Last Updated: May 2026
Florida’s springs are among the most striking natural features in the eastern United States — year-round 68°F water, extraordinary clarity, and ecosystems unlike anything on the coasts. Silver Springs is the largest artesian spring formation in Florida, and for much of the 19th and 20th centuries it was one of the most visited tourist attractions in the entire country. The state took over management in 2013, converting it to Silver Springs State Park. What remains is a rare convergence of natural wonder and layered American cultural history unlike anything else we encountered in Florida.
