Fern Hammock Springs

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.