Parks · Our pick in Florida
Blue Spring State Park
Manatees in winter
Winter home of the manatees on the St. Johns River: 729 counted here in 2023.
Photo Credit
In the area: The Anhinga Trail, Everglades National Park. Image courtesy of © Daniel Kraft · CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia CommonsPhotos of Blue Spring State Park coming soonSee photos on Google Maps
About Blue Spring State Park
Blue Spring’s 72-degree water draws manatees from the St. Johns River each winter. In 1970 researchers counted 14 in the spring run; by 2023 the record stood at 729. Walk the boardwalk along the run, hike the 4.5-mile Pine Island Trail or take a river boat cruise. Swimming season runs from 1 April to 14 November, and day-use reservations are required.
Our take
- Manatees in winter
- River boat cruises
- Day-use reservation needed
- Address
- 2100 W. French Ave, Orange City, FL 32763
Orange City · St. Johns River, Florida - Phone
- (386) 775-3663
- Website
- floridastateparks.org
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Blue Spring State Park before you go.
Last checked: October 2026 How we choose
Location
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