Horn Spring
Leon County
Summary of Features
- Scale - 2nd magnitude
- Scenery - very good
- How Pristine? - previously unspoiled; small beach area with some erosion
- Swimming - fair
- Protection - good
- Crowds - none
- Access - currently none
- Facilities - none
- Safety - fair
- Scuba - yes
- Cost - closed to public
Directions
From Tallahassee, take U.S. 319 south to State Road 363 (Woodville Highway) south to Natural Bridge Road east. 1.7 miles past the monument, turn left on sand road. Stay on this main sand road and do not be tempted by turnoffs that lead who-knows-where. Spring is 2.3 miles on the left.
Spring Description
Horn Springs consist of a large pool deep in the woods and a smaller spring downstream nearby. The area around the springs is pine forest with some oak and other hardwoods and the land is gentle rolling hills. The flow from the two springs feeds the St. Marks River, which is not generally navigable above this point. The large pool is round and about 75 feet in diameter, ranges from blue to green in color, and has algae on the surface in the warm months. Heavy, overhanging forest rings the pool. The water was milky blue the times the authors visited, with visibility of only about two feet. The smaller pool is shallow and about 30 feet in diameter. The run from the smaller pool joins the run from the larger spring which meets the St. Marks River about 350 feet from the main spring.
Use/Access
- For many years, a hunting club closed off access to the spring. In September 2016, the State of Florida purchased over 11,000 acres around the spring in Leon and Jefferson Counties. The now-protected tract connect the St. Marks River Preserve State Park, Fanlew Preserve, the Aucilla Wildlife Management Area, and the Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park, along with the water that flows through these areas and ten identified springs and 12 historic sites (source--Sunshine State News: www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/cabinet-approves-purchase-11000-acres-protect-10-springs-and-more).
- The public area at nearby Natural Bridge is a popular fishing spot, and it is possible to put a canoe in and paddle upriver to Horn Springs. Such a canoe trip would be very arduous.
Personal Impressions
Visiting the springs the first time can be discomfiting, as the spot is very remote, difficult to locate and drive to in a two-wheel-drive vehicle, and it is hard to tell which of the many sand roads is the correct route. The spring itself, however, is lovely and peaceful. It appears that most of the local folk who frequented it just went to relax and enjoy being at the site.
Nearby Springs
- Rhodes Spring
- Indian Springs
- Natural Bridge Spring
- Newport (or Sulfur) Spring
- St. Marks Springs
- Wakulla Springs
Other Nearby Natural Features
- Battle of Natural Bridge Monument
- St. Marks Wildlife Refuge
- Apalachicola National Forest
- Wacissa River and Slave Canal
- Econfina River State Park