Altoona, FL
Alexander Springs Recreation Area
A first-magnitude spring in Ocala National Forest with a rare gently sloping sand bottom - the easiest spring entry in Florida for small kids.
- Swimming
- Ages 2+
- ~4h
- Paid
Swimming Holes and Springs for Kids
34 family-friendly spots across Florida, New York, Puerto Rico, & Texas, with costs, best ages, parking tips, and what to bring.
34 adventures found
Orange City, FL
Blue Spring State Park
Hundreds of manatees winter in this spring run from November to March, watched from a boardwalk. Swimming opens once they leave.
- Nature
- Ages 2+
- ~3h
- Paid
Luquillo, PR
Charco Frio, Rio Sabana
A cold, clear river pool on the edge of El Yunque, reached by a short forest walk - a local swimming hole rather than a sight.
- Swimming
- Ages 5+
- ~3h
- Free
De Leon Springs, FL
De Leon Springs State Park
Swim in a walled 72-degree spring pool, then cook your own pancakes on a griddle built into your table at the 1830s sugar mill restaurant.
- Swimming
- Ages 2+
- ~3h
- Paid
Wakulla Springs, FL
Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park
One of the world's deepest freshwater springs, with a riverboat tour past wild alligators and a 1937 lodge that has barely changed.
- Swimming
- Ages 4+
- ~4h
- Paid
High Springs, FL
Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park
Florida's newest state park: a clear blue spring with a shallow sandy run down to the Santa Fe River, good for a first snorkel.
- Swimming
- Ages 3+
- ~3h
- Paid
High Springs, FL
Ginnie Springs
Seven springs on a private stretch of the Santa Fe River, with water clear enough that snorkellers appear to float on air above the sand.
- Snorkeling
- Ages 5+
- ~5h
- Paid
Fort White, FL
Ichetucknee Springs State Park
Float a crystal-clear 72-degree spring run through shaded forest on inner tubes - the classic Florida tubing trip for families.
- Tubing
- Ages 4+
- ~4h
- Paid
Wimberley, TX
Jacob's Well Natural Area
Crystal-clear artesian spring near Wimberley TX with three miles of free trails. Swimming is cancelled; the well overlook stays open.
- Hiking
- Ages 6+
- ~2h
- Free
Silver Springs, FL
Juniper Springs Recreation Area
A seven-mile canoe run through narrow jungle-like creek in Ocala National Forest, plus a 1930s stone millhouse and a CCC-built spring pool.
- Kayaking
- Ages 8+
- ~5h
- Paid
Apopka, FL
Kelly Park Rock Springs
A natural lazy river near Orlando: the spring run carries you gently for about twenty minutes, then you walk back up and do it all over again.
- Tubing
- Ages 3+
- ~4h
- Paid
Lithia, FL
Lithia Springs Conservation Park
A shallow, walled spring pool half an hour from Tampa, with a sandy bottom, a gentle entry and a campground under the oaks beside it.
- Swimming
- Ages 2+
- ~3h
- Paid
Chiefland, FL
Manatee Springs State Park
A first-magnitude spring running into the Suwannee River, with winter manatees, a boardwalk through cypress swamp and easy swimming.
- Swimming
- Ages 3+
- ~3h
- Paid
Dunnellon, FL
Rainbow Springs State Park
Swim in a wide, shallow first-magnitude spring with a sandy entry, waterfalls and a paddling run - one of Florida's easiest springs with toddlers.
- Swimming
- Ages 2+
- ~4h
- Paid
Silver Springs, FL
Silver Springs State Park
Glass-bottom boats have run over these springs since the 1870s. Paddle the run yourself to find the wild monkeys along the bank.
- Kayaking
- Ages 3+
- ~3h
- Paid
Crystal River, FL
Three Sisters Springs
The only place in the US where you can legally snorkel alongside wild manatees, plus a boardwalk view for families staying dry.
- Snorkeling
- Ages 6+
- ~3h
- Paid
Weeki Wachee, FL
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
The underwater mermaid theatre has run since 1947, plus a spring-fed water park and a clear paddling run down the Weeki Wachee River.
- Swimming
- Ages 2+
- ~5h
- Paid
Apopka, FL
Wekiwa Springs State Park
A big spring swimming basin twenty minutes from Orlando, with canoe rentals on the Wekiva River and thirteen miles of trail.
- Swimming
- Ages 2+
- ~4h
- Paid
Wimberley, TX
Blue Hole Regional Park
Spring-fed swimming hole with a famous rope swing under bald cypress trees in Wimberley TX - summer swimming requires advance reservations
- Swimming
- Ages 3+
- ~3h
- Paid
New Braunfels, TX
Comal River Tubing
Gentle spring-fed tubing on the 2.5-mile Comal River in New Braunfels TX - tube rentals with shuttle service run about $15-25 per person
- Tubing
- Ages 4+
- ~2h
- Paid
Sundown, NY
Peekamoose Blue Hole
Stunning blue-green natural swimming hole with waterfall in the Catskill forest. Free. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip.
- Swimming
- Ages 5+
- ~3h
- Free
Saratoga Springs, NY
Saratoga Spa State Park
Natural mineral springs, historic pools, and forest trails in Saratoga Springs. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.
- Hiking
- Ages 2+
- ~3h
- Paid
Bend, TX
Colorado Bend State Park
70-foot Gorman Falls waterfall with spring-fed swimming holes. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. Easily a full day. Dogs welcome.
- Hiking
- Ages 4+
- ~5h
- Paid
Tuscola, TX
Abilene State Park
Spring-fed swimming pool under pecan trees in West Texas. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.
- Swimming
- Ages 2+
- ~3h
- Paid
Balmorhea, TX
Balmorhea State Park
Crystal-clear 1.75-acre spring-fed pool with snorkeling in West Texas. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip.
- Swimming
- Ages 3+
- ~3h
- Paid
Austin, TX
Barton Creek Greenbelt
12 miles of creek trails with swimming holes and bouldering in Austin. Free. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.
- Hiking
- Ages 5+
- ~3h
- Free
Austin, TX
Barton Springs Pool
Iconic 3-acre spring-fed pool in Zilker Park at 68 degrees year-round. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip.
- Swimming
- Ages 3+
- ~3h
- Paid
San Antonio, TX
Government Canyon State Natural Area
40 miles of trails with dinosaur tracks in the limestone. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip. Moderate effort.
- Hiking
- Ages 5+
- ~3h
- Paid
Dripping Springs, TX
Hamilton Pool Preserve
A collapsed grotto with a 50-foot waterfall into a jade pool. Reservation required, and swimming is often closed after rain.
- Swimming
- Ages 5+
- ~2h
- Paid
Spicewood, TX
Krause Springs
Spring-fed pools under ancient cypress trees with camping. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip. Easy going.
- Swimming
- Ages 3+
- ~3h
- Paid
Vanderpool, TX
Lost Maples State Natural Area
Stunning fall foliage and limestone canyon trails along the Sabinal River. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip.
- Hiking
- Ages 5+
- ~4h
- Paid
Gonzales, TX
Palmetto State Park
Tropical palmetto forest and warm springs along the San Marcos River. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. About two hours.
- Hiking
- Ages 3+
- ~2h
- Paid
San Marcos, TX
Rio Vista Park
Crystal-clear spring-fed river with natural falls for floating and swimming. Free. Best from about age 4. About two hours.
- Swimming
- Ages 4+
- ~2h
- Free
Junction, TX
South Llano River State Park
Crystal-clear spring-fed river for family swimming and tubing near Junction TX - camping under pecan groves with excellent wildlife viewing
- Camping
- Ages 3+
- ~4h
- Paid