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Compass Lake, Florida, USA

Welcome to the ultimate guide for history, statistics, local fun facts and the best things to do at Compass Lake.

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Compass Lake visitor and community guide

Lake Locations: USA - South - Florida - Panhandle West -

Often overlooked as a Florida vacation destination, crystal-clear Compass Lake in the Panhandle-West region is far removed from the hectic recreational activities of the better-known peninsula. One of a number of natural sinkhole lakes, 581-acre Compass lake sits atop a limestone ridge, one of several underlying the Florida landscape. The ridges provide the only real hills in the state, giving these areas an elevation of up to 300 feet above sea level. At the 180-foot level, spring-fed Compass Lake offers a pleasantly temperate climate, free of oppressive humidity and makes it the perfect year-round spot for relaxation and lakefront living. This is no doubt the reason Compass Lake has been ‘re-discovered’ yet again. For Compass Lake has been discovered anew several times over its history.

Compass Lake is an all-sports lake, offering water skiing, tubing, jet skiing, pontooning, power boating, sailing, wakeboarding, canoeing, kayaking and swimming. In keeping with its reputation as a boating lake, a restaurant along the shore is accessible by boat. Most of the shoreline provides a natural sand beach. Nearly all homes have private docks, but the State maintains two boat launch sites on the lake to accommodate visitors. Although bream, crappie, bass and shellcracker (also known as red-eared sunfish) are caught, mostly in the near-shore shallows and the bay created by the former cypress swamp, the majority of the lake is too deep to support many fish. The lake is oligotrophic, as is common with limestone karst lakes, and produces so few water plants that fish have little habitat for spawning or feeding. The majority of the main lake averages 35-40 feet in depth, with a few deep springs reaching 70 feet.

As with much of the Panhandle, the Compass Lake area was first utilized for its timber resources. At the time, the lake was almost perfectly round, leading to the name Compass Lake (there was already a Round Lake nearby). In 1906, a small dam was built to power a grist mill across the outlet. The dam raised the water level several feet, flooding a portion of adjacent cypress swamp, drowning the lakeshore road and creating a shallow bay to the lake. A settlement grew up around Compass Lake containing, at one time, a post office, stores and a bank. Because much of the surrounding pine forests were owned by the German-American Lumber Company, the property was confiscated during WWI, and the US Government cut most of the timber. Next, farming interests planted Satsuma orange groves and branched out into Tung Oil nut trees. Business boomed and the settlement at Compass Lake attracted workers who built modest homes. The lake regularly attracted fishermen and boaters from as far away as Dothan, AL. The Dothan Boat Club still exists at the lake and provides a clubhouse, beach and boating activities to its members. A few seasons of early frost killed off both the Satsuma groves and the Tung Oil nut industry, and Compass Lake slid quietly back into hill-country anonymity.

Although once surrounded by the seasonal cottages of working-class residents, Compass Lake residents have seen a major increase in the remodeling or outright replacement of those modest cottages with more expensive housing. The lakefront is still mostly residential single-family homes, but a very few apartment complexes now exist in the neighborhood. In recent years, a large upscale development has taken root on the eastern side of the lake. Boasting 10,000 acres, the development offers luxury homes, community boat dock, a lodge and guest cabin facilities for property owners and their guests. The guest cabins are the only camp facilities on the lake at present. The development is an equestrian-friendly facility, with stables, horse boarding, riding lessons and miles of riding trails.

Located about half-way between Panama City, FL and Dothan, AL, Compass Lake is only 10 miles from Marianna and Interstate 10. The area is rich in historical significance, with many restored antebellum plantation homes open for tours or as bed-and-breakfasts. Nearby Alford holds a grocery story and some basic services, while Marianna contains nearly everything a resident would need. About 30 miles south, Panama City offers public Gulf beaches and marinas for ‘big water’ boating plus big-city amenities and attractions. The entire area around Compass lake is filled with unique geological treasures, some of which are state parks. Two well-known attractions near Chipley, Falling Waters State Park and Caverns State Park, both display in spectacular fashion the effect of eons of water flowing across the ancient limestone.

A number of underwater caves attract divers to the area near Compass Lake. At Merritt’s Mill Pond in Marianna, divers regularly explore underwater caverns; more caverns are found along the Chipola River and Holmes Creek – both favorites of kayakers. Diving these caverns is not for amateurs; all divers venturing into them should be cave-certified. Both watercourses are popular for lazy day floats and provide an excellent way to observe local wildlife. The massive springs that form these waterways provide a major amount of fresh water to the local area. Many of the small towns in the vicinity annually produce quaint, unique and sometimes hilarious annual festivals, such as the Possum Festival in nearby Wausau. Farmers markets, antique shops and local craftsmen can all be located close by.

Visiting Compass Lake is easier than one might think: several local property owners regularly rent vacation lodgings by the week or month. Many are directly on the lakefront. Although there are no campgrounds directly on the lake, several are located just a short distance away. Most large chain hotels have a facility at the exits along I-10. Real estate is available, both in the new development and among existing properties on the west side of the lake. Easily accessed via I-10, Compass Lake is within an afternoon’s drive of Jacksonville, Atlanta, Birmingham and New Orleans, ideal for a long weekend or an annual vacation. So bring the canoe and the kids. Come and enjoy this unique area that is Compass Lake.

Custom Compass Lake house decor

Read our full review of these personalized lake house signs.

Things to do at Compass Lake

  • Vacation Rentals
  • Fishing
  • Boating
  • Sailing
  • Swimming
  • Beach
  • Canoeing
  • Kayaking
  • Jet Skiing
  • Water Skiing
  • Wakeboarding
  • Tubing
  • Camping
  • Campground
  • Cabin Rentals
  • Hiking
  • Horseback Riding
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • State Park
  • Antiquing

Fish species found at Compass Lake

  • Bass
  • Crappie
  • Redear Sunfish (Shellcracker)
  • Sunfish

Best hotels and vacation rentals at Compass Lake

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Compass Lake photo gallery

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Compass Lake statistics & helpful links

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Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Dammed

Surface Area: 581 acres

Shoreline Length: 5 miles

Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 180 feet

Average Depth: 35 feet

Maximum Depth: 70 feet

Completion Year: 1906

Trophic State: Oligotrophic

Compass Lake Map
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