Springs Fever: A Field & Recreation Guide to 500 Florida Springs.

McBride Slough Spring

Wakulla

Summary of Features

  • Scale - 3rd magnitude (estimated)
  • Scenery - good
  • How Pristine? - unspoiled; small dock/beach area, some land cleared west of spring
  • Swimming - fair
  • Protection - unknown/private

Directions

Quick Directions

2.5 miles east of intersection of State Roads 61 and 267 about 30 minutes' drive south of Tallahassee.


Full Directions

From downtown Tallahassee, drive south on South Adams until it becomes Crawfordville Highway (US 319 South). Continue past Capital Circle until the road forks to the left and forms Wakulla Springs Road (State Road 61). Continue on through portions of the Apalachicola National Forest until you come to State Road 267. Turn left and drive about 2.5 miles until you reach a small bridge that goes over the slough. The spring pool is about 150 feet upstream from the bridge on the left (west) side.

Spring Description

McBride is a spring upwelling that feeds (or perhaps forms?) a swampy flow that joins with the Wakulla River in Wakulla Springs State Park to the south. The headspring pool is circular and approximately 45 feet in diameter. The bottom of the pool is covered in eelgrass except for the vent. Except over the vent, the pool is 2-3 feet deep. The water is very clear, with a bluish tinge over the vent. The spring issues from two holes about a yard apart; this is actually a single tube with a large rock at the opening that splits the flow. The land on the west side of the spring has been cleared of underbrush, and there is a small dock/platform in the SW corner of the pool. Water flows south from the pool, but there is also water above the spring. The run is also 2-3 feet deep near the spring, and was densely covered with a variety of vegetation on date of visit (October 2000).

Use/Access

Personal Impressions

Nearby Springs

Other Nearby Natural Features