Cypress Springs: Florida’s Pristine Hidden Spring
When most people think of Florida, they think of the ritzy beaches of Miami Beach, or the white sandy beaches of Panama City. Florida is home to many hidden natural wonders. One of the most remarkable is Cypress Springs. Cypress Springs is a stunning natural spring basin with several Cypress trees growing in the water that is located in Northwest Florida. The inviting blue waters of Cypress Springs have long been a favorite among locals who are seeking a less touristy destination for relaxation and recreation.
Cypress Springs is a gargantuan, pristine natural spring that expels nearly 65 million gallons of water per day. Spring water is celebrated for its high mineral content and time-honored healing properties. Soaking in the clear waters of Cypress Springs is an excellent way to ease muscle pain, joint pain, and various skin maladies such as eczema. The gorgeous blue waters of Cypress Springs remain 70 degrees Fahrenheit all year long. It is no wonder that Floridians flock to Cypress Springs to kayak, swim, and canoe. It is possible to launch a small boat or kayak on nearby Holmes Creek, and travel to Cypress Springs over the water. Holmes Creek is fairly shallow, so be prepared for some slight bumps if you attempt to reach Cypress Springs by boat.
Coldwater Excursions offer Eco Tours of the diverse landscape that surrounds Cypress Springs. There is plenty of wildlife—but, there has yet to be an alligator sighting in the crystal clear waters of Cypress Springs. If you want to the ditch the spring break crowd and soak in a pristine body of water that will leave you refreshed and revived, Cypress Springs is well worth the Northwest journey. Rent a paddleboard, kayak, or inflatable raft and allow yourself to to be swept away by the beauty of Cypress Springs.
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Cypress Spring pool, Holmes Creek near Vernon, Washington County, Florida, USA (spring-area reference; not a public land entrance)
- Coordinates
- 30.65875, -85.68437
- Access
- Cypress Spring is reached by boat/kayak on Holmes Creek, not by driving to the spring. Florida DEP warns the shoreline is private; do not land or trespass. The Northwest Florida Water Management District currently reports shoreline restoration/protection work that may restrict shore access for several months, while watercraft access remains available. Cotton Landing is a public launch; the District says the spring is about a 10-minute paddle away. Outfitters have separate schedules and reservation terms; check the District and your chosen operator before setting out.
- Admission
- No separate public gate or spring-entry ticket is listed; reaching the spring may require a boat rental or shuttle. Cypress Springs Adventures lists 2026 rentals at $45 for a single kayak and $55 for a tandem kayak or two-person canoe, with shuttle included. Its personal-boat shuttle price differs between its rates page and FAQ, so confirm directly. A different operator's $5 water-park fee is for that operator's facility, not admission to the natural spring.
- Time needed
- Cypress Springs Adventures says the one-mile trip takes about 1 hour of paddling and most visitors spend 4–5 hours on the water; its four-mile option is about 2.5–3 hours paddling. These are that outfitter's route estimates, not an official spring time limit. Build in launch, stops, return and weather time; pack food and water because the operator says there are no places to stop along the route.
- Best season
- Florida DEP recommends weekdays and cooler months for quieter paddling; summer tends to bring more swimmers and boat traffic. This is crowd-avoidance guidance, not a formal season designation. Outfitters reduce or change operations seasonally, and water/weather affect availability; check service dates before travel.
- Opening hours
- The spring has no verified gate hours; it is reached from Holmes Creek by water. Cypress Springs Adventures lists its 2026 fall season as Wednesday–Sunday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., closed Monday/Tuesday, with last watercraft drop-off at 1:00 p.m. and all boats due back by 5:00 p.m.; its last 2026 operating day is October 31. Those are one outfitter's service hours, not spring-wide hours. The district's active restoration notice says shoreline access may be restricted while the spring remains accessible by watercraft. Confirm current weather, water and reservation conditions.
- Location checked
- 2026-10-23
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-23
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Absolutely gorgeous! I would love to free dive there. How deep can I go down and is it accessible from the entrance? Are there any hotels or motels close by? What about parking?