In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the spring run. Alexander Springs is one of the best places to visit for families. These water trails are surrounded by wildlife and enthusiastic animals. From SR 40 at Astor, take Butler Street to CR 445A and turn left on CR 445. #1 of 2 things to do in Altoona. 10863 E. Highway 40 . Amenities at the park include: water, a dump station, picnic areas, showers, grills, canoe rentals, hiking paths . Here are a few of the activities available at Alexander Springs: Canoe, Kayak, or SUP: Take a paddle down Spring Creek and check out the local wildlife. Campsites are $24 per night. Book Now. Details Open in Google Maps. Known as Florida's natural "lazy river," this wildly popular, free-flowing freshwater spring offers crystal clear water that is 68 degrees all year . Hiking: Section hike part of the historic Florida Trail. KAYAKS For an unforgettable adventure, rent one of our kayaks. We paddled about a mile past the CR445 as an out-and-back. . kayaking, cruising, hiking, biking, canoeing, orchard tours, paddle boarding and horseback riding. KP Hole Park. . The admission to the Alexander Springs in Ocala is $6 per person on weekday and $10 on weekends. May 8, 2022. One hour, half day, and full day rentals available. Like the others, the Alexander Springs Wilderness, established in 1984, is managed by the U.S. Forest Service. Come paddle among the ancient cypress and look for exotic monkeys that have thrived here for nearly 90 yrs. You'll launch from Juniper Springs Recreation Area and journey through the center of Juniper Prairie Wilderness before you reach the take-out off SR 19, well before the run flows into the St. Johns River at Lake George. Canoes are available to rent on the premises for $16 for 2 hours, $24 for 4 hours, or $38 for the entire day. Alexander Springs Campground, central to the southern half of the park, is not only adjacent to its gorgeous springs, but also has several nearby trails and canoe rentals. If you prefer, arrangements may be made with the concessionaire for . Visitors: Alexander Springs offers recreation opportunities of all kinds.Though rentals are temporarily unavailable, visitors can pay a launch fee to paddle canoes and kayaks down Alexander Run . Available 8:30am to 3:00pm | All Boats Back by 4:00PM. The only complaints you see in reviews of Alexander Springs camping is noise from inconsiderate campers and that the spring gets very busy on weekends.There is a small general store. Juniper Run is about seven miles in length. Tubes are available to rent for $7 at the Rock Springs Bar and Grill. Alexander Springs Recreation Area is an incredible natural area that provides something for any adventure . Except Salt Springs which is $6.50 per person, $10 to park at the marina. Let us help you enjoy your day even more. We also offer shuttles. Open all year round. Our first destination is Salt Springs, but we abandon that idea when we have a look at the river and notice that at mid-point, it seems rather wide and open. In the news this week: Sumter County Sheriff Bill Farmer reflects on his 50-year career, The Villages . 20075 SW 85th Place Dunnellon, Florida 34431 Save Details. Facilities With Canoe/Kayak Launch . To the north, Salt Springs campground, which is the only campground with full-service hookups, offers swimming, hiking trails including the Salt Springs Observation Trail . Is it Alexander spring with all the manatees? You could visit Kings Spring, which is 75 feet . It is located within the Alexander Springs Recreation Area on the eastern side of the Ocala National Forest. Or choose from shorter, one and two hour, out-and-back excursions. You are able rent Kayaks on site and are able to rent them for as long as you would like. Please review our rental policies before booking below: POLICIES. Admission is $3 for one to two people, $5 for three or more, and $10 per bus or commercial van. There is a great beach area where they can play with their sand . But what many may not know is that the spring is steeped in Native American heritage. Alexander Springs. We also offer shuttles. Save. Blue Springs also offers canoe and kayak rentals, a nice hike to the source of the spring . Alexander Springs, Florida. From the launch, it's about 1 mile to the CR445 bridge. As well as great swimming, there are canoe and kayak rentals available. Weekdays $7 per person; Weekends $10 per person. Florida Kayak & Canoe Rental Places This is a list of places where you can rent a canoe or kayak in Florida. Me and a couple of my kayaking friends take a trip down to the Ocala National Forest for a summer paddle in 1999. The edges of the pool are shallow and gradually get deeper as you approach the spring. The campground gate is closed and locked from 8:00 PM to 8:00 AM. Paddle one of our rental canoes, kayaks or stand-up paddleboards five miles downstream on the pristine and unspoiled Silver River, from the head spring to Ray Wayside Park. Kayak & Canoe Rentals. Canoe & Kayak Rentals Alderman's Ford Trails Lithia ( 27.864755, -82.147372 ) 4.0 miles Weaving though a lush floodplain forest in the Alafia River floodplain, a paved loop provides access to a network of natural pathways, boardwalks, and primitive campsites. The "beach" area provides for some people watching fun." Yelp. Private Kayak and Canoe launch: $10/per watercraft. Silver Springs. The standard day-use fees are as follows. Alexander Springs Ocala National Forest | Astor ( 29.079006, -81.577921 ) Canoe and kayak rentals are available at the visitor center or you can launch your own for just the day-use fee of Alexander Springs Recreation Area ($6). One hour, half day, and full day rentals available. Please note: Due to COVID-19 Safety Measures Canoe Rentals and Shuttles are unavailable at this time. Or free with a Ocala National Forest Recreational Area Pass. We are a mobile outfitter offering kayak, canoe, and paddle board rentals. Others offer kayak and canoe rentals for visitors to better enjoy the vast expanses that feed into nearby rivers. If you notice that we've missed a spring which should be included, or if . It's relatively shallow and boasts a sandy beach. Cave Diving #1 Ginnie Springs #2 Madison Blue Spring #2 Peacock Spring . This map shows the best springs in Florida by location. All the springs require separate entrance fees. PICK A DAY & BOOK NOW! Alexander Springs is one of the best springs in Florida for relaxation. . It is one of the more developed campgrounds and recreational areas with 67 campsites, full facilities, a store and canoe rentals. Your marina rental boat operators can provide you with tips and directions to captain your rental boat to Silver Glen Springs. Parking costs $10. There is no official haul-back, so most paddlers go out and back along the mazy run. Alexander Springs is a stunning example of a beautiful Florida spring. Alexander Springs. The Silver River has an amzing amount of history and abundant wildlife. Alexander Springs. Castaways on the River offers quaint cottages and motel rooms with views of the St. Johns River. Distance from Orlando: 1 hour 15 minutes Highlights . Contact Information Default 49525 CR 445 ALTOONA FL 32702 Phone Number For campground inquiries, please call: 352-669-3522 Rental Options Learn more about gear rental options for your trip Driving Directions Please review our rental policies before booking below: POLICIES. Reserve Alexander Springs Campground in Altoona, Florida. Alexander Springs is another great place to go camping! Rock Springs at Kelly Park - Apopka. Swim Package $25 per person. Photo: Blair Carlyle. Available 8:30am to 3:00pm | All Boats Back by 4:00PM. Note: The campsites do not have electric or sewer but do have water, and cannot be reserved in advance. By 2005, after years of park improvements and manatee protection efforts . You can snorkel to the very blue middle of the lake and . The last rental is at 4pm. . Site 062, Loop LOPD, Type Standard Nonelectric. Thick vegetation lines the bottom of the pool near the drop off, which is about 30ft deep. SINGLE KAYAKS START AT $22! Camping, swimming, snorkeling, hiking and canoeing are popular activities here. The Alexander Springs is actually a little lake with crystal clear water, surrounded by palm trees and other subtropical plants. Operating Hours. 469 NE 1st St, 469 NE 1st St, Crystal River, FL 34429, USA. Alexander Springs in Ocala National Forest If you want to kayak an Ocala springs that is a relaxing, easy paddle with lots of birds and wildlife, Alexander Springs is a good choice. Alternatively, Alexander Springs is also within the Ocala National Forest area. From I-75 take Hwy 40 East thru Ocala and Silver Springs approximately 40 miles to Hwy 19. We are here to serve you! Directions: Alexander Springs Recreation Area is located along CR 445 in the northeast corner of Lake County between Astor and Altoona. Book Now Silver Springs 1.5 hours All Ages COME PADDLE WITH US! Alexander Springs 49525 County Rd 445, Altoona, FL 32702 (352) 669-3522 Alexander Springs entrance fee: Weekdays $8 per person; weekends $11 per person. 54 reviews of Alexander Springs "Good clean fun. Discover the top 3 Florida springs for 29 different water activies, hiking, accessibility and camping and more . The springs are open year-round. 26701 FL-40, 34488 Alexander Springs Rec Area. . Blue Run Cart Master & River Rat Rentals. The most beautiful paddle in all of Florida. Self-launch of personal Canoe/Kayak is $4.00. May 6, 2022 by Florida Guidebook. Details here: . We are happy to book your rental at any time on any day. Alexander Springs is 1 of 27 first-magnitude springs meaning it puts out over 64 million gallons of water every day. Canoe rentals are available from the concessionaire at Salt Springs Marina (352-685-2255), Juniper Springs (352-625-2808), Alexander Springs (352-669-3522), Silver Glen Springs (352-685-2799) and Clearwater Lake (352-669-0078) or you may bring canoes and paddle on your own. . Map Marker. This map focuses on the best springs which would be interesting to most people. Site 006, Loop LOPA, Type Standard Nonelectric. And Canoe rentals are offered to explore the Alexander Run into the Alexander Springs Wilderness. Entrance Fee: Weekdays $7 per person; weekends $10 per person. Available Campsites. If you only have an hour or two but want to experience a river with crystal clear water, Alexander is for you. And Canoe rentals are offered to explore the Alexander Run into the Alexander Springs Wilderness. 2-Hour Glass Bottom Guided Kayak Eco Tour in Rock Springs (Small-Group) 791 Adventure Tours from $72.00 per adult Gypsy Gold Horse Farm Tour 220 Walking Tours from $45.00 per adult 2-Hour Glass Bottom Guided Kayak Eco Tour in Rainbow Springs (Small-Group) 377 Adventure Tours from $66.41 per adult Clear Kayak Adventures through Silver Springs 52 Look out for manatees, dolphins, and otters along the way. Alexander Springs Recreation Area is located in the Ocala National Forest and has everything a family needs for a day of fun in the sun. Details here. SCUBA diving (must be certified diver), canoe rentals by hour or day, 7 1/2 mile canoe run. Launch from Alexander Springs Recreation Area The launch is down a (long) paved ramp from the staging area, carts are provided. $6.50 Scuba fee, $21 per campsite per night. If you don't have your own boat, you can rent canoes at Juniper Springs. Scuba Diving Fee: $6.50 per person. level 2 . The waterway widens dramatically after making the first major curve but is split up by stands of tall grass and many small islands. Please call, text or fill out the form below. The Alexander Run for canoes and kayaks run takes you down Spring Creek, which is fairly wide and slow-moving, making for a pretty easy day of paddling if you don't run into a storm. Alexander Springs is located in the beautiful 380,000 acre Ocala National Forest. A safe experience with two life vests included.