Florida geography is, of course, known for its beautiful sandy white beaches, picturesque salt marshes and brackish waterways. But something that is not well-known to those outside of the state, is that Florida is home to over 700 freshwater springs. Luckily for us, many are located in northern & central Florida. Royal Springs is a hidden gem, in a rural area of Suwannee County. Floating in this crisp spring was pretty magical, and there are so many reason why we loved it.
Royal Springs is Completely Beautiful
The cold water is comprised of layers of ice blue, deep blue and aqua. It’s a true swimming hole, surrounded by trees and you have to walk down many stairs to reach it.
Royal Springs has a jumping platform and a rope swing. The springs have a depth of about 42 feet. It’s jump at your own risk since there are no lifeguards here but we saw folks of all ages taking the leap (many while holding hands).
Royal Springs is a Contained Area
It’s a pool rather than a river, so you don’t have to commit a certain amount of time to float. Be sure to pack a picnic lunch, there are tables and spots for a blanket.
Royal Springs allows you to be as adventurous as you like. We saw serious scuba divers exploring the depths as well as children splashing at the edge. Pack some water shoes and a floating device for maximum enjoyment.
Royal Springs is Free to Visit
Maybe our favorite part about Royal Springs is that it’s free. It’s also easily accessible despite its remote location. There is ample parking and the walk to the springs is not far.
If you’re interested in learning more about springs in Florida, we recommend Touring the Springs of Florida: A Guide to the State’s Best Springs. It’s a great resource for day trips that your family is sure to love!
Mattie Shepherd moved to Jax Beach from Cincinnati about 3 years ago. She was a school psychologist for 9 years and enjoys using behaviorism on her husband and 2 daughters (JK, kind of). Mattie co-leads a Daisy Troop, is very proud to be on PTA board and cheers LOUDLY watching her daughter play ALL the sports. Mattie loves exploring Jax, especially in search of parks, coffee, cocktails and delish food. At home, she likes baking with her girls, dreaming of buying a fixer upper and covering it with #shiplap, and cropping messes out of her Instagram shots.
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