National park · United States
Blue Spring State Park
Go on a weekday, arrive at opening (8:00) in Nov–Mar to see manatees from the boardwalk, or in Apr–Oct to swim and snorkel the 23°C (73°F) spring; the park fills by mid-morning and closes its gate when full.Go on a weekday, arrive at opening (8:00 AM) in Nov–Mar to see manatees from the boardwalk, or in Apr–Oct to swim and snorkel the 23°C (73°F) spring; the park fills by mid-morning and closes its gate when full.Go on a weekday, arrive at opening (8:00) in Nov–Mar to see manatees from the boardwalk, or in Apr–Oct to swim and snorkel the 73°F (23°C) spring; the park fills by mid-morning and closes its gate when full.Go on a weekday, arrive at opening (8:00 AM) in Nov–Mar to see manatees from the boardwalk, or in Apr–Oct to swim and snorkel the 73°F (23°C) spring; the park fills by mid-morning and closes its gate when full.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
11 km² (4 sq mi)4 sq mi (11 km²)
approximate
Established
1972
Best months
Nov–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 11Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
- Florida ↗Most Florida toll roads are cashless: rent a transponder or you pay the rental company's admin fee per day.
- Florida ↗Hurricane season runs 1 June to 30 November; peak August–October. Flexible bookings beat cheap non-refundable ones in those months.
- Volusia County ↗Some Volusia beaches allow cars; check the current rules and tide for the specific beach before driving on sand.
- Volusia County ↗Rip currents are common; swim near a lifeguard. New Smyrna Beach has a high recorded rate of shark bites.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 11 km² (4 sq mi)4 sq mi (11 km²)
- About 2,600 acres (10.5 km²) around the spring and the St. Johns River run; boundary figures vary slightly by source (check).
- Established
- 1972
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Blue Spring is the largest spring on the St. Johns River and a designated manatee refuge: from mid-November to March the 23°C (73°F) water draws hundreds of West Indian manatees, and the spring run is closed to swimmers and boats so the animals rest undisturbed. Outside that window the same water is open for swimming, snorkelling and certified diving, with a boardwalk, a short trail network and river cruises filling a half day. It is a small park — 2,600 acres — and its main constraint is the gate: once the lot fills, usually by 10:00–11:00 on winter weekends and summer holidays, cars are turned away until someone leaves.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteDesignated manatee refuge; the spring run is a no-entry zone for people and boats during manatee season.
Size and age
11 km² (4 sq mi)4 sq mi (11 km²) · national park since 1972
About 2,600 acres (10.5 km²) around the spring and the St. Johns River run; boundary figures vary slightly by source (check).
Why go
- Manatees in clear water, seen from a boardwalk, in the coldest months — no boat or dive needed.
- A 23°C (73°F) spring you can swim, snorkel or dive in year-round, even when the river is cold.A 73°F (23°C) spring you can swim, snorkel or dive in year-round, even when the river is cold.
- A compact half-day park: boardwalk, spring run, a short trail and a river cruise in one stop.
- Easy logistics from Orlando or Daytona Beach — a morning trip, not a full day.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanPeak manatee season; cold snaps bring the most animals; arrive at 8:00Peak manatee season; cold snaps bring the most animals; arrive at 8:00 AM
- FebManatees still present; busy weekends
- MarManatees until mid-month; warming afternoons
- AprManatees leave; swimming reopens; fewer crowds
- MayWarm, swimmable; afternoon storms build
- JunHot and humid; gate fills early; storms
- JulHottest month; go at 8:00 or skipHottest month; go at 8:00 AM or skip
- AugHeat and storms; school holidays busy
- SepQuieter; still hot; hurricane season
- OctComfortable; swimming still open
- NovManatees start arriving mid-month; swimming closes
- DecManatees present; holiday crowds
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Indian manatees in the spring runNov–Mar · Arrive mid-November to mid-March; cold snaps bring the largest numbers. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
| Florida scrub jayAll year · In the scrub along the trails; keep distance and do not feed. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Wading birds, turtles and river fishMar–Oct · Along the run and the St. Johns River frontage. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Alligators in the St. Johns RiverMar–Nov · Stay back from the bank; do not swim in the river. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Orlando
I-4 to US-17 north through Sanford and DeLand to Orange City, then W French Ave; follow park signs, not Blue Springs Ave.
45–60 min
Open the page →
From Daytona Beach
I-4 west to US-17, then south to Orange City.
40–50 min
From DeLand
US-17 south to Orange City, then W French Ave.
20 min
From Volusia County plan
Where Blue Spring fits with the beaches and the St. Johns River.
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Spring run and boardwalk | The clearest water and the manatee refuge; a boardwalk runs along the run. | Open year-round on foot; no water entry in manatee season. |
| Swim and dive area | The spring basin where swimming, snorkelling and certified diving happen. | Open April to mid-November; closed in manatee season. |
| Thursby House | An 1872 house above the spring, with exhibits on the spring and its settlement. | Open with the park; short walk from the lot. |
| Campground and cabins | Full-facility sites, primitive sites and air-conditioned cabins in the pine flatwoods. | Reserved campers only. |
| St. Johns River frontage | The river outlet where cruises and canoe trips start. | Open; boats keep clear of the run in manatee season. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions within the park, from the entrance to the river dock, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle entry (up to 8 people) | US$6 | vehicle | 2026 estimate; Florida state park rate, check current price. |
| Pedestrian or cyclist entry | US$2 | person | 2026 estimate. |
| Camping (water and electricity) | US$24 | night | 2026 estimate; plus tax and a non-refundable reservation fee. |
| Air-conditioned cabin | US$95 | night | 2026 estimate; plus tax and reservation fee; books out months ahead. |
| Canoe or kayak rental | US$25–40 | hour | 2026 estimate; not allowed in the spring run during manatee season. |
| St. Johns River cruise | US$20–30 | person | 2026 estimate; seasonal schedule, book ahead. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Scuba diving permit or guide
Manatee-season spring run access permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$6
- US$2
- US$24
- US$95
- US$25–40
- US$20–30
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Florida State Parks — Blue Spring State Park before you go.
Park rules
- Manatees
- Do not touch, feed, chase or ride a manatee; it is illegal and the animals are endangered.
- Manatee-season water closure
- From mid-November to March the spring run is closed to swimming, snorkelling, diving and boats; view from the boardwalk.
- Diving
- Certified divers only, with a partner, and only outside manatee season; register at the park.
- Pets
- Not allowed in the water or on the boardwalk; check current park rules for where they may go.
- Food and litter
- No feeding wildlife; pack out rubbish and keep the spring clear.
Where to stay
In the park
Park campground and cabins
Full-facility and primitive sites plus air-conditioned cabins; reserve well ahead, especially Nov–Mar.
Near the park
Orange City and DeLand motels
Chain motels along US-17, 10–20 min from the gate.
Near the park
Sanford or Daytona Beach
More choice and restaurants, 30–50 min away.
Safety
Gate closure when the park is full medium
Cold water shock medium
Heat and afternoon storms medium
Alligators and river currents low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The boardwalk, entrance area and Thursby House are reachable on paved or firm surfaces with short walks.
- The swim area and the sandy trail loop are not fully accessible; check current conditions at the entrance station.
Visiting lightly
- Keep the spring run quiet in manatee season: no water entry, no drones, no chasing animals for photos.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen or cover up; sunscreen residue affects spring water quality.
- Carry out everything you bring in; the spring is the drinking-water source for the area.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Blue Spring State Park?
A vehicle with up to eight people is about US$6, and pedestrians or cyclists about US$2 each (2026 estimate). Camping is about US$24 a night and cabins about US$95, both plus tax and a reservation fee. Check the Florida State Parks page for the current rate before you go.
What are the best hikes in Blue Spring State Park?
The park is small and its walks are short. The boardwalk along the spring run is the main one — flat, shaded in places and the best manatee viewing in winter. The pine flatwoods loop is a sandy 30–45 minute trail through pines and palmetto scrub, where you may see scrub jays. Neither is a long hike; plan the boardwalk plus a trail for a half day.
When is the best time to visit Blue Spring State Park?
November to March for manatees, arriving at 8:00 on a weekday; April to October for swimming and snorkelling, again early in the day. Winter weekends and summer holidays fill the lot by mid-morning, and the gate closes when the park is full.
Can you swim at Blue Spring?
Yes, but only outside manatee season. From mid-November to March the spring run is closed to people and boats so the manatees can rest, and you view them from the boardwalk. Swimming, snorkelling and certified diving reopen in spring, in water that stays near 23°C (73°F).
Can you see manatees without getting in the water?
Yes — the boardwalk along the run is the main viewing point, and winter mornings after a cold night give the best chance. Do not touch, feed or chase them; it is illegal and they are endangered.
Do you need a reservation to visit Blue Spring State Park?
No for day entry — you pay at the gate and it is first-come. Camping and cabins do need a reservation and book out far ahead in manatee season. River cruises should be booked in advance in winter.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go