Pitt Spring
Bay County
Summary of Features
- Scale -3rd magnitude
- Scenery -fine
- How Pristine? -developed recreation area with retaining wall and manmade
barriers preventing water access
- Swimming -very good
- Protection -very good
- Crowds -overrun on warm weekends
- Access -excellent
- Facilities -very good
- Safety -good to very poor, depending on the crowds
- Scuba -no
- Cost -free
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Directions
Just off State Road 20 about seven miles west of where 20 intersects with
U.S. 231 north of Panama City. Turn into Pitt Spring Recreation Area immediately
past the bridge and park in lot 75 feet from the spring. From Panama City,
drive north on U.S. 231, then turn left onto County Road 2301 which goes
through Bayou George, becomes Blue Spring Road, and intersects State Road
20 ¼ mile east of the bridge over Econfina Creek. Follow above directions
from there.
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 circular, about 40-50 feet in diameter, and on sunny days when
the river is not high, can be a brilliant blue. Under other conditions, the
water can have a greenish tint but is usually blue over the vent. The bottom
of the spring is funnel-shaped. The vent is about 10 feet deep, has a small
fissure, and tosses sand and little purple snail shells underwater. The spring
run exits from the east end of the pool about 50 feet to the river. The shallow
run can be waded and is about 60 feet long. The bottom of the pool and run
is white sand and limestone. A wall has been constructed around the perimeter
of the spring pool to control erosion, and there is wooden decking around
the edge of the pool. Large limestone boulders have been placed in the run.
The water is very clear except in times of high water or heavy usage by waders
and swimmers.
Use/Access
- The area around the spring is protected by the NW Florida Water Management
District and has systematically been developed into a nice recreation area
with portable toilets, picnic tables, trails, and water fountains.
- The NW Florida Water Management District manages much of the land
in this area.
- The boulders in the run appear to have been placed to prevent boats
from entering the spring. In addition, cement poles have been placed at the
mouth of the run to further block access by watercraft.
- Until a few years ago, the site had unregulated and uncontrolled use
and was badly eroded and often trashed.
- Pitt Spring is still primarily a local hangout, and the crowds can
be heavy and rough.
- A scenic trail loops from the back of the parking area to Sylvian
Spring, another unnamed spring, high bluffs on the river, and back.
Local Springiana
Clearly a long-time local hangout, the spring has been greatly "improved"
by the Water Management District. But while the rock retaining wall was a
necessity to prevent damage and erosion to the spring, a measure of the spring’s
natural character was lost.
Personal Impressions
- Compares with Madison Blue Spring as the "bluest" spring the authors
have observed.
- On his first visit to the spring, before it was improved for access
and protection, JF encountered the most foul-mouthed young women he has ever
seen. Wearing shorts and bras to bathe in, the women lounged in the pool,
chain smoking and occasionally cursing a filthy baby playing on the bank and
which seemed to be the child of one of the women. On this date, JF dived
to the vent and removed a sandbag and a golf ball that had been thrown into
the spring.
Nearby Springs
- Gainer Springs
- Emerald Spring
- McCormick Springs
- Sylvian (or Sullivan ) Spring
- Williford Spring
- Ponce de Leon Springs
- Vortex Spring
- Cypress Spring
- Morrison Spring
Other Nearby Natural Features
- St. Andrews State Recreation Area
- Falling Waters State Recreation Area
Contact Information
NW Florida Water Management District
Get rest of address
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