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
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
- The spring and the area around it is a full-facilities campground with 200 tent and RV sites, cabins, a camp store, concessionstands, an RV park, and recreation facilities. One can swim or scuba at the spring.
- There is a cavern associated with Otter Springs.
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
- Lumbercamp Spring
- Turtle Spring
- Fletcher Spring
- Guaranto Spring
- Pothole (or Glisson) Spring
- Rock Bluff Spring
- Hart Springs
- McCrabb Spring
- Copper Spring
- Little Copper Spring
- Fanning Springs
- Sun Spring
- Iron Springs
- DIX95971
- Rock Sink Spring
Other Nearby Natural Features
- Ichetucknee Springs State Park
- O'Leno State Park
- San Felasco Hammock State Preserve
- Fanning Springs State Recreation Area
- River Rise State Preserve
- Manatee Springs State Park
- Hart Springs County Park