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

• Home
• Table of Contents
• Central Florida Panhandle
• Springs Near Tallahassee
• Taylor County
• Withlacoochee River
• Suwannee River
• SantaFe River
• Ichetucknee River
• Ocala National Forest
• Central Gulf Coast
• Other Central Florida
• Northeast FL
• Other Natural Features
• Email us
• Native American

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

Glowing Spring

Washington County

Directions

Quick Directions

About 1/3 mile upstream of Blue Springs on the left/west bank of Econfina Creek

Full Directions

As there is no general access to the nearby launch at Blue Springs, one must put in at the Walsingham Bridge or at Walsingham Park.  From the intersection of State Road 20 and U.S. 231 north of Panama City, drive west on SR20 about 7 miles to bridge over Econfina Creek.  Continue another 1/3 mile, then turn right onto Strickland Road.  Drive 2.6 miles to stop sign at T-junction.  Turn left at stop sign onto what becomes Porter Park Road.  Continue 2.3 miles, then turn right onto Hampshire Road. Continue 1.2 miles, then turn right at sign for Walsingham Bridge. Continue another 1.55 miles to one-lane plank Walsingham Bridge over Econfina Creek.  There is a primitive launch at the SE edge of the bridge, or carry on another ¼ mile to Walsingham Park, which has a better boatlaunch.

The spring is about 2.5 miles downstream of Walsingham Park, along the right (west) bank.

Spring Description

The spring is a well-defined and prominent boil about 3 feet from the right or west bank of Econfina Creek.  The boil is circular, 3-4 feet in diameter, and raised about 3 inches above the surface.  The adjacent bank is 3-4 feet high, sheer, and edged with tree roots and cypress knees.  Water in the spring is very clear—in contrast to the amber-colored river—and flows from a small limestone opening at a depth of 5 feet.  The river is about 40 feet wide at this point.

On date and time of visit—noon in late September 2001—the spring was illuminated by a shaft of light that gave it the appearance of being lit from within orbelow.  This striking glow evoked a spotlight and made the otherwise small spring visible from over 100 feet away. There are several very large trees growing near the spring and providing a thick canopy, including cypress, pine, and magnolias.

Use/Access

• Land around the river is protected by the Northwest Florida Water Management District.
• There is no utilization of the site.

Personal Impressions

The authors have found numerous springs that are not recorded in any publication or by the State of Florida; this is the only one that they took the liberty/arrogance to name.  The happy accident of lighting at this pinpointed spot created a unique visual impression and the inspiration for the name of Glowing Spring.

Nearby Springs

• Walsingham Spring, Unnamed Econfina Creek-bed Spring, Blue Springs Group (9), Below-Blue Spring Run, Twin-run Grotto Springs Group, Williford Spring, Williford Run Springs, Gainer Springs Group, McCormick Springs Group, Pitt Spring, Sylvian (or Sullivan) Spring, Ponce de Leon Springs, Vortex Spring, Cypress Spring, Morrison Spring

Other Nearby Natural Features

• Pitt Spring Recreation Area
• St. Andrews State Recreation Area
• Falling Waters State Recreation Area