Portions of the following information were taken from Florida Geological Survey Bulletin 66.
Sheppard Spring is located in the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge approximately 22 miles south
of Tallahassee. From the intersection of Capital Circle (US 319) and SR 363 (Woodville Highway),
travel south 13.2 miles to US 98. Turn west (right) and drive 3.4 miles to Wakulla Beach Road.
Turn south (left) and drive approximately 1 mile to the Florida Trail crossing. Park in the Florida
Trail parking area. The spring can be accessed by canoeing/kayaking to the head of Sheppard Spring
Creek from Wakulla Beach via Goose Creek Bay. The spring can also be reached by hiking to it on the
Florida Trail (access point on Wakulla Beach Road). No roads lead to the spring, however, the Florida
National Wild and Scenic Trail system has a spur route leading to the spring from the north. From the
Florida Trail parking area along Wakulla Beach Road, walk west on the Florida Trail approximately 3
miles to the spring.
Description - Sheppard Spring pool is slightly ovoid, measuring 90 ft east to west and 105 ft
north to south. It is 25 ft deep near the center, with steep, sand sides. Two vents have been recognized.
The water is clear bluish-green. Long filamentous algae cover the majority of the soft sand bottom. The
spring has an abundance of fallen logs and a detritus layer covering most of the bottom. No boil was
observed on the spring surface during the November 2002 visit. Plants and trees completely surround the
spring pool and its run. The spring run averages 2 to 3 ft deep, 15 ft wide, and meanders southward for
over a mile. It empties into Goose Creek Bay, approximately 4 miles west of the mouth of the St. Marks
River. Sheppard Spring is a pristine, wild spring situated within the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.
The surrounding Gulf Coastal lowlands are heavily forested with palm, hardwoods, and pine.
Utilization - The spring is undeveloped and remote, surrounded by National Wildlife
Refuge land.