
Florida’s Coolest Spring68° all year long
520 acres of crystal-clear spring water, an underwater cave that ranks among Florida’s largest, slides, trails, campsites and lodges — one of the largest dive resorts in the country, and a whole lot of fun for everyone else.
Dive in, splash around, ride out
Whether you’re logging your first open-water dive or just floating the afternoon away, the spring is the center of everything at Vortex.
Home of the Diver Down FlagDiving
50-ft basin, cavern mouth and a 115-ft cave system. Scuba training from Discover Scuba to Rescue Diver.
$6 snorkel add-onSnorkeling
Gin-clear visibility over the spring basin. Masks and fins are sold at the dive shop, or bring your own.

Swimming
68° spring water, sandy beach and shady picnic spots.
Fan favoriteSlides & Swings
Water slides, jumping platforms and the rope swing.
Horses welcomeTrails
Miles of wooded trails to ride — call ahead to check the trails are open for horses.
One ticket. All the splash.
Day admission covers the swim area, slides, jumping platforms, rope swing, beach and all public areas. Buy at the dive shop when you arrive — rentals available on site.
Rentals on site
Tubes and paddleboards (seasonal) plus full dive equipment at the dive shop. Snorkel masks and fins are not rentals — buy them at the dive shop, or bring your own.
Open every day
Mon–Thu 8AM–5PM · Fri–Sun 7AM–7PM (Central). Water is 68° in January and July.
Camping? Two-person occupancy
Camping and lodging rates are based on two-person occupancy and include park admission for two (additional charge for diving); extra guests are $10 per person per night. Personal golf carts and ATVs are $10 per day plus daily admission (proof of liability insurance and a signed waiver required).
Daily Park Admission
Includes swimming. Per person, per day. Sales tax not included.
- Adults & teens (13+)$15
- Kids 12 & under$10
- Little ones 4 & underFREE
- Snorkel add-on$6
- Daily diving pass$25
Two worlds.one spring
Pines and picnic tables on top, gin-clear water and a 115-ft cave below. Most people only ever see half of it.
Learn, log dives, go deeper
Vortex is a year-round training destination. Discover Scuba, NAUI certifications and guided dives in 68° water — night dives, cavern intros and specialty courses too.
The Spring, top to bottom
- 28 million gallons of crystal “gin” clear water every day
- Basin drops to 50 ft at the cavern mouth, then runs another 300 ft of horizontal penetration to the security gate at 115 ft. The cave continues past this point, but you must have full cave certification to go any further.
- Night diving available by advance request — request a night dive
- Minimum age 10 · proof of certification required · no cavern/cave entry without proper certification · minors dive with a certified adult
Event weekends at Vortex
Live entertainment, vendors, trail rides and the swim area all weekend long. Camping and lodging book separately — grab both early.
Labor Day Weekend Get-Down
Three days of live music by the spring: Webb Dalton on Friday, Blackwater Country and Rock Mob on Saturday, and the Battle of the Bands Local Takeover on Sunday. Swim area access, vendors, fireworks and every Labor Day festivity on the property, Friday 10 AM through Sunday 10 PM.
- Fri: Webb Dalton
- Sat: Blackwater Country
- Sat: Rock Mob
- Sun: Battle of the Bands
- Fireworks & vendors
- Swimming & camping
Season passes are valid Wed, Thu & Mon of event week but not Fri–Sun.
Dolly Parton Day
Every admission on September 25 goes straight to the Holmes County branch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, putting free books in the hands of local kids. The park is open 9 to 5 — just like Dolly. Dive, swim, explore, relax and adventure, and every ticket helps a child dream more, learn more and care more.
- All admissions donated
- Imagination Library
- Park open 9–5
- Dive & swim
- Explore the trails
- Family friendly
Stronger community. Brighter futures.
Rodeo in December
On the first weekend of December — Friday and Saturday, December 4 & 5, 2026 — the arena fills up for a full weekend of rodeo action — bull riding, bronc riding, barrel racing, roping, live music and vendors. Bring the whole family, grab a campsite or a lodge room, and make a weekend of it.
- Bull & bronc riding
- Barrel racing & roping
- Live music & vendors
- Camp or lodge on site
- Family friendly
- The arena
Schedule and ticket details: call (850) 836-4979.
Memorial Day Weekend at the Spring
Kick off summer with a four-day weekend at Vortex — the swim area, the trails and the whole property open Friday through Monday. Camping and lodging book separately, and Memorial Day sites go early — grab yours before they fill.
- Four-day weekend
- Camp or lodge on site
- Family friendly
- Swim area access
Schedule and tickets announced closer to the date — call (850) 836-4979 for details.
Tickets
Say “I do” by the spring without the big-venue price tag
Rustic Ranch Farms is Vortex’s on-property event venue: an indoor hall that seats 299, unlimited outdoor seating, a wide-open field with indoor-outdoor stages, and 520 acres of backdrop. Your guests can camp or lodge on site and spend the next day at the spring.
- Weddings & receptions
- Rehearsal dinners
- Corporate retreats
- Concerts & festivals
- Family reunions
- On-site lodging for guests
Affordable packages for weddings and events of every size. Tell us your date and headcount and we’ll build the rest around you.
Get PricingRodeo in December bulls, broncs & barrel racing under the pines
On the first weekend of December — Friday and Saturday, December 4 & 5, 2026 — the arena fills up for a full weekend of rodeo action — bull riding, bronc riding, barrel racing, roping, live music and vendors. Bring the whole family, grab a campsite or a lodge room, and make a weekend of it.
Hit the trails
Hundreds of wooded acres wrap around the spring. Give us a call before you haul in to check that the trails are open.

B.Y.O.H.Bring your own horse
Ride the property’s wooded trail system, then overnight with us and make it a weekend — camping and lodging are steps from the trailhead. Trail access can change with weather and events, so call to check the trails are open for horses before you come.

Side-by-sides & off-road
Bring the side-by-side and ride the trails by day, then hit the swim area and the campfire by night. Call ahead for current trail access and to reserve a campsite before they fill up. SXS passes are subject to increase for special events.
Camping & on-site lodging
From full-hookup RV sites to a four-bedroom house that sleeps 10 — every stay is based on two-person occupancy and includes park admission for two (additional charge for diving), plus a short walk to the spring.

Water & Electric Sites
40 campsites with picnic table and grill, up to 8 people per site.
Book a site
Primitive Camping
No hookups, all the stars. Quiet hours midnight to 8 AM.
Book primitive
Rustic Cabins
Glamping-style cabins — a roof and a bed, no plumbing or heat.
Book a cabin
Grandview Lodge
Premium spot right by the spring — the divers’ favorite.
Book Grandview
Otter Creek Lodge
Tucked away with easy access to swimming and the trails.
Book Otter Creek
Pinewood Lodge
Two-story lodge with hotel-like rooms for couples and small groups.
Book Pinewood
Treasure Chest
Private 4-bedroom, 3-bath house — perfect for dive clubs and family reunions.
Book Treasure Chest
Group Rooms
Three queens and four bunk beds — built for scout troops, teams and dive classes.
Book a group roomRequired before you swim. Sign online before you arrive to save time at check-in — all adults 18 and over must sign their own waiver, and a parent or legal guardian must sign for each minor.
Plan your visit
Fri – Sun 7 AM – 7 PM
Good to know
The questions we get asked most before a first visit.
How cold is the water, really?
Do I need to be a diver to visit?
Can I learn to dive here?
When can I ride the trails?
What does a campsite include?
Can we host our wedding at Vortex?
Are season passes valid on event weekends?
What’s the minimum age to dive?
The spring is 68° right now.
Book a site, grab a weekend pass, and come see why divers call this place home.
