Alexander Springs Recreation Area

Alexander Springs in Altoona is set in the Ocala National Forest and is one of the state’s most famous natural swimming areas to visit. Boasting clear turquoise waters and a hardwood swamp forest backdrop, this spring’s atmosphere will instantly make you feel connected to the earth. For around 10,000 years, Alexander Springs has served as a favorite swimming site in Florida for human and animal residents. The vast pool area is in a very natural, virtually unspoiled environment that looks like something from a scenic wall calendar. The indigenous Timucuan tribe also utilized the spring as a place to unwind and refresh on a hot, humid day. Alexander Springs is one of The Sunshine State’s many first-magnitude springs, but many would argue it’s the best. The water temperature is about 72℉ all year, and since Florida has mild winters, there is never really an off-season for crowds. This subtropical pool discharges over 80 million gallons of water daily, constantly refilling the sandy bottom basin with a sloped beach entry. The 300-foot-wide and 25-28-foot deep swimming area provides plenty of space for many to enjoy on its own, but it’s also a feeder for the 6.5-mile Alexander Creek (also known as “Springs Creek”). Swimming and snorkeling are two of the most popular activities in the water. Management requests that swimmers do not use inflatable floats over 60 inches so it doesn’t disrupt others’ enjoyment of the water.