Spoiled with outdoor activities and sunny weather, summer in Florida is best spent floating on an inner tube. Dip your toes in the crystal clear water at a natural spring or an alluring state park and take in your lush surroundings, as going on a tubing adventure is one of the most leisurely ways to take in Florida’s natural beauty. A scenic way to beat the heat, read on to discover the best places to go tubing in Florida.
Ichetucknee Springs State Park, Fort White
Considered the creme de la creme of tubing in Florida, the six miles of luxurious bliss found in Ichetucknee Springs State Park will have you returning for more. With crystal clear spring-fed waters and a canopy of lush green surroundings, you’ll feel the stress melt away as you unwind and enjoy the stunning scenery. Famous for a reason, this park fills up quickly, so it’s best to arrive early to ensure you get in on some of the renowned tubing action. Wildlife spotting is common here, from white-tailed deer to great blue herons, while picnic tables are great for families with kids.
12087 Southwest, US-27, Fort White, FL 32038, USA— +1 386-497-4690
Blue Spring State Park, Orange City
Home to the largest spring on the St. John’s River, Blue Spring State Park in Orange City is less than an hour’s drive from Orlando. Best known as a designated manatee refuge, this 2,600-acre park is a favorite spring with locals and is perfect for a summertime float. While it might be the shortest tube run on the list, with about an eighth of a mile to explore, its crystal clear 73-degree temperature waters make it worth the trip. Leading into the park’s main swimming dock, this is the perfect place to combine a day of swimming and tubing.
Rainbow Springs State Park, Dunnellon
Nestled 30 minutes drive from Ocala, Rainbow Springs State Park is divided into three parts, the main “head springs” entrance, the tubing entrance, and the campground. With a long history of almost 10,000 years, this historic spring has been a gorgeous escape from Florida’s heat since the 1800s. Winding for nearly 6 miles and surrounded by lush vegetation, the nature-made course here provides a perfect place to take in the quiet splendor of this oasis and spend an afternoon unwinding on a lazy river ride.
19158 SW 81st Pl Rd, Dunnellon, FL 34432, USA— +1 352-465-8555
Madison Blue Spring State Park, Lee
One of Florida’s newest state parks, Madison Blue Spring State Park, sits between Jacksonville and Tallahassee. Home to a first magnitude spring, an 82-foot wide and 25-foot bottomless spring bubbles into a limestone basin along the west bank of the Withlacoochee River. A picturesque setting that was made for a day of tubing, you can bring your inflatables and tubes in the spring or purchase a float from a local vendor in the park. Open on weekends from May to September, bring the entire family here to picnic, paddle and go wildlife viewing.
Rock Springs Run at Kelly Park, Apopka
While it’s only three-quarters of a mile, Rock Springs Run in Kelly Park packs a lot of punch for its size. Less than an hour from Orlando, the 248 acres of scenic lagoon offers the perfect chance to go tubing and swimming on the same day. The crystal clear springs create a lazy river and become a slow-running stream, blossoming into a series of lagoons and pools that serve as the park’s crown jewel. Perfect for floaters of all ages, the area also features a network of boardwalks to quickly get out and restart your float.
Ginnie Springs, High Springs
Ginnie Springs is a long-time favorite spot for locals, allowing you to float down the Santa Fe River for an hour. Located in High Springs just outside of Gainesville, most people enter the water at the Devil’s Spring with a tube or float and spend the afternoon lazily floating in the tranquil waters. Exiting at Twin Spring, the walk back to the springs only takes about 15 minutes on the tube trail. Don’t worry if your float is a little low on air, as free air stations are conveniently available in the park.
7300 Ginnie Springs Road, High Springs, FL 32643, USA— +1 386-454-7188
Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park
Formerly Blue Springs, not to be confused with Blue Spring State Park, Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park is nestled in a quiet rural area just four miles west of High Springs. Here you’ll find 250 acres with year-round 72-degree water. A perfect place to cool off, bring or rent a tube and spend an afternoon floating in the spring under the shade of majestic oak trees surrounding the park. Ideal for families, there are open-air pavilions and a concession stand serving drinks and snacks for when you work up an appetite.
7450 NE 60th St, High Springs, FL 32643, USA— +1 386-454-1369
Blackwater River State Park, Holt
Located in Holt, Blackwater River State Park is in Florida’s Panhandle, less than an hour’s drive from Pensacola. An excellent escape for outdoor enthusiasts, this state park boasts the perfect backdrop for a day of tubing. Home to one of the purest sand-bottom rivers in the nation, Blackwater River offers 600 acres of undisturbed nature. With its white sand bars, you can be as leisurely as you’d like, with plenty of spots to take a quick dip or get out and stretch your legs. A four-mile stretch of water, visitors typically spend 3-5 hours exploring the natural landscapes.
Spring Creek, Marianna
A favorite amongst Tallahassee locals, Spring Creek in Marianna offers a four-hour tubing experience. Drift with the slow current at this tubing location, where the crystalline waters provide a quiet place to soak in the scenic surroundings. Beginning at Merrit’s Mill Pond, Spring Creek opens up to the Chipola River, where you’ll discover a leisurely day of paddling under the shade of leafy trees. After you’re done tubing, stroll along the pleasant boardwalk through the floodplain forest and keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife.
