There’s a certain magic in Florida’s springs. I’m not sure if it’s the crystal-clear turquoise waters coupled with the canopy of Spanish moss–draped cypress trees, or the wildlife that calls it home. But few places capture that wild, old-Florida charm quite like Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, a place where education, conservation, rehabilitation and native Florida all come together in one memorable setting.
On the day we chose to visit, it was our second stop of the day, just up the road from Crystal River’s Three Sisters Springs. We arrived mid-morning, on a cool, late autumn day, when the mist still hovered above the spring and the air smelled earthy. It was one of those first days where the air felt crisp and refreshing. After we parked, we made our way into the gift shop and restaurant area, where you can buy tickets or use a Florida State Park pass. The atmosphere instantly gave off that classic “old Florida” roadside attraction charm. Entering the park felt like stepping back in time into a nostalgic slice of Florida’s past. The only other place we’ve visited with a similar vintage vibe is Silver Springs, which is also worth checking out.
The park is filled with trails and wildlife, all meandering along the Homosassa River. In the heart of it all is its famous underwater observatory, called “The Fish Bowl.” You descend several steps, and, once standing inside, surrounded by thick glass windows, you can look out into the shimmering blue spring. Schools of mullet and snook numbering in the hundreds were gliding by, and there were plenty of manatees drifting through the water to the joy of everyone. They always seem to be the stars of the show no matter where you go. Some of the manatees are permanent residents, living out their days in the protected waters of a cordoned-off zone, after injuries made it impossible for them to return to the wild. Others come and go with the seasons, seeking the constant 72-degree spring water when the Gulf cools down. One swam so close to the glass we could see the scars on its back. The faint lines tell the tale of a close encounter with a boat propeller. It was a sobering moment that made me appreciate the park’s efforts even more. These gentle giants’ survival depends on humans acting responsibly when boating, as well as the safe havens of our springs, and rehabbers like Homosassa, to survive. The conservation effort here is taken seriously, and there are many programs offered to educate the public, as well as daily feedings of the permanent resident manatees.
While most visitors come for the manatees, the park is home to a wide variety of native Florida wildlife. As we meandered along the wooden walkways that weave through the trees, we passed black bears, a pair of bobcats prowling (a stark contrast to the lazy behavior seen when the weather is hot) and river otters splashing with each other. Flamingoes, gators and even an eagle call Homosassa home. And then there was Lu, the hippopotamus, short for Lucifer. We were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the oldest living hippo when we visited, but sadly, Lu passed away a few months ago. A true Florida legend, Lu lived at Homosassa since the 1960s, back when the property was a privately owned attraction. Lu starred in several movies and tv shows, and he was officially declared an honorary Florida citizen so he could remain when it became a state park. Seeing him basking in the sun, flicking his ears and opening his massive mouth for a meal was a great experience, and he will be hard to replace.
A complimentary boat ride along the Homosassa River connects the visitor center to the park, offering a scenic trip through the cypress-lined waterways. The captain pointed out turtles sunbathing on half-submerged logs and anhingas drying their dark wings in the sun. He told stories of the river’s past, about sponge divers, fishermen and the early settlers who built their lives around these spring-fed waters. It is recreation for us, but for them, it was survival. Listening to him, it was easy to picture what this area must have looked like a century ago. A place that was wild, untamed and filled with life. This isn’t a typical park where you simply observe; it’s a sanctuary where every exhibit tells a story of rescue and respect for nature. As we docked, a manatee surfaced, exhaling with a puff that rippled across the surface. Watching it disappear again into the crystal waters, I felt a tranquility that only a day out in nature can bring.
A visit to Homosassa Springs isn’t just a place to see wildlife, it’s a place to feel it, to be educated about it and to learn to preserve it. The park is a living reminder that wild Florida needs to be protected, and that it is a gift to be able to observe the animals that call this sanctuary home. Whether you are old or young, a visit here will surely leave you with an appreciation of what our great, wild state holds.