16 springs, within two hours of Jacksonville.
From the First Coast, Florida’s springs are a day trip: the Ocala National Forest springs to the southwest, De Leon and Blue Spring to the south, Ichetucknee and the Santa Fe River springs to the west. Every one, by drive time from where you live.
By Krista Fracke — Broker Associate, Christie's International Real Estate First Coast · 20+ years in Northeast Florida · 500+ closings · client reviews
Every spring, by drive time
I’m Krista Fracke, and if you want something to do here besides the beach, start here. Pick where you live; the list is every spring within two hours of it, from Florida State Parks and the Ocala National Forest.
Drive times from
16 within two hours of eTown, 0 of them within an hour.
| Park | Drive | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Ocala NF - Salt Springs Recreation AreaU.S. Forest Service · Salt spring swimming, Salt Springs Run boating, campground, marinaCampground $37-$69/night; day-use not captured | 1 h 23 | Campground $37-$69/night; day-use not captured |
| De Leon Springs State ParkFlorida State Parks · Swimming, Hiking, FishingEntry fee | 1 h 28 | Entry fee |
| Ocala NF - Silver Glen Springs Recreation AreaU.S. Forest Service · Spring swimming off Lake George (check status; flood closure noted Oct 2024)Temporarily closed per the U.S. Forest Service; check statusVia concessionaire Naventure | 1 h 30 | Via concessionaire Naventure |
| Blue Spring State ParkFlorida State Parks · Swimming, Tubing, Snorkeling, Diving, PaddlingEntry fee | 1 h 34 | Entry fee |
| O'Leno State ParkFlorida State Parks · Paddling, Camping, Cabins, Fishing, WildlifeEntry fee | 1 h 36 | Entry fee |
| River Rise Preserve State ParkFlorida State Parks · Camping, Horseback, FishingEntry fee | 1 h 37 | Entry fee |
| Ocala NF - Juniper Springs Recreation AreaU.S. Forest Service · CCC-era spring swimming area, Juniper Run canoe run, campingEntry fee | 1 h 39 | Entry fee |
| Ocala NF - Alexander Springs Recreation AreaU.S. Forest Service · First-magnitude spring, swimming, snorkeling, scuba, canoeVia concessionaire Naventure | 1 h 40 | Via concessionaire Naventure |
| Ichetucknee Springs State ParkFlorida State Parks · Swimming, Tubing, Snorkeling, Diving, PaddlingEntry fee | 1 h 40 | Entry fee |
| Rock Springs Run State ReserveFlorida State Parks · Camping, Hiking, Biking, Horseback, HistoryEntry fee | 1 h 46 | Entry fee |
| Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State ParkFlorida State ParksEntry fee | 1 h 47 | Entry fee |
| Silver Springs State ParkFlorida State Parks · Paddling, Boat tours, Camping, Cabins, HikingEntry fee | 1 h 48 | Entry fee |
| Madison Blue Spring State ParkFlorida State Parks · Swimming, Diving, Fishing, WildlifeEntry fee | 1 h 49 | Entry fee |
| Wekiwa Springs State ParkFlorida State Parks · Swimming, Snorkeling, Paddling, Camping, CabinsEntry fee | 1 h 51 | Entry fee |
| Troy Spring State ParkFlorida State Parks · Swimming, Diving, Fishing, WildlifeEntry fee | 1 h 53 | Entry fee |
| Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State ParkFlorida State Parks · Swimming, Snorkeling, Diving, Hiking, WildlifeEntry fee | 1 h 55 | Entry fee |
The closest three from each neighborhood
From eTown
- Ocala NF - Salt Springs Recreation Area83 min
- De Leon Springs State Park88 min
- Ocala NF - Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area90 min
From Nocatee
- Ocala NF - Salt Springs Recreation Area93 min
- De Leon Springs State Park99 min
- Ocala NF - Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area100 min
From Ponte Vedra
- Ocala NF - Salt Springs Recreation Area97 min
- O'Leno State Park101 min
- De Leon Springs State Park102 min
From St. Augustine
- Ocala NF - Salt Springs Recreation Area67 min
- De Leon Springs State Park71 min
- Ocala NF - Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area75 min
From Julington Creek
- Ocala NF - Salt Springs Recreation Area79 min
- Ocala NF - Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area86 min
- De Leon Springs State Park93 min
From Fernandina
- O'Leno State Park114 min
- River Rise Preserve State Park116 min
- Ichetucknee Springs State Park120 min
What you can do at each state park spring
| Spring | Swimming | Tubing | Snorkeling | Diving | Paddling | Camping |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| De Leon Springs State Park | ✓ | |||||
| Blue Spring State Park | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| O'Leno State Park | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| River Rise Preserve State Park | ✓ | |||||
| Ichetucknee Springs State Park | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Rock Springs Run State Reserve | ✓ | |||||
| Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park | ||||||
| Silver Springs State Park | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Madison Blue Spring State Park | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Wekiwa Springs State Park | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Troy Spring State Park | ✓ | ✓ | ||||
| Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
From Florida DEP’s state park points-of-interest data. A blank means the state doesn’t list that activity there, not that it is banned; each park sets its own rules.
The part nobody tells you: two different landlords
The springs state parks are run by Florida State Parks, with a per-vehicle entry fee at most of them. The Ocala National Forest springs (Salt Springs, Silver Glen, Juniper and Alexander) belong to the U.S. Forest Service, and a concessionaire runs the day-use areas for it, with its own fees and annual pass. Both close sites at times, after floods or for repairs, so the agency’s page the morning you go is worth a look.
For a homebuyer the practical point is direction. The springs are west and southwest of Jacksonville, so the west-side and St. Johns River neighborhoods (Julington Creek, Fruit Cove, RiverTown, eTown) are the closest to them, while the beach towns trade springs time for ocean time.
Homes for sale in Julington Creek
The newest listings, live from the MLS.
Homes for sale in RiverTown
The newest listings, live from the MLS.
Homes for sale in eTown
The newest listings, live from the MLS.
This is the work I do every week. Springs every month, or the beach every morning? Tell me which matters more. I'll show you which side of the river puts you closer, and the homes there.
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Broker Associate · Christie's International Real Estate First Coast · 20+ years · 500+ closings
Common questions
What is the closest spring to Jacksonville?
From eTown on Jacksonville’s south side, the closest is Ocala NF - Salt Springs Recreation Area at about 83 minutes, then De Leon Springs State Park (88) and Ocala NF - Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area (90). The table on this page has the closest springs from Nocatee, Ponte Vedra Beach, St. Augustine, Julington Creek and Fernandina Beach too.
Can you swim in the springs near Jacksonville?
Many of them. Florida State Parks lists swimming at 7 of the 12 springs state parks on this page, and the Ocala National Forest’s Salt Springs, Silver Glen, Juniper and Alexander Springs recreation areas are swimming areas. Some springs are for paddling, diving or viewing only; check each park’s rules.
Who runs the Ocala National Forest springs?
The U.S. Forest Service owns them, and a concessionaire runs the day-use areas and campgrounds for the Forest Service, with its own fees and an annual pass. Forest Service sites close from time to time after floods or for repairs, so check the status before you drive.
Every park within two hours →
State parks, national park sites, forests and refuges.
National parks near Jacksonville →
Timucuan, the Castillo, Cumberland Island and more.
Kayak and paddleboard launches →
Every hand launch closer to home.
Living on the St. Johns River →
The river side of the First Coast.
Closer to the springs?
Tell me the springs you’d visit most. I’ll send the homes that cut the drive.