Discover the wild side of Florida with the endangered Florida panther, red wolves, manatees and whooping cranes, plus black bears, bobcats and, of course, alligators.

When Homosassa Springs was a popular train stop in the early 1900s, passengers could picnic and take a dip in the spring while train cars were being loaded up with cedar, crabs, fish and spring water. On a 1924 visit, Bruce Hoover of Chicago called it “the most beautiful river and springs in the world.” In this regard, Homosassa Springs hasn’t changed much.

An astounding number of fresh and saltwater fish still congregate in the natural spring bowl — large jacks, snapper, snook and others. Gaze down into the depths of the first-magnitude spring and perhaps catch a glimpse of fish and manatees in their natural habitat.

The park also features a variety of captive animals such as alligators, black bears, red wolf, Key deer, flamingos, whooping cranes and the oldest hippopotamus in captivity. The native wildlife that reside in the park serve as ambassadors for their species, providing visitors face-to-face connections with the animals and their habitats. Each with a unique life story, all of the animal inhabitants are here for the same reason: They are unable to survive in the wild on their own.

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

This site was once part of a thriving sugar plantation owned by David Levy Yulee.

Yulee was a member of the Territorial Legislative Council, and he served in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate after Florida statehood. 

The park contains remnants of the once-thriving 5,100-acre sugar plantation: a 40-foot limestone masonry chimney, iron gears and a cane press. The steam-driven mill operated from 1851 to 1864 and served as a supplier of sugar products for Southern troops during the Civil War.

The park is located in the small town of Homosassa, about 3 miles west of the city of Homosassa Springs. Take U.S. Highway 19 (northbound or southbound) to the town of Homosassa Springs, then turn west onto County Road 490 West (Yulee Drive). Proceed for 2.5 miles to the park. There are brown and white highway signs that will lead you to the park. The ruins of the mill are situated within five feet of the road and can be easily seen. The site offers a picnic pavilion, restrooms, tables for picnicking, and grills.

State Parks Tagged With: Homosassa