Campus Life | October 18th, 2023

Exploring Tallahassee’s Natural Escapes: Wakulla Springs State Park and Cherokee Sink

By: Danae Daniels

Tallahassee is home to a bustling student community all situated within the city’s limits. With the pressures of academic life mounting and spring break a distant memory, many students are looking for a way to unwind and take a break from academics. Just twenty minutes south of Tallahassee, students can find two of the most spectacular natural attractions in the area: Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park and Cherokee Sink.

As midterms draw near for Tallahassee students, this nearby natural attraction provides a much-needed getaway, offering a breath of fresh air and a chance to de-stress amidst the academic hustle and bustle.

Alexis Rejouis, a fourth-year broadcast journalism student from Boynton Beach, frequents the Cherokee Sink. Rejouis was more than impressed, mesmerized by the beauty of nature, and stunned by the affordability of the location. She detailed that Wakulla Springs State Park “has become my new favorite place in (the area of) Tallahassee. It was a scenic, fun, and cheap getaway from campus.”

Activities To-Do

Wakulla Springs and Cherokee Sink offer a variety of outdoor activities to visitors, from kayaking to hiking to swimming.

Amy Conyers, more commonly known as the former Wakulla Springs State Park Manager describes the park as “a home to peaceful wildlife” where “families and friends can relax and enjoy natural activities like hiking and canoeing.”

Both Wakulla Springs State Park and Cherokee Sink offer a refreshing break from campus life with their calm waters, abundant wildlife, and scenic landscapes. Whether students are looking to cool off with a cliff jump and a swim, take a canoe out onto the lake, or explore the unique geology of the area, both Wakulla Springs and Cherokee Sink are perfect spots for a quick escape from the stress of student life.

Natural Getaway

Daijah Rabb, a Biology Pre-Medicine student from Fayetteville, North Carolina by way of Okinawa, Japan, took a trip to Wakulla Springs and hiked the Cherokee Trail to Cherokee Sink recently.

“Going to Wakulla Springs with my friends was a needed getaway and adventure,” Rabb said. The scenery, along with the experience itself, was amazing.”

According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Florida State Parks Organization, the Cherokee Sink Trail is located in the Cherokee Sink Tract of Wakulla Springs State Park. The Cherokee Sink Trail runs for just over one mile until it leads to an 80-foot-deep sinkhole-shaped lake. This location is the said hangout spot for young adults and couples visiting the State Park.

Year-round, Wakulla Springs State Park is open to the public from 8:00 a.m. to sundown for the low cost of six dollars per parked vehicle. Visitors are also able to park and explore the Cherokee Sink Trail located in the Cherokee Sink Tract of the park for free.

In short, Wakulla Springs State Park and Cherokee Sink are perfect destinations for Tallahassee students seeking a quick escape from campus life. With its natural beauty, affordable prices, and proximity to the city, Wakulla Springs State Park provides the perfect opportunity to unwind, relax, and recharge amidst stunning scenery.