Tubing springs

The three classic Florida tubing runs are the Ichetucknee, the Rainbow River, and Rock Springs Run at Kelly Park. Ichetucknee Springs State Park floats the length of a six-mile spring-fed river through cypress and hardwood forest with a park shuttle back to the start; the upper run is limited in summer to protect the vegetation, so most families launch from the midpoint or south entrance. The Rainbow River at Dunnellon is a wider, slower float with tube rentals at the state park and at private outfitters downstream. Kelly Park near Apopka is the closest run to Orlando and the first to hit capacity on a summer weekend.

Tubing at a Florida spring is rarely a spontaneous stop. State parks cap daily vehicle entries and, in some cases, cap the number of tubes on the water at once; the popular runs post "at capacity" signs by mid-morning from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Tube rentals and shuttle passes are increasingly sold online in advance. Private outfitters near the parks rent tubes with a shuttle included, which is often the simplest option for a first visit.

Expect the water to be 72°F regardless of the month. That is cold enough to feel bracing in July and warm enough to float comfortably in November, when the crowds are gone and the river is clearest. Most parks prohibit disposable containers, coolers on the water, and anything that could sink and litter the spring run, and the rules are enforced at the launch. Mineral sunscreen is required at some parks to protect the aquatic plants.

Each profile linked above spells out the launch points, rental prices, float times, and reservation rules for that spring. For a ranked comparison with drive times from Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville, read the field guide to the best tubing springs.