About Us:

Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park occupies almost 200 acres around Homosassa Spring, which is the primary source for the Homosassa River. Although the spring has been the focus of human interest from prehistoric times, it was first developed as a tourist attraction in the early 1900's, attracting visitors from as far away as Europe. Beginning in 1978, the land around the spring changed ownership several times until it was finally purchased by the State of Florida to protect its environmentally sensitive features.

The main entrance to the Park is along US19 in the town of Homosassa Springs where you will find ample parking, a visitor center, snack bar and gift shop. From that location, you can take a tram or pontoon boat to the west entrance about a half mile away. There is a also a parking area at the west entrance along West Fishbowl Drive for those who wish to skip the gift shop experience.

The central feature of Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is the main spring, where you can view the spring from the "Fish Bowl" floating underwater observatory, where East Indian manatees are almost always present. The Park serves an important role of being a rehabilitation center for orphaned or injured manatees that recuperate in the spring waters before being released again to the wild.

The Park also includes a large number of native animals in natural settings. Paved, wheelchair accessible paths wind throughout the park, allowing easy access for viewing black bear, Florida panther, bobcats, deer, alligators, and many other species. In addition to the animals that are housed at the park - most of which have been injured, or for some other reason cannot survive in the wild - a large number of wild birds and other species call the Park home.

The main Manatee Spring is only one of many springs in an area within a four square mile area around the upper Homosassa River. Collectively they produce over 200 million gallons per day and act as the source for the river. The main spring, where the floating observatory is placed, emits about 67 million gallons per day, making it a first magnitude spring. Underwater explorations have been conducted of many of these springs. However, public swimming and scuba diving in the main spring are not allowed.