Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park — Attraction in Crawfordville

We've visited Wakulla Springs a handful of times over the last 25 years. Every time is so much fun. This last time we went (July 3rd 2025) we were lucky enough to spot a manatee right beside our boat seats during our boat tour!!! 🥰 We brought my husband's 80 year old mother with us this time and she had such a wonderful time! She does have mobility issues, so we did use the wheelchairs they had there at the buildings. The wheelchairs are limited and are first come, first serve so just be aware of that before you go. When it was time for our boat tour they did allow us to help get her loaded first (we waited right near the loading area so we were easy to spot for handicapped accessibility). Our tour guid was so friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and funny. We learn new things each time we go. Most of their tour guides are a wealth of knowledge and go above and beyond to make sure you have a fun experience. 🥰 Our tour guide was kind enough to let our boat hang out a bit midway so that our entire group had a chance to photograph and see the manatee since it was surprisingly there out of season. I heard January/February is a good time to see a lot of them. They apparently move into the area during the winter for the warmer water. Anyhow, you have GOT to go! You will absolutely love the experience. I recommend reserving tickets online ahead of time for the tours but they do typically hold 10 in person tickets at the door per tour but those are also first come, first serve. So reserving online is a safer option. Check them out. You won't...

Absolutely incredible! A sanctuary, a taste of heaven!

We did the 5 pm boat tour on a Tuesday early May. There were only 4 other people on the boat with us. Our captain, Ranger Bob, was excellent! Very informative, attentive, and humorous. He stayed and talked with me and my family afterwards, all about the history of the park. It was awesome! It shows he really likes the park.

We saw alligators, manatees, turtles, all kinds of really great birds and fish. He pointed out it all and even reversed the boat so we could all get good looks at them and to get pictures. This place really is incredible and aside from the boat, undisturbed.

The boat is covered and shielded us from the sun but didn't obstruct our view. The boat travels 1.5 mile down the river and then back.

Most the water is only 3 feet deep. You aren't required to wear a life vest but they are on the boat in case they're needed.

We bought tickets right down by the water where the boat launch is. Afterwards we dipped our toes in the swimming area right next to the launch. The water is so refreshing!

Every part of this park we encountered was beautiful!

There are restrooms and a drinking fountain and a couple drink vending machines on your way down to the boat launch. No food or drink is permitted on the boat. We brought water.

We only had a couple hours to spend here and it was enough to dazzle us!

If we had more time I would have checked out the lodge.

Everyone I spoke with on the phone was awesome and very helpful.

Go...

It's amazing how many local folks we know you haven't been to the springs. On a hot day it is super busy but the water is always a fantastic upper 60°. Is also a fantastic place to visit if you're into nature or wildlife. The boat tour it's worth twice as much as what you pay we've never been disappointed and I've always had great guides. Sometimes it gets a little busy you need to book early and if the weather turns bad they will cancel trips. So many people don't know that there is a motel on site it has a super nice restaurant. There is also a gift shop with an ice cream shop. And there is also a small gift shop with hot dogs and hamburgers down necks to the swimming area. They have showers and a dressing room. They have a large picnic area with abundance picnic tables. We've been there on the busiest of days and I've always been able to find a place to park and a place to eat lunch in the shade. so if you're local or visiting our beautiful state of Florida this is definitely a place you should put on your to-do list. And can't guarantee it but you almost always see alligators Turtles rare birds on many occasionse manatees possibly a few lizards or snakes. And if they're running the glass bottom boats that's a...