Wakulla Springs: An Excellent Southern Vacation Stop

As you should be able to tell from some of my other posts, the Deep South has plenty of small stops to add to any Southern Vacation. Whether you are looking for nature, amusement parks, history, or anything else, the South has plenty to add to your travel.

Photo by Olga Caprotti

Some of the best places to experience the South in Florida are the natural springs. Most have surrounding state parks with camping, picnicking, nature trails and more to give you a great day of fun and relaxation.

A great spring with a state park is located in Wakulla County, Florida, just south of the state capitol of Tallahassee, Florida. It is also a short drive from some of the great beaches of the Florida Panhandle.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a National Natural Landmark, the Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park has plenty to offer. There is swimming in the cool springs, the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world. Be ready, though, it's pretty cool.

There is also plenty of wildlife to see at the park. With boat tours and glass-bottom boat tours, visitors can see all of the fish, turtles, and many alligators that are in the Wakulla River. On these guided tours you can also see deer, native birds, and other wildlife that live in the surrounding area.

Although there is no camping at this park, there are other opportunities such as picnicking and great nature trails for hiking and bicycling. There is also a lodge that is open year round for large meetings.