Weeki Watchee Springs State Park, Florida

Date	Distance	Time	Elevation Gain	Average Moving Time	Year to Date Miles
1/12/2024	1 mile	2 hours 20 minutes	27'	2.1 mph	24.3 miles

Parking: 

• Weeki Watchee Springs State Park Home - Weeki Wachee Springs State Park There is an admission fee.

Map:

• None needed

Directions:

• Walked along various trails.

Weeki Watchee Springs I believe was more of an amusement park that turned into a state park later on. It's not really what you would expect a state park to be. The park is famous for their mermaid shows. 3 women performed underwater aquatics in the spring, wearing mermaid outfits. I still can't quite figure out how they do it (they hold onto an oxygen tube). We took a boat ride down the river, which was narrated by a park ranger - she talked a lot about the wildlife, which was interesting. We missed the wildlife show but did get to see a 2-year-old alligator that was in the show. We walked over to the swimming area and noticed 2 manatees hanging out there. We decided to wade fully clothed into the water. The manatees approached us - one was very playful. It kept bopping my legs (they are vegetarian). It was a cool experience without the snorkeling crowds we've seen elsewhere.

One of the mermaids

So curious!