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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.
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.”
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.
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
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!!!
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.
It’s currently NFS Rd 552
Is one apt to run across any alligators while swimming or canoeing in the Alexander Springs?
Canoeing yes, swimming no.
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.
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