs Country
Powered by the Floridan Aquifer, the largest self-replenishing freshwater aquifer in the world, Natural North Florida is home to the largest collection of freshwater springs on the planet. The region has over 300 documented springs! Over 19 of the state’s 33 first magnitude springs (the really big ones) are located in Natural North Florida. Our springs have attracted people since prehistoric times, and today visitors from all over the world come to north Florida to swim, dive, float, play and relax in these unique natural wonders.
The springs featured on our web page represent some of the largest and nicest in the region. For that matter, they are some of the largest and nicest springs in the world! Some are privately-owned but open to the public, while others are owned by either state or local governments. Some offer overnight accommodations. Some are very popular with the locals, while others are seldom visited. All are accessible by automobile, and all are family-friendly. Each page includes a brief synopsis of the spring. A Directions button is also provided. Open our website on your cell phone to the desired spring, click the Directions button and receive turn-by-turn GPS directions to the springhead (or at least somewhere close to it).
More About Springs
Springs occur when water pressure causes a natural flow of groundwater onto the earth's surface. As rainwater enters or "recharges" the Floridan Aquifer, pressure is placed on the water already present underground. This pressure moves groundwater through cracks and tunnels within the aquifer to the surface at places called springs. Springs are classified by how much water they discharge. First magnitude springs discharge roughly 748 gallons/2,831 liters per second (that’s a lot of water!). Most of springs in the region are associated with a river. Some, such as Wakulla Springs, serve as river headwaters. Approximately 100 springs are located near (some even within the riverbed of) the Suwannee River. Additional information on springs, how they occur, and the underlying geology of the region can be found here.
