BEAUTIFUL! You definitely want to get there early as it gets full pretty quickly! The spring closes during certain times of the year because of the manatee activity. We were fortunate enough to see some manatees enjoying the spring. There's a small store where you can buy food and a gift shop. There are plenty of tables and areas through out if you want to enjoy a picnic. Plenty of signs available to educate you throughout as to the manatees, fish and other fun facts. There's also a boat tour available. The walk way that takes you from one end of the spring to the open area is wide enough that is wheelchair accessible and/or stroller friendly. Camp sites are available as well if you are fortunate enough to snag reservations. Its not a huge park, but definitely a great place to spend a few hours enjoying nature at its finest! Be sure your camera is fully charged because I assure you, you will be a lean mean picture taking machine!

Wonderful time with friends. Manatees, gators and bird oh my. Beautiful day, went on the boat ride. Best time in a long time. They knew what they were doing. The lady knew her animals and their stories as she picked them out and the gentleman knew his boat to get close to the animals as he could get. Great team. Then we went to the swimming hole and saw more manatees and they had a guide to make sure nothing harmed them. Swimming hole cold but, refreshing.

Went right during prime time. So there was a line up to get in. The rangers kept the line moving quickly. We were lucky to find parking. The main walk is paved and boardwalk with overlooks. The day we went the manatee count was 482. There were a lot you could see from the walkway. Was an amazing sight to see them. The water was clear and kept getting clearer the closer you got to the spring. Highly recommend visiting! Restrooms, gift shop, and small snack stands on site along with kayak rentals.

Exceptionally beautiful spring and spring run. The boardwalk is also an easily accessible path which you have the potential to see so much wildlife from. One of the best places to see manatees as well during the winter. The park staff do a great job with maintaining this park. There’s also a hiking path inside the park accessible from the lower parking lot called pine island trail… east but long and very little shade In Some parts. I love visiting this place and have done so many many times!

Heavenly experience! Serene, well cared for, easy access, lots of paths and walk ways to the water. They need more seating areas. People come and put their stuff on picnic tables all day so there is no available seating. Bring inner tubes. The water is deep in some places. It's 74 degrees but it feels cold. The spring pushes you back down stream so be prepared to swim. Bring water shoes if you don't want to touch the bottom of the river. Many trees down in the water, some you have to climb/swim over. Bring your snorkeling gear if you want to look into the spring. From the surface it looks like a dark hole and there are two fallen trees across it. There are tons of fish some huge floating down river. Very cool. We saw turtles also. When we first arrived there was a manatee swimming at the bottom of the steps that lead into the swimming area. It had a floating devise attached to it's tail so you could see where it was. There was a woman in a canoe with a vest that read "Manatee Observer" who thanked all the swimmers for being patient while the manatee swam away. Another manatee observer was on the deck letting new arriving swimmers why they couldn't swim yet. Everyone was very cooperative. Pretty much everyone was mesmerized by the slow moving graceful manatee. We all felt pretty blessed to see this wonder to behold. God is so good! Nature is so amazing!

Amazing to see so many manatees! It was beautiful and a very cool experience. I did have to wait about an hour and a half to get in, which I was prepared for. I got there a little too close to 11, which is when it starts getting really busy. The park is really clean, family-friendly, and ADA-friendly. If you go, follow every piece of advice that says get there before 11 or after 3. If you haven't looked at their Facebook page before you go, do so. They have basic updates that can help you plan your trip. I also read a lot of 1-star reviews and it comes down to people not doing their research about wait times, park amenities, etc. Do your research. If it doesn't work for your family, then don't go. It is also worth noting that some visitors at the park are really inconsiderate when it comes to viewing the manatees: they are rude, take up a lot of space for an extended amount of time, etc. Which, has nothing to do with the excellence of the park. This is all about common decency and respect for other park visitors. Moral of the story: get there early, it's beautiful, other visitors may be annoying, and it is worth the wait if you do have to wait.

This was one of the most beautiful places I have EVER been in my life!! The water is crystal clear & blue. I saw literally hundreds of manatees, along with some gators and eagles, osprey, storks, herons, and more. Make sure to get there about 7:30 am to get inside the park because it hits capacity quickly, and the manatees start swimming out to the river as soon as it warms up. I went the first week of February and saw so many manatees all day in the springs and swimming out to the river. The colder the water, the more manatees you will see. You can stand anywhere on the boardwalk or the dock and see manatees swimming right by! We also took a boat tour and a kayak tour down the river which were amazing. I would make sure to bring some extra water and warm jackets and snacks in the car just in case, since you might not be able to get back in that same day if you leave for capacity reasons. Staff were so friendly and helpful and made sure that everything was accessible - they even have a wheelchair that I could borrow for one of the days my arthritis was acting up & I couldn’t walk. They made so many accommodations for me. This was the best state park experience I’ve had to date!

It is truly awe inspiring. The amount of wildlife, chiefly manatees but also gators, big ones at that, in close vicinity is really special. The water is so clear that you can easily spot all of the different fish species including gars. The park also offers picnic areas and if my memory serves me right restrooms and vending machines for water and sodas. The boardwalk throughout the park is also a perfect way to get around to the upper ponds and to do some bird watching while exploring the area. I will definitely return.

This place is magical. It was so cool to see all the manatees hanging out staying warm. When I went, the count was at 146! Earlier in the week, they had the record for almost 1k!!! This park is beautiful and I wish I would've packed a picnic.

We went with friends by boat and had to walk the paths to get here but it was worth it!! You can get there by car too. The Spring is gorgeous!! Of course, like all Springs it is very cool water but you get used to it fast and it feels refreshing on these extremely hot Florida days! The first path takes you to the water to swim but if you hike to the next one, that is were the "hole"(spring) is located, which I was told by someone who knows the area well, is approximately 100 feet deep. The current is pretty strong and you can easily float down the river to the first access point so you don't need to hike back as far. Several people were snorkeling and scuba diving in the "hole" as people called it. Lol! The landscape and the clear spring water is breath taking! You can bring your own tube or rent one. We hiked passed the second access point to the last one, which is an observation deck where I was able to take pictures of the area with the "hole". Side note: You do need to check in the office in order to scuba dive there. They do sell drinks there too. Not sure what else since my husband went in to get us bottled water. There were tables outside but I am not sure if they sold food or not. This is definitely a Florida gem to experience!!

My mom and I went here to check out this beautiful Spring. We hiked a little, walked the boardwalk along the spring area and did a 2 hour cruise on the St John's River. It was so peaceful and wasn't very crowded when we went. You can swim, tube, snorkel and dive the area. The water is so clear, but 72 degrees, its a little to cold for me. We saw a few manatee, but during winter time this place gets over 700 manatees coming in. Beautiful place and recommend. Great seeing undeveloped areas.

Blue Spring State Park is pretty epic. We came here after a couple of cool days and there were some 300 manatees. Note: the park can get quite busy - show up early or you might not get let in. There is a small park for the kids to play at. It was quite busy but fun nonetheless. There is a lot of information boards and plaques that describe the animals and the history of the park. The boardwalk has several spots that get you closer to the water so you can see the manatees better. We saw: birds, a water snake, manatees, tons of gar (fish), an alligator and mosquitos. During the winter months - you CANNOT swim here. You can still kayak out on the river but not in the springs. This park is kid friendly and also offers bench’s and restrooms along the walk. They do offer food for purchase as well.

Cost 6 dollars a car, well worth it. Its a beautiful park very clean ,family friendly park that also has lots of manatees that come in and are easily visible in the winter months. I went in January and it was amazing. Lots of fish, turtles, manatees, owls, and birds. They have very clean bathrooms and a little gift shop on sight with boat and kayak rentals for a reasonable price. You can spend all day there or just stop in to see the wild life

Amazing!! So many manatees! And great trails, lookouts, bathrooms, museum, giftshop, etc. we did wait a while in a car line to get into the park, but it was only $6 per car. Like $2 for pedestrians, and more for bigger vehicles. Didn’t need a lot of time, not a whole day experience. An hour or two to walk the trail and watch the manatees. There’s picnic benches, lawn, and a lunch bar I believe too!

It was beautiful! We saw several manatees. The picture is of a mommy and 3 babies. There's a $6.00 per car fee to enter. There's trails and rentals. There is a campground, store and lovely walkways and viewing areas of the crystal clear springs. Beautiful park.

Beautiful, idyllic hidden gem of a spot. We managed to see a manatee even though out of season. We also spotted an alligator. The water is so clear and perfect temp to swim in. We spent about 5 hours there. You can snorkel in the water but be sure to bring your own since the concession stand doesn’t rent them anymore. There is a place on the main road that rents them. We rented a tube and floated down the spring.

I've been to Blue springs quite often through the years yet it is only getting better with time. The rain kept the crowds down so the experience was even better. As you can see from the photos, the turbidity of the water was very good. Crystal clear in most places, so as to be able to see the plethora of wildlife. The source of the spring I found was the best place to enjoy swimming and the clearest water. As you travel downstream you begin to see a tremendous array of fish, birds, turtles, etc. Definitely was a wonderful day at Blue spring State Park 🏞️.

I love coming here all year round. During the summer you can get in and enjoy the cool crystal clear water, and during the winter you can walk around and enjoy the wild life. There is so many manatees that visit each year, it's really amazing to see. There's also a boat tour that you can take but you have to get tickets in advance. There's a nice playground area for the kids, and there are also cabins for rent. And did I mention that the entrance fee per car is only like $6.

Gorgeous park! We had a great time tubing and walking around appreciating the scenery and wildlife. We were within 2 feet of a momma manatee and her calf that swam by and stopped to say "hi"! The restroom facilities and gift shop were both well maintained. We enjoyed our day here.

Wow, what an awesome experience. This is THE place for manatees! The water is super clear. Very short walk from the car to the viewing area. Long boardwalk along the spring for plenty of viewing, even when it’s crowded. Park staff did an awesome job of moving the cars though the entry booth.

Visited during the yearly Manatee Festival (unknown at time of planning). I think we lucked out because the weather was quite chilly and misty, so I think the normal crowds may have been a bit thinned. The amount of manatees in the spring run was incredible. Can’t wait to go back during the warmer months and get a glimpse of the summer beauty and the beautiful, crisp spring water.

This is such a picturesque spring. I had an amazing time swimming with the manatees (at a safe distance) and taking in nature’s best. Tip: When paying for parking online you have to go down the list and select the right location. :) (You might have to pay again at the gate if you select the wrong park.)

What an incredible experience!! we probably saw 100s of manatee, all right from the boardwalk. We also took the two hour boat tour, it was relaxing and very informative. We came here on a whim but if we ever make it to Florida again we will plan time to come back and stay longer!

Cool water on a hot summer day! Nothing better! Mother Nature provides her own lazy river. Our family goes at least once a year. We love this place more than any beach. The wildlife is also incredible.

It is a fantastic place to bring kids and family out for family activities like picnics while enjoying God's beautiful creation. It was ONLY $6 per car at the entrance. They have a gift shop and a Kayak for rent if you like to roll around the lake. Beautiful area! 🥰❤️

This place is just beautiful! We went to see the manatees...507 of them today! The water is so clear! There is an elevated boardwalk with multiple places to stop and look at the scenery including the manatees and a huge alligator. There was a sign for river cruises, a gift shop and snack bar. There is also a campground.

Blue Springs State Park is stunningly beautiful. The crystal clear water, the Manatees swimming, fish galore, turtles sun bathing on logs near the water, all amazing sites. Spanish moss hanging over the water is so pretty. Anyone visiting will not be disappointed. Gift shop, picnic areas, kayak rental.

Wonderful river to relax with friends and family. Arrive early (6:30-7:30). The admittance is blocked at 8:00 right when they open. Intermittent openings occur throughout the day. However, at 8:00 am they turn you away. Visa is accepted, it is not only cash. There are a limited number of picnic tables and fewer grills supplied by the park. There is a shop for food and snacks as well as a shop for souvenirs and necessities. Bug spray, sunblock, charcoal and lighter fluid. Lighters as well as grilling tools and paper plates etc. Swimsuits for all ages. All are moderately priced. There is 1 large covered seating area. Tube rentals are available. Get there before opening and enjoy your time. The water is always 72°

Such a great place to visit to see some manatees. There were almost 300 there on the day we visited so the water activities cancelled but we weren’t planning on doing any anyway. I can imagine it’s very cool to do on a hot summer day. There are also some nice trails and plenty of bathrooms and food options.

Recently moved to the area and this is only about a 15 minute ride away. We arrived on a hot Thursday afternoon about 1pm. The entrance fee is $6/car. One of our party of 3 received state food benefits and we were only charged $3/car. The first parking lot was full, but the 2nd lot had plenty of parking. It was obvious leaving the parking lot that swimming and tubes were very popular. We walked the boardwalk trail to the head of the springs. Besides seeing plenty of fish, including Gar, in the crystal clear water; it was apparent that everyone was enjoying being in the 72 degree water. The boardwalk is under heavy vegetation so the air was cooler than being in the open sun. Among the many things to do are swimming, tubing, kayaking, canoeing, boat rides, picnic area with grills and gift shop. While we didn't see any manatees, we saw lots of aquatic animals and hawks and eagles. The park also offers tent camping and RV camping areas. Vending machines, pay laundry, bathrooms and showers are available in the camping area. What a great state park in my back yard. Well worth the drive.

Blue Spring State Park was awesome! It only costs $6 per car of people to enter the park. I believe you can make reservations to camp here. I also saw an area that had cabins too but I don't know if you can reserve those or if they are privately owned. I came here in mid to late January and parking was not a problem for us, but I could see during the summertime parking could be an issue. There were a TON of manatees (about 400 of them). I also saw a bunch of fish and a decent amount of birds. The water is crystal clear and it's a hot spring so the water temperature is about 72° fahrenheit year round. During the summer time you can swim, snorkel, scuba dive, rent kayaks, canoes, and tubes to go in the hot spring. There's a nice paved and wooden walkway that takes you along the bank of the hot spring and it also has some offshoots that takes you down to the springs edge. There are a few lookout points that hang slightly over the spring to better view the manatees. There was a bunch of informational booths along the path with people that can answer all your questions as well as informational signage you can read. There was food and some beer for sale as well. The original owners house that was built in 1872 is still standing and you can go in and tour the first floor. I highly recommend this state park. It's great for kids and adults alike. Dog friendly. Seems like a lot of fun during the summertime too. I'd love to come back here.

An absolutely gorgeous river fed from an easily accessible spring. A wonderful opportunity to see much aquatic wildlife, from gar fish to manatees! The water is crystal clear in most spots, making snorkeling equipment a must. The lazy pace of the spring-fed river is perfect for tubing as well. There are full amenities at the park including a bathrooms, shelters, and a store.

It was awesome! Cold, but that was expected for a spring. The water was pretty and a nice clear sea green color from the algae and spring floor. There were so many fish! Including alligator gars. I got lucky and came when a group of rescued manatees were being monitored to see how they adapt to the habitat. I got to see them up close and it was such an experience! The camping was really fun too. For my first time it was really really nice and tranquil. It felt good to escape civilization for a few. Recommend this park to anyone. Reasonably priced too, imo.

This place is such a beautiful area to visit within Orlando. Fantastic experience to swim- make sure you bring goggles/snorkeling gear if you enjoy that type of thing. Very organized park and clean, with kind staff and a great selection of things to see.

Gorgeous park! Easily accessible, well maintained, and a good variety of activities (swimming, kayaking, canoeing, diving, etc). There is a small house museum that could use a few more artifacts/information, multiple restrooms, concessions, and a gift shop. We swam and kayaked, and walked a boardwalk trail. Great visit for only $6!

Visited here while I was in town with my friend. We rented a kayak which was great as we were able to go not only in the springs but also the river. We saw manatees as well as lots of fish and birds. The water was so clear in the springs. There was the option to swim or tube there as well but we did neither of those things. We were going to attempt one of the hiking trails but due to the heat and lack of shade we opted not to. Beautiful place none the less and I was very happy to have visited.

I recently visited Blue Spring State Park and it was truly a breathtaking experience. Located in Orange City, Florida, this state park is home to one of the largest springs in Florida and the United States, with crystal-clear blue water, with plenty of activities to enjoy at the park. We took a relaxing swim in the cool, refreshing water, went on a scenic nature walk, and even enjoyed a picnic lunch in one of the many designated areas. The park also offers a variety of recreational opportunities such as kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. There are plenty of equipment rentals available at the park, making it easy for visitors to fully enjoy all that the park has to offer. The restrooms and changing areas are not clean and need more maintenance . Overall, I highly recommend a visit to Blue Spring State Park. It's a beautiful and peaceful oasis that offers a variety of activities for visitors of all ages.

Definitely an experience And if you think while kayaking🛶 you won't see an alligator,🐊 we'll the truth is you are in their habitat, so don't be freaking out if you see a few. 🙃 On the other side you can go in the water and if you're lucky you may experience a manatee encounter "please DO NOT TOUCH THEM !! & give them space to move around. I suggest the manatee watchers in the staff need to have a loud speaker📢 to get people's attention when they aren't respectful towards these animals or simply escort them out. We had a great time, and if you enjoy scuba diving then even better, and if you have a great set of lungs and swim like a fish then try the cave entrance that's a true experience. Very inexpensive to enter the park. The bathrooms are small for such a big park, so if you need to pee good luck! I tried twice and had to hold it cz people go in the bathroom and use it to text from their phones, look at social media & change their bathing suit, this could take forever.. I suggest to add a part where is only for changing. toilets should be strictly to sit and do your business.etc. add a note to the bathroom door that make people aware that there are others in need of the bathroom. As well.

Plenty of things to do for everyone be it swimming, kayaking, hiking, boat trips. We went in mid November when we were unable to go into the water because of the migrating manatees but just to see them in their natural environment was well worth the trip Amazing place!

What a beautiful spot! We also got a break in the weather, the temperature was just right. But most of all...our guide Gina from Adventures in Florida was spectacular! She was the perfect combination of knowledgeable and friendly and funny! Pointed out so much wildlife including a ton of birds, some alligators and a bunch of manatees!

Beautiful park to make a couple hour stop at and visit. There is a very easy walk on a paved boardwalk and there are hiking trails. We could have watched the manatees all day.

Cost: $6 per car to enter Blue Spring State Park is a gem with its crystal-clear water and overhanging trees that make for a peaceful stroll. The manatees were a cool bonus, even though they were a tad distant on the other side of the viewing area. The abundance of fish had me tempted to try my luck at catching them - they seemed to be calling out! It's a beautiful spot for a leisurely walk, surrounded by nature's beauty. Facilities are convenient with on-site toilets, plenty of parking, and a gift shop with interesting content. However, the food was a bit on the pricey side, so maybe pack some snacks to enjoy your day without breaking. All in all, a great place to soak in nature's beauty on a beautiful day!

Beautiful place to swim and just float down the spring. Water is a bit chilly but once you are in it is so nice especially when the sun is hitting your skin. We snorkeled and got to meet Mathew the manatee who cam swimming around the spring head and came within a few feet of my daughter and her dad. There are covered picnic tables, bathrooms and an outdoor shower for rinsing off after your swim. There are stairs that lead down to the water at the beginning and at the end of the spring.

We had an incredible time here at the spring. There were a good bit of people here, but the spring is so big that it didn’t feel crowded at all. The spring itself is absolutely beautiful. The pictures really don’t do it justice. We also rented a canoe and took it out for about 2 hours and saw tons of wildlife including some gators and a manatee! It was incredible seeing them out in the wild just vibing. Highly recommend going out on the water if you want to see a manatee away from the hubbub of the spring. Their pricing for rentals seems steep, but they only charge you for the time you used it not a bulk payment at the start, which was nice. If you want to swim be prepared because the spring water is cold, but you get used to it quickly. Can’t recommend this place enough!

This park is just simply wonderful. My favorite. The walk along the spring is beautiful. Nice playground for kids. I ride my bike into the park. There is a good trail for mountain bikes or hiking. Nothing challenging for biking, but a fun ride. Don't miss this exceptional park. It's great even when the manatees are not in the spring. Also, an insider note...when they allow kayaking into the spring (it has been after 5:00 PM from March to September), if you want to avoid paying the park fee and hauling your kayaks a good ways, don't enter the main entrance to the park, continue straight down the dirt road for about 300 yards and you end at a free kayak/small boat launch. Then kayak about 150 yards to the left and you are at the park. It is no wake zone on the St. John's River, so boats won't bother you.

I was blown away by how beautiful this park and spring are. The water is so clear and a perfect temperature to balance the FL heat. It was very crowded when we went but still had a great time. Recommend you bring tubes/floaties and snorkel gear. Hesitant to recommend as I don’t want it more crowded when I go back!

Please was pretty awesome. Nice to walk down the board walk along the river and see all the awesome fish. We stopped by for a short visit and really enjoyed it. We loved the area at the end where you can dive into the spring. The float was relaxing and just wished it could be longer.

The springs are beautiful, we went twice on our vacation as it was $5 per car to get in. The water was super clear and refreshing. It was neat to see wildlife and be able to swim near them. And as it is also a Manatee rescue I actually had one swim up to me close enough to touch but make sure you don't. They're cute and curious but it's best not to directly interact with the wildlife. Also you might get scolded by a park ranger if you do lol.