Photo from postcard, photographer unidentified

Directions
The springs are located about a mile north of U.S. 41 in North Port in southern Sarasota County, a short distance above Port Charlotte. The entrance is well signposted off U.S. 41.

For maps, latitude/longitude data, driving directions, satellite imagery, and topographic representations as well as weather conditions at this spring, go to Greg Johnson's informative "Florida Springs Database" web site at the following address:  http://www.ThisWaytothe.Net/springs/floridasprings.htm#Florida

Spring Description
The spring forms a circular pool about 200 feet in diameter. Water in the pool is clearer in the mornings and after periods of rain, but tends to get cloudy during the day. The flow may also be affected by tide (Rosenau et al., 1977, p. 327). Water flows from a cave system that has been explored to depths of more than 250 feet. The water is high in salt and sulfur content and is about 85 degrees on the surface. The temperature rises as the depth increases and is over 90 degrees in the deepest portions. Land around the spring is mostly cleared, except for ornamental plants and palms. Much of the perimeter of the spring has been modified into a beach area. Water exits the spring pool on the SW side and flows into Salt Creek, which flows about 2 miles into the Myakka River.

Use/Access

Warm Mineral Springs is the last of the great Florida spring cure sites, and continues today as a spa where people come to relax, bathe in the warm and smelly waters, and actually seek cure from arthritis and other ailments. The owners terms the site The Springs: An International Spa at Warms Mineral Springs, and are a development of Nature Health USA.
Services at the spring include use of the spring for swimming, mud baths, massages, wraps, and other treatments.
Manatees travel up the Myakka River and Salt Creek to the spring in the winter.

Local Springiana

Many of the local residents around the spring moved or retired to the area for the specific purpose of being in proximity to the spring. The spring has a rich archeological history. During the ice ages, when water levels were much lower, native inhabitants utilized what were then caverns at the site. Human and animal remains have been dated to 12,000 years old. Remains of 26 native people have been found at the site, suggestion it was also a burial ground. Approximately 6,000 burials have been found at nearby Little Salt Spring.

Personal Impressions
Visiting this spring is not just like traveling in time, it is also like traveling back to the old world. When JF visited the spring in 1996, he did not hear any of the customers speaking English; the all sounded like they were from eastern Europe.

Nearby Springs
Little Salt Spring

Other Nearby Natural Features
Myakka River State Park
Myakka State Forest
Oscar Sherer State Park
Port Charlotte Beach State Recreation Area
Caloosahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
Don Pedro Island State Recreation Area
Gasparilla Island State Recreation Area

Contact Information
The Springs: An International Spa at Warm Mineral Springs
San Servando Avenue
Warm Mineral Springs, FL 34287
941-426-1692