See the Manatee Cam

General Park Information

Welcome to Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park.

Visitors can see West Indian manatees every day of the year from the park's underwater observatory in the main spring. The park showcases native Florida wildlife, including manatees, black bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer, American alligators, American crocodiles, and river otters. Manatee programs are offered three times daily.

At the Wildlife Encounter programs, snakes and other native animals are featured. Recreational opportunities include picnicking, nature study, and bird-watching. The park features a children's education center, providing hands-on experiences about Florida's environment.

Transportation from the visitor center on U.S. 19 to the West Entrance is available by tram or boat. The park has two gift shops and a café with a selection of beverages and snacks.

The park is open daily 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. The ticket counters close at 4:00 p.m. Located in Homosassa Springs on U.S. 19.
Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries.

For Information about Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, please call 352-628-5343.

Hours of Operation
Open every day of the year from 9:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Last tickets are sold at 4:00 p.m. We recommend that you allow 3 1/2 to 4 hours to tour the park.

Wildlife Encounters Programs: An educational program instructs kids and adults of all ages on Florida’s wildlife including Florida snakes, birds of prey, gopher tortoises, turtles and opossums.
10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Manatee Programs: An educational program on the West Indian manatees and the park’s manatee rehabilitation program. 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.

Alligator and Hippo Program: An educational program on American alligators and the park’s Hippopotamus.
12:30 p.m.

PET POLICY Pets are NOT permitted in the wildlife park with the exception of service animals. A Self Service outside kennel is provided free of charge at the Visitor Center. Dogs are permitted in parking areas and along Pepper Creek Trail on a six foot hand held leash.

SMOKING POLICY: For the health and welfare of all of our animals, particularly the endangered species, and our Park visitors, effective May 23, 2006, smoking will no longer be allowed within Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. For those visitors desiring to smoke or use tobacco, an area has been provided outside the West Entrance of the park. Please feel free to ask a Park Ranger for the reasons behind this policy. Thank you for your cooperation.

Driving Directions
Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is located in Homosassa Springs, 75 miles north of Tampa on U.S. 19 and 90 miles northwest of Orlando.

Park Fees

Admission Fee:
$13.00* Adults.
$5.00* Children, 6 -12.
* Includes state and local taxes.
The Florida State Parks Annual Entrance Pass is accepted at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. The Individual Annual Entrance Pass waives the admission fee for one person. The Family Annual Entrance Pass waives the admission fee for two people. Additional guests may wish to purchase additional passes or pay the daily admission fees.

Group Fees:
$9.20 Adults in group (ages 13 and over).
$3.50 Children in group, 6 -12.

Children under the age of 6 years old are admitted free.
Group rates are available for groups of 10 or more with advanced reservation. Two weeks notification is preferred. To make a reservation, call (352) 628-5343, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Park Information.
Florida Park Service Offers New Annual Pass Program Benefits
Tallahassee – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service today announced the expansion of its statewide annual entrance pass program. The program expansion will now allow both individual and family annual entrance pass holders access to Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and Weeki Wachee Springs State Park.

Holders of a family annual entrance pass will now be granted entrance for two individuals at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Please Note, a family annual pass provides entrance for up to eight people.

Pricing for statewide annual entrance passes:
$60 individual annual entrance pass.
$120 family annual entrance pass.