Fun Is In Our Nature
Just down the road from the Historic Courthouse on the lawn of the current Wakulla County Courthouse is a time capsule placed and sealed by the County Commission in 1993 — the 150th anniversary of the county — to be opened in 50 years.
Home of the movie The Creature from the Black Lagoon, Wakulla Springs State Park is a stunning natural destination offering a variety of outdoor adventures. Visitors can take a guided boat tour to learn about the park’s famous crystal-clear springs and the diverse wildlife that calls them home, including manatees, alligators, and a wide variety of birds. The park’s trails provide excellent opportunities for hiking, biking, and wildlife watching, winding through lush forests and along scenic riverbanks.
For those looking to relax or get active on the water, swimming in the designated spring area ( a brisk 70 degrees) and paddling along the Wakulla River are popular options. The park also offers picnic areas, guided nature programs, and ranger-led tours to help guests connect with the park’s unique ecosystems and history. From observing wildlife to exploring trails and waterways, Wakulla Springs State Park is a full-day destination for nature lovers of all ages.
The historic lodge has a restaurant, welcoming lobby with can’t-miss ceiling art, a soda fountain and gift shop and plenty of guest rooms should you want to stay a little longer or host an event!
The Wakulla Welcome Center in Panacea is the perfect first stop for exploring Wakulla County and Florida’s Gulf Coast. Visitors can pick up maps, guides, and local insights to plan their adventures, from birding and fishing to paddling and hiking. From the wrap-around deck overlooking the marsh, guests can enjoy wildlife watching right on site, spotting wading birds, raptors, and other local creatures. The center also features exhibits highlighting the area’s natural beauty, history, and culture, giving visitors a deeper appreciation for the region.
Friendly staff are on hand to answer questions, recommend hidden gems, and help you make the most of your visit—whether you’re looking for outdoor activities, local dining, or upcoming festivals. With its convenient location and wealth of information, the Wakulla Welcome Center is your gateway to everything this scenic region has to offer.
In 1937, financier Edward Ball took his idea of quiet elegance and placed it gently in the most serene place he’d found on his international travels, Wakulla Springs. He imported marble and tile, hired artisans in iron and stone, and introduced to the world a most unique retreat.
Today, the Lodge offers guests a variety of guest rooms, a restaurant and old fashioned soda fountain on site, bike rentals to explore the State Park, and a jungle cruise to spot wildlife. Positioned on the shores of the Springs’ beach, with miles of trails stretching from its parking lot – the Lodge is the perfect homebase to explore Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park.
Come for a few minutes or a week – you’ll leave smiling.
Explore Wakulla Beach – home to fiddler crabs, wild hogs, and coastal birds. This is not a traditional sandy beach, but maybe something closer to a grassy wetland area. Recreational and commercial anglers use this beach as a launch pad to Goose Creek Bay and the Gulf.
If you choose to launch a vessel from the beach, be mindful of tides.
Hosted in the historic Sopchoppy High School gymnasium, the Sopchoppy Opry hosts a monthly concert.
The second-oldest lighthouse in Florida still stands sentinel over the shores of Apalachee Bay. Constructed in 1831, the picturesque, highly photographed, whitewashed masonry tower and keeper’s quarters rest securely on a base of limestone rock taken — according to local legend — from nearby Fort San Marcos de Apalache. Overlooking the Apalachee Bay, the lighthouse guided captains to the St. Marks River through treacherous oyster beds. The lighthouse walls are four feet thick at the base and narrow to 18 inches deep at the top. The keeper’s house is attached to the tower increasing the overall strength of the building that has withstood over 100 hurricanes.
There have been a total of 21 keepers of the St. Marks Lighthouse, two of them women. Entire large families lived in the small keeper’s quarters. The keeper’s job was to climb to the tower twice a day to keep the kerosene lanterns filled and the wicks trimmed. It was most important to always keep the flame burning.
Today, the St. Marks Lighthouse is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The lighthouse grounds are accessible within the National Wildlife Refuge, but for now the tower is only open to the public on special occasions. Future plans are to open the lighthouse as a museum and historic site.
This city park offers a boat ramp, picnic areas, bird and wildlife watching. Enjoy views of the St. Marks River and a different perspective of the San Marcos de Apalache Historic Park.
Experience the beauty of our local oyster farms located in Skipper and Oyster Bays. This package consists of a 2.5 hour sunset tour where you will learn about the process of growing and harvesting oysters. Oyster tasting is included!
Call to book.
The many different flags flying over San Marcos de Apalache welcome visitors and symbolize the colorful history of this site, from the Spanish explorers to the present day.
The park’s museum displays pottery and tools unearthed near the original fort. Interpretive displays explain the history of the San Marcos site. An 18-minute video recounts the days of the Spanish, English, American and Confederate forces that once occupied this site. The video does a great job of tying all the periods of the fort together. A self-guided interpretive trail is open to visitors and guided tours are available.
A picnic area is available with picnic tables and barbecue grills. Tucker’s Point offers a scenic view at the water’s edge where the St. Marks River joins the Wakulla River and flows out into Apalache Bay.
The point is an excellent spot for fishing. Species commonly caught at this unique spot where fresh and salt water come together include redfish, speckled trout, sheepshead and even largemouth bass.
