Summertime means fun and relaxation. As long as you can find a way to make the sweltering heat bearable, that is. While there are plenty of water activities to enjoy throughout the state, we have something that the whole family can enjoy together. The best lazy river in Florida happens to be an excellent place to set up shop on a hot summer day. Read on to discover one of Florida’s most beautiful outdoor destinations where you can truly get away from it all.

Nothing says relaxation quite like a lazy river. But we're not talking about the man-made water park variety. Florida is home to some incredible natural lazy rivers, where you can float for hours.
Karen Parker via Flickr/Florida Fish and Wildlife
One of the best and most well-known lazy rivers can be found at Ichetucknee Springs State Park. The park is located just northwest of Fort White in North Florida.
Flickr/Erica La Spada
The crystal-clear water of the lazy river at Ichetucknee Springs remains a cool 72 degrees year-round, making it perfect for those sweltering summer days. Tall trees provide shade and lush scenery along the banks. It's easy to see why it has earned the distinction as a National Natural Landmark.
Flickr/anoldent
Visitors can bring their own tubes or rent one from vendors near the park. Just make sure that your tube isn't more than five feet wide so you can navigate some narrow spots along the run.
Flickr/Paul Clark

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Tubing season at the park begins Memorial Day Weekend when the north entrance opens. Visitors can take a relaxing float down the river surrounded by beautiful Florida wildlife.
Flickr/anoldent
The park is on the Great Florida Birding Trail, so remember to keep an eye out for native birds, including owls, turkeys, woodpeckers, and a variety of water birds. You'll be able to see why it's such a popular park for birdwatching.
Flickr/Guillaume Capron
If you work up an appetite along the way, don't worry. At the south entrance, there is a concession stand with burgers, sandwiches, treats, and more. There's also a tram to take you back to the north entrance.
Flickr/Paul Clark
Ichetucknee Springs State Park also offers opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, canoeing, kayaking, and hiking, as well as tables and grills for picnics.
Flickr/Paul Clark

If you can’t wait until Memorial Day weekend to check out this lazy river, you can still go tubing, but only from the park’s south entrance. The south gate is closed during the summer Florida tubing season, so after Memorial Day, you should start at the north entrance. Entry is $6 per vehicle, but you will also need $5 for tram wristbands, which are sold at the concession stand.

Address: 12087 SW U.S. Highway 27, Fort White, FL 32038

Hours of Operation: Open every day from 8:00 a.m. until sundown.

Have you ever gone tubing at Ichetucknee Springs State Park? What’s your favorite way to spend a hot summer day in Florida?

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Best Lazy River in Florida

Marisa Roman | June 22, 2019

Where are the best places to go tubing in Florida?

Tubing in Florida can easily be considered one of the ultimate summer pastimes. There are tons of unique opportunities for Florida tubing as long as you know where to look. Some of the best Florida rivers to go tubing on including Blue Spring State Park, Ichetucknee Springs State Park, Rainbow Springs State Park, Madison Blue Spring State Park, Rock Spring Run, and Ginnie Springs to name a few. Many of these tubing spots offer an easy float down the river plus cool water to enjoy and stay refreshed.

Can I bring my own tube to go tubing in Florida?

For those wondering about tubing in Florida and if they should come prepared, it really depends on where you’re going to tube. There are plenty of Florida rivers which offer tubes to rent either inside the park or outside the park from vendors. However, if you have a tube that you like to use, just make sure it fits the requirements of where you’re going. There are some tubing trails in Florida that require the tubes be of a certain size before launching into the water.

When does tubing season end in Florida?

The good news for Floridians is that tubing season really doesn’t have to end. Since the weather throughout Florida remains relatively warm all year long, you can keep on tubing any time of year. However, there obviously is a prime time to tube and that’s during the summer. When the temperatures get hot, usually around the late spring mark, then tubing becomes popular. It isn’t until the summertime though, when kids are out of school that some tube trails become heavily trafficked. For many Floridians who do not want to brave colder than necessary temperatures, tubing season likely ends around November/December.

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