Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
The park is home to four resident manatees as part of an inter-agency partnership for the rehabilitation and release of injured and orphaned manatees. Other manatees come to the park for rehabilitation before being released back to the wild.
Start your visit with a leisurely pontoon boat ride down Pepper Creek to the wildlife park. Along the way you may see ospreys nesting, limpkins, herons or egrets wading in the creek, wood ducks swimming along; not to mention turtles sunning on logs, fish and, maybe even an otter. Every day offers a different experience.
And that's just the beginning. Our elevated boardwalk system provides a great view of the wildlife, including a cougar, bears, bobcats, deer, alligators, and a wide variety of wading birds, birds of prey, and songbirds. The park's River otters are showing off to entertain our visitors. The park's resident manatees make the first-magnitude spring their home, along with fresh and salt water fish that are free to come and go.
The Fish Bowl, a floating underwater observatory, offers an unequalled, below-the-surface view of manatees and fish in the crystal clear spring environment. Three manatee programs, two Wildlife Encounters, and an alligator/hippopotamus program are presented throughout the day, giving visitors an opportunity to learn more about Florida's wildlife.
The recently completed Homosassa River Walk and Manatee Interpretation area includes a new boardwalk that wraps around the spring with a spacious glass-fronted interpretation area with handicapped seating up front.
A Reptile House and the Children's Education Center provide close-up viewing of native snakes and other reptiles.
A picnic pavilion at the Visitor Center offers visitors the opportunity to comfortably enjoy a picnic lunch. The Wildside Café, our snack bar at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, offers indoor and outdoor patio dining area.
An Easter Egg Hunt, Earth Day, monthly bird walks, and summer camp programs are all scheduled in the upcoming months. Be sure to look at the complete listing of our Special Events for more information on this and other upcoming events.
This is a day you'll long remember, the ideal family outing. Leave your everyday worries behind you as you set out to explore the Real Florida at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and all our Florida State Parks.
Our dedicated employees and friendly volunteers are waiting to welcome you!
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