<div id="c3be0912bb716eee4ca644c1dfc4ecde4"></div>While Florida is well known for its stunning beaches, the state’s equally stunning Florida springs can be your Labor Day Weekend adventure. These watery treasures provide beautiful scenery, aquatic activities, and unique wildlife while giving you relief from the steamy Florida heat. Many of these Florida springs are a reasonable drive from the Tampa Bay area.
Here is a list of some of our favorite Florida springs for Labor Day Weekend, drive time included! Get there early, all of these Florida springs are bound to be popular over the long weekend.
Updated August 2024
Natural Springs in Florida for Labor Day Weekend
Lithia Springs in Lithia
3932 Lithia Springs Rd, Lithia
Spring/Summer: 8am – 7pm and Fall/Winter: 8am – 6pm
Distance from Tampa: 30 minutes
Lithia Springs is the easiest natural Florida spring to get to, located right in Lithia near the Fishhawk area. There is a beautiful swimming area filled with cool, fresh spring water from the springs that eventually fuels the Alafia River. Lithia Springs is popular for swimming and camping.
There is a $2 per vehicle fee and then $2 per person fee to swim.
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
6131 Commercial Way, Weeki Wachee
Daily 9am-5:30pm
Distance from Tampa: 1 hour
With a plethora of attractions for the whole family to enjoy, Weeki Wachee Springs is more than just a state park. Buccaneer Bay Waterpark offers five waterslides, a sandy beach, swimming, snorkeling, and a special water play area for the little ones.
For an active adventure, rent a tandem kayak to paddle 5.5 miles of the Weeki Wachee River‘s calm waters. Make sure to catch the Weeki Wachee Mermaids perform Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid underwater.
Park entry is $13 per person.
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
4150 S. Suncoast Blvd, Homosassa Springs
9am-5:30pm
Distance from Tampa: 1 hour 20 minutes
Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park combines everything you love about Florida State Parks into one visit. What started off as a tourist attraction in the 1950s has now grown to be a Florida State Park. The history is quite fascinating, and remnants of the old roadside attraction are apparent in places.
There are natural walkways and landscapes to explore, plus abundant opportunities to see wildlife. Spot manatees in the winter, plus rescued wildlife like flamingos, pelicans, owls, turtles, otters, alligators, deer, and more. There are a small number of manatees year round that are kept at the park as they are not fit to return to the wild.
Admission is $13 per person ages 5 and older.
FYI: If you park in the main parking lot, you will need to plan on a 15-minute tram or boat ride to the park itself. Weekends are very busy.
Read our Expert’s Guide to Visiting Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
Silver Springs State Park
3050 55th Ave, Silver Springs
8am to sundown
Distance from Tampa: 1 hour 40 minutes
You might think of swimming, tubing and kayaking when you think of Florida springs, but Silver Springs State Park offers a unique experience not available at other parks. The iconic glass bottom boat tours offered at this park allow you to see the springs in a beautiful way. Look down at the watery world below and spot fish, aquatic plants, and other treasures. These 30-minute tours are offered daily, with extended 90-minute tours available on weekends. Kayaking is available at Silver Springs State Park as well.
Park admission is $2 per person and boat tours are $12-$25/person, depending on which tour you choose.
Pro-tip: When you pre-book your boat tours your admission to the park is included – so do this to save time, reserve your spot, and save money too!
Rainbow Springs State Park
19158 SW 81st Place Rd, Dunedin
8am to sunset
Distance from Tampa: 1 hour 40 minutes
Popular with swimmers, snorkelers, paddlers and tubers, Rainbow Springs State Park offers a variety of water adventures. A designated swimming area is the perfect place to cool down, or rent a tube or kayak to cruise the picturesque Rainbow River. Tubing is accessed via a separate tubing entrance ($2 entry fee) and rentals are $20 for the day.
This is a very popular spot on Labor Day Weekend.
On land, hike the scenic walkways and nature trail to admire manmade waterfalls and colorful flora that attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
For a longer tube run (we’re talking 4-4.5 hours of floating!), KP Hole is an alternate park nearby offering tube rentals.
Kelly Park / Rock Springs
400 E. Kelly Park Rd, Apopka
8 am-6 pm
Distance from Tampa: 1 hour 45 minutes
Located north of Orlando, Kelly Park is popular with tubers eager to float down the short, but serene 3/4-mile tube run. Pack a picnic and stake out a sunny spot in the grass along the water after you’ve had your fill of floating down the crystal-clear water.
It is critical that you visit Kelly Park / Rock Springs on a weekday or any other season other than summer. Usually, the line of cars to enter this park on weekends and especially in the summer is at least an hour, or more, long. And the park does reach capacity quickly on such days.
If tubing isn’t your thing, pass the entrance to Kelly Park and continue to King’s Landing where you can rent kayaks and hit the water. Keep your eyes out for playful otters, turtles, birds and other wildlife.
Tube rentals are available outside the park from multiple vendors (or bring your own tube — must be less than 5 feet in length or width), and park admission is $3-$5.
Ichetucknee Springs State Park
12087 S.W. U.S. Highway 27, Fort White FL 32038
8am until sunset
Distance from Tampa: 2 hours 30 minutes
A fun weekend trip away from the city, Ichetucknee Springs is nestled between Jacksonville, Gainesville and Tallahassee. While this area is well-known for the warm weather tubing, it is also known for being a wildlife haven. Enjoy swimming in the warm waters or hiking along the many trails in this six-mile-long river. This oasis is open 8 a.m. to sunset. Tickets can be purchased at floridastateparks.org. Ther is a $6 per vehicle charge for 2-8 people and $4 for a single occupant vehicle.
Ginnie Springs
Distance from Tampa: 2 hours 30 minutes
Sunday from 8 am-6 pm, Monday-Thursday from 8 am-5 pm, Friday and Saturday from 8 am-7 pm
7300 Ginnie Springs Rd., High Springs, FL 32643
Located near Gainesville, this destination is one of the only places where certified divers can go cave diving in Florida. For a more leisurely activity, rent tubes for $6 each (or a double tube for $12) and relax as you float down the Santa Fe river with your love. The facility also offers overnight rental cottages, campsites, and picnicking if you’d like to turn your visit into a weekend getaway.
Off-Season Rates: Adults $15, Children ages 5-12 $5. Season Rates: Adults $20. Children 5 and under are free.
