Save
You must be signed in to save park lists.
Your Park Lists
add New List
Add Photo
You must be signed in to add photos.
state route ranger badge
Florida
98

Florida State Parks

responsive menu icon
USA Parks
Florida
Region
Blue Spring State Park
start slideshow
Blue Spring State Park Blue Spring State Park_14 © Roger Schroeter
2013
Blue Spring State Park Blue Spring State Park_6 © Roger Schroeter
2013
Blue Spring State Park Blue Spring State Park_2 © Roger Schroeter
2013
Blue Spring State Park Blue Spring State Park_11 © Roger Schroeter
2013
Blue Spring State Park Blue Spring State Park_13 © Roger Schroeter
2013
Blue Spring State Park Blue Spring State Park_10 © Roger Schroeter
2013
Blue Spring State Park Blue Spring State Park_4 © Roger Schroeter
2013
Blue Spring State Park Blue Spring State Park_12 © Roger Schroeter
2013
Blue Spring State Park Blue Spring State Park_9 © Roger Schroeter
2013
Blue Spring State Park Blue Spring State Park_3 © Roger Schroeter
2013
Blue Spring State Park Blue Spring State Park_1 © Roger Schroeter
2013
Blue Spring State Park Blue Spring State Park_7 © Roger Schroeter
2013
Blue Spring State Park Blue Spring State Park_8 © Roger Schroeter
2013
Search
Availability
Calendars
Availability Search
BLUE SPRING STATE PARK
BLUE SPRING STATE PARK
2100 W French Ave
Orange City, Florida   32763
(lat:28.9479 lon:-81.3377) map location

Phone: (386) 775-3663
Reservations: 386-775-3663
The largest spring on the St. Johns River, Blue Spring is a designated Manatee Refuge and the winter home (mid-November through March) to a growing population of West Indian Manatees. For centuries, the spring area was home for Native Americans. In 1766 it was visited by Colonial American botanist John Bartram, but it wasn?t until 1856 that it was settled by Louis Thursby and his family. The Thursby house, built in 1872, remains standing. The spring?s crystal clear, 73 degree water can be enjoyed by swimmers, snorkelers, and certified scuba divers with a partner. Swimming or diving with the manatees is not permitted; this rule is strictly enforced. The river is popular for fishing, canoeing, and boating. River boat tours are available; for reservations, call St. Johns River Cruises at (386) 917-0724. The park has plenty of picnic areas and a hiking trail. For overnight stays, air-conditioned cabins, a full-facility campground, and primitive campsites are available.

Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.
Nature of the Area
Blue Spring is a designated manatee refuge. Temperatures in the spring run remain a constant 72 degrees; creating a safe haven for the West Indian Manatee. To provide a safe warm water refuge for manatees during the winter season, the spring and spring run is closed to all water related activities including swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving and boating from November 15 through March 1. Learn more about the Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP) which monitors & tracks the manatees.
History of the Area
Located in Orange City, Florida, the park was established in 1972 for preserving the largest spring on St. Johns River. The area is known to have been inhabited by Timucuan Indians centuries ago.

In later years, it became a popular spot during steamboat era of late 1800s and early 1900s with Thursby House built there as evidence.

The state acquired this land from private ownership in order to protect its natural features including manatees that winter here due to warm water temperature.

Today it offers various recreational activities like swimming, fishing and camping along with wildlife viewing opportunities especially observing West Indian Manatee population during cooler months.

Passes
Annual Entrance Passes can be purchased at all park ranger stations and museums. If you require immediate use of your pass, this is the best option. Passes can be purchased during regular business hours 365 days a year. Please call the park in advance to ensure availability. Those who are eligible for discounted or free passes may use this method to receive their pass. Annual Entrance Passes may be purchased online by visiting the FLORIDA STATE PARKS ANNUALENTRANCE PASSES web page.
FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
Day-UseFishingyes
 Hiking Trailyes
 Swimming Beachyes
 Bike Trailsyes
BoatingLaunch Rampsyes
CampingPrimitiveyes
 Water/Electric Sitesyes
WinterActivitiesyes
Cabins
Blue Spring State Park offers six (6), two (2) bedroom cabins. Each cabin is equipped with a gas fireplace (available for use November through March), central heating and air conditioning, bathroom, fully equipped kitchen (stove and refrigerator), screened in porch, outdoor grill and picnic table. Linen, pillows, blankets and towels, cooking and eating utensils are also provided. You will need to bring personal use items such as soap, salt, pepper, radio, paper towels, etc. (Linen is NOT furnished on a daily basis). In each cabin, one bedroom is furnished with a double bed, the second bedroom is furnished with two single beds. A sleeper sofa is available in the Living room for additional guests. A maximum of six (6) guests are permitted in a cabin. Sorry, no pets are allowed in the cabins. One vehicle per cabin is permitted.
Camping
Blue Spring State Park has 51 campsites, which are located in the sand pine scrub. Available to each site is a table, water, electricity, and a grill. There is no sewage facilities at these sites, but there is a dump station in the Park. Pets are permitted in camping area, with proof of rabies vaccination.

Blue Spring State Park also offers the Bedtime Story Camper Lending Library of picture books for campers aged four to nine. From manatees to insects, the Lending Library is a fun way to enhance your child's experience in the Real Florida. For a quiet afternoon or bedtime, share a story with your child to help explain the sights and sounds of Blue Spring. Ask the Ranger Station about how to check out a book.
Swimming
Blue Spring offers swimming and scuba-diving in a crystal clear, 72 degree spring run. Scuba-divers must register at the entrance station between the hours of 8 AM. and 3PM, with an up-to-date certification card and a partner. Swimming or diving with the manatees is NOT permitted..

Blue Spring is a designated manatee refuge. Temperatures in the spring run remain a constant 72 degrees; creating a safe haven for the West Indian Manatee. To provide a safe warm water refuge for manatees during the winter season, the spring and spring run is closed to all water related activities including swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and boating from November 15 through March 1.
Boating
St. Johns River Cruises and Tours. Daily at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. This is a two hour narrated nature and ecological cruise on the beautiful and historic St. Johns River. See the Real Florida...naturally. For fees and reservations, please call 407.330.1612, 386.917.0724.
Canoeing
You are invited to canoe beautiful Blue Spring Run and the St Johns River. Canoes may be rented at the Park Concession. For more information, costs, and reservations call (386) 775-6888.

Blue Spring is a designated manatee refuge. Temperatures in the spring run remain a constant 72 degrees; creating a safe haven for the West Indian Manatee. To provide a safe warm water refuge for manatees during the winter season, the spring and spring run is closed to all water related activities including swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and boating from November 15 through March 1.
Fishing
Enjoy fishing in the St. Johns River, home to largemouth bass, catfish and bluegill. Fishing gear rentals are available onsite.

You can fish from a boat or shoreline but remember that swimming areas are off-limits for this activity.

Fishing is regulated by Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; ensure you have an appropriate license before starting your adventure.

The park also offers guided fishing tours where experienced guides help identify hot spots for catching different species of fish.



Picnicking
Blue Spring State Park offers two separate picnic areas throughout the park. There are covered pavilions with grills located at these areas for larger groups. One of these areas also has a large covered barbecue pit, and can be reserved, for a fee, from October through March. Contact the park office for details.
Trails
The same pristine beauty enjoyed by Florida's earliest residents still can be seen today. A self-guided boardwalk guides visitors through a lush hammock to Blue Spring.
Birding
Birdwatchers can enjoy spotting over 195 species of birds, including herons and woodpeckers. The park offers birding tours during winter months when migratory birds are present. Visitors may also see endangered scrub jays in the pine flatwoods area or bald eagles near the St Johns River.


Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
write a review
Share On

Area Campgrounds
Bedrock Country Squire
6 Country Squire Drive
Paisley, FL
352-629-0134
Katie's Landing at Wekiva River
262 Wekiva Park Drive
Sanford, FL
407-884-2009
Wekiva Falls RV Resort
30700 Wekiva River Road
Sorrento, FL
352-383-8055
Highbanks Marina & Camp Resort
488 West Highbanks Road
DeBary, FL
386-668-4491
Paradise Lakes RV Park
1571 Doyle Road
Deltona, FL
386-574-2371
Park Avenue Mobile Park
2545 Park Drive
Sanford, FL
407-322-2861
Luna Sands Resort
1440 East Minnesota Avenue
Orange City, FL
386-775-3996
Orange City RV Resort
2300 East Graves Avenue
Orange City, FL
386-775-2545
Highland Park Fish Camp
2640 West Highland Park Road
DeLand, FL
386-734-2334
Area Accommodations (over 20 miles away)
businesss listing main photo
Train House - New Smyrna Beach, FL
Cottages and Cabins
Like something out of a fairytale, a long time ago someone put two steam passenger train cars from 1892 and created something magical, a house This magical home is one of a kind and an experience you dont want to miss.
24.7 miles from park*
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com
Pets
- Pets must be kept on a handheld leash that is six feet or shorter at all times.
- Pet owners are required to pick up after their pets and properly dispose of pet waste.
- Pets are not allowed in any park buildings, including cabins and lodge rooms.
- Swimming areas within the park boundaries do not permit pets for safety reasons.
- The spring run area strictly prohibits dogs due to potential harm to manatees.
- Owners should prevent excessive noise from barking which can disturb wildlife or other visitors.
- All vaccinations need to be current with proof available upon request by Park staff members.

Directions
Take exit 114 off Interstate 4 and follow the signs. Go south on 17/92 to Orange City, about 2.5 miles. Make a right onto West French Avenue.

state route ranger badge
Florida
98

Florida State Parks

X