Visit Blue Springs Florida: A Beautiful State Park

What is Blue Springs State Park, Florida?

Blue Springs State Park is one of the most beautiful springs in Florida. Located along the St John’s River, it’s a nature lovers paradise and a popular spot for those who enjoy water activities. The crystal-clear blue-green waters attract manatees and tourists, particularly during winter months. And in the summer, swimming, scuba diving and kayaking on the spring run is a refreshing day out. Read on to discover the best time to visit Blue Spring State Park. 

Where is Blue Springs State Park, Florida?

Located in Central Florida, Blue Springs State Park is in Orange City, Volusia County.   

Opening hours: from 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year.

Location: 2100 West French Avenue, Orange City, FL 32763 

How far is Blue Springs State Park from Orlando?

Orlando is the closest major city in Central Florida to Blue Springs State Park. The driving time from downtown Orlando is approximately 45 minutes.  

There are a variety of tours from Orlando with transport that include kayaking and SUP at Blue Springs.

How much does it cost to get into Blue Springs State Park?

Blue Springs is part of the Florida State Parks network, and there is an entrance fee*. 

• $6 per vehicle (two to eight people)
• $4 single-occupant vehicle 
• $2 pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass 

* Current pricing at time of writing on Florida State Parks website

Things to do in Blue Springs State Park, Florida

Blue Springs, a Manatee Refuge

Blue Spring State Park is a designated manatee refuge during the winter months, and it’s during this time the park welcomes the most visitors. The West Indian Manatee seek refuge in the warm 72-degree spring waters at Blue Springs when the St John’s River becomes too cold for them. During the times we visited, there have been so many manatees huddled together in spots all along the spring run. It is an unforgettable sight.

When is the best time to see manatees, which months?

From mid-November through March is the best time to encounter manatees at Blue Springs. A good tip is to check the overnight temperature and plan to visit the following morning after a cold snap. The lower the temperature, the more manatees will head into Blue Spring to keep warm. We’ve done this a couple of times, and the number of manatees will not disappoint. We did encounter a line at the park entrance, but it moved quickly. 

Blue Spring State Park Manatee Conservation & Count

The Save the Manatee Club has a live webcam stream of Blue Spring and also the daily wintering manatee numbers. They are a manatee conservation organisation that works to rescue, monitor and release injured or orphaned manatees. I’ve often seen the volunteers at Blue Springs conducting their research, and they’re happy to answer any questions from visitors. You can also spot a monitored manatee as it’ll have a radio tag attached to the base of its body. 

Hiking at Blue Spring State Park, Florida

There are a few options for hiking at Blue Springs State Park. The most popular is the half-mile-long boardwalk, named Blue Spring Trail, that follows the water up to the spring vent. It has various viewing points and areas to look out for wildlife such as manatees, fish, birds and alligators.  

The second is Pine Island Trail, a 4.5-mile trail through scrub-jay and forest habitat towards the river. It’s not a loop trail, so you must retrace your steps to get back to the kiosk, but the varying habitats and wildlife are impressive. The day we attempted the hike, we got as far as the cypress swamp (2 miles in) and couldn’t venture any further as the area was flooded. This happens quite frequently, but we still enjoyed the stretch of the trail we experienced. Tip: bring bug spray and water as part of the trail doesn’t have any shade. 

Canoes and Kayaks at Blue Spring State Park

Blue Springs State Park offers kayak, canoe, SUP rentals and a river cruise through Blue Spring Adventures, their tour and rental company within the park. There is a range of routes for exploring depending on the time of year you visit. These include touring the St. John’s River, Blue Spring and Hontoon Island State Park. 

You can launch your own vessel from French Landing Boat Ramp, located outside the park on the St John’s River. Instead of turning into Blue Spring State Park, continue on West French Avenue until you see signposts. 

If travelling from Orlando, these may be of interest: Kayaking & SUP Tours. 

Biking at Blue Springs Florida 

The Spring-to-Spring trail is an ongoing initiative to link up several springs in Central Florida on one continuous biking, jogging and walking trail. At the time of writing, there is an 8–mile long biking trail running through Blue Spring State Park open for use. The trail links up Lake Beresford Park and Blue Springs – check out the map for more details.

History of Blue Spring State Park

The Thursby House museum, built in 1872 on top of an ancient shell midden, is open to park visitors and details the history of Blue Springs and the surrounding area. From steamboats, railroads, Native American Indians and a post office, it’s a fascinating step back in time. 

Camping & Cabins at Blue Spring State Park

The park offers 51 campsites and 6 cabins for visitors to enjoy. To reserve a spot, visit the Florida State Park reservation booking system online and check for availability. These book up quickly and planning in advance is recommended.  These fees are current pricing at time of writing on the Florida State Parks website.

Camping – $24 per night plus tax, plus a non-refundable $6.70 reservation fee and a $7 nightly utility fee for RVs. (Utility fee does not apply to tent camping.) The utility fee includes water and electricity.

Cabins – $95 per night plus tax, plus a non-refundable $6.70 reservation fee and a $7 nightly utility fee. 

Blue Springs State Park Florida FAQ’s

Can you swim in Blue Springs? 

Yes, swimming and scuba diving are permitted at Blue Springs, Florida. Check at the entrance if you are required to register. However, the spring run closes during the winter to protect the migratory manatees. Any water activities such as scuba, swimming or kayaking are not allowed during manatee season (Nov-March).   

Are there alligators in Blue Springs?

Yes, this is Florida and alligators can be found in any body of water. Large or nuisance alligators are often relocated to less popular areas.

Is Blue Springs State Park dog friendly? 

Dogs are welcome at Blue Spring State Park. They must be kept on a leash and stay in designated areas. There is a limit of 2 dogs per person/owner.  

How do we protect the Florida Springs?

The Florida Springs have their own unique habitats, and there are steps visitors can take to ensure we enjoy and protect them for years to come. Always adhere to the rules like remaining in designated areas when walking or entering the water, placing all trash in the cans provided, respecting the wildlife and avoiding water pollutants.

More Places to See Manatees in Florida

Looking for more spots to see manatees in Florida? Check out these guides to Crystal River & Three Sisters Spring near Tampa, and Wakulla Springs near Tallahassee.

Check out some more of Central Florida’s Best Springs!

Thanks for reading, I hope this has been a useful guide to visiting Blue Springs State Park in Florida. Have you been already? Do you have any other springs or sights you’d recommend? Let me know in the comments below or on Instagram.

If you enjoyed reading don’t forget to save and share!