A Day at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
After parking at the main park entrance on Hwy. 19, our afternoon began with a stroll through the gift shop and visitor's center that features nature exhibits. We had two transportation choices to reach to West entrance to the park. We chose the pontoon boat ride. During the 20-minute ride we saw a variety of water birds — anhinga, blue herons, egrets, wood ducks and many turtles in their natural habitats.After docking, and browsing through another gift shop (this one geared toward children), we were off to catch the last educational program of the day and learn a little more about Manatees. These endangered gentle giants hold a fascination for young and old alike. Many times referred to as "sea cows" because of their huge size and sea grass grazing habits, they are often the objects of art and lore.
A floating dock with an underwater observatory which is located over the springs, offers a unique eye-to-eye vantage point of not only Manatees (swimming with the manatees is not allowed), but hundreds of fish who come to the springs to feed. Although the springs is located several miles from the Gulf of Mexico, there were actually two sharks that were each about a foot long that had made their way into the fresh water. We learned that this is not necessarily unusual for sharks, or even for other fish.
Next we visited the small hands-on museum where children are free to explore. Here our girls enjoyed seeing the baby alligators, touching a real alligator hide, checking their "wing span" against that of a large bird, and making rubbings of animal shapes. The on-duty park attendant was helpful in pointing out little-known facts of interest and getting the children to participate.
A short stroll from the museum brings you to the mouth of the Homosassa River and a foot bridge away is the Wildlife Walk habitats, which include a Florida black bear, cougar, bobcats, key deer, alligators, foxes, otters and numerous native and migratory birds. It is here that I excitedly saw a beautiful flamingo pose just for my camera and wondered at the immense wing span of the brown pelican which really doesn't look very big from a distance.
Over the years, the park has moved several of its occupants to newly landscaped and much larger habitats. This fall the park will open a new Red Wolves exhibit. The park has one unusual habitant not native to Florida – a hippopotamus. He came to the park when it was under private ownership as more of a zoo. Due to his popularity, after the State took over the park, he stayed.
I would suggest the park for all ages – young children through adults. My children were in their early teens when we visited and seemed to be as interested as the younger children I observed. This park also gets a high grade from me on handicap accessibility, since easily navigated walkways are everywhere.
Information and Directions
Homosassa Springs is located about 75 miles north of Tampa on the West Coast of Florida. The park is open daily from 9:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., although the ticket counter closes at 4:00 p.m.Parking is free. Admission to the park is $9.00 for adults, $5.00 for children (3-12) and children under age three are admitted free. A season pass allowing admission for one year from purchase is $22.50 per person (non-transferable).
A snack bar and picnic pavilion is located at the Visitor Center.
