🌤 Weather at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 49–88 °F | 69–91 °F | 52–89 °F | 43–72 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Inverness 3 SE, 16 mi away, elevation 58 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Activities
Come spend a day inside this serene wildlife park and get a closer view of some real Florida wildlife. Bring a picnic and relax at one of the picnic pavilions located near the Garden of the Springs, the Fish Bowl or along the Alligator Lagoon. The park’s Wildside Cafe offers inside and outside dining options as well. The park serves to educate the public on endangered and protected species and various wildlife programs are featured throughout the day. More information is available at the visitor center. Here are some of the activities that you can do during your visit to Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park:
Boating at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
See the park and wildlife up close from the springs! Pepper Creek pontoon boat tours feature an interpretive tour that is included with your entrance fee. These boat tours start near the visitor center and follow Pepper Creek out to the west entrance of the park. Each tour highlights the native wildlife, such as turtles, otters and wood ducks, seen along the way. 
Hiking at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park features short paved trails and elevated boardwalks throughout. Shelters, benches and picnic tables are scattered along these trails to provide guests with comfortable spots to rest and watch all of the park’s wildlife. Here are a couple of the trails at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park:
- Pepper Creek Trail – An easy 1.4 mile trail through hardwoods and wetlands located inside the park. This trail is paved and wide and has benches scattered along its pathway.
- Homosassa Springs Boardwalk Trail – An easy 0.8 mile loop over the springs that showcases the park’s wildlife. Benches and picnic tables are available along this trail.
Birding at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
Don’t forget to bring along your binoculars and bird list. Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is a great place to bird watch! The park’s Pepper Creek Birding Trail is one of 20 birding trails in Citrus County that are part of the Great Florida Birding Trail. This means lots of sightings for both native and migratory birds. The local Audubon Society features monthly bird walks here. Check with the visitor center for more information. During your visit you may see Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers, Black-and-white Warblers, Wood Ducks, Whooping Cranes, Great Blue Herons, White Herons, Black Crowned Herons, Crested Cormorants and Roseate Spoonbills.
Nature and Wildlife at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park features paved trails, elevated boardwalks and observation points for guests to get a better look at the many species that live within the protective boundaries of the park. Discover the many types of sea life here, including West Indian Manatees and many species of fish, by visiting the Fish Bowl Underwater Observatory. And check out the wildlife pavilion, deer overlook and discovery center for a chance to see white-tailed deer, river otters, turtles, bobcats, alligator, Florida panther, hippo, fox, red wolf, snakes, black bear, birds, otters, pelicans.
Pets at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
Pets are not allowed at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. The park does provide kennels for guests traveling with their pets. This service is free and located inside the main entrance.
Camping Near Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is a day facility only and as such does not provide overnight accommodations. There are, however, many campgrounds, resorts and hotels nearby. Here are a couple of popular campgrounds:
- Chassahowitzka River Campground – 8600 W Miss Maggie Dr, Homosassa Spend the night under the oaks, cedars, pines and palms close to the Chassahowitzka River. This nearby campground features full hookup RV sites and primitive tent sites.
- Covered Wagon Campground – 6049 south Suncoast Blvd, Homosassa Another nearby campground, with full hookup RV and tent campsites. In addition to modern restrooms and hot showers, the park also features cable tv, free WIFI, a clubhouse and fire pit. Weekly bingo, crafts, pot luck dinners, coffee mornings and card games are offered during the winter months.
Park Location
Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park 4150 S Suncoast Blvd Homosassa, FL 34448 Phone: 352.628.5343 Park Website
Map
Video
Here is a short YouTube video showcasing several attractions at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park:
Explore More Florida State Parks
Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Florida. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Florida guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.
More parks in Florida: Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park and Crystal River Archaeological State Park. See the full Florida state parks guide.
Camping reservations: Book campsites and cabins for Florida state parks online at reserve.floridastateparks.org.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
Park policy: The Florida Park Service states that pets are not permitted in this park's boats and exhibit areas, which is essentially the whole visit. In their place the park provides complimentary kennels at the park entrance for pets whose owners are touring the wildlife park.
- Pets allowed?
- No pets in the boat and exhibit areas; free kennels wait at the park entrance
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leashes may not exceed 6 feet; pets must be under physical control at all times.
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets are not permitted on beaches, boardwalks or playgrounds, or in bathing areas — swimming pets can be viewed as prey by alligators.
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets are not allowed in any state park buildings, cabins or cabin areas.
- Park-specific rules
- Individually trained service animals working for a visitor with a disability are allowed in all public areas; emotional support, therapy and companion animals are treated as ordinary pets.
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Pets prohibited at several parks including Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs (free kennels at the entrance), Weeki Wachee Springs and Egmont Key; in campgrounds pets must be confined in the camping unit 11 p.m.-7 a.m.
Are dogs allowed at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park?
No pets in the boat and exhibit areas; free kennels wait at the park entrance.
Beyond that, Florida’s statewide rules apply.
Rules verified July 2026 via floridastateparks.org. More: Florida state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
🐻 Wildlife at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park: What to Watch For — and Watch Out For
Worth watching for: This is a walk-through wildlife park: the Fish Bowl Underwater Observatory floats in the main spring and lets you look below the surface at manatees and huge schools of fresh and saltwater fish, including jacks, snapper and snook. The 1.1-mile Wildlife Walk of paved trails and elevated boardwalks passes animal ambassadors that cannot survive in the wild, including Florida panthers, a red wolf, black bears, bobcats, Key deer, alligators, flamingos and whooping cranes. Manatee programs run daily at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. beside the main spring, and the Pepper Creek Birding Trail, part of the Great Florida Birding Trail, makes the park a strong birding stop.
Wildlife information verified July 2026 via web.archive.org.
Park Location
Plan your gear for Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
