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Juniper Springs Recreation Area

Photo: H. Means, State of Florida / Public domain · source

Springs

Juniper Springs Recreation Area

Ocala, FL · North Central Florida$$14.50 per person, plus tax

About

Juniper Run starts at Juniper Springs in the Ocala National Forest and goes 7 miles through a federal wilderness area. It isn't meant for beginners, and most trips take 3 to 5 hours. Rental boats go out first come, first served, the last one at 12:30 p.m. The swimming area is shallow at one end and deep enough to jump into at the other, and you might see albino gray squirrels around the old mill house. On weekends the site can close once it's full.

Highlights

1930s CCC mill house72-degree spring swimming areaSeven-mile Juniper Run canoe and kayak trail79-site campground

Getting there

26701 E Highway 40, Silver Springs, FL 34488

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Every spring on this list stays between 68 and 74 degrees all year, and from mid-November through March the manatees move into Blue Spring and Three Sisters. You watch them from the boardwalk.