It’s no secret that Florida summers can be unbearably hot. When the temps get hot, Floridians begin a season-long conquest for fun ways to get out of the house without melting into a puddle. Sure, swimming pools and water parks are fun, but nothing beats the beauty of the many natural lazy rivers in Florida. Ready to check out some of the best options for tubing in Florida? Then read on:
Because we have readers from other states, we want to give a warning that, yes, there are alligators living in every one of these places. They usually prefer to stay clear of these busy areas. Nonetheless, it’s always wise to stay alert and aware of your surroundings when exploring pretty much anywhere in Florida.
1. Ichetucknee, Fort White
Southwest Ichetucknee Avenue, SW Ichetucknee Ave, Florida, USA
Ichetucknee might be the most well-known tubing spot in Florida, and with the gorgeous scenery here it's easy to see why. Memorial Day to Labor Day marks the summer tubing season here when visitors are allowed to launch from the north end. There are daily limits on the number of tubers and this popular park can reach maximum capacity easily in summer months, so arrive as early as possible. This park, located northwest of Gainesville, is open from 8:00 a.m. until sundown every day of the week. The north launch closes at 2:00 p.m., or earlier if the 750-person limit has been reached.
Address: 12087 SW U.S. Highway 27, Fort White, FL 32038.
2. Rainbow Springs State Park, Dunnellon
Rainbow Springs State Park, 19158 SW 81st Pl Rd, Dunnellon, FL 34432, USA
Rainbow Springs State Park is beloved for its beautiful manmade waterfalls and historic footpaths through lush Florida foliage, but tubing is another great way to experience the park. Visitors start at the tubing entrance and take the shuttle upstream. Then they relax and enjoy the two-hour float downstream back to the parking area. Memorial Day through Labor Day, the tubing entrance is open seven days a week, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The next lazy river in Florida we want to highlight is the Rock Springs Run located in Kelly Park. Tubing is the most popular activity in this Orange County park and the trip is about a mile long and takes about 30 minutes to complete. If you want a longer float, you can always walk back upstream and go again and again. The park is open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. every day of the week during the summer, but it often fills up by mid-morning. As with all of these popular parks, arriving early is your best bet.
Although this run at Blue Spring State Park is on the shorter side, at only 1/8 of a mile, it's still lots of fun to go tubing and swim in the springs on a hot summer day. Even though swimming and tubing are only allowed in the summer, be sure to return in the winter when this is one of the best spots in the state to see manatees.
Address: 2100 W. French Avenue, Orange City, FL 32763.
Tubing in the beautiful crystal-clear springs and adjacent river at this state park is offered weekends only, May through September. Madison Blue Springs is an internationally celebrated cave diving destination and was named the best swimming hole in the country by USA Today in 2015. Come check it out and see what all the fuss is about.
Address: 8300 NE State Road 6, Lee, FL 32059.
6. Ginnie Springs, High Spring
Ginnie Springs Outdoors, LLC, 7300 Ginnie Springs Road, High Springs, FL 32643, USA
Ginnie Springs - Drift down the lovely Santa Fe River on this hour-long trip from Devil's Spring to Twin Spring, then take the 15-minute walk back on the trail. This is one of the few places that allow alcoholic beverages while tubing, which could be a good or bad thing. If you have small children, you might want to consider going during the week, as weekends can draw a more rowdy crowd.
Address: 7300 Ginnie Springs Road, High Springs, FL 32643.
7. K.P. Hole County Park, Dunnellon
KP Hole Park, 9435 SW 190th Avenue Rd, Dunnellon, FL 34432, USA
Another park located in Dunnellon, here you can enjoy a nice, long 4-hour float down the Rainbow River. Due to the length of the run, children under three are not allowed to participate. Visitors are allowed to bring food and beverages for this lengthy float, but they must be in reusable containers. If four hours seems daunting to you, you can hire a local boat to take you up the river so you can take a two-hour float down to K.P. Hole.
Although it might not be crystal-clear like some other rivers (due to tannins in the water), the Blackwater River at Blackwater River State Park is actually one of the purest sand-bottom rivers in the country. Plus this park in northwest Florida has some very beautiful and different scenery from what you'll find at the parks in Central Florida. Kayaking and canoeing are very popular activities here, but tubing is allowed in designated areas also.
Address: 7720 Deaton Bridge Rd, Holt, FL 32564, but follow the brown signs to avoid confusion with navigation systems. Tubing (among other activities) on the Blackwater River is also offered at Adventures Unlimted Outdoor Center.
Tip: For longer trips, bring a floating cooler and rope to tie your floats together so you don’t get separated.
Have you gone tubing in Florida at any of these parks? If so, which ones were your favorites? Would you agree that they are among the best places to go river tubing in Florida? What’s your favorite place to spend a hot summer day in the Sunshine State?
We’d love to read about your experience in the comments section below!
If you’re still in the mood for more Sunshine State adventures, take a look at this video:
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More to Explore
More Florida Adventures
Marisa Roman|June 20, 2019
What are the prettiest rivers in Florida?
The Peace River in the town of Peace River is a gently-flowing river that extends 106 miles.
The Ichetucknee River is located within the Ichnetucknee Springs State Park and is 6 miles long.
The Rainbow River located within Rainbow Springs State Park offers a slow, relaxing, two-hour journey downstream.
