Crystal Springs Park Springs

## Overview Crystal Springs Park is a charming municipal park maintained by the Township of Laurel Springs in Camden County, New Jersey. Nestled at the eastern end of Laurel Lake, this small but historically significant park is home to a natural spring that once captivated one of America's greatest poets — Walt Whitman. During the late 1870s and 1880s, Whitman spent his summers at a farmhouse belonging to a friend, located just blocks from Laurel Lake. He converted one of the barns on the property into his personal summer retreat, and it was here — beside the spring and the lake — that he found deep creative inspiration. Whitman reportedly called Laurel Lake "the prettiest lake in America and Europe." Much of his celebrated prose collection *Specimen Days* was composed in this area, and a significant portion of his revisions to *Leaves of Grass* were also shaped during his time here. After suffering a partial stroke, Whitman frequently visited the spring to relax and reportedly took therapeutic mud baths nearby, drawn by the restorative qualities of the natural setting. The spring itself sits at the bottom of a wooded cove atop a hill overlooking Laurel Lake. Water pools at the base of the spring and flows into a small stream that winds its way down to the lake. The surrounding forest creates a peaceful, shaded atmosphere that feels remarkably unchanged from the landscape Whitman once cherished. ## Directions 1. Head to the intersection of **Lakeview Avenue** and **West Elma Avenue** in Laurel Springs, NJ. The park entrance is located here, near the address 600 Elma Avenue, Clementon, NJ 08021. 2. Parking is available at the entrance. 3. From the parking area, follow the path downhill, bearing to the **right**. 4. Continue along the path as it descends into a wooded cove. 5. The spring is located at the **bottom of the cove**, where water pools at the base before flowing into a small stream that feeds Laurel Lake. ## What to Expect Crystal Springs Park is a small, quiet park best suited for a peaceful visit rather than a full day outing. The walk from the parking area to the spring is a short downhill stroll through a beautiful forested area. The trail is informal but easy to follow. At the spring, you'll find water pooling naturally at the base of a rocky cove, with a gentle stream flowing from the pool toward Laurel Lake. The canopy of trees provides welcome shade, and the setting has a timeless, contemplative quality — it's easy to see why Whitman was drawn here for rest and creative work. The park is publicly accessible and free to visit. Because it is a small municipal park, there are no restrooms or other facilities on-site. Visitors should be aware that the terrain involves a hill, so wear appropriate footwear. The spring and surrounding area are especially scenic in spring and autumn when the forest canopy is at its most vibrant. While the spring has historically been valued as a natural water source, current water quality has not been independently verified. Visitors interested in the water should exercise their own discretion.