Forget Florida, Alabama's Underrated Springs State Park Has Camping, Cabin Stays, And Clear Refreshing Waters

Have you ever wanted to swim in crystal-clear springs? Somewhere you can camp just steps from the water? You can do precisely that at Blue Spring State Park — not the one in Florida, but the state park in the Heart of Dixie. Despite sharing the same name, the two greatly differ in scale and environment. While the Florida destination boasts manatee encounters at its river-connected wildlife sanctuary, the Alabama state park offers a more humble getaway. Only covering 103 acres, this underrated haven gives you the opportunity to swim in refreshing spring-fed waters. Expect a cold plunge experience; with a steady temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit, the "water is cold but feels so good," as one person described on Google.

Established in the 1960s, the land that's now Blue Springs State Park was once home to the Creek Nation. By the late 19th century, the springs had become a tourist destination, with the Blue Springs Hotel opening by 1900. Eventually, Alabama governor George Wallace came into power and dedicated the site for use as a state park. Nowadays, you can swim in the spring waters, cast a line in the stocked fishing pond, and enjoy a variety of other activities. The fun doesn't stop when night falls. You can stay at the campground, which comes with modern amenities, pavilions, and playgrounds for a quiet, back-to-nature escape. Alternatively, you can spend the night in a cabin, if pitching a tent isn't your cup of tea.

You can drive to Blue Springs State Park from Montgomery, Alabama, in 90 minutes — it's the same distance from Columbus, Georgia. Birmingham is roughly three hours away. At the time of writing, entrance to the park costs $5 for adults and $3 for children up to age 11 and seniors aged 62 and over. Kids under three can enter for free.

Before you jump into the spring-water pools, settle in at your campsite to unpack your gear. If you're not sure about what to bring, Costco has essential camping items for under $50. The campground boasts 47 sites in the woods, each equipped with a barbecue grill and picnic table. And with magnificently dark skies giving stunning views of the cosmos, you have more reason to spend the night here. The standard campsite rate covers four guests; however, up to eight people can occupy a spot for an additional fee. The campground accommodates trailers and RVs thanks to both back-in and pull-thru sites. All feature water hookups and 30-amp electric service, while seven spots offer sewer hookups. The primitive camping zone is located just outside the modern campground loop.

Amenity-wise, there are restrooms, showers, laundry facilities, and a dump station. You don't have to worry about being disconnected, either — one camper on Google mentioned AT&T and T-Mobile having great coverage in the park. You can also connect to the free Wi-Fi near the park office. There are four group picnic pavilions at Blue Springs, with the biggest one situated by the campground and the rest in the day-use area.

Better yet, book one of the two camper cabins. Both sleep up to five people, and the cabins are furnished with one full-sized bed, one bunk unit, and a convertible sofa — guests are in charge of their own linens. Both heating and air conditioning are available, and each cabin has its own bathroom. Basic kitchen facilities and equipment are provided, too, such as a coffee maker, fridge, and more. Pets are also allowed in one of the cabins, for an additional fee.

The ultimate way to beat the summer heat is by going for a swim, and naturally spring-fed pools at Blue Springs always make for a cool dip. Visitors are welcome to splash around the two crystal-clear swimming pools, which maintain a constant temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit. The water comes directly from a deep underground spring that flows continuously into the pools, which is why the water is always clear and refreshing. One person on Google said that they are "from Minnesota and it was too cold for me even." The pools have sandy bottoms and paved decks. One swimming pool is shallow, while the other has a deeper end. Keep in mind that the pools are unsupervised with no lifeguards, so make sure to swim safely and look out for one another.

If you read the reviews on Amazon's top-selling portable Plusinno fishing rod and caved in, bring it along to cast a line into the Choctawhatchee River or the family-friendly fishing pond. You can catch a variety of species here, such as catfish, bream, and bass. There are daily harvest limits — no more than six catfish, six bass, and 30 bream, and fishing is only allowed from the shore using either a pole or rod and reel. While you can enjoy fishing in the pond only during daylight hours, the river has no time restrictions for fishing. Don't forget to obtain an Alabama fishing license.

Besides water recreation, you can hike the Magnolia Trail at Blue Springs State Park, which takes you toward the forested areas. You can also participate in one of the volleyball tournaments during the summer for a nominal fee. For your next Alabama adventure, visit Tallassee, a lake town with scenic trails and Southern charm.