Fern Hammock Springs - Ocala National Forest, FL - Natural Springs on Waymarking.com

A second-order magnitude spring located within the Juniper Springs Recreation Area in the Ocala National Forest. unlike Juniper Spring, the Fern Hammock Spring has been preserved in it's natural state. Dozens of sand boils, small and large, are visible within the spring pool.

Fern Hammock Springs is a second-magnitude spring and is one of the most picturesque springs in St. Johns River Water Management District. The irregularly shaped main pool measures about 160 feet from east to west and 75 feet from north to south, with a depth of 2 to 6 feet. A wooden footbridge spans the spring pool near its center. There are over 25 sand boils scattered on the bottom of the spring pool, with the largest sand boil situated under the footbridge. The bottom of the pool is mostly sand, with patches of aquatic grasses. The clear, bluish spring water has an exceptionally low concentration of dissolved solids, for a Florida spring. The spring discharges toward the northwest and flows about 600 feet down a gently meandering run to Juniper Creek, at a point about 0.25 mile east of and down the creek from Juniper Springs. Flow is then northeast down Juniper Creek about 10 miles to Lake George. Recreational activities are numerous in the Juniper Springs Recreational Area, but swimming is prohibited in Fern Hammock Springs due to ecological considerations.
Source: https://www.sjrwmd.com/waterways/springs/fern-hammock/

For more information about the Juniper Springs Recreation Area visit www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ocala/recarea/?recid=34064

Whenever Juniper Springs is mentioned it should be noted that Fern Hammock Springs is included. Fern Hammock spring is actually a scenic group of about 20 smaller springs within Juniper Springs Recreation Area. Fern Hammock is sometimes listed separately as it truly has visual characteristics that are unique. Access is from the hiking trail starting at the main spring. Swimming or wading is not permitted in Fern Hammock to protect its fragile environment. However, a visit to Fern Hammock Springs should not to be missed especially by photographers or lovers of nature’s jewels. The discharge of Fern Hammock Springs is about the same as that of Juniper Springs and the two join to form of Juniper Creek.
Source: https://springseternalproject.org/springs/jumiper-springs/

Recent discharge data for Fern Hammock Spring

Public or Private Land?: Public Public Land Fees?: Day Use $5.50 per person Private Land access?: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Please post an original picture of the springs no GPS necessary along with your observations of the spring. What wildlife you saw if any and the condition of the springs. Water level was high, low. The area was clean, trashy ect. Any other knowledge or experiences you have had with this paticular spring that would help document it's history.

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