Day Trip to Yulee Sugar Mill and Homosassa Springs

Recently we escaped to Homosassa Springs and the Yulee Sugar Mill. It’s just a short trip from our home just outside of Tampa, Florida, in Saint Petersburg.

We really needed a change of scenery.

Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins and Historic State Park

State Road 490

Homosassa, FL 33446

Hours: 8 AM- Sundown, 365 days a year

Fee: Free

While plotting a trip to Homosassa Springs, we stumbled on a website for this historic State Park. Based on the webpage and information provided, it looked fascinating.

The park is what’s left of a 5,100-acre sugar plantation once owned by David Levy Yulee. He was a part of the Territorial Legislative Council and later and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate after Florida became a state. The mill provided sugar products to troops during the Civil War.

Don’t Blink Or You’ll Miss It.

We knew the ruins were all that was left of the plantation, but what we saw was a 40-foot limestone chimney, some gears, and a cane press – and that’s ALL there is!

The road runs through the middle of the state park, with the ruins on the right as you come from Homosassa. We actually drove through it twice before stopping and asking some state park employees cleaning up a parking and picnic area.

Don’t get us wrong; if you are touring the area, you absolutely want to stop. The artifacts are fascinating, and there is a small picnic pavilion with tables, grills, and restrooms.

The Sugar Mill Near Homosassa Springs

Playing with a new camera, we enjoyed spending about 30 minutes walking around the ruins taking some beautiful photos.

Gears at the Yulee Sugar Mill ruins near Homosassa Florida — Sugar Mill Gears

Sugar cane press at the Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins near Homosassa Florida — Sugar Cane Press

Limestone chimney at the Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins near Homosassa Florida — 40-foot tall limestone chimney

kettles used for boiling sugar cane syrup at the Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins near Homosassa Florida — Kettles used to boil sugar cane syrup

Ruins of the Yulee Sugar Mill near Homosassa Florida — Sugar mill ruins

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park

4150 South Suncoast Boulevard

Homosassa, FL 33446

Hours: 9 AM – 5:30 PM (ticket counter closes at 4:45 PM)

Fee: Adults (13+) $13.00, Children (6-12) $5.00, Children 5 and Under – FREE

This fantastic location is a state park that showcases ‘the wild side of Florida’ with local animals and especially endangered species.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the tram and boat rides were closed, but we had a wonderful day exploring the local wildlife. A majority of people were wearing masks in the outdoor spaces, and everyone was practicing physical distancing.

It was once a stop on the railroad where passengers in the early 1900s could take a dip in the springs, the river, and natural springs haven’t changed a lot.

It was a lovely afternoon walk; we enjoyed the animals and time outdoors. We’ll probably venture back another time for a boat ride or one of the Halloween or Christmas experiences they traditionally offer.