Here’s a fun little trivia question: What is the world’s largest and deepest freshwater spring? And do you know it’s actually located in the Sunshine State?
Just 20 minutes south of Tallahassee lies Wakulla Springs, an attraction with ties to the last glacial period as well as Hollywood history. It boasts deep sapphire waters; opportunities for viewing manatees, alligators and other wildlife from riverboats; ancient cypress trees; nature trails and a nearby historic lodge. Not only is it the largest freshwater spring with a staggering diameter of 315 feet, a depth of 185 feet and an underwater cave system, Wakulla Springs is also recognized as state’s largest first magnitude springs, discharging an average 260 million gallons of water per day.
Here are some highlights of this somewhat hidden gem, especially if you’re planning a trip to see it for yourself!
What to know about Wakulla Springs
To look into Wakulla Springs, we’d first have to talk about where it’s located — Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park. The park is named after Edward Ball, who purchased the property in 1934 with the intention of preserving wildlife and the surrounding habitat, as well as making it a serene retreat. In 1986, the State of Florida bought half of the existing park property and the other half was added in 2000 to protect the quality of the groundwater which feeds the spring and the large Cherokee Sink.
Wakulla Springs has been drawing visitors each year since opening in 1937, getting a taste of Old Florida and catching the stunning vistas and native animals like gators and manatees that hang around. It’s also the filming location to Tarzan’s Secret Treasure (1941) and 1954’s The Creature from the Black Lagoon.
Most impressive of all is the spring’s history and discovery of fossilized bones that date to the Ice Age! Fossil remains of large animals that once roamed the Earth, such as mammoths, mastodons, bison, saber tooth tigers and giant sloths have all been found in the Wakulla Spring and Wakulla River.
How to get to Wakulla Springs from Miami
Wakulla Springs is located 466 miles north of Miami and while it’s not an easy drive from the city — roughly seven hours depending on traffic — it still makes an ideal weekend escape. If you’d rather not drive, buses like Greyhound are also an option, which can take you from Miami to Tallahassee in nine hours and 35 minutes but you’ll need to plan your trip accordingly to get to the park.
For the fastest route however, you can opt for a non-stop flight to Tallahassee International Airport, which can take two or three hours.
Things to do in Wakulla Springs
An abundance of activities are on offer at the springs, making it an excellent vacation destination this summer!
1. Swim in the springs, of course
The idea of such a large body of water might be slightly intimidating, but there’s plenty of opportunities to enjoy a relaxing swim in these clear waters. The water temperature is even known to be 70 degrees year-round, making for refreshing plunges — especially from their 22-foot diving and observation tower!
2. Take a scenic boat tour
Want to enjoy the enormity of the springs in all its glory? Lasting about an hour, guided boat tours offered via “jungle” cruises or on glass bottom boats are perfect for underwater views and even bird watching.
3. Have a meal at the park’s historic lodge
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the Wakulla Springs Lodge is a 1930s Spanish-style hotel housing a dining room that serves Southern cuisine alongside farm-to-table creations. If you’re looking to stay, it’s worth mentioning that the lodge has 27 guest rooms available to book!
4. Go snorkeling or scuba diving
Water lovers are certainly spoilt for choice when it comes to activities like snorkeling, diving and more to enjoy at the park. Snorkeling is allowed inside the designated swimming area, open water diving is allowed at Cherokee Sink and only certified cave divers can dive at Emerald Sink and Clearcut Sink.
5. See wildlife on land from a nature trail
Like all Florida state parks, Wakulla Springs is home to amazing plants and animal life. There are also a number of wandering trails if you prefer to stay on land and take in the park’s beauty. There are easy-to-moderate hiking trails to make your way through hardwood hammocks and maple-cypress habitats, as well as biking trails.