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Salt Springs 'Official' Website |
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ATTRACTIONS EVENTS HISTORY CONTACT US HOME
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AREA ATTRACTIONS: Some of the numerous activities and attractions in the Salt Springs area include... Ocala National Forest Fort Gates Ferry Good Eats & Drinks Historic Kerr City Salt Springs Recreation Area Salt Springs Run Marina & Landing
Please browse our website and, if you have any questions or comments, contact us at SaltSpringsFL@yahoo.com. We will respond to your email as quickly as possible. Thank you for visiting and please enjoy!
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Click Here for a listing of local businesses.
Click Here for classified advertisements.
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OCALA NATIONAL FOREST |
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With millions of visitors each year, the Ocala National Forest encompasses approximately 385,000 acres (or 600+ square miles) and is the second largest National Forest in the state of Florida. Established in 1908, it is the oldest National Forest east of the Mississippi River and the southern most National Forest in the continental United States. The Forest lies between the Ocklawaha and St. John's Rivers and contains over 600 natural lakes, ponds and rivers, as well as central highlands, coastal lowlands, swamps and springs. The central portion of the forest is dry and sandy in contract to the abundant water resources throughout. The Forest is also home to four major natural springs of crystal clear water; Alexander Springs, Juniper Springs, Salt Springs, and Silver Glen Springs. One of the notable locations within the Forest is "The Yearling Trail". Located near Juniper Springs & the Juniper Prairie Wilderness Area, it is the location where "The Yearling" was filmed. Native inhabitants of the forest include the Florida black bear, white-tailed deer, wild boar, coyote, gray fox, red fox, bobcat, raccoon, nine-banded armadillo, striped skunk, Virginia opossum, southeastern pocket gopher, American alligator, North American river otter, gopher tortoise, wild turkey, scrub lizard, sand skink and the Florida scrub jay, as well as numerous other reptiles, amphibians and birds. The Forest is one of Central Florida's last remaining traces of forested land and contains a high proportion of Florida's scrub habitat. It is noted for its Sand Pine scrub ecosystem and is home to the largest concentration of Sand Pines in the world, as well as some of the best remaining stands of Longleaf Pine in Central Florida. Additionally, the Forest's porous sands and largely undeveloped character provide an important recharge for the Floridian aquifer. Water recreation is plentiful in the Ocala National Forest. Some of the numerous lakes to choose from include; Lake Bryant, Lake Delancy, Lake Dexter, Lake Dorr, Lake George, Halfmoon Lake, Lake Kerr, Lochloosa Lake, Lake Ocklawaha, Orange Lake, Lake Weir and Lake Woodruff. Camping is available at various locations, including Alexander Springs, Big Bass Lake, Big Scrub, Buck Lake, Clearwater Lake, Lake Delancy, Doe Lake, Grassy Pond, Halfmoon Lake, Hopkin's Prairie, Juniper Springs, Camp La-No-Che, Salt Springs, and Silver River. For those interested in hunting and/or fishing in the Forest... PLEASE NOTE: Hunting and fishing activities are managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and require a permit. A quota-hunt permit may also be required during certain time periods and for certain game. For additional forest information and trail maps, please visit the Ocala National Forest Salt Springs Visitors Center located in Salt Springs Square at the intersection of SR 19 and CR 316. The Visitors Center is open 9:00am to 4:30pm.
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SALT SPRINGS RECREATIONAL AREA |
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Open year-round, Salt Springs Recreational Area is at the heart of Salt Springs and is a major attraction for locals and visitors alike. In addition to camping, hiking, swimming and various water recreational activities, the main attraction is the ancient subterranean springs which flow year round at a constant temperature of 72 degrees and pump approximately 53 million gallons of crystal clear water per day. The park and areas adjacent to the springs were recently renovated and the spring area is now bordered on three sides by a concrete wall and observation walkway that frames the pool in an open-ended rectangle roughly 90 by 120 feet. The pool contains clear, blue, salty-tasting water that, as a result of water rising to the surface through ancient salt deposits, contains a variety of minerals and rare trace elements which gives it a mild salt taste. The depth of the pool ranges from 2 to 5 feet, in general, but is up to 20 feet deep at the spring vents/pits that are scattered in the enclosed end of the pool area. The springs are home to an abundance of fish and marine life including striped bass, mullet, and small fry. In addition, needlefish and blue crab may be seen, with crabs most commonly observed in the deeper portions of the spring openings. Marine life was established at the site millennia ago when this portion of Florida was part of a shallow sea. When the land rose upward, the marine creatures remained at the site because of the salty flow from the spring. The bottom of the spring has exposed limestone, small rocks and sand, as well as aquatic vegetation, and is a favorite location for swimming and snorkeling. The springs at Salt Springs Recreational Area are a must-see while in the area! |
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SALT SPRINGS RUN MARINA & LANDING |
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Located off SR 19, Salt Springs Run Marina & Landing is adjacent to Salt Springs Recreational Area, where crystal clear water rises from the Springs and flows approximately 5 miles into Lake George. Salt Springs Run provides a number of recreational options, including fishing, swimming, snorkeling, camping, and sightseeing. In addition to a public boat ramp, store/gift shop & refreshments, they also have rentals of canoes, rowboats, power-skiffs and family-sized pontoon boats. And, live bait is available at the store. PLEASE NOTE: Advance reservations are recommended for all rentals. |
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HISTORIC KERR CITY |
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Located off County Route 316, approximately 3 miles west of Salt Springs, Kerr City is a wonderfully preserved ghost town which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Covering 205 acres, Kerr City was the second town platted in Marion County in 1884, and grew to 100 residents in its day. Originally a cotton plantation during the Civil War, Kerr City flourished as an orange growing community for a number of years and served as a stage coach stop for travelers commuting from the St. John's River to Ocala. Original structures included a hotel, sawmill, general store, pharmacy, post office, school & church, and numerous Victorian-style homes. In 1885, the Lake Kerr House (hotel) was built and the Kerr City Adviser (newspaper) circulated local news. The hotel burned down in 1907, reportedly by arson, and the Post Office operated until 1941. Following a big freeze that devastated the orange growing community, the town founder began buying abandoned properties around his home and, by 1955, his son owned the entire town. The school & church are gone due to vandalism, however, the gas station, post office, cemetery, stage coach road, and several original homes remain, many of which have been renovated and still possess original furnishings. The 1925 gas station is the oldest Texaco station in the state of Florida, still in operation, the pumps have been converted to unleaded gasoline. The homes of Kerr City are available as Lakefront Rental Cottages, and tours of this ghost town are conducted by appointment -- please contact the owners, Arthur & Gwynne Brennan, at 352-685-2557 for further information. |
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FORT GATES FERRY |
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To shorten your trip from Salt Springs to the east coast, you might consider utilizing the Fort Gates Ferry. Located approximately 7 miles from the intersection of SR 19 and CR 316, the Ferry will take you from Salt Springs to Welaka between Lake George and the St. John's River. The Ferry is available (weather permitting) from 7:00am to 5:30pm Wednesday thru Monday (no service on Tuesday) and the trip takes approximately 10-15 minutes, from pick-up to drop-off. The charge is $10 per car/vehicle and the Ferry transports one vehicle at a time. For additional information, please contact 386-467-2411. |
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GOOD EATS & DRINKS |
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Salt Springs may not be big, but we know how to eat & enjoy ourselves! While in town, be sure to visit any/all of our local establishments: Bass Champions Restaurant & Lodge (on CR 314 just west of town) ~ open Tues-Sat Black Bear Country Store (on SR 19 at CR 316) ~ open 7 days Cactus Jack's (on CR 314 west of town) ~ open 7 days 88-Store Pub & BBQ (on FR 88 between CR 314 & 316) ~ open Thur-Mon Frontier (on SR 19 a little north of town) ~ open 7 days Sportsman's Lodge & Store (on CR 314 just west of town) ~ open 7 days Square Meal (on SR 19 at CR 316) ~ open 7 days VFW (on CR 314 west of town) ~ seniors lunch served Mon-Fri, dinners served Thur-Tues
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