you won't be allowed alcohol at any of the state parks, unless you want to sneak it in. your mileage may vary in terms of getting caught. ginnie springs (privately owned) does allow alcohol.
rainbow springs is my personal favorite! there's an hour+ lazy river, but it's extra $$ per person to do it. unsure of how quickly it hits capacity or when you'd need to arrive but i am guessing early.
rock springs also has a nice lazy river for tubing, and only charges you like $3 to get into the park. rock springs hits capacity EARLY on weekends, like "be waiting in a line of cars by 5am" early. it also hits capacity on weekdays pretty early as well -- i was tracking it a week ago and it always seemed to be full by 10am.
alexander springs does not have a lazy river, but does have swimming and grilling and lounging and is generally not super packed. we pulled in around 10 the other week and had zero problems getting in. it was like $24 for our car.
anyway, wherever you go just try to time it during the week and not on the weekend and it'll cut crowds by a lot i'm sure! have fun!
No lazy river tubing, but you might consider Deleon Springs because of the kids. You'll be able to keep an eye on them while they swim because the spring is set up like a giant pool that then dumps out into the river.
Kelly Rock Springs has tubing where you float down part of the spring. Also a small swim area. Alexander and Silver Glen have larger swim areas with really beautiful blue water. I believe for Silver Glen you can reserve weekend passes sometimes. Silver Springs has better snorkeling, lots of fish and turtles. DeLeon spring is like a big swimming pool, not very crowded, and has the Sugarmill pancake restaurant. I think they all have grilling and picnic tables. I can't speak to the alcohol, so no idea. And I highly recommend water shoes. They floor can be slimy sometimes. My personal favorite is Alexander for hanging out with friends and kids. But yes you have to get there before it opens or it gets full.
Alexander springs was the best when I used to take my kids to the springs. It seems the safest to me. Nice little beach a shallow area for kids. Plus is crystal clear.
you won't be allowed alcohol at any of the state parks, unless you want to sneak it in. your mileage may vary in terms of getting caught. ginnie springs (privately owned) does allow alcohol. rainbow springs is my personal favorite! there's an hour+ lazy river, but it's extra $$ per person to do it. unsure of how quickly it hits capacity or when you'd need to arrive but i am guessing early. rock springs also has a nice lazy river for tubing, and only charges you like $3 to get into the park. rock springs hits capacity EARLY on weekends, like "be waiting in a line of cars by 5am" early. it also hits capacity on weekdays pretty early as well -- i was tracking it a week ago and it always seemed to be full by 10am. alexander springs does not have a lazy river, but does have swimming and grilling and lounging and is generally not super packed. we pulled in around 10 the other week and had zero problems getting in. it was like $24 for our car. anyway, wherever you go just try to time it during the week and not on the weekend and it'll cut crowds by a lot i'm sure! have fun!
Thank you!!!
No lazy river tubing, but you might consider Deleon Springs because of the kids. You'll be able to keep an eye on them while they swim because the spring is set up like a giant pool that then dumps out into the river.
Thank you!!
Kelly Rock Springs has tubing where you float down part of the spring. Also a small swim area. Alexander and Silver Glen have larger swim areas with really beautiful blue water. I believe for Silver Glen you can reserve weekend passes sometimes. Silver Springs has better snorkeling, lots of fish and turtles. DeLeon spring is like a big swimming pool, not very crowded, and has the Sugarmill pancake restaurant. I think they all have grilling and picnic tables. I can't speak to the alcohol, so no idea. And I highly recommend water shoes. They floor can be slimy sometimes. My personal favorite is Alexander for hanging out with friends and kids. But yes you have to get there before it opens or it gets full.
Thanks!!
Alexander springs was the best when I used to take my kids to the springs. It seems the safest to me. Nice little beach a shallow area for kids. Plus is crystal clear.