Wakulla Springs

Wakulla Springs, in Wakulla Springs State Park just south of Tallahassee, is one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world — a vast, stunningly clear pool fed by an enormous underground chamber that pours out hundreds of millions of gallons of crystal-clear water each day, forming the Wakulla River. The spring pool is so large and so clear that it feels more like a sapphire lake than a typical Florida spring.

Protected within a beautiful state park that includes a 1930s lodge, the springs offer glass-bottom boat tours, a swimming area in the crystal-clear water, and wildlife-rich river boat tours on the Wakulla River — the water-teeming home of manatees, alligators, herons and anhingas. Famous as a filming location for early Tarzan movies and the creature-feature film ‘Creature from the Black Lagoon,’ Wakulla Springs also harbors mastodon and other Ice Age fossil bones in its depths. Wild, historic and dazzlingly clear, Wakulla Springs is a treasured natural icon of Florida.

Wakulla Springs is enjoyed for swimming in the enormous, crystal-clear spring pool (one of the great swimming holes in the South), riding the glass-bottom boats over the spring vent to view the underwater world, taking the wildlife-rich jungle river boat tours on the Wakulla River (the best way to see the manatees, alligators and birds), walking the short nature trails, picnicking and staying in the beautiful historic lodge. Swimming in the clear, cool pool and taking the jungle river boat tour are the signature draws. The combination of world-class swimming, dazzling clarity and abundant wildlife on the river makes Wakulla Springs a treasured Florida experience.

The springs flow at a constant 68°F year-round, making them refreshing in summer and warmer-than-average in winter. Summer is the most popular time for swimming (the cool water is ideal in the Florida heat), while winter brings manatees to the warm spring waters in larger numbers. Spring and fall are pleasant for the boat tours and trails. The park can be busy on summer weekends. Summer for swimming and fall–winter for manatees and a quieter park are the highlights — come early on summer weekends for parking, reserve the boat tours ahead in busy season, and enjoy the cool water in any season.

Wakulla Springs has been used by Native peoples for thousands of years; mastodon, giant sloth and other Pleistocene megafauna bones have been found in the spring’s depths, preserved by the cold, clear water. The Ball family purchased the spring in the 1930s, built the elegant Ball Lodge (now the Wakulla Springs Lodge), and developed it as a private resort, using it as a filming location for early Tarzan movies and ‘Creature from the Black Lagoon.’ The state acquired the property in 1986, creating Wakulla Springs State Park. The springs preserve this extraordinary natural wonder, its Ice Age fossils and its Hollywood history, a treasured icon of Florida.

Wakulla Springs is a first-magnitude spring — one of the largest in the world — where water from the Floridan Aquifer surges up through an enormous underwater cave system into a broad spring basin, pouring out hundreds of millions of gallons of clear, 68-degree water daily. The spring vent drops to over 185 feet, making it one of the deepest known springs in the country. The cave system extends for miles beneath the surrounding limestone. The remarkable clarity comes from the long filtration through the porous limestone of the Floridan Aquifer, the same aquifer that feeds springs across north and central Florida.

Wakulla Springs and the Wakulla River teem with wildlife — manatees are frequently seen in the spring pool and river (especially in winter), alligators bask along the banks, anhingas, herons, egrets, limpkins, wood ducks and osprey are common, turtles bask on logs, and the clear water reveals an underwater world of fish and freshwater life. The surrounding forest shelters deer, wild turkeys and a rich birdlife. The jungle river boat tour is the best way to see the manatees and birds up close. Wakulla Springs is an outstanding destination for manatee viewing, wading-bird photography and a rich wildlife experience.

Wakulla Springs and the Wakulla River form a spring-fed ecosystem of exceptional clarity and productivity — the constant, cool, mineral-rich flow supports submerged plants, fish, turtles, manatees and abundant aquatic life, and the river’s floodplain forest and wetlands shelter a rich terrestrial wildlife community. Florida’s springs are threatened by declining aquifer levels, nutrient pollution from development and agriculture, and algae growth. Protecting the Floridan Aquifer, the spring’s water quality and quantity, and the river’s habitats sustains both the ecology and the dazzling clarity of Wakulla Springs.

Wakulla Springs holds a treasured place among the icons of Florida — one of the world’s great freshwater springs, a dazzlingly clear pool and river, a filming location for Tarzan and ‘Creature from the Black Lagoon,’ a refuge of Ice Age fossils and a manatee haven, all within a beautiful 1930s state park and lodge south of Tallahassee. Its Hollywood history, fossil depths and abundant wildlife embody the wonder and history of Florida’s great springs. Wakulla Springs is a cherished natural and cultural icon of Florida.

Wakulla Springs State Park is about 15 miles south of Tallahassee in Wakulla County, off State Road 267 near the town of Wakulla Springs, easily reached from the state capital. A state-park entry fee applies; the glass-bottom boat tours and river jungle tours charge separately (reservations recommended in busy season). The park has the spring (swimming, glass-bottom boats), the river boat tours, the historic Wakulla Springs Lodge (with dining and overnight rooms), nature trails and picnic areas. Check Florida State Parks for fees, boat-tour schedules, lodge availability and conditions before visiting.

Florida State Parks protects Wakulla Springs, the Wakulla River and the surrounding forest. Visitors help by staying in the designated swimming area (never on or near the spring vent — the surge of water is powerful), keeping a safe distance from alligators and manatees (observe quietly without disturbing them), not disturbing the submerged plants or taking any natural materials, packing out all trash and following all park rules. The spring’s water quality and the aquifer, the manatees and the river habitats are sensitive. Protecting them sustains both the ecology and the wonder of this world-class spring.

Stay in the designated swimming area — the spring vent produces an extremely powerful upwelling and the depths are dangerous outside the swim area. Alligators live in the spring and river; never approach them. Manatees are protected; maintain a respectful distance and never touch or disturb them. The spring water is cool (68°F) — a wetsuit or short break helps prevent chill on long swims. When on boat tours, stay seated and inside the boat. Thunderstorms occur in summer; clear the water. Respect the designated swim area, the alligators, the powerful spring vent and the summer storms.

A state-park entry fee applies; boat tours charge separately and may require reservations. Swimming is restricted to the designated area — never approach the spring vent. Do not disturb or touch manatees (federal law). Keep a safe distance from alligators. Do not take or disturb submerged plants, fossils or any natural materials. Pets are not allowed in the swim area or on the boats (leashed in some other areas). Drones are restricted. Fishing follows Florida rules. Pack out all trash. Check Florida State Parks for fees, boat-tour schedules and current rules before visiting.

The state capital of Tallahassee lies about 15 miles north, with its museums, capitol buildings and university, along with the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge (a premier birding destination on the Gulf Coast), the Apalachicola National Forest, the town of Crawfordville, the historic St. Marks lighthouse and the Gulf Coast of the Big Bend. The Tallahassee area and the Big Bend Gulf Coast define the region. Wakulla Springs anchors one of north Florida’s great natural areas, a centerpiece of a Tallahassee-area adventure, easily combined with the St. Marks NWR, the Apalachicola National Forest and the city of Tallahassee.

Take the jungle river boat tour on the Wakulla River — the guide’s narration and the wildlife (manatees, alligators, herons and anhingas at close range) make it the most memorable experience in the park, and it’s worth reserving ahead. Then swim in the enormous, brilliantly clear spring pool (arrive early on summer weekends). Take the glass-bottom boat tour to peer into the depths where Ice Age mastodon bones rest. Stay for lunch or dinner in the beautiful 1930s lodge. Come in winter for the best manatee sightings, in summer for the swimming, and combine with the St. Marks NWR and Tallahassee.