Close to the side of my tour boat — make that very close — a mother alligator rests in the reedy shallows of the Wakulla Springs shoreline, her long, prehistoric-looking snout pointed in my direction. If she thinks I’m going to bother her fleet of small offspring, also visible near the shore, she is mistaken. I’m too busy scanning the trees for any Tarzan-like figures or the 1954 cult movie monster Creature from the Black Lagoon.
Part of Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, this is Old Florida at its most evocative. It’s easy to see why filmmakers were drawn here: moss-draped cypress, dense groundcover and glassy water create cinematic backdrops. Productions such as Tarzan’s Secret Treasure (1941) and Creature from the Black Lagoon found the setting ideal for dramatic shots among the swamp and towering trees.
© Debra Bokur
Wakulla is known as one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world, and it supports a rich array of wildlife and plant life. My reptilian encounter was a memorable moment on the cruise, but there was much more to enjoy. Birdwatchers and nature lovers will find spider lilies, manatees, bald cypress, cormorants, osprey and other species frequenting the area. You can experience this diversity on a relaxing riverboat jungle cruise, often led by knowledgeable guides such as musician-guide Collin Johnson. The springs have attracted visitors since 1875, when rowboats with window-pane hulls were used so passengers could peer directly into the clear water.
The clarity of the springs is remarkable: an entire mastodon skeleton was recovered from the depths and is now exhibited at the Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee.
© Visit Tallahassee
Before you leave, make time for a meal in the Edward Ball Dining Room at the historic Lodge at Wakulla Springs. The dining room showcases elegant details—Tennessee marble, hand-hewn cypress beams, wildlife murals on the ceiling and an original Art Deco elevator—creating a gracious atmosphere that reflects the site’s heritage.
The menu features beloved Southern classics served for breakfast, lunch and dinner: Eggs Dupont, biscuits and gravy, key lime pie, fried pickles, gumbo and shrimp and grits. After your meal, treat yourself at the Soda Fountain in the Parlor, which is said to have one of the longest marble counters in the world and offers sundaes and vintage-style soda fountain drinks such as root beer floats, ginger yips and cherry phosphates.