Alexander Springs Wilderness is located in the U.S. state of

Florida Florida ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Alabama to the northwest, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia to the north, the Atlantic ...

and was designated in 1984 by the

United States Congress The United States Congress is the legislature, legislative branch of the federal government of the United States. It is a Bicameralism, bicameral legislature, including a Lower house, lower body, the United States House of Representatives, ...

. The wilderness has a total of 7,941 acres (32 km²) and is within

Ocala National Forest The Ocala National Forest is the second largest nationally protected forest in the U.S. State of Florida. It covers of North Central Florida. It is located east of Ocala, Florida, Ocala and southeast of Gainesville, Florida, Gainesville. The ...

, which is the oldest

National Forest National Forest may refer to: * National forest or state forest, a forest administered or protected by a sovereign state ** National forest (Brazil) ** National forest (France) ** National forest (United States) ** State Forests (Poland) ** The N ...

east of the

Mississippi River The Mississippi River is the main stem, primary river of the largest drainage basin in the United States. It is the second-longest river in the United States, behind only the Missouri River, Missouri. From its traditional source of Lake Ita ...

. Alexander Springs is home to a variety of wildlife including otters, alligators, and turtles. The wilderness also contains the only 1st magnitude spring in all the U.S. National Forests and Parks. Alexander Springs Park is open 24 hours a day for camping and many other outdoor activities.

References

External links

*
Alexander Springs Wilderness
- official site at

IUCN Category Ib Protected areas of Lake County, Florida Wilderness areas of Florida Ocala National Forest Springs of Florida Landforms of Lake County, Florida Protected areas established in 1984 1984 establishments in Florida {{PutnamCountyFL-geo-stub