#VORTEX SPRINGS ZIP#

Complete with 5 slides, a rope swing, high dive, and low dive the swimming area gives kids of all ages a chance to let loose. Vortex Spring and the surrounding 500 acres are owned by the Dockery family, has become one of the premier swimming holes in the southeast. The section of the Spring closest to those is roped off for diving. Straight ahead is a lodge and camp store. In this photo of Jake conquering the rope swing, you can see the barn called the Pickin Porch where they have the music to the right. With multiple underwater training areas, it provides a place for divers to get Open Water Certified and is also a place for experienced divers to enjoy. Vortex Spring, in particular, has a substantial cave and is a popular place among the diving community. These crystal clear Florida springs are 68 degrees all year long. Think about that! 28 million!Īnd I do have to warn you that it is cold water. This particular freshwater spring produces over 28 million gallons of water per day. You will find many in the panhandle and central and northern Florida. When we moved to the south I was surprised to learn that Florida is home to a bunch of natural springs. It’s a private recreation area that offers day use, camping, and even cabin stays! I want to spend a weekend there because I always see them posting fantastic live music on their Facebook page and it looks like SO MUCH FUN for the little kids and us kids at heart.įirst, let me give you some background on the actual spring. It’s straight north of Destin, 30a, and Panama City Beach and makes for a great little excursion while visiting the area.

Vortex Spring is located just north of Interstate 10 in the Florida panhandle and exactly one hour from our home in Dothan, Alabama. Some of the local schools have started already but we don’t head back until after Labor Day so we took advantage of the day, packed up some lunches, and packed into the car for a visit to Vortex Spring. Swimming and floating– have fun swimming or just floating around on a raft or tube.A couple of months ago I wrote about our canoe trip to Cypress Springs in the Florida panhandle and today I am excited to share our visit to another amazing Florida Spring! Friday morning we woke up to an empty schedule and a much cooler (and rain-free) forecast than what we have been experiencing in the southeast.Thankfully, while it is recommended that you go feet first, the water is deep enough if you take a head first plunge! I wish I had captured on camera the look on his face.

#VORTEX SPRINGS ZIP#

Shawn’s first turn down the zip line had him doing an accidental perfect head first dive.

Zip line– this is what my husband and son looked forward to and they took quite a few trips down it.

Rope swing-the rope swing is still available for the older kids.

Play castle– this castle keeps the young children entertained in between swimming.

Slides– there are three slides set up in the water for children and adults.

Cave certified divers especially love Vortex Spring! There are plenty of fish and even some eel to look at near the entrance to the cave. This is still a great place for scuba diving.

Diving-while they have a diving board, we had a great time snorkeling and watching the scuba divers.Camping– there are cabins and tent sites with nearby bathroom facilities.

Vortex springs