Volusia County, Florida, offers a wide range of family-friendly outdoor fun that makes it a perfect destination for all ages. From the sun-soaked beaches of Daytona and New Smyrna to the scenic trails and parks inland, families can enjoy everything from swimming and paddleboarding to hiking and wildlife spotting. The county is home to beautiful nature preserves like Blue Spring State Park, where visitors can see manatees in their natural habitat, and De Leon Springs, which offers a mix of history and outdoor adventure. With picnic areas, playgrounds, and educational centers throughout the area, Volusia County is ideal for creating lasting memories in the great outdoors.

Hiking – There are some great hiking trails in and around Volusia County, including those at Bulow Creek State Park, Hontoon Island, DeLeon Springs, Lyonia Environmental Center, Smyrna Dunes Park, Lake Ashby, Deep Creek Preserve, Blue Spring State Park, Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge, Long Leaf Pine Preserve, Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve, and Tiger Bay State Forest, among others. The best time of the year to hike is October through March. Be sure to take water and sunscreen and plan accordingly with the weather.

Biking – There are numerous paved biking trails in and around the area, including those at Green Springs, Lake Beresford Park, the New Smyrna Beach Pedestrian Trail, Edgewater East Coast Rail Trail, Osteen Paved Bike Trail, Lehigh Greenway Trail, and more. The Spring-to-Spring Trail in East Volusia provides miles of beautiful paved biking trail. There are also unpaved biking opportunities for those who like doing that, including the trails at Chuck Lennon Park in DeLeon Springs and the ones at Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve.

Wildlife Drives – There are a couple of nice wildlife drives for those who want to explore nature from the car. These are great for driving through on a hot day or to take visitors to. They include Black Point Wildlife Drive in Merritt Island and the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive. They provide good opportunities for seeing alligators out sunning, among a variety of other animals, in their natural habitat.

Springs - Florida has many natural springs you can visit, including some here in Volusia County. Check out the springs guide for a list of them.

Outdoor Fun Guide

Here’s a list of the 30+ natural springs near Daytona Beach, Florida — all family-friendly unless noted otherwise. The list includes distances from Daytona Beach, key features, and helpful tips for each. Springs slightly over 3 hours are grouped at the bottom. Be sure to confirm costs ahead of time, as they are subject to change. Some places may also close when they reach capacity or require advanced reservations.

🌊 Springs Within 3 Hours of Daytona Beach

1. DeLeon Springs State Park

⏱️ 40 minutes | 📍De Leon Springs

Swimming, hiking, eco boat tour

• $6 per car

• On-site pancake house (cook your own!)

• Lifeguards & shallow area for kids

2. Blue Spring State Park

⏱️ 45 minutes | 📍Orange City

• $6 per car

• Tubing, kayaking, hiking, camping

• Manatee sightings (in season)

• Lifeguards, playground, picnic spots

3. Wekiva Falls
⏱️ 50 minutes | 📍Sorrento

• Beach-like entrance, shallow areas

• Waterslide, playground, picnic tables

• Sulphur smell present

4. Juniper Springs Recreation Area
⏱️ 60 minutes | 📍Ocala National Forest

• $14 per person

• Small, scenic spring with hiking, camping

• No lifeguards, no shallow area

5. Alexander Springs Recreation Area
⏱️ 60 minutes | 📍Ocala National Forest

• $13 per person

• Large spring, very shallow = toddler-friendly

• Snorkeling, hiking, camping

6. Wekiwa Springs State Park
⏱️ 60 minutes | 📍Apopka

• $6 per vehicle

• Camping, kayaking, hiking

• Limited shallow area

7. Silver Glen Springs
⏱️ 60 minutes | 📍Salt Springs

• $14 per person

• Walk-in access, waist-deep areas

• Beautiful fish and vegetation sightings

8. Kelly Park / Rock Springs Run
⏱️ 60 minutes | 📍Apopka

• $5 per vehicle and $1 per person

• Tubing, snorkeling, strong current

• Shallow area for kids near main swim area

9. Salt Springs Recreation Area
⏱️ 70 minutes | 📍Fort McCoy

• $12 per person

• RV & tent camping, clean facilities

• Snorkeling, shallow steps entry

10. Devil's Den Spring
⏱️ 2 hours | 📍Williston

• $18–$25 per person (reservation required)

• Underground spring — snorkeling or diving only

• Ages 6+, not for general swimming

11. Rainbow Springs State Park
⏱️ 2 hrs 10 min | 📍Dunnellon

• $2 (headsprings), $5 (tubing entrance)

• Deep swimming area, not ideal for toddlers

• Snorkeling, tubing, waterfalls

12. Levy Blue Springs (Bronson Blue Springs)
⏱️ 2 hrs 15 min | 📍Bronson

• $2 per person

• Jump platform, shallow kid area

• Otter & turtle sightings

13. Poe Springs Park
⏱️ 2.5 hours | 📍High Springs

• $6 per car (cash only)

• Hidden gem with boardwalk, shallow areas

• Great for snorkeling & families

14. Rum Island County Park
⏱️ 2.5 hours | 📍Fort White

• $5 per car

• Renovated park with restrooms

• Shallow areas, kayaking access

15. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
⏱️ 2.5 hours | 📍Spring Hill

• $13 adults / $8 kids

• Mermaid show, slides, splash pad

• Boat ride & multiple shows included

16. Lithia Springs Park
⏱️ 2.5 hours | 📍Lithia

• $2 vehicle + $2 per person

• Lifeguards, shallow areas, safety drills

• Snorkeling, clean spring run

17. Ginnie Springs
⏱️ 2.5 hours | 📍High Springs

• $15–$20 adults, $5 kids

• Snorkeling, tubing, scuba diving

• Can be rowdy; best on weekdays

18. Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park
⏱️ 2.5 hours | 📍High Springs

• $6 per vehicle

• Beautiful water, camping, shallow areas

• State-managed with nearby Naked Spring

19. Itchetucknee Springs State Park
⏱️ 2 hrs 40 min | 📍Fort White

• $6 per vehicle

• Tube rentals, swimming, strong currents

• Blue Hole Spring for advanced swimmers only

20. Fanning Springs State Park
⏱️ 2 hrs 40 min | 📍Fanning Springs

• $6 per vehicle

• Snorkeling, shallow areas, playground

• River access for boats

21. Manatee Springs State Park
⏱️ 2 hrs 45 min | 📍Chiefland

• $6 per vehicle

• Large swim area, diving, snorkeling

• Wildlife sightings, camping, pavilions

22. Hart Springs Park
⏱️ 2 hrs 45 min | 📍Bell

• $5 weekdays / $8 weekends

• Two swim areas, beach-style entry

• Family-friendly, camping, trails

23. Little River Springs
⏱️ 2 hrs 50 min | 📍Branford

• $5 per vehicle

• Suwannee River access, shallow zones

• Limestone snorkeling, clean spring

24. Madison Blue Spring State Park
⏱️ 3 hours | 📍Lee, FL

• $5 per vehicle

• Rated one of the most beautiful springs

• Snorkeling, crystal-clear water, nature trails

25. Troy Springs State Park
⏱️ 3 hours | 📍Branford

• $5 per group (up to 8)

• Large spring, beach-style entry

• Historic sunken Civil War ship nearby

💧 Bonus Springs Slightly Over 3 Hours from Daytona Beach

(Details not fully listed, but worth exploring if you're willing to go the extra distance.)

• Lafayette Blue Springs State Park

• Otter Springs

• Peacock Springs

• Royal Springs

• Warm Mineral Springs

Florida Springs Guide