If you ever find yourself planning a trip to Florida (near Tampa or Orlando, specifically), consider visiting Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park!
With abundant wild species living in the park, you might mistake it for a zoo. But Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is so much more than that, and richer too! Their main purpose is not to entertain visitors but to provide shelter for the native Florida animals that would otherwise be at risk of endangerment if they were set free. Sure, it’s a fun tourist spot, but the animals’ well-being comes first.
The enclosures for the animals at the park are much larger than the ones in a typical zoo, especially since they’re already in their natural habitat (except for the famous Lu the Hippo).
You’ll see land-based animals like flamingos, a bald eagle, jaguars, key deer, black bears, and of course, Lu. There is also a fishbowl-shaped underwater observatory where you can see fish and manatees lazily swimming in the springs!
Cecilio and I stayed in Crystal River for 4 nights (to swim with the manatees and attend the Manatee Festival) and spent our last full day at Homosassa Springs. We went on a private boat tour strolling on Homosassa River. We got to see dolphins, birds, and manatees while our guide talked to us about the history of the river.
After our tour, we drove to Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, which was just a few blocks away. We had a fun time strolling through the park and observing the animals, even through a heavy rainstorm that wouldn’t let up.
If you are staying in Crystal River to see and swim with the manatees, make sure to stop by Homosassa for a mini-day trip; you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of a jungle!
No time to read? Watch my mini TikTok guide below (and be sure to follow me!).
@hannahonhorizon Save this for your next Florida trip! #homosassa #florida #centralfl #sunshinestate #floridastateparks #usatravel #manatees @Cecilio #crystalriver #tampa ♬ love nwantinti (ah ah ah) – CKay
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- Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park: General Information
- History of Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
- Must-See Animals at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
- Other Facilities and Activities at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
- Tips for Visiting Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
- Frequently Asked Questions
- So, is Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park worth visiting?
- If you found this post helpful, share it on Pinterest!
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park: General Information
Pricing
- Adults (13+): $13 USD
- Children (6–12): $5
- Children 5 and under: free
Hours
Open from 9 am–5:30 pm, everyday. Ticket counters close at 4:45 pm.
Booking your ticket
You can buy your tickets in person, or online in advance at the Florida State Parks website for a single-day pass.
Other Things You Need to Know
On the map above, there are two locations for Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. I know it’s pretty confusing. The address 4150 S Suncoast Blvd is where the Visitor Center is, while the 9225 W Fishbowl Dr address is the entrance to the park.
Parking is available and free by the Visitor Center.
In between the Visitor Center and the entrance, you’ll walk on a little pathway called the Pepper Creek Trail, which is about 0.75 miles long. This is a fantastic trail for birding. But since it was cold and rainy the day we went, we didn’t get to do that 🙁
History of Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
For hundreds of years, Indigenous Americans like the Seminoles and Miccosukee lived in Homosassa Springs. That is, until, non-natives discovered the area, causing rampant disease. Eventually, the Native tribes became displaced, and some of the Seminoles resettled to Oklahoma.
As more people discovered Homosassa Springs in the early 1900s, it became a popular area for tourism, especially because there was a railroad and train stop. This meant visitors could relax, have a nice picnic lunch, or take a dip in the springs.
There have been a few expansions since the 1920s. The most notable was the underwater observatory, allowing visitors to go underground and watch manatees and fish in their habitat.
Some of the animals kept in Homosassa were animal actors for TV and films like Bruno, the late black bear who starred in Gentle Ben, a 1960s show, and Lu the hippo, who is still alive and strong today!
The land, what is now known as Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park had several owners until the Citrus County Commission purchased it as an environmentally sensitive area in 1984. In 1989, the State of Florida purchased the land, becoming officially a Florida State Park.
The official name is Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, named after Elmyra Felburn Schiller, who donated generously to the land along with other wildlife parks, libraries, and museums.
Must-See Animals at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
Lu the Hippo
Lu is Homosassa Springs’ most famous resident (aside from the manatees, of course). He is the only animal not native to Florida (aside from Bruno the bear), as he was born in the San Diego Zoo in 1960. Lu is the oldest hippo in North America. He has starred in shows like Daktari and Cowboy in Africa.
Manatees
What’s a Florida trip without seeing manatees? Because Homosassa is 20 minutes from Crystal River, the Manatee Capital of the World, you’re bound to see them migrating and swarming the springs. You can watch them gliding through the waters on the bridge, or see them in their full glory in the Underwater Observatory. It’s so cute to see them twirl around the schools of fish!
If you’re interested in guided tours, Homosassa offers a daily manatee program at 11 am and 1 pm, where the presentation starts at the bleachers overlooking the observatory.
Alligators
Like manatees, no Florida trip is complete without seeing some alligators. You’re bound to see them all over the Sunshine State in the wild. However, Cecilio and I only saw them during our whole stay in Homosassa. We were low-key disappointed that we didn’t see them anywhere else.
Maximus the Florida black bear
Believe it or not, there are bears native to Florida. The Florida black bear, specifically. They are a subspecies of American black bears.
Homosassa is home to Maximus the black bear, born in 2019 and abandoned by his mother. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rescued him. Because of his interactions with humans at a very early start, he could not be released into the wild. Thankfully, Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park had enough space for a full-sized bear and is now Maximus’ shelter. He has a daytime enclosure and a night house.
Various birds
There are no shortages of birds in Homosassa. From flamingos to pelicans to eagles and even a bald eagle, you’ll see our feathery friends out and about. Also, Homosassa is a great birding spot!
Key Deer
Key deer are mini deer native to the Florida Keys, but there was an enclosure dedicated to them in Homosassa. On average, they weigh from 65-80 pounds, and they have a docile demeanor compared to the aggressive deer at the California State Fair petting zoo or in Nara, Japan.
Other Animals
In Homosassa, you’ll see so many other species such as:
- Turtles
- Bobcats
- Panthers
- Red wolves
- Otters
- Possums
Other Facilities and Activities at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
Discovery Center
Like the Visitor Center, the Discovery Center has more information about the park and the animals. Honestly, we were just inside because Cecilio needed to use the restroom. But I had a fun time scouring the information and the materials while I was waiting. At the Discovery Center, you’ll learn about the history of Homosassa, and you’ll see a lot of manatee material (like the manatee skeleton hanging from above, and different manatees around the world).
Boat Tours
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park offers boat tours along the river near Pepper Creek Trail. These boat tours are $3 for those ages 13 and up, and $2 for kids ages 6–12. Kids under 5 and anyone who has a Florida State Park Pass get free admission.
Cecilio and I didn’t go on the boat tour hosted by the park. Instead, we booked a private boat tour with River Safaris. Our captain, Irish Dave, took us all around the river and near the park.
If weather permits, you can even go on an airboat tour around the river!
Rehab Center
Because Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park’s mission is to provide a safe space for vulnerable species, it’s no surprise that they have a rehab center to treat them. Manatees get injured easily due to boats nicking them, leaving deep scars.
Weddings
Believe it or not, you can have your dream wedding in Homosassa! There is a gorgeous gazebo with backdrops of the trees and river. If you’re interested, click here to inquire.
Food and Drink
Hungry? Don’t worry, you have a few eateries right in Homosassa Springs!
The Wildside Cafe serves salads, burgers, sandwiches, nachos, and snacks at the entrance and offers indoor and outdoor seating.
The Grill at Pepper Creek is a sitdown restaurant located in the Visitor Center, serving appetizers, seafood plates, salads, burgers, sandwiches, pizza, pasta, and loaded baked potatoes.
In the park, there is a food stand that sells gator bites; as a Florida delicacy, you have to at least try it once!
There are also picnic areas scattered inside and outside of the park.
Gift Shops
There are gift shops in the Visitor Center and the entrance. Don’t forget to get yourself a cute souvenir like a magnet, mug, t-shirt, or a manatee plushie!
Tips for Visiting Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
- Prepare for weather conditions, especially because Florida has unpredictable weather. If it’s raining, wear a waterproof jacket, boots, and pants (don’t make my mistake and wear a dress). On hot days, lather up the sunscreen and protect yourself from the sun with a hat.
- If you want to see as many manatees as possible, come to Homosassa and Crystal River during winter. November to February is peak manatee season.
- Leave no trace; don’t trash the park, and do not be loud and disturb the animals.
- If I had known that the park offers boat tours, I would’ve gone on them, since they are cheaper than the private boat tour we took. If you’re on a budget, a $3 boat tour from the park is the way to go, and it’s a fun way to explore Homosassa from a different angle!
- Keep your phone or camera charged so you can take as many photos of the animals as possible!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is special about Homosassa Springs?
Homosassa Springs used to be a zoo-like entertainment center featuring exotic animals. Over the decades, they shifted gears (especially when they became a Florida State Park, becoming. refugee for native animals who are sick, injured,
Can you swim in Homosassa Springs?
No, you cannot swim in Homosassa Springs. But there are designated swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking areas nearby (Cecilio and I saw them during our boat tour).
When can you see manatees in Homosassa?
While you can see manatees all year in Homosassa, the best time to see swells of them is during winter, from November to February. This is because they migrate from the ocean to the springs, as the oceans are too cold for them during winter.
Are there gators in Homosassa River?
Yes, you will find gators in the wild in Homosassa River and Springs!
So, is Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park worth visiting?
Since Crystal River is a top destination for those wanting to swim with manatees, a mini day trip to Homosassa is worth visiting! It’s more rugged than Crystal River, but you’ll see more animals in their natural habitat, like gators, flamingos, cranes, and bobcats. You’ll even see tons of fish and manatees, getting the best view of them in the Underwater Observatory!
While Homosassa Springs looks similar to a zoo, it’s not; their biggest mission is to protect animals, especially those unable to survive on their own in the wild. And that is a mission I want to keep supporting.
P.S. If swimming with manatees is on your life bucketlist, check out this semi-private snorkel tour Cecilio and I went on at Kings Bay in Crystal River! And don’t forget to check out my manatee swim guide featuring tips for swimming with them.
If you found this post helpful, share it on Pinterest!
Hannah is a travel writer, graphic designer, and the founder/editor of Hannah on Horizon. She is based in Sacramento, California, living with her husband and two adorable dogs. She shares tips on how to experience luxury travel on any budget, and how to maximize time at each trip or destination, no matter what your budget or amount of vacation time at work. She enjoys making you feel like you have visited each destination with her through her storytelling and informative writing style.