Salt Springs is a second magnitude spring located in northeast Marion County.  Over 52 million gallons of water flows from the spring each day at a constant 74°F.  There are four vents to Salt Springs that allow water to flow from the limestone rock bottom.  Salt Springs gets its name from the saltier water that flows from the aquifer, due to the substrate’s unique mineral composition of potassium, sodium, and magnesium. 

The salinity of Salt Springs is higher than any other spring within the lower and middle reaches of the St. Johns River.  For many years, people have flocked to Salt Springs believing that the mineral content of the water had healing medicinal powers.  In fact, some stories even indicate that Salt Springs may have been the legendary “Fountain of Youth”. 

 Common wildlife seen in Salt Springs include manatees, blue crabs, mullet, and Florida largemouth bass.