Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park isn’t your average Florida state park. You won’t find hiking trails leading deep into the woods or places to launch your kayak here, but you will find an up-close look at Florida’s incredible wildlife, from playful manatees to panthers, black bears, and even a famous hippo named Lu.
This park has been welcoming visitors for over a century, and it’s a must-visit for anyone who wants to see native animals in a setting focused on education and conservation. Whether you’re stopping by on a road trip or making a day of it, there’s plenty to explore, and I’ve got all the details to help you plan your visit!
Table of Contents
- Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park Location
- Wildlife at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
- The Springs at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
- How Much Does it Cost to Visit Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park?
- A Quick Stroll Through Homosassa Springs’ History
- Do you need reservations?
- Accessibility at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
- Are Dogs Allowed?
- Can I Swim in Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park?
- Is There Camping?
- Hiking at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
- Boat Tours at Homosassa Springs State Park
- Paddling at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
- Underwater Observatory at Homosassa Springs State Park
- The Visitor Center and Gift Shop
- Where to Eat Near Homosassa Springs State Park
- My Experience Visiting with Family
- Related Content
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park Location
Homosassa Springs is in central Florida on the west coast. The first-magnitude spring is in Homosassa, Florida.
The address is: 4150 S. Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa FL 34446
It’s just 90 minutes from Orlando and 2.5 hours from Daytona Beach. It is almost exactly across the state from Daytona Beach. Florida is very long, but fairly narrow.
Wildlife at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
Homosassa Springs is a wildlife park centered on education and conservation, so you will see plenty of wildlife.
It’s important to note that the majority of the animals here cannot leave because they are unable to live in the wild for one reason or another. Some were raised by humans who became unable to care for the wild animals. Others suffered an injury or sickness that has left them unable to return to the wild.
Please keep in mind that Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park very much resembles a zoo, except that it’s full of native wildlife (except for Lu). It’s fantastic for educational purposes and as a place to learn about Florida wildlife in a really laid-back and natural environment.
Lu the Hippo
All of the wildlife at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is native to Florida—except for one very special resident: Lucifer the hippopotamus, better known as Lu.
A retired Hollywood actor, Lu was born in 1960 in San Diego and starred in several movies before moving to Homosassa at age four to continue his film career.
When Homosassa Springs park became a state park in 1989, Lu faced eviction. The state park was only going to feature native wildlife, but the community stepped in and took action to let him stay. He became an honorary Florida citizen so he could live his days out in the park.
In January 2025, he celebrated his 65th birthday complete with a “cake” made of frozen hippo-healthy treats and a party. After years of getting a traditional sugary cake for his birthday, he only toppled it over and then went about his business.
I realize that this where a photo of Lu would work well, however, he was submerged during our visit and didn’t photograph well.
Manatees
Homosassa Springs is one of the few places where you’re nearly guaranteed to see manatees year-round. The park rehabilitates manatees that may need care before returning to their natural habitat.
Manatees can be viewed from above the water along the spring and in the in-ground pool at the Manatee Care Center.
The Springs at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
Homosassa Springs State Park is the location of the biggest of the nearly 30 springs that make up the Homosassa Springs Group.
The spring in the state park flows from 3 underground vents, each with different salt content and water quality. Cool right?
And get this, the different salinity and quality means that the spring is full of both saltwater and freshwater fish, and of course, manatees!
How Much Does it Cost to Visit Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park?
The spring is open from 9 am to 5:30 pm every day. There is an entry fee to enter the spring park.
As of February 2025, admission is:
- $13 per person, ages 13+
- $5 per person, ages 6-12
- FREE, children 5 and under
There is an additional fee to take the boat tour from the visitor center to the west entrance along Pepper Creek. A tram from the visitor center to the west entrance is also available and is included in the park admission.
A Quick Stroll Through Homosassa Springs’ History
Early 1900s: Trains, like the “Mullet Train,” would often pause here, allowing passengers to marvel at the crystal-clear springs. Rumor has it that the crew took these breaks to catch the abundant fish.
1940s: Elmo Reed introduced “Nature’s Giant Fishbowl,” the park’s first official attraction. Visitors could enjoy feeding squirrels and even rent bathing suits for a refreshing swim near the springs.
1950s: David Newell, an avid fisherman and radio host, took over, constructing a three-story viewing structure and the first underwater walkway with portholes, offering unique perspectives of the marine life.
1964: The Norris Development Company acquired the property, rebranding it as “Nature’s Own Attraction” and introducing a mix of exotic and native animals.
1964–1978: Ivan Tors Animal Actors made the park their home base, housing and training animals for TV and film. Notably, Lu the hippo became a star during this era.
1978–1984: The park experienced several ownership changes, leading to uncertainty about its future.
1984: Recognizing its environmental significance, the Citrus County Commission purchased the park to protect it until the state could take over.
1989: The park officially became part of the Florida State Park system, focusing on wildlife conservation and education.
2009: The park was renamed Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park to honor Elmyra Felburn Schiller, a dedicated benefactor.
Do you need reservations?
No, reservations are not needed at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park at this time.
The only exception is if you would like to get married here or if you are thinking about another type of event or group lunch. You can learn more about wedding venue offerings here. For other events or group lunches, call 1-844-907-2772.
Accessibility at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
The wildlife walk and all trails at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park are fully accessible. The parking lot is paved and directly connected to an accessible path.
Visitors with strollers, walkers, and wheelchairs can visit the picnic pavilions and visitor center.
The boat tours are also accessible with a ramp.
Are Dogs Allowed?
No, dogs are not allowed at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. Service animals are exempt from this rule.
If you are traveling with your dog, there are kennels at the park. I recommend contacting the park directly about them. Although I found two references (one and two) to them being included in park admission, I could not find it on the park website itself.
Can I Swim in Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park?
No, there is no swimming at this state park. Only the wildlife is allowed in the water.
Is There Camping?
Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park does not have any camping or other overnight accommodations.
Hiking at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
There are three hiking trails at Homosassa Springs State Park. All three are accessible to wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers.
Pepper Creek Trail
The Pepper Creek Trail is 0.75 miles long and connects the visitor center and west entrance. It is a wide, fully paved path that is shared with the tram that takes visitors back and forth between the visitor center and the west entrance.
Although it is the path the tram takes, don’t discount it. It goes through a beautiful wooded area that is great for wildlife viewing, especially for birding. It is actually a section of the Great Florida Birding Trail!
Wildlife Walk
Enjoy the boardwalk as it winds through the park and the various wildlife that call Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park home. It’s 0.5 miles of meandering goodness.
There’s no hurry here or even counting steps, it’s all about the wildlife.
Springs Loop
The Springs Loop is also 0.5 miles long. It’s a combination of paved paths and boardwalk. As the name suggests, it loops through the spring and goes along the Homosassa River.
There are quite a few areas where you can get a great view of the river, paddlers, boats, and wildlife.
Boat Tours at Homosassa Springs State Park
Boat tours are a fantastic way to experience a state park. A knowledgeable captain will point out wildlife along the way and give you some interesting history and facts about the park and the surroundings.
Visitors pick up the boat at the visitor center and ride along on Pepper Creek until it gets to the west entrance of the park. The ride is 0.8 miles long one-way and only 15 minutes. There is a separate fee for the boat tour.
Paddling at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
There is no paddling inside the state park itself, but the spring empties into the Homosassa River which is open to paddling.
Many paddlers hang out at the intersection of the spring run and river during the winter for a chance to see manatees staying warm in the spring water.
If you are looking for nearby paddling, you might want to consider The Chassahowitzka.
Underwater Observatory at Homosassa Springs State Park
The Fish Bowl Underwater Observatory floats in the main spring. You can go down into the observatory, but there is also a viewing section above the water, on the roof of the observatory.
Down in the observatory, you will find many, many windows into the spring. It’s a great way to see the fresh- and saltwater fish hovering in the water. I say hover rather than swim because they just seem to float there, unmoving. And if you come just at the right time (a cold winter day during manatee season, November 15 to March 31) you may even see a manatee or two or more than you can count.
The observatory was built in the 1960s and it was such a marvel that it appeared in the January 1965 issue of Popular Mechanics.
The Visitor Center and Gift Shop
Are you even at a state park if there isn’t a visitor center or gift shop? Well, there are actually plenty of places that don’t have either, but many do.
I personally love visitor centers and gift shops. There is always some history, cool artifacts, and lots of information about the park. And of course, I love browsing the gift shop to see if anything catches my eye.
We usually leave with at least some stickers.
The visitor center at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is modest and has been around for quite a few years. The gift shop is well-stocked and fun to walk through, unless of course you have a hard time saying no to enticing souvenirs or cool wildlife-themed merch.
Where to Eat Near Homosassa Springs State Park
The Grill at Pepper Creek
If you’re visiting Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and need a meal, The Grill at Pepper Creek is a great option. It’s located inside the park’s visitor center, and you don’t need park admission to eat there—perfect for grabbing lunch before or after exploring.
I wasn’t expecting much, but I was pleasantly surprised! Rather than typical park food, they serve grilled shrimp over rice, chicken pesto paninis, and some of the best fries I’ve had in a long time.
The restaurant is upstairs, with indoor seating that overlooks Pepper Creek. From the second floor, you can watch the boat tours depart from the visitor center to the park’s main entrance, making it a relaxing and scenic spot to refuel.
Gator Bites and Wildside Cafe
Gator Bites and Wildside Cafe are also on the property, but were closed during our visit and the state park website notes that they are closed until further notice.
Picnicking at Homosassa Springs
If you prefer to bring your own food, there are covered picnic pavilions in the Garden of the Springs and behind the main entrance parking area on U.S. 19.
You’ll also find picnic tables near the main spring, the Fish Bowl, and Alligator Lagoon—perfect spots to relax and enjoy the view.
My Experience Visiting with Family
I finally made it to Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park with my family in late 2024, and it did not disappoint.
One of the biggest highlights? Seeing manatees up close! And in true wildlife adventure fashion, we also got an unexpected lesson in manatee biology—let’s just say their, uh, digestive output is hard to miss.
The park plays a key role in manatee conservation, partnering with Save the Manatee to protect these gentle giants.
Beyond the manatees, this park is a fantastic place to learn about Florida’s native wildlife. It’s home to animals that can’t be released back into the wild, making it feel more like a sanctuary than a traditional zoo.
The boardwalk trails led us past enclosures where we got an up-close look at everything from panthers to birds of prey. And of course there’s Lu the hippo—Homosassa’s most famous resident. To reach the main part of the park, we took the tram, though there’s also an option for a scenic boat ride. The tram was quick and easy, and since we’d already paddled earlier in the day, we decided to save our energy.
Unfortunately, the underwater Fishbowl observatory was closed due to recent hurricane impacts, a reminder that in Florida, it’s always good to check ahead for closures after storms. We were a bit disappointed, but it was still very cool to stand on the top and peer into the deep spring.
We could have easily spent more time exploring, but after a full morning on the water, we were running low on energy.
If you’re planning a visit, I’d recommend setting aside a few hours to fully enjoy all the park has to offer—it’s well worth it!
Other things we didn’t get to experience due to closure: west entrance, discovery center, underwater fishbowl observatory, Gator Bites, Wildside Cafe, and the boat tour (we chose to skip it and took the tram instead). This will not be my last time visiting and I hope these are open when I do get the opportunity to return.