Coming to you today with an adventure that is worthy of your bucket list. It’s a great option for when you want to take a break from the beach days but still swim in gorgeous blue water. This guide has everything you need to know about how to get to Cypress Spring without a tour so you’re prepared for an awesome adventure!
A Complete Guide On How To Get To Cypress Spring Without A Tour
Disclaimer
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FAQ for Cypress Spring
Where is it located?
Vernon, a little over an hour from Destin.
What is the cost?
There’s no cost for parking or visiting the spring.
If you’re coming from Destin there’s a toll bridge which is the only fee for this adventure.
Is it kid-friendly?
Yes. Of course you know your kids better than I do so use this guide and your best judgment for what is best for them.
What skill level is required?
Beginner. Again, use your best judgment for what is suited for you.
How much time do you need?
For a quick visit, you could paddle there, swim a little and be done in 2 hours. Otherwise, you can easily spend half a day relaxing in the sun and swimming.
What should you bring with you?
- Paddle Board or Kayak
- Water
- Snacks
- Sunscreen
- Waterproof bag – I use this one
- Snorkel gear – I use these fins and a mask and snorkel like this one
- Rash guard (the water is cold)
- Underwater camera – I use this one on this floaty selfie stick that ties to my wrist
- Floaty or noodle to float on (if you like to float on the water)
Where to park for Cypress Spring using Cotton Landing
Cotton Landing is a great place to start because it’s a short paddle to the spring.
You can use Cotton Landing in Google Maps to find the launch area.
On Google Maps it looks like there’s nothing there, but there is a gravel road that will lead you from the main road to the parking area.
There’s a sign at the turn off so just keep an eye out for that.
GPS coordinates for Cotton Landing: 30°39’20.0″N 85°40’50.1″W
*Heads up – your GPS might take you down Strickland Road as a shortcut, but it’s a gravel road and unnecessary shortcut. I think it’s easier to keep following the way you’re going and turn at the intersection.*
If you’d like a longer paddle, you could park at Culpepper Landing. For this route you will be going upstream on the way to the spring, so the more challenging part with be at the beginning. Then you’ll be going with the flow of the water for the way back.
This is the entrance to the parking area
Large parking area
What to expect at Cotton Landing
At Cotton Landing there is a large parking area with plenty of room to offload your board, or pump up your board if you use an inflatable one like me.
In terms of facilities, there’s a couple of port-a-john toilets if you need one last toilet break before you start the adventure.
There’s also a camping site at Cotton Landing so if you’re looking for somewhere to camp this could be an option.
According to the Northwest Florida Water Management District, the creek has 57 springs. A camping weekend might be a fun way to spend more time exploring them.
Cotton Landing
How to get to Cypress Spring
At Cotton Landing, face the water with your back to the parking lot.
To start the route, you’ll be turning left and going with the flow of the water.
After a little while you make a right turn to follow the side trail around towards the spring. It’s easy to see this turn because there are arrows spray painted on the trees.
Just keep and eye out for those and you’ll be fine. If you need reassurance, you can also check your navigation in Google Maps because it’s all listed there.
The turn is really the first turn with a clear water path so it’s quite simple to follow.
It takes about 10-20 minutes to get to the spring depending on your pace.
Look out for spray painted markings for the turn – I’ve seen this marking and arrows when I’ve been
Paddling to the spring
Tips for paddling to Cypress Spring
It’s not the best place to go if it has been raining in the area a lot prior to your visit. The reason is because the current can be quite strong and if there’s been heavy rain the spring will not be that bright blue you probably want to see.
After heavy rain it’s brown and not particularly pretty.
While you’re paddling or kayaking there are some trees in the water to look out for. It’s nothing major or scary, just little obstacles to maneuver around as you go. Of course, if you have an inflatable board you’ll want to be a little more careful around them.
You’re going with the flow of the water on the way there so it’s not too strenuous. On the return journey you’ll be paddling or kayaking against the current and takes a little more effort. It’s a good idea to keep a little energy in reserve for the paddle back.
What to expect at the spring
The spring is AMAZING!
It definitely deserves a spot on your bucket list while you’re here.
The sparkling water is super clear and bright blue. It’s actually even more bright and beautiful underwater so I definitely recommend bringing a snorkel mask to be able to see it in all it’s beauty.
Underwater you’ll see things like fish, plants, and trees that make it look like underwater art.
There’s a large, deep area to swim and snorkel at the spring as well as shallow areas at the edge.
If you’d like to add some fun there’s also a rope swing over the deep part of the spring. I’d recommend looking underwater before you jump to make sure you know where the tree branches are.
You can also relax in the sun off to the side. There’s a grassy area in the sun on one side and the other side of the spring is shaded.
Lastly, the water is super cold! So you may want to bring a rash guard to be more comfortable in the water.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO TAKE YOUR TRASH WITH YOU AND TREAT NATURE WITH RESPECT. Sorry for yelling but it’s not hard to clean up after ourselves and we want to keep it clean for people to enjoy for many years to come.
Which paddle board I used
I used an inflatable paddle board by BOTE (which I love!)
While I was at the spring I got a couple of compliments on my board and some people didn’t believe at first that it was inflatable. Once they’re pumped up they look, and are, super sturdy.
It was convenient to be able to carry my board backpack to the launch, pump it up, then be on my way. Then deflate it and throw it on the back seat of the car when I was done.
Here’s my full review of the board if you’d like more detailed information about it.
BOTE is a Destin born brand and make a bunch of different high quality inflatable and solid boards. If you’re in the market for one of your own, I highly recommend them!
How to get to Cypress Spring with a tour
If you’d prefer to take a guided tour, check out Coldwater Excursions for their guided eco tour.
Where to rent kayaks for Cypress Spring
You can easily rent kayaks or canoes from the nearby Cypress Spring Adventures for between $40-$60 depending on which you choose.
Other guides you might enjoy:
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HI! I wanted to come here and say thank you so much for this blog post. A friend and I used all the information you provided here to have a great experience at Cypress Springs this past weekend. We found it to be extremely helpful! Thank you so much! 😊
This is so great to hear – thank you so much!
I just got an inflatable paddleboard for Mother’s Day. I told my kids to get me a less expensive one from Amazon because I don’t know how long my ADHD will think this is fun and exciting. The first time I’ll be using it will be on a trip to Cypress Springs. I’ll be going with a group of Kayakers and they’ll bring an extra kayak for me just in case… but I was wondering, is the fin necessary on creeks, springs, and/or rivers? Would it be better to remove it so it doesn’t get caught on logs? I have a repair kit just in case and I might bring a roll of some flex seal tape. Any other tips for a new paddler?
Ohh good question. I’ve always left my fin on, but I’m not sure that it is needed. Just have fun and remember you can always sit or go to your knees if the standing feels too much. Cypress it gorgeous!