Morrison Springs
Morrison springs is a beautiful park and spring in the Florida Panhandle.
Morrison Springs is a popular swimming hole for locals and is one of the most popular freshwater SCUBA diving sites in Florida.
Morrison Springs is owned by the State of Florida, but is operated by Walton County.
Morrison Springs Details
Cost
Morrison Springs is free to visit!
Morrison Springs used to be privately owned like nearby Vortex Spring. Thankfully it was acquired by the State of Florida in 2004. Today it is operated by Walton County.
Spring
Morrison Spring is a large, bowl-shaped spring pool. The spring pool is approximately 250 ft. across. The spring bottom is mostly sand. There is some exposed limestone near the spring vents.
There is a strong spring boil on the water surface. A spring boil happens when strong, fast-flowing spring water rises up and makes a liquid disturbance on the water surface.
Morrison Springs’ water flows from several spring vents, found 46 feet deep inside the spring. There are 3 cavities at the bottom of the spring basin. The cavities extend down to 300 feet deep underground.
Morrison Spring has a spring run. A spring run is a downstream river which carries water away from a spring. The spring run is approximately 150 ft. wide and slow-moving. It flows southeast for approximately .7 miles and empties into the Choctawhatchee River.
Water Condition
The water in Morrison Spring has a beautiful turquoise blue color. It looks like beautiful blue water you’d see in the Caribbean.
The clarity does change with local rainfall and other conditions. There is a water clarity report on the official Morrison Springs website. It measures the spring water clarity on a scale of 1 to 5. Cave divers say that the water is crystal clear in the cavern and cave system.
Walton County monitors the water quality inside the spring. It may be closed from time to time due to local pollution and unsafe quality standards.
Choctawhatchee River
Morrison Springs is one of more than 13 local springs that flow into the Choctawhatchee River.
The spring and its run sit in the floodplain of the Choctawhatchee River. The area is filled with dense forest, including gum and cypress trees.
When the river floods the river water reportedly backs up into the spring pool. When the river is in flood stage the water clarity of the spring is reduced, and the water can become muddy.
Nearby Cities
- Panama City
- Pensacola
- Seaside
- Rosemary Beach
Region
Activities
- Canoeing
- Kayaking
- Paddle Boarding
- Picnicking
- SCUBA Diving
- Snorkeling
- Swimming
- Weddings
Camping
Nearby Camping
Contact Information
Walton County Parks: (850) 892-8108
