20 low-key springs and beaches within driving distance of Tampa Bay

Chauncy Howard Park

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 1 hour and 20 minutes
A beach without crowds can be hard to come by, but down the street from the main beach in Venice, Chauncy Howard Park is the perfect off-the-beaten-path spot. The beach is just blocks from Venice’s historic downtown, so make sure to stop by for a drink and a bite after a day in the sun.
Photos via scgov.net

Lithia Springs State Park

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 45 minutes
With cool and clean water that flows year-round from the Alafia River, Lithia Springs (named for its natural lithium-enriched water) is a great low-key swimming spot to escape the Florida heat. Stay for the afternoon starting at $2 per vehicle and $2 to swim or make it a trip with a campground that offers 44 sites for tents and RVs, complete with picnic shelters, grills, restrooms, showers, electrical services and other recreational amenities.
Photos via Lithia Springs State Park FL/Facebook

Nokomis Beach

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 1 hours and 30 minutes
Enjoy a day of swimming, sunbathing or fishing in southern Sarasota at Sarasota’s oldest public beach: Nokomis Beach. Often described as a hidden gem for its relatively low traffic, the beach offers public parking, a boat and canoe ramp, restrooms, picnic facilities and a renovated plaza that was built in the ‘50s.
Photos via scgov.net

Apollo Baech Nature Preserve

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 35 minutes
See some of the best views of Tampa Bay’s sunset at no cost at Apollo Beach Nature Preserve. The 63-acre preserve offers seven acres for nature-based recreation, two acres of beach for sunbathing and picnicking, a 37-foot wheelchair accessible observation tower and spots for shoreline fishing.
Photos via hillsboroughcounty.org

Upham Beach Park

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 40 minutes
Upham Beach is a considerably less crowded, more family-friendly alternative to its other nearby spots on St. Pete Beach. With plenty of public parking, restaurants, bars, lodging and live music around, Upham Beach is a great spot for your next beach trip.
Photos via City of St. Pete Beach/Facebook

Don Pedro Island State Park

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Described as a “simple paradise” Don Pedro Island State Park sits along a chain of barrier islands north of Boca Grande. As the park is only accessible by private boat or ferry, crowds are not as plentiful on its mile-long beach. The park also hosts a thriving habitat of mangroves which can be seen on hiking and kayak trails. Parking is $3 per vehicle and the park is open Wednesday-Sunday.
Photos via floridastateparks.org

Seven Sisters Springs

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Although it doesn’t receive as much traffic as nearby springs like the Chaz, Seven Sisters is regarded as one of the most beautiful in the state. With its exceptionally clear water, snorkeling and swimming is the best way to get acquainted. As the springs are only accessible by water, it’s recommended that visitors park for $5 and rent kayaks or canoes from the Chassahowitzka Campground.
Photos via sevensisterscampground.com

Fort DeSoto Park

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 45 minutes
We all know Fort DeSoto Park is a Florida classic. The massive park just off of the Sunshine Skyway is typically crowded, but savvy beach goers know to go to DeSoto's East Beach to escape the crowds. The park hosts a historic fort, a 238-site campgrounds, two fishing piers, a dog-friendly beach, ferry service to the nearby Shell and Egmont Keys and more. It is $5 per car to enter. The park’s Bay Pier will be closed until Winter 2023 as it undergoes replacement.
Photos via Friends of Fort DeSoto Park/Facebook

Cypress Point Park

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 15 minutes
Just a short drive from the hustle and bustle of downtown Tampa, Cypress Point Park is a peaceful escape from city life. From sunrise to sunset, enjoy a beach with stunning displays of the gulf, trails, picnic pavilions, a volleyball court, a disc golf course, a playground and free parking.
Photos via tampa.gov

Gulfport Beach

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 40 minutes
At the end of Gulfport’s historic Beach Boulevard, lined with some of the best shops, restaurants and bars in the area, sits the town’s quaint recreational beach on Boca Ciega Bay. This beachfront offers a more chill escape from some of the area’s busier beaches with amenities like bocce ball, horseshoes, beach volleyball, covered picnic tables and public parking.
Photos via mygulfport.us

Belleair Beach

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 50 minutes
Want the white sands of Clearwater Beach without the crowds? Belleair Beach has got you. As a fairly residential area, Belleair is typically less hectic than its more tourist-dense neighbors allowing visitors to enjoy a relaxing day at the beach while still being able to hit up all of the area’s classic spots. And parking is way easier to find.
Photos via cityofbelleairbeach.com

Turtle Beach

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Named for its sea turtle nesting habitats, Turtle Beach at Siesta Key allows you to take in the glory of Florida's west coast without the crowds. With equipment rentals and boat ramps nearby, take the opportunity to explore the gulf or stay on the shoreline with amenities like picnic pavilions, restrooms, a fishing pier and a nearby playground near the parking lot.
Photos via Turtle Beach Resort and Inn/Facebook

Three Sisters Spring

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Named for its three crystal clear freshwater springs, Three Sisters is a part of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. During the summer, admission is $12.50 for adults, $11.50 for military, $7.50 for children 12 and under and free for children five and under. The refuge, which is only accessible by a trolley as part of admission, includes a boardwalk ideal for wildlife viewing over and around the springs. As the springs are only accessible by water, make sure to rent a boat or kayak from the nearby boat launches if you plan on taking a dip.
Photos via threesistersspringvisitor.org

DeLeon Springs State Park

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 2 hours and 30 minutes
A spring with rich cultural history, DeLeon Springs State Park is a perfect place to escape the heat with waters that remain cool year-round. The park features a swimming area, kayak rentals, boat tours, trails, a restaurant that allows patrons to flip their own pancakes and more. Admission is $6 per vehicle and the park closes at sunset.
Photos via floridastateparks.org

Juniper Springs Recreation Area

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 2 hours and 20 minutes
Juniper Springs is home to hundreds of bubbling springs, making its water crystal clear and perfect for a dip on a hot day. Located near Ocala, the site offers spots to swim, hike, camp, picnic, kayak and more. Surrounded by a dense canopy of live oaks, the shade at Juniper Springs makes it worth the trip on its own. Parking is free with the purchase of tickets, which are $8 on weekdays and $11 on weekends.
Photos via fs.usda.gov

Lido Key

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 1 hour and 10 minutes
At the end of Sarasota’s John Ringling Causeway, Lido Key welcomes beach-goers with white sand and scenic sunsets. Hosting a wide range of lodging options from resort to boutique, services surrounding the beach also include deep sea fishing and dolphin tours. After a day of sun, indulge in some upscale shopping and dining just a walk away at St. Armands Circle.
Photos via lidokey.net

Rainbow Springs State Park

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 2 hours
Whether it's floating down the river in an inner tube, hiking through the lush wetlands or swimming in the headsprings, Rainbow River does not disappoint. While parking is free, admission to the park and headsprings is $2 per person. Don’t own a tube, canoe or kayak? All three are available to rent at the park. Complete hook-up camping sites are available starting at $30 per night.
Photos via ocalamarion.com

E.G. Simmons Conservation Park

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 40 minutes
Ruskin’s E.G. Simmons offers a more tranquil beach experience without the compromise. Starting at $2 per vehicle and $5 for a boat launch fee, the park is developed from 258 acres of native mangroves and includes 87 individual campsites with a 700 foot of beach where visitors can play volleyball, fish on the pier and waterbank, or rent a kayak.
Photos via Hillsborough County, Florida Government/Facebook

Kelly Park and Rock Springs

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 2 hours and 10 minutes
Upgrade your Orlando vacay for a fraction of the price at Kelly Park and Rock Springs. The park features a free-flowing natural spring that stays at 68-72 degrees year round, a concession stand, picnic pavilions and a playground. Tube rentals are available from vendors outside the park or guests may bring their own pool noodles or floats as long as they are less than five feet in length or width. The site also offers parking, starting at $3 per vehicle for 1-2 people.
Photos via @OrangeCoParksFL/Twitterr

Gasparilla Island State Park

Estimated drive time from Tampa: 2 hours
Located in Boca Grande, known for its golf carts and idyllic vacation spots, Gasparilla Island offers the closest views to Cape Cod that you can get in Florida. With $3 parking, the park features a pristine beach, diverse wildlife, some of the best fishing spots on the gulf and a lighthouse-turned-museum built in 1890.
Photos via Port Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum/Google