If you’re looking for a beautiful place to enjoy nature, come to Florida’s Wakulla Springs State Park. Located south of Tallahassee, Wakulla Springs has 6,000 acres of beautiful Florida natural areas to explore and see wildlife.
The Park contains one of the world’s largest, deepest freshwater springs and a historic lodge built in the 30s, and is host to a wide variety of visitor activities and events.
Swimming, camping, weddings, river boat cruises, picnics, and wildlife observation are just some of the many fun things to do here. Register for a ranger-led walking tour of the park to experience the natural beauty of this area up close.
Walk Through Wakulla Springs
Walking through Wakulla Springs State Park gives you a unique perspective on this scenic wildlife sanctuary. Wakulla Springs natural areas provide a front-row seat to observe animals in their environment, including mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds. The area’s beautiful forests include hardwoods, cypress sloughs and longleaf flatwoods. Your ranger-guide will tell you about the history of the area, and talk about the wildlife, plants and fungi, and trees that you’ll see along the walk.
The history of Wakulla Springs goes back thousands of years, and spans Paleo-Indian occupants, European settlers, and the beneficence of Edward Ball, who bought the property in 1934 for conservation. The Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Natural Landmark.
Seeing Wildlife
Wakulla Springs State Park’s vast natural areas include riverfront environments, protected wildlife sanctuaries, and deep freshwater springs and cave systems. Home to alligators, manatees, turtles, otters, deer, and birds, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to see animals in their natural habitats.
Birders will love the huge variety of birdlife, including herons, egrets, bald eagles, ospreys, black vultures, limpkin, purple gallinules, and more. Be sure to bring your binoculars and camera.
Join Us
Because it’s a walking tour, participants must be registrants must be physically able to participate independently without any assistance. You must be able to follow the ranger’s visual and verbal instructions, be outside for the two hour tour, and walk for two miles through a variety of terrain, including sandy, wet, and uneven ground.
Registrants will meet in the Wakulla Springs Lodge parking lot and may want to bring water along. Dress appropriately for the walk, including good walking shoes. Breakfast and lunch is offered at the Lodge before and after the tour.
Plan to join us on this guided walk through the Wakulla Springs State Park. Space is limited so you’ll need to call 850-561-7286 to register and reserve your spot in the event. Click here for more information.
