Pitt and Sylvan Spring Recreation Area
This family-friendly site is part of the 41,000-acre Econfina Creek Water Management Area owned by the Northwest Florida Water Management District. As a popular swimming hole, this site can be busy on warm afternoons, but early mornings in spring and summer, it offers a nice access to slope/floodplain forest popular with breeding raptors and songbirds like Broad-winged Hawk, Swallow-tailed Kite, Red-eyed Vireo, Wood Thrush, Northern Parula, and Kentucky Warbler. Resident species such as Carolina Wren and Pileated Woodpecker can be found and in the winter, look for Cedar Waxwing, Blue-headed Vireo and Hermit Thrush; the habitat looks good for scarce winter visitors such as Golden-crowned Kinglet and Winter Wren so be on the lookout for them. The shaded hiking trail from Sylvan Spring to Williford Spring is beautiful; look for migratory birds such as Louisiana Waterthrush. Botanists and dragonfly enthusiasts will enjoy this site and if you like to paddle or tube there is a launch point for Econfina Creek. Nearby canoe concessionaires can offer advice on routes and creek conditions; like many Panhandle creeks, the Econfina can be fast flowing and challenging with occasional obstructions that may require portages.
Site Information
This Site is Free to Enter
Managing Agency
Northwest Florida Water Management District
Operational Hours: 9am to 7pm, Apr - Sep; weekends only Oct - Mar
Size: 1,739 acres
Pitt and Sylvan Springs Recreation Area
Hours: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Apr - Sep; weekends only Oct - Mar
