Wakulla County, FL
Located on Florida’s Gulf cost just south of Tallahassee, Wakulla County offers natural beauty and outdoor recreation. Wakulla County is home to the Apalachicola National Forest, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge and Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park. Some people believe Wakulla is named for the Timucuan Indian word (kala) meaning “spring of water” or “mysterious water.” This could be referring to Wakulla Springs. Wakulla Springs at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park is one of the world’s largest springs. With a depth of 185 feet, the water flow of the spring averages 250 million gallons per day. The state park offers a visually-stunning guided boat tour of the springs and the Wakulla River.
Paddling and fishing opportunities are eye-catching. The county is bordered to the west by the 62-mile Lower Ocholockonee River State Paddling Trail and its namesake Ocholockonee River. For those looking for more adventure, Wakulla County is the starting point for Section 5 of the 1,515-mile Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail.
Wakulla County also has two excellent bicycle trails including the 41-mile out-and-back Tallahassee to St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail and the recently created 24.5-mile out-and-back Ocholockonee Bay Bike Trail.
The county is also home to the Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory. Located along U.S. Highway 98, the laboratory houses touch tanks allowing children to see and/or touch creatures such as seahorses and hermit crabs; emerald eyed spiny box fish, electric rays as well as red and white spotted calico crabs.
Wakulla County has several attractive events and festivals including the one-of-a-kind Sopchoppy Worm Gruntin’ Festival, held in the second Saturday in April; the Panacea Blue Crab Festival, held the first Saturday in May; and the Monarch Butterfly Festival in the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, held the fourth Saturday in October.
The Wakulla County Welcome Center is located on U.S. Highway 98 near Dickerson Bay. Stop in to browse displays of old photographs, artifacts, and artwork while discovering Panacea's attractions, as well as for local nature guides and charter boat captains at your service.
Your Wakulla County adventures may be filled with memories so special, you may want to return.