Get Up Close and Personal with Florida Wildlife at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
Once a bustling train stop in the early 1900s and later a roadside zoo in the 1960s, Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park has transformed into a sanctuary for native species that cannot survive in the wild. Visitors can explore the 150-acre park through narrated boat rides, accessible wildlife walks, and daily manatee programs.
Words and Photographs by Sara Sheehy
Live Wildly Lead Adventurist
Things to Do at Homosassa Springs
Narrated Boat Ride: Start your visit by parking at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park’s main entrance, which is a little over a mile from the park’s attractions. From here, you have a choice—to take a free tram or to enjoy a $3 boat ride along Pepper Creek. The boat ride on an open-top pontoon is narrated by a volunteer who shares the park’s natural and human history. It’s definitely worth the small fee for this unique entrance to the park itself.
Wildlife Walk: The main part of the park features the accessible Wildlife Walk, a 1.1 mile figure-eight-shaped boardwalk that leads you past enclosures housing native Florida animals. These animals, including manatees, red wolves, foxes, panthers, and bears, are unable to live in the wild due to injury, abandonment, or illness. The Wildlife Walk is one of the main features of the park…don’t miss it!
Have you heard of the Homosassa Lovebirds? These whooping cranes broke all the rules…and now they are finally together forever. 🫶
Meet Lu the Hippo: One of the park’s stars is Lu, a tame hippopotamus who celebrated his 64th birthday in 2024. Beloved Lu was part of the original exotic zoo and was granted honorary Florida citizenship to remain at the park for life.
Fish Bowl Underwater Observatory: Descend underwater via a set of stairs to enjoy the Fish Bowl Underwater Observatory, a fascinating remnant from the park’s days as a tourist attraction. This Observatory floats in the springs and offers views of the underwater world teeming with fish.
Manatee Programs: Manatee programs are held daily at 11 AM and 1 PM. During winter, manatees gather at the park, and you can see them from a pedestrian bridge that leads to a dock and overlook. Although a few resident manatees stay year-round, wild manatees join them in the colder months.
The Details
Address: 4150 S Suncoast Blvd, Homosassa, FL 34446
Hours: Open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, except on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
Entrance Fee: Adults (age 13+) $13.00, Children (age 6-12) $5.00, children age 5 and under are free
Accessibility: Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park features wide, paved paths and boardwalks that are wheelchair and stroller-friendly, ensuring an easy and comfortable experience for everyone. The boardwalk also has lowered viewing areas along the Wildlife Walk, allowing those in wheelchairs and children to see into the enclosures without obstruction.
