Florida is known for its natural springs, but not all of them are mineral springs.
Most springs in Florida are simply freshwater springs, where groundwater flows to the surface.
Florida’s springs are popular for recreation, and are often protected inside state parks like Ichetucknee Springs State Park, Silver Springs State Park, and others.
Most springs in Florida are found in the north and central parts of the state. Most are fed by the vast Floridan Aquifer, an enormous layer of underground water, trapped in Florida’s karst geology. The water is often crystal clear and remans a constant year-round temperature of approximately 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mineral springs are a special type of spring, and are less common than other springs in Florida.
As their name suggests, mineral springs contain high amounts of minerals, including sulfur, magnesium, calcium and others. These minerals are believed to have health benefits, although scientific evidence varies.
People thought these minerals could help with skin conditions, digestive issues, and other health problems. However, there’s limited scientific evidence to support these claims.
Warm Mineral Springs in North Port, Florida, is one of the most famous mineral springs in Florida. It’s unique because it’s a hot (warm) spring, with water temperatures around 87 degrees Fahrenheit.
Warm Mineral Springs is incredibly popular, and hoards of people visit for relaxation and potential health benefits.
Florida has a long history of springs believed to have healing properties.
Native Americans were the first to use these springs, considering them sacred and beneficial for health. Spanish explorers, including Juan Ponce de León, later arrived in the 16th century. Ponce de León may have been searching for the “Fountain of Youth”; a mythical water source said to grant eternal life.
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Florida’s springs became popular tourist destinations. People traveled from all over to “take the waters,” believing that the springs could cure various ailments.
Health resorts and hotels sprang up around these natural wonders. Places like Warm Mineral Springs and Silver Springs became especially famous.