Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park

Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, Florida is somewhere I considered balanced for a hike and a swim in a spring.  There are a few miles of trails running from where the lodge is within the park out into the wilderness, wherein you’ll find pine forest, swampy cypress areas, tropical plants and a wide variety of creeks and little nature odds and ends.  It’s good exercise, pretty flat since we’re talking about hiking in Florida, and generally depending on the trail you’re on you’ll be somewhat near the Wakulla River at any given time.  You’ll primarily want to check out the Sally Ward Trail for the best hike.  There are a few lesser trails there as well such as the Hammock Spur Trail (a short loop) and the Cherokee Sink Trail which of course gets you to a sink.  If you’re not familiar with Florida, sinks are just sink holes which are not going to be the show stopping attraction most of the time.

As far as the attractions go the swimming area at Wakulla Springs is fantastic.  There are diving platforms that you can test how brave you are from, a gorgeous crystal clear water swimming zone, and a little beach area.  Like any Florida spring the water is chilly at first coming from deep underground, but you adapt to it.  You’ll see some small fish, probably some bird species hanging out, and can refresh yourself there very well after taking the aforementioned hike.  The swimming area even has concessions, and at the right time of day the lodge’s gift shop and ice cream parlor may be open.  This makes it feel very commercial/touristy, but you don’t have to be very prepared to hang out, which is a good thing.

I’ve yet to camp there so can’t comment on that, nor have I taken the glass bottom boat tours, so another time on that too.  You can get more info at https://www.floridastateparks.org/WakullaSprings