• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

Florida Traveler

Off-beat day trips and things to do in Florida.

  • Florida History
  • Florida State Parks
  • Florida Day Trips
  • Florida Springs
  • Contribute
  • Contact Us
  • Search
Home / Florida Day Trips / Alexander Springs: A Favorite Florida Swimming Hole for at Least 10,000 Years Running

Alexander Springs: A Favorite Florida Swimming Hole for at Least 10,000 Years Running

By Florida Traveler

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • More
  • Print
  • Email
  • Share on Tumblr

Take a dip in the cool, clear water of Alexander Springs, or kayak down the wild and scenic spring run, and you’ll get a taste of why this swimming hole has been popular for at least 10,000 years.

The ancient Timucuan Indians enjoyed the springs for the same reason people go today: “It was a place where they would go swimming and recreate,” said ranger Jim Thorsen.

Alexander is one of Florida’s 27 “first-magnitude” springs, each of which produce more than 64.6 million gallons of water a day. (Nearby Silver Glen Springs is another, along with Manatee Springs near Chiefland.) Alexander Springs (ranked 23rd) discharges 80 million gallons a day, according to Thorsen.

Archaeologists have discovered numerous artifacts near the springs, including pottery, bows, even an ancient stew. Its ingredients included fresh water snails, mussels, gar fish, catfish, speckled perch, largemouth bass, turtle, bird, white-tailed deer and palmetto berries.

Today the picnic area is on the site of a “shell mitten,” Thorsen said. “It’s a large mound of shells and crayfish. That was the diet of the Timucuan Indians.”

How Alexander Springs got its name is a mystery. “Nobody really knows the answer,” Thorsen said. “It was probably named after a person when the forest was created in 1908.”

The nearby Billies Bay Wilderness, however, “was named after a person who was half Seminole Indian and half caucasian,” Thorsen said. “He used to be a renegade who went in there to hide. His name was Billy Bowleg something.”

Alexander’s 1-mile Timucuan Nature Trail loops through four distinct environments common to Ocala National Forest: aquatic, swamp, Oak Hammock and Sand Pine Scrub. Along the way, informational signs describe the plants as they were used by Timucuan Indians. Much of the trail is on elevated boardwalks, and two observation platforms offer fishing and a good view of Alexander Creek.

The large swimming area feels more natural than the developed site at Juniper Springs. There’s more water, too. Juniper Springs discharges only a fourth the amount of water as Alexander Springs. The 28-foot pool at the head of the spring is a favorite spot for scuba divers.

In years past, a 7-mile run with a return shuttle was offered at the springs. No shuttle service is offered currently, so kayakers must now return by paddling upstream. The most common trip is a short 1-mile paddle downstream to the 455 bridge, seen here.

If You Go: Alexander Springs Recreation Area

From Astor Park in the Ocala National Forest, take Highway 445 south for five and a half miles. Open Daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The day use fee is $6. Canoes can be rented for use along Alexander Creek or for as little as two hours ($16) or $38 for the day.

The campground is open year-round. Campsites cost $24. For general information, call: 352-669-3522

Facebook Comments Box

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • More
  • Print
  • Email
  • Share on Tumblr

Filed Under: Florida Day Trips, Florida Springs, Ocala National Forest Tagged With: alexander springs, Florida Springs, Ocala National Forest

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Denise says

    March 28, 2011 at 5:19 pm

    Does anyone know where Freak Creek is? My (then young) kids and I were visiting with some Floridians about 11 years ago and we went there. It was an absolutely awesome time. I don’t think my kids ever had such fun. I cannot find this place; no one seems to know where it is. Could it possibly be Alexander Springs or one of the nearby ones? Thanks very much!!!

    Reply
  2. Kristin says

    February 19, 2012 at 10:52 am

    Denise,

    Freak Creek is also called Alexander Creek or B-52. It is far back in the woods off of NSF 544. I know you can get there through Astor but it takes a good 1/2- 1 hour to get there if the roads are bad.

    Reply
    • Phoebe says

      September 27, 2020 at 12:05 pm

      It’s currently NFS Rd 552

      Reply
  3. Debbie says

    June 22, 2012 at 2:03 am

    Is one apt to run across any alligators while swimming or canoeing in the Alexander Springs?

    Reply
    • Michael Warren says

      June 22, 2012 at 3:31 am

      Canoeing yes, swimming no.

      Reply
  4. Roger says

    April 30, 2017 at 2:32 pm

    I’m 69 yrs old, when I was a kid back in the 60’s my family and friends would go swimming and camping at Alexander Spring. Back then they had a dock built out into the Springs so folks could walk out and look down in the Springs, it was beautiful. We use to jump off the dock into the Springs and wet people on the dock who had come out after church, it was all in fun, but my Dad use to tell me that they took the dock out because of me, lol! We use to canoe down to the bridge and that was our turn around point. I had lots of good times at these Springs.

    Reply
  5. Don says

    May 31, 2018 at 6:44 pm

    I grew up in the area, spent many days and nights at The Springs over the last 30 years. The weekend this place gets packed, of you come for 19 go past the park 1/2 mile, before you get to the bridge pull to the right. There is nice swimming, people grilling and having a good time every weekend.
    Freak Creek use to be a blast but you gotta know how to get to it, kinda a locals hangout. … Ask around maybe someone will tell you….lol

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Before Footer

Recent Posts

  • Explore Washington Oaks Gardens
  • Ocali Country Days at Silver River State Park
  • Wild Florida and Exiled Russian Royalty Meet at Princess Place
  • Festival of Lights at Stephen Foster State Park
  • This Live Nativity is a Florida Christmas Favorite
  • Contribute to Florida Traveler
  • Florida Traveler Forum
  • Florida Travel Marketing
  • Suggest a Story
  • Privacy Policy

© 2023 Michael Warren · Contact