Summary of Features Scale -2nd magnitude Scenery -good How Pristine? -developed camping area, land cleared near spring, walls around one spring pool Swimming -good Protection -good Crowds -usuall small Access -for a fee

Directions
From Fanning Springs, drive north on SR 26 1-2 miles. At fork in Wilcox, turn north on SR 232. After about 1.5 miles, turn left (west) at big sign for Otter Springs onto SR 334. Road becomes dirt. Follow signs 2 miles to Otter Springs Campground/RV Park.

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 creates two pools, of which only the upper pool shows evidence of flow. The upper pool is oval and about 45 by 70 feet in diameter. It has two visible fissures—one about 25 feet long and the other just a few feet long—which appear from the surface to be 25 feet deep. Fish congregate in the limestone opening. Water in the pool is clear has been blue and green on dates of visit. There is a sloping bank of about 10 feet around the pool, with a beach on one side, trees on another side, and cleared land on the other sides.

The spring run flows about 150 feet into a larger pool that has a retaining wall and water that is not clear. Rosenau et al. (1977) report this pool to be 10 feet deep (p. 125). The spring run meanders 4,000 feet to the Suwannee River. The authors have not been in the run.

Use/Access

• For a number of years, the spring and the area around it was a full-facilities campground with 200 tent and RV sites, cabins, a camp store, concession stands, an RV park, and recreation facilities.  One could swim or scuba at the spring. In 2000, the facility was closed, and news reports told of a plan to sell water from the spring to a bottling company.  The site was subsequently sold to another buyer in 2003, and reopened to the public for RVs, camping, fishing, swimming and diving in June 2005.
• There is a cavern associated with Otter Springs.

Local Springiana
There have been fatalities in the spring caverns by divers who stirred up silt on the bottom and became disoriented.

Personal Impressions
The spring is moderately attractive, but it is teeming with fish and fun to dive.

Nearby Springs
Lumbercamp Spring, Turtle Spring, Fletcher Spring, Guaranto Spring, Pothole (or Glisson) Spring, Rock Bluff Spring, Hart Springs, McCrabb Spring, Copper Spring, Little Copper Spring, Fanning Springs, Sun Spring, Iron Springs, DIX95971, Rock Sink Spring

Other Nearby Natural Features
Ichetucknee Springs State Park
O’Leno State Park
San Felasco Hammock State Preserve
Fanning Springs State Recreation Area
River Rise State Preserve
Manatee Springs State Park
Hart Springs County Park

For More Information:
Gelema Betz-Jackson
(352) 463-0800
www.ottersprings.com