Florida is wild, and one of the best ways to experience it is via state parks. Blue Spring State Park is one of the area’s best.
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Explore trails, have a picnic, spot wildlife, and see if the hype is real. Blue Spring State Park caters to all—whether for a day or an extended stay, there’s plenty to keep you and your family engaged. Bonus: it’s wheelchair, walker, and stroller-friendly!
I grew up visiting Blue Spring State Park with my parents. When I had my own family, I brought them here too. Over the years, we have visited many times as day visitors, on field trips, as tent campers, and as RVers.
I’ll share 14 things you can do at Blue Spring State Park in this post.
Table of Contents
- The History and Ecology of Blue Spring State Park
- Where is Blue Spring State Park?
- Walk the boardwalk
- Step Back in Time at Thursby House
- Wildlife Spotting at Blue Spring
- Swim in Blue Spring Run – CLOSED
- Tube the Clear, Cool Waters of the Spring Run – CLOSED
- Paddle Blue Spring
- Cruise the St. Johns River
- Scuba Dive or Snorkel – CLOSED
- Hit the Trails at Blue Spring State Park
- Have a picnic
- Skip the Picnic and visit the Blue Spring Canteen
- Find Manatee-Themed Souvenirs and More
- Camp Under the Stars
- Stay in a Cabin
- Ready to Plan Your Visit?
- Related Posts
The History and Ecology of Blue Spring State Park
Before we get into this blog post, I think it’s important to learn a little bit about the history and ecology of the place we now call Blue Spring State Park.
Blue Spring State Park Historical Timeline
| Centuries ago | The Timucua people originally inhabited the Blue Spring area. |
| 16th century | Spanish explorers arrived, marking the first European contact. |
| 1774 | Famed naturalist William Bartram visited Blue Spring, documenting its beauty during his colonial explorations. |
| Mid-1800s | Louis Thursby and his family settled at Blue Spring, building a home and establishing an orange grove. |
| 20th century | Blue Spring became a popular tourist destination. |
| 1970s | Preservation efforts began after an episode of The Underwater World of Jacques Cousteau was filmed at the spring, highlighting its ecological importance. |
| Present day: | Blue Spring is now a popular recreation spot and an official manatee sanctuary, offering protection to these gentle creatures, especially during the winter months. |
A Vital Spring Ecosystem
As a first-magnitude spring, Blue Spring flows at 70 million gallons a day. While its water flow and quality have been impacted over time, it remains an essential natural and ecological resource.
The spring provides habitat for more than a dozen imperiled plants and animals, including:
- West Indian manatee
- Florida scrub jay (my favorite!)
- black bear
- Okeechobee gourd (which I didn’t know about until researching this!).
You’ll also find a diverse array of trees, such as live oaks, bald cypress, and southern magnolias. Shrubs like saw palmetto and beautyberry (aptly named!) flourish here, along with various wildflowers. While many plants thrive, the aquatic plants are sadly not as abundant as they once were.
Where is Blue Spring State Park?
Blue Spring State Park is located at 2100 W. French Ave. in Orange City, just 41 miles north of Orlando and 38 miles southwest of Daytona Beach.
Known for its crystal-clear, 72°F waters, the park draws visitors year-round. During winter, it becomes a refuge for Florida manatees. It’s a must-see destination that combines natural beauty with plenty of outdoor activities.
Walk the boardwalk
The beautiful 1.3-mile boardwalk features scenic views of the spring run (from the source to the St. John’s River). It is well-maintained and very family- and pet-friendly. Be mindful to keep your pets leashed.
The Boardwalk is Accessible
One of the best things about the boardwalk is that it is accessible to wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, and those with mobility needs.
My friend Mary K.D. D’Rozario is the author of The Airstream that Ran Away with the Spoon. Her own mobility challenges led to her RV life and visiting state and national parks across the country. I asked her about her experiences on the Blue Spring boardwalk.
She shared, “Visitors can be dropped off very close to the boardwalk. It is about 300-400 feet from the closest parking to the closest viewing area”. The closest lot also has accessible parking spots.
Step Back in Time at Thursby House
Built in 1872, the historic Thursby House offers a glimpse into the past. While there are front steps, a ramp in the back ensures access for everyone.
Visitors can explore the first floor, where four rooms feature interpretive displays, including a peek into the carefully restored kitchen.
When you need a rest, relax on the shady wrap-around porch, complete with rocking chairs and plenty of room to unwind.
Wildlife Spotting at Blue Spring
The boardwalk offers a bird’s-eye view of the incredible wildlife at Blue Spring State Park. As you stroll, keep an eye out for:
- Manatees
- Gar
- Alligators
- Anhingas (Snake Birds)
- Turtles
In the winter, hundreds of manatees gather in the spring’s warmer waters to escape the cold. It’s an awe-inspiring sight! The annual Manatee Festival celebrates this natural event, with proceeds supporting the local community. Conservation groups and nonprofits also attend to educate visitors about manatees and environmental protection.
If you’re hiking in the park’s scrub or hammock areas, you might even spot Florida scrub jays, deer, and other local wildlife.
Want to learn more about seeing manatees during the colder months? Check out my guide: Winter at Blue Spring State Park: Top Tips and Things to Do.
Swim in Blue Spring Run – CLOSED
Blue Spring Run is closed to swimming in 2024 and potentially 2025. Please check the Blue Spring State Park website for updates.
There really is nothing more refreshing than a summer swim at Blue Spring State Park. Florida summers are notoriously hot, and a swim in the spring is one of the more popular things to do, especially for the locals.
Although summer is the most popular time for swimming at Blue Spring, the spring run is open to swimming year-round, with the exception of Manatee Season, which runs late fall to early spring.
You can access the swim areas from two areas:
- upper swim entrance near the spring source
- lower swim entrance in the spring run (Swim Platform)
Click here to access the PDF map.
The depth of the water varies throughout the swimming areas. Be prepared to tread water when not actively swimming.
If you are interested in swimming with manatees, please read this post!
Tube the Clear, Cool Waters of the Spring Run – CLOSED
Blue Spring Run is closed to tubing in 2024 and potentially 2025. Please check the Blue Spring State Park website for updates.
Visitors to Blue Spring State Park can float down the spring run for about an eighth of a mile. You can bring your own tubes or rent them from Blue Spring Adventures, located near the concessions stand.
It’s a fun, low-effort activity—just grab your tube and float along with your family! Be mindful of the varying depths, though. Some parts are quite deep, while other sections may require you to lift your legs to avoid scraping against downed trees. The good news? The water is crystal clear, so you can easily see what’s beneath the surface!
Remember, this is spring-fed water, so the temperature stays a refreshing 72°F year-round!
Paddle Blue Spring
Blue Spring Rentals has kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards for rent, and even offers guided tours.
If you’ve got your own gear, feel free to bring it! Years ago, we rented a canoe and had a blast. Fast forward to the 2020s, we’ve been bringing our paddleboards to the spring.
For more paddling info, check out my “Discover the Magic of Paddleboarding at Blue Spring State Park” post.
The spring run at Blue Spring is closed for all of 2024 and potentially into 2025, but The Lagoon and St Johns River are still open. Refer to the Blue Spring State Park websites for updates.
Cruise the St. Johns River
In addition to paddling, Blue Spring Adventures offers a daily St. Johns River Nature Cruise. During the 2-hour, narrated tour, a knowledgeable captain will entertain and educate you about the surrounding ecosystem, pointing out various plants and wildlife along the way.
Reservations are required, so be sure to plan ahead. Just keep in mind that the tour doesn’t go down the spring run.
Like the boardwalk, the boats are fully accessible for all mobility needs.
Scuba Dive or Snorkel – CLOSED
The Blue Spring Run and spring source are closed to scuba and snorkeling for 2024 and potentially into 2025. Please check the Blue Spring State Park website for updates.
You can dive 60 feet down into the Blue Spring source. There are designated areas for diving, and capacity is limited to 32 divers at a time.
Florida Dive Company offers a Scuba Discovery Tour if you would like to experience a guided dive. All divers must have scuba certification.
The spring is also open to snorkeling. You can bring your own snorkel gear and explore or go on a snorkel tour with the Florida Dive Company.
Hit the Trails at Blue Spring State Park
Blue Spring State Park offers several trails for visitors to explore, starting with the accessible boardwalk that’s open to everyone.
For a bit more adventure, the Blue Spring Campground Trail covers 1.8 miles of both paved and unpaved paths. If you’re looking for something fully unpaved, the Pine Island Trail winds through 4.9 miles of lush hammock forest, perfect for spotting deer and Florida scrub, home to the elusive Florida scrub jay. Meanwhile, the 4-mile Stark Trail takes you through palmettos, pine scrub, and oak hammock.
Hiking is a great way to immerse yourself in the park’s natural beauty with your family. If you have mobility concerns, the park even offers an all-terrain tracked chair for visitors to use.
Looking for family-friendly hikes nearby? Check out this article for suggestions!
Have a picnic
There are many picnic tables throughout Blue Spring State Park. If these are taken, you can always bring a blanket and set up your own area.
Many picnic all day during the summer, alternating between swimming in the spring, hydrating, and munching on snacks.
In the winter, there are plenty of open and sunny places to picnic. Perfect for a day of manatee viewing and stopping to warm up with a picnic and warm drinks.
Skip the Picnic and visit the Blue Spring Canteen
The concession stand, Blue Spring Canteen, offers snacks, drinks, and meals for those who don’t do picnics or only need to grab something on the go.
In the summer, everyone can cool down out of the water with ice cream and cold drinks. And on a cold winter day, it’s a great spot to stop and warm up with coffee or a bowl of chili.
Check out the menu here, but contact Blue Spring Adventure for the most up-to-date information.
Find Manatee-Themed Souvenirs and More
The Gift Locker at Blue Spring State Park is a fun stop for souvenirs, supplies, and gear. From hats and sunglasses to hoodies and tees (long-sleeve and short-sleeve), they have you covered. You’ll also find unique items like manatee plushies, stickers, and beautiful artwork to remember your visit.
Plus, since it’s temperature-controlled, it’s the perfect spot to cool down on a hot day or warm up during cooler weather. Even if you’re not big on souvenirs, it’s worth checking out!
Camp Under the Stars
Blue Spring State Park offers 51 campsites, each equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, water, and electricity hookups.
You’ll find comfort stations close by, complete with restrooms, showers, and some even have laundry facilities.
Be aware, a railroad runs just east of the park. While RV camping muffled the train sounds, I found it a bit noisy when we stayed in a tent. You might want to bring earplugs just in case!
Reservations are available online or over the phone, with a 14-day maximum stay.
Stay in a Cabin
If sleeping in a tent or RV isn’t your thing, Blue Spring State Park has six cozy 2-bedroom cabins available!
These cabins come with all the comforts of home—heating, air conditioning, a private bathroom, a full kitchen, a screened porch, plus an outdoor grill and picnic table for your enjoyment.
Cabins tend to fill up fast, so it’s best to reserve your spot well in advance.
Ready to Plan Your Visit?
Here are some key tips to help you make the most of your time at Blue Spring State Park:
Arrive Early
Due to its popularity, the park often reaches capacity, and rangers close the gates once it’s full. To avoid being turned away, plan to arrive early and try to visit during the week. Weekends and peak seasons (summer and winter) are especially busy.
Camping Reservations
Camping is a great way to immerse yourself in the park, but reservations are essential. Spots can be booked up to 11 months in advance, so be sure to plan ahead.
Special Events
Make the most of your visit by joining one of the park’s special events. From guided hikes to historical tours, there’s something for everyone. Check here for details.
Manatee Season Restrictions
During Manatee Season (winter), the spring and spring run are closed to all water activities. This ensures the safety of the manatees as they seek refuge in the warmer waters. Keep this in mind when planning your visit.
Related Posts
Looking for more tips and insights about Blue Spring State Park? Check out these blog posts:
- Winter at Blue Spring State Park: Top Tips & Things to Do
- Discover the Magic of Paddleboarding at Blue Spring State Park
- Things to Do with Kids at Blue Spring State Park
- Best State Parks in Central Florida for Your Next Outdoor Adventure
- Best Places in Florida to See Manatees This Winter!
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Great post, and I love the graphics for quick reference. Thank you for the travel tips!
Glad you found it helpful Vanessa!
Snorkeling in Blue Springs looks very fun. Hoping that this re-opens in 2025 so we can try it.
Sonia, I’m hoping it reopens too!
Thank you for the helpful information about the park. Adding it to my Florida trip list.
You are very welcome!
I loved Blue Spring State Park! There’s so much to do here and the wildlife is so amazing. I need to come back to go tubing when it’s open. Looks like so much fun!
I agree Meghan!
We have been to Florida a lot and sad to say we have not spent time enjoying the state parks. Blue Spring State Park looks like something we should consider on our next visit. We would certainly want to see the manatees but would not go looking for black bears! Sorry to read that the tubing and snorkelling has been closed! Will remember to check for 2025 before we visit.
Hey Linda, you definitely need to visit Blue Spring. It’s a wonderful place. I will definitely share when everything reopens.