Pitt and Sylvan Springs

Pitt and Sylvan Springs is a day-use recreation area on Econfina Creek, north of Panama City on Highway 20 near Youngstown. It’s run by the Northwest Florida Water Management District as part of the Econfina Creek Water Management Area, and it’s one of the easiest places in the Panhandle to swim in a clear spring.

What’s there

• Pitt Spring: a clear swimming spring with steps and railings into the water.
• Sylvan Spring: reached by a boardwalk and trail system with an overlook.
• Tubing: a tube launch dock on the Sylvan spring run, with a take-out dock downstream.
• Paddling: a canoe and kayak launch on Econfina Creek.
• Picnics: first-come, first-served pavilions and composting restrooms.

More springs on Econfina Creek

A connector trail leads to Williford Spring, which has its own swimming area, pavilions and boardwalk. Upstream, Blue Spring has an overlook, a canoe launch and three reservable campsites, and the Gainer Spring Group is the only first-magnitude spring group on the creek. The Econfina Creek paddling trail runs about 24 miles, and the upper 11 miles are for experienced paddlers only.

Good to know

• Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset, every day. Day use only.
• Fee: no entrance fee is posted.
• Rules: no alcohol, and no ATVs. Don’t park on the roadside; use the overflow lot when the main lot is full.
• Phone: the number listed is the water management district’s main office.

For more inland adventures, see our guide to Emerald Coast state parks and natural wonders, and find more nearby on our Panama City page.