WERNER-BOYCE SALT SPRINGS STATE PARK

By  Mike Miller May 5, 2025

Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park spans 4,000 acres along Florida's Gulf in Port Richey, Florida. It protects four miles of coastline and features salt springs, mangroves, and marshes.

Werner-Boyce Salt Springs

Visitors enjoy hiking, kayaking, fishing, and birdwatching. The park offers a glimpse of Florida’s natural beauty and history, away from the bustle of nearby urban areas. 

The park’s land has a rich past. In the early 1800s, settlers discovered salt springs while grazing cattle.

During the Civil War, Confederate forces used these springs for salt production. The remote location kept Union soldiers from destroying the salt works.

From the 1920s to 1980s, mullet fishing thrived in the park’s bayous.

World War II left its mark too, as the property was used for military bombing practice. This left bomb craters and aircraft cartridge casings scattered across the land.

The state acquired the park in 1992, restoring it to its natural state. 

The park is located at 8737 US Highway 19 North, Port Richey, with additional entrances at 10333 Scenic Drive and 6641 State Road 52.

It’s open daily from 8 AM to sunset. Entry charges are per vehicle (up to eight people) or less for pedestrians and cyclists. Bring cash for the honor-system payment box.

The main entrance offers restrooms, a kayak launch, and the Springs Trail. Kayak rentals are available through Salty Dog Kayak Rentals.

Check tides before paddling, as high tide is best for navigating mangroves. Trails are short and flat, ideal for beginners. Bug spray is recommended in summer. 

• The park’s namesake Salt Spring is only a small crevice but plunges 351 feet deep, one of Florida’s deepest springs.  

• Reflection Spring, another highlight, sparkles with fish.  

• The park hosts over 150 bird species, including bald eagles and roseate spoonbills, making it a birder’s paradise.  

• A tidal waterfall along the Springs Trail is a rare coastal feature.  

• Visitors can see a replica mullet skiff and a salt works display, showcasing the park’s fishing and Civil War history.  

• Some ponds in the park are actually bomb craters from World War II training missions.  

• Kayakers can paddle to historic stilt houses in the Gulf, some over 100 years old. 

WERNER-BOYCE SALT SPRINGS STATE PARK WEBSITE