Obscure Florida: Homosassa Springs
Summer is in full swing. Now that school is out, it is a great time to plan some day-trips. It’s always great, though, to find someplace that is just as fascinating for the kids as it is for the adults. Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is an adventure for my daughter and me. It’s just big enough to provide a lot to see, but not so large that we come home absolutely exhausted. And the best part is that it just never seems to get old.
Homosassa Springs is an easy drive, simple to find, has lots of parking and a lot to see. The Children’s Education Center and Museum is a good way to begin or end your time at the park. There are exhibits detailing the history of the park, a snapshot of some of the animals you will meet inside and even a live two-headed turtle. You enter the main park area via either a relaxing and educational ride on a boat down Pepper creek or by tram. Keep your hands inside the boat and be on the lookout for native wildlife. You never know what might be sitting on a rock getting a little sun!
Homosassa is home to mostly native species. Follow the meandering paths and you will see manatees, wild cats, the reptile house, Florida black bears, American alligators, crocodiles, Gopher tortoises, otter, deer, and various native birds including: the endangered Whooping Crane and Bald Eagles. The park also houses a Western cougar that serves as an ambassador for the Florida panther. There are only about 50 Florida panthers left in Florida.
The park is a rehabilitation and refuge center for injured West Indian manatees. The floating underwater observatory allows visitors an up-close view of thousands of fresh and saltwater fish, as well as the manatees as they swim past the large plate glass windows making the observers into the observed.
All six of Florida’s venomous snakes are represented in the reptile house. So, in addition to a fascinating close-up look at the snakes, it is also a good opportunity to learn how to recognize those reptiles we should not handle when we find them in the wild.
The Visitor Center and main entrance to the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is located at 4150 S. Suncoast Blvd. (US 19 & 98 ) in Homosassa Springs. The park is open 7 days a week 9:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., with the ticket counter closing at 4:00 p.m. Wildlife Encounters are at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Manatee Programs are at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. The Alligator/Hippopotamus Program is at 12:30 p.m.
Admission is $9.00 per adult (13 and up) and $5.00 per child (3 to 12). Children under 2 are free. Concessions are available.
Call (352) 628-5343 for more information.
homosassa…that laughs me.
say it with a lateral lisp and it’s like praying…
i misquoted ‘maria’ from ‘west side story’.
had to be done.
yep. i’m silly like that.
hey, that top commentator thing is groovy and all, but it’s making me paranoid.
(seriously, it is…)
homosassa…I’m gonna call you and say that.
WITH the lateral lisp.
just when you think it’s safe to answer the phone.
We went there a few years ago and really liked it, especially the manatees. Although it turns out you’re not allowed to eat them. Who knew?
I enjoyed your blog. Thanks. I’m trying to plan an in state vacation for our family and we do not want to do the Disney thing again. We love animals so this should be great. Anyone know of good lodging in the area?
My grandparents live about a mile from the springs, and I’ve visited quite a few times, and always had fun. I am always front row when it’s time to feed the hippo watermelons. I think it’s so cute.