Springs Fever: A Field & Recreation Guide to 500 Florida Springs.
3rd Edition by Joe Follman and Richard Buchanan

Folsom Spring

Taylor County

Summary of Features

  • XScale - 3rd magnitude
  • Scenery - fair
  • How Pristine? - in suburban area near RR tracks, cleared land, runoff area
  • Swimming - no
  • Protection - fair-good
  • Wildlife - none
  • Crowds - small to none
  • Access - excellent
  • Facilities - few
  • Safety - good
  • Scuba - no
  • Cost - free


Directions

Located just south of downtown Perry.  At the intersection of U.S. Highways 98 and 27. Drive south on U.S. 27.  After 0.6 mile, turn left at second light traffic light.  The park with the spring is on the right just before the railroad crossing.

For maps, latitude/longitude data, driving directions, satellite imagery, and topographic representations as well as weather conditions at this spring, go to Greg Johnson's informative "Florida Springs Database" web site at the following address:  http://www.ThisWaytothe.Net/springs/floridasprings.htm#Florida

Spring Description

The spring is in a small, primitive park.  The spring and run form the shape of a golf club (driver) of about 350 feet in length before the run goes through three concrete pipes under the roadway and thence into Pimple Creek, Spring Creek, and ultimately the Fenholloway River on the SW side of Perry.  The spring pool is about 35 feet across, and the water was dark but fairly clear on the date of visit (October 2000).

There was no boil, and little evidence of flow. The fringes of the pool were covered with duckweed and algae (on a subsequent visit in Feb. 2001, the entire pool was covered in duckweed).  There are several large limestone boulders at the edge of the spring pool.  The run widens just past the pool to perhaps 50 feet, and then gradually narrows to about 18 feet as it passes under the road.

Use/Access

Personal Impressions

The setting is not attractive.  The algae may be a result of the stormwater runoff the spring receives, constriction of the spring’s natural flow, garbage in the water, or other factors.

Nearby Springs

Other Nearby Natural Features