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

Otter Springs

Gilchrist County

Summary of Features

  • Scale -2nd magnitude
  • Scenery -good
  • How Pristine? -developed camping area, land cleared near spring, wallsaround one spring pool
  • Swimming -good
  • Protection -good
  • Crowds -usuall small
  • Access -for a fee

Directions

6470 SW 80th Ave, Trenton, FL 32693.
(352) 463-0800

Website

Map

From Fanning Springs, drive north on SR 26 1-2 miles. At fork in Wilcox, turn north on SR 232. After about 1.5 miles, turn left (west) at big sign for Otter Springs Park and Campground onto SR 334. Road becomes dirt. Follow signs 2 miles to Otter Springs Campground/RV Park.

Spring Description

The spring creates two pools, of which only the upper pool shows evidence of flow. The upper pool is oval and about 45 by 70 feet in diameter. It has two visible fissures--one about 25 feet long and the other just a fewfeet long--that appear from the surface to be 25 feet deep. Fish congregate in the limestone opening. Water in the pool is clear has been blue and green on dates of visit. There is a sloping bank of about 10 feet around the pool, with a beach on one side, trees on another side, and cleared land on the other sides.

The spring run flows about 150 feet into a larger pool that has a retaining wall and water that is not clear. Rosenau et al. (1977) report this pool to be 10 feet deep (p. 125). The spring run meanders 4,000 feet to the Suwannee River. The authors have not visited the run.

Use/Access

Local Springiana

There have been fatalities in the spring caverns by divers who stirred up silt on the bottom and became disoriented.

Personal Impressions

The spring is moderately attractive, but it is teeming with fish and fun to dive.

Nearby Springs

Other Nearby Natural Features