Wakulla in the News

May 2022 – LIANNA TEDESCO, The Travel

Lianna reveals this prehistoric landscape is home to the world’s deepest freshwater spring, and it’s worth visiting for the activities alone. Read More:

May 2022 – Kathleen Walls, Travel Awaits

Kathleen walks you through her 20 favorite places in the Florida Panhandle. Read More:

October 2019 – Patrick Pohlmann, Florida Sun Magazine

Everybody is excited about the annual Wakulla Monarach Butterfly Festival. In fact, these butterflies are world-famous! The German publication, Florida Sun Magazine, wrote a feature about the upcoming migration and festival. Be sure to hit the “Translate” button when you check out the article. Read More:

Drew is joined by big bass kayak fishing legend Jean Wilson, as they explore the springfed St. Marks River. The two also catch up with a manatee expert and learn more about these amazing creatures that are often found in Florida’s springfed rivers.

Drew visits the wild waterfront of Panacea, FL, where he is joined by local expert Robert Baker. Together they team up to find the best pattern to catch redfish and sea trout. Using the new E-drive motor system and the Jackson Kayak Flex Drive, they motor and pedal to some distant secluded waters that not many anglers ever reach. Their efforts are rewarded with some great fishing, and one of the most beautiful sunsets ever captured on wild waters!

2019-2020 quota hunt information and applications are now available. Click here to see more.

Wakulla County was featured in 850 Business Magazine as a “mellow getaway for those looking for nature’s beauty.” Read the full story here.

Wakulla County’s very own Panacea Waterfront was featured in Drew Gregory’s angling series Hooked on Wild Waters. Watch the full episode here.

The St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge was featured on an ABC affiliate in Atlanta. A single pink flamingo was spotted at the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge on October 31, 2018 after Hurricane Mathew. The last time the birds were seen at the park were after Hurricane Allison in 1995 and Hurricane Agnes in 1972. Read the full story here.

Wakulla County was featured in the Autumn 2018 edition of the Messenger from the Florida Bicycle Association in an article titled “Cycling through Wakulla County.” This article discusses cycling through scenic views in Wakulla County. You can read the full article on page 5.

The St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge was featured in the Orlando Sentinel as being a great option for a day’s adventure within an hour of Tallahassee. You can read the full article here.

The Gulf Specimen Marine Lab was featured on VISIT FLORIDA. The Gulf Specimen Marine Lab allows visitors to learn about marine life from Florida’s Gulf Coast. Watch the full video here.

The Shell Point Beach Restoration Project is complete and families can now enjoy the new and improved renovations. Read the full article on WJXT here.

The Big Bend Scenic Highway was listed as number 1 as the top 10 road trips to take in Florida. Read the full article here.

St. Marks was featured in an article by the Tallahassee Democrat. Replicas of Christopher Columbus’ ships, Pinta and Nina, are set to land in St. Marks. Read the full article here.

St. Marks was featured in an article by Trips to Discover for being one of the top 10 places to find Old Florida. Read the full article here.

Wakulla County was featured in an article by WTXL Tallahassee for the annual African American Festival celebrating Black History Month. Read the full article here.

The 3rd Annual Wings and Wheels Fly-In was featured in an article by The Wakulla News. This festival was in celebration of the Wakulla County Airport being open for 54 years. Read the full article here.

Wakulla Springs is one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs on the planet. Wakulla Springs was featured in Dream Vacation Magazine’s list of 10 Best Caves in Florida. Read the full article here.

The waters of St. Marks are filled with unique creatures. The entire Recreation Area still has that old Florida feel. MRV The Buzz caught up with the area’s former Fishery Biologist Michael Hill to discuss the biology and geography of the area. Read the entire interview here.

A great place to stay in Wakulla County, the Shell Island Fish Camp was recently featured in Garden and Gun magazine and on their website. Shell Island Fish Camp is one of the few fish camps left along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Check out more here to read the full article.

The Gulf Specimen Marine Lab is hosting the annual Sharks and Chablis fundraiser on May 20th with National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore as the keynote speaker. Find out more about Sharks and Chablis and how you can help the Sea Turtle Rescue Program here.

There is a lot of excitement building about the Wakulla Wildlife Festival. “The festival is a celebration of the area’s wildlife and is intended to be especially inviting for children — or the child inside everyone,” said Jeff Hugo, Wakulla Springs State Park Service Specialist and Wildlife Festival organizer.

Summer 2012 – Pam Portwood, special to The Griffon

Open the door to a world of natural wonders far beyond the hustle and noise of man-made attractions. Come explore, relax, refresh, and discover the wondrous treasures found only in the unspoiled “other” Florida…

Bo Lynn’s Grocery has been a staple in the St Marks community since 1936 and is now being added to the National Register of Historic Places! Learn more about the history of Bo Lynn’s and how it was added to the National Register of Historic Places here.

While visiting family in Tallahassee, a FloridaMagazine.com contributor visited Wakulla Springs with her grandchildren and had nothing but praise for her time there. Read more and see her photos from the trip here.

FSU film student will shoot portions of his magical realism romance film in Wakulla County! Read here to learn more about his movie and why he chose Wakulla County.

Wakulla Springs is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Natural Landmark. It is a beautiful home to countless species of animals. But don’t just take our word for it, watch this video from Visit Florida here.

A website contributor who focuses on birding recently went on the Wakulla Springs Boat Tour and posted incredible pictures of the birds they saw. To see these pictures, click here.

Little Girl, a loggerhead sea turtle, will leave the Gulf Specimen Marine Lab and Aquarium after spending the last nine years there. Learn more details about her exciting return to the sea here.

“Remembering Florida Springs” is a nostalgic book reflecting on the early years of the five main springs in Florida, Wakulla Springs being one of those. Read the book review here.

With the help of donations and volunteers, the portion of the Panacea living dock destroyed by Hurricane Hermine has been repaired. Learn about the importance of the dock to the Gulf Specimen Marine Lab here.

This Halloween, the Gulf Specimen Marine Lab is hosting Gulf, Ghosts and Goblins. This event will have trick or treating, face painting, and the chance for children to learn about unique sea life. Read more about the event here.

From activities in Tallahassee to the Stone Crab and Monarch Butterfly Festivals in Wakulla County, October 22 was a packed day! Read about Wakulla’s fun festivals and see great photos from the events here.

In what may soon be the largest oyster ranch in Florida, there are 38 leases, totaling more than 50 acres devoted to growing oysters in cages in Panacea. Rob Olin owns several leases and has organized a co-op to manage the oysters from the spat to the table. Keep reading here.

Bon Appetit blogger Belle Cushing took a road trip through the Florida Panhandle, staying at local hotels and trying unique Floridian cuisine. She even stopped in Wakulla Springs during her trip! Read more about her trip and her time at the Wakulla Springs Lodge and State Park here!

Recently, Wakulla County was chosen as a stop for the 48-Hours of Sunshine media tour through Visit Florida! This brought travel bloggers from around the country to Wakulla County to experience the local culture, food, and amenities. You can read all about the experience here!

Nation Geographic discussed the supersize claw that gives a sand fiddler crab advantages in waving down prospective mates and beating the heat on the beach. See the magazine article here. Read more about the photography project that led to this article, including the role of Gulf Specimen in the project here.

Only an hour south of Tallahassee, the Gulf Specimen Marine Lab is “setting a new standard for protection and accessibility of marine biodiversity.” Read more here, on FSU News, about how the Lab is educating through action.

Wakulla Springs is a summertime staple that offers nature and history abound. Read the article here.

While stopping in Sopchoppy, The WTXL Road Trip learns the family style community of Wakulla. Where local family-owned businesses bring customers from afar. See the article here.

“The Gulf Coast is home to the most endangered sea turtle in the world: the Kemp’s Ridley. The fate of the turtles depends on the region’s coastal wetlands, where tropical storms and oils spills have taken their toll. Here’s a look into the uncertain future of the delicate ecosystem.” Keep reading this article from WFSU.

The naturally scenic areas of Wakulla County are certainly worth the trip! As part of AL.com (Alabama), Wakulla Springs and Wakulla River were both featured as must-see places near Tallahassee. The article, which has several serene pictures of the area, says that although Tallahassee isn’t on the coast, Wakulla County is your best spot to get that scenic water life you’re looking for! “T-n-T Hideaway offers guided canoe, kayak, and stand-up paddleboard trips down the river, where you may see manatees, turtles, fish, and alligators (don’t worry—they’re not aggressive). The river is spring-fed, making the water clear enough to easily spot the wildlife.”

Orlando Magazine authors Gary McKechnie and Nancy Howell helped to shed some light on the calm waters of Wakulla Springs in Wakulla County recently. In their article, they detail the Wakulla Lodge, Wakulla Springs, and Edward Ball State Park amenities, rich history, and current appeal to those seeking a quiet refuge. “Its crystal clear waters and surrounding jungle made it the perfect place to shoot films including several Tarzan movies as well as Creature from the Black Lagoon. Today the exotic nature of those classics is matched by the peaceful nature of Wakulla Springs.”

One undeniable draw to the Wakulla County area is the tremendously fresh seafood from the gulf. With so many great local spots, it’s no wonder that Mineral Springs in Panacea, FL caught the eye of Gardens & Guns Magazine writer, Mike Grudowski. Detailing a road trip from Tallahassee, FL to Mobile, AL, Grudowski begins his journey at Mineral Springs, “a seafood shack in Panacea, Florida, where you pull off Highway 98 before you even catch a glimpse of salt water. Shredded chunks of smoked yellowfin tuna, cobia, and salmon, laced with candied jalapeño and served up to go by a ponytailed guy named Junior in a faded Gators cap.”

In a recent ranking by National Geographic of the “6 Stand-Out National Wildlife Refuges,” Wakulla County’s own St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge was listed third. In the article, Jeanine Barone notes “Avian enthusiasts will do well to visit in spring, when the refuge’s one-mile Tower Pond Trail is prime territory for sighting Indigo Buntings, Yellow-billed Cuckoos, and other songbirds. Those looking to photograph wildlife might consider attending one of the regularly scheduled classes St. Marks offers—held the first Saturday of most months—to bone up on subjects such as using macro lenses and capturing movement.”

We are very excited to see the area’s landmarks making appearances on the national stage, as it continues to show the amazing things that Wakulla County has to offer visitors.

Founder and Director of the Gulf Marine Specimen Lab, Jack Rudloe was recently honored by National Geographic as part of Joel Sartore’s Photo Ark project in Washington, DC. The Tallahassee Magazine recently ran an article, detailing Rudloe’s passion for his work, as well as the formation and history of the Gulf Marine Specimen Lab in Panacea, Florida.

Rudloe’s hopes that this publicity is directed toward his work at the lab, educating the public about marine life, protecting rare species, and rescuing and rehabilitating sea turtles. You can learn more about the Gulf Marine Specimen Lab on their website or Facebook page.

Governor Rick Scott signed the 2016 General Appropriations act back in March 2016, giving over $500,000 dollars in grant money to the St. Marks lighthouse.

The lantern room will be getting restored first. Plans are to have a licensed contractor who is certified in historic restoration to replace everything with identical parts that resemble the ones used in the 1800’s The second part of the project involves restoring the rest of the lighthouse, the keeper’s quarters, and building a museum.

On their site, ResortsAndLodges.com calls the Sopchoppy Worm Gruntin’ Festival a “one-of-a-kind event in beautiful Northwest Florida” and goes on to say that Sopchoppy “exemplifies hospitality and offers a classic view of Americana, with white picket fences, friendly faces, and a city-wide sense of community.”

We are very proud of our local community and of our festivals, so it’s great to see that community strength being recognized elsewhere.

This past week, our own Wakulla Springs was mentioned in an article in the New York Times, as a great place to “Wash Away Winter!” The article, titled “Florida – Have you ever…” talks about many of the hidden gems in the nature-rich parts of our state, and encourages those from around the country to make the trip down the Sunshine State to see these sights for themselves.

When talking about Wakulla Springs, the article is quoted as saying “When imagined from the eye of the north-eastern winter, an hour or two soaking in crystal-clear, freshwater spring sounds extra sweet. You can cannonball in the deepest spring in the world (Wakulla Springs, just 15 minutes south of Tallahassee).”

Not only is it the largest and deepest freshwater spring, but several iconic movies were also filmed in and around these waters, including MGM’s 1941 Tarzan, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Night Moves, and Airport ’77.

If you are looking for a place to wash off your winter and want to jump into a historic, scenic, and fresh Florida spring, head over to Wakulla Springs in Wakulla County.

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge and Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park both made it in a top 20 adventures around Tallahassee countdown that were done by Sportody.com in December 2015. We are very excited to have our county continually be recognized as the natural place to slow down and enjoy nature in. Wakulla County is truly the natural place to be in Florida.

On October 6, 2015, The Weather Channel released a list of best places to see fall around the country, and Wakulla County is making headlines! The St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge was named as one of the best places to see Monarch butterflies, as well as a birder’s paradise.

While the locals all know that this area is a haven for Monarch Butterflies, it’s great to know that word is spreading. From butterflies to migrating Whooping Cranes, you can scratch your itch for nature here in Wakulla County. See the full list of places to catch fall here, on Weather.com.

For a full list of things to do in the area, download a free Visitor’s Guide and start planning your trip today!

August 16, 2014 – Jimmy Jacobs, Examiner.com

The dictionary definition of panacea is a remedy for all diseases or ills. If you have a bad case of the redfish itch that needs scratching, then, indeed, Panacea, Florida can be the prescription for curing you! Read more…

July 28, 2014 – Jimmy Jacobs, Atlanta Outdoor Travel Examiner

Travelers looking for a taste of Old Florida can definitely find it at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park. The park is located 5 miles east of Crawfordville in Wakulla County and offers glimpses of pristine nature, vestiges of ancient times and more recent history. Toss in some recreational options and the park becomes a must-see destination, but without the usual Sunshine State crowds. Read more…

October 2012 – Polly Dean, Florida Game & Fish Magazine

When one visualizes the Florida coast, what often comes to mind are the heavily populated beaches and huge condos that pervade the horizon. Fortunately and true to its moniker of “Natural North Florida,” there exists an area of the Big Bend coastline that even today remains nearly as untouched and unspoiled as it did decades ago…