Alexander Springs Recreation Area in Ocala National Park

 

“The springs I remember most vividly were the ones you traveled to down long, sand-track roads through dry pine hills. The first sign of something different was the dark green of a clump of broad leaf trees; then you saw the spring boil like a blue gem in its setting of green hammock, its water tumbling up out of its deep birthplace and roiling the surface with little prisms that sprayed color from the slanting light in the morning. The clarity of the water was absolute."

Archie Carr

Alexander Springs Recreation Area is centrally located in Florida making it an easy trip from either side of Florida and for us it would be a quick trip from our vacation spot in Ormond Beach. When we saw this spring was not even an hour away, we decided to go and check it out. Springs are always top on our list of places to see while in Florida. We packed up our bathing suits and towels and headed out. This spring is special in so many ways. First, this is a First Magnitude Spring, one of only 27 in the state of Florida, and discharges 100 cubic feet of water per second. It is located in Ocala National Park, and is the only spring in a national park or forest. It is also the oldest spring east of the Mississippi River.

When we pulled up to the entrance gate of this park, we paid our $4 a person and drove in. This park looked like a tropical paradise with large trees offering a lush canopy offering lots of great shade. This must be a big plus in the summer when it is super hot. We started by changing into our bathing suits at the restroom before heading to the spring. There is a snack bar directly across from the bathroom but was closed. We were there at the end of December so the air that day was chilly probably in the low 60’s.

As we walked down to the spring, we passed lots of tropical plants, maples, sweet gum, and cabbage palms. We passed many picnic tables, benches, and great places to lay out a blanket on open grassy areas. Even in the cold weather, there were quite a few people here and in the water and we could only imagine how busy it must get on a hot day. We managed to get a bench to put our things down on and walked down to the spring.

The spring was a gorgeous aqua color and the water was crystal clear. From the edge of the water, you can see the flowing discharging water from the 25 – 30 foot deep spring which comes up the surface boil. There was a nice swimming area closer to the shoreline which measures 300 feet from north to south and 250 feet from east to west. The pool area base is mostly sand and is easy in and out with steps and a long shallow area that is gently sloped.

The spring stays at a steady 72 degrees which would feel lovely in the summer but felt a little chilly on a December day. I put my feet in and got up to about my knees but stopped as the cold breeze chilled me. Joe got in and swam out to the spring. He said it was gorgeous and could see to the bottom easily even without a mask. Which brings up, you can not rent masks or snorkels there so bring them and flippers with you.

  

Along with this park having an amazing crystalline spring, there is a gorgeous 1.1 mile wooden boardwalk loop trail called Timucuan Trail that goes through a lush hardwood and palm forest that leads you down to the river. The day we were there the trail was closed. I reached around and snapped a picture and it looks wonderful. This is the area where the Timucuan Indians once lived, fished, gardens, and hunted.

Alexander Spring Run is a great river to paddle down as the river is 60 – 80 feet wide and slow moving. Paddling down the peaceful river, you will pass over native aquatic grasses and through a lovely 7,941 acres of wilderness that passes within Ocala National Park. It is an eight mile run that goes till it reached St. Johns River. It is great for view native birds and because it is so clear, you can get great views of the fish life below.

After leaving the spring area, we drove through the campground and really loved the large sites and how private most sites where. There are 67 RV sites and most are well shaded. We passed two restrooms with showers and many children riding their bikes with their parents around the campground.

This state park is so worth a visit. It sits on 383,000 of wilderness acres to enjoy. We loved our day here and will return.

Till next time. Bye for now.