Crystal Spring

## Overview Crystal Spring is a natural spring located at the eastern tip of Laurel Lake in Laurel Springs, Camden County, New Jersey. Despite the listing address referencing Wildwood Highlands Beach in Cape May County, the spring itself is situated in the small borough of Laurel Springs, a community with deep literary roots. This spring is perhaps best known for its connection to the celebrated American poet Walt Whitman, who reportedly considered it one of his favorite spots. During the later years of his life, Whitman lived in nearby Camden, New Jersey (from 1884 until his death in 1892), and was known to frequent the natural areas around Laurel Lake and its spring. Whitman's love of nature and his reflections on the restorative power of water and woodland settings are woven throughout his later prose works, particularly *Specimen Days* (1882), in which he describes his time recuperating in the rural landscapes of southern New Jersey. Crystal Spring and the surrounding Laurel Lake area are believed to be among the places that inspired those meditations. The spring feeds into Laurel Lake, a scenic body of water that has long been a centerpiece of the local community. Laurel Springs as a borough takes its very name from the natural springs in the area, underscoring the historical importance of these water sources to the region. ## Directions 1. From Philadelphia or Camden, take the White Horse Pike (US-30) southeast toward Lindenwold. 2. Head south on the Black Horse Pike (US-168/NJ-42) or take local roads toward the borough of Laurel Springs in Camden County. 3. Look for Laurel Lake — the spring is located at the eastern tip of the lake. 4. GPS coordinates: **39.013617, -75.000064** — note that these coordinates may place you near Wildwood Highlands Beach in Cape May County, which does not match the known location of Crystal Spring at Laurel Lake. Visitors should navigate to Laurel Springs, Camden County, NJ instead and seek out the eastern shore of Laurel Lake. *Note: The GPS coordinates associated with this listing appear to be inaccurate. We recommend using "Laurel Lake, Laurel Springs, NJ" as your navigation destination and exploring the eastern end of the lake to find the spring.* ## What to Expect Crystal Spring is a natural spring in a community setting near the shore of Laurel Lake. The area around the lake is a pleasant mix of residential neighborhood and natural scenery, with mature trees and waterfront views. The spring has historically been used as a public drinking water source, though visitors should be aware that water quality can vary and no current testing data is available for this site. The Laurel Springs area is relatively flat and easy to access, making it suitable for visitors of all mobility levels. The lake itself offers a peaceful backdrop, and the literary connection to Walt Whitman adds a layer of cultural interest that makes this more than just a water source — it's a piece of American literary history. Visitors interested in Whitman's legacy may also want to visit the Walt Whitman House in Camden, NJ (about 8 miles northwest), which is a National Historic Landmark and state-operated museum.