Blue Spring State Park Guide (By a Local): How to Enjoy in Winter vs Summer

I’ve grown up near this popular manatee destination and I’m happy to provide a Blue Spring State Park guide to help you make the most of your trip! Blue Spring State Park in Florida, or what I’ve grown up calling Blue Springs, is a beautiful park offering kayaking, boat tours, a scenic boardwalk, swimming in the summer, and manatees in the winter!

Blue Spring State Park is a year-round destination but what is offered does differ based on the time of year. During the winter months, hundreds of manatees come to Blue Spring State Park, so swimming is prohibited.

During the rest of the year, you are permitted to swim and there may be a manatee or two, but they won’t be there by the hundreds. The summer is more about water activities!

In this Blue Spring State Park guide, I’ll review both summer and winter seasons and offer any tips to help you plan a trip to this popular Florida spring.

Blue Spring State Park: Winter vs Summer Overview

Visit in winter for manatees and boardwalk views; visit in summer for swimming, snorkeling, and paddling. The park opens at 8AM and closes at sunset year-round, so naturally the winter is open less during the day.

It’s worth noting winter vs summer is not a true seasonal concept. Central Florida really has two seasons, summer and not summer. In the not summer season or what we’re calling winter, it can be cold in the morning and 75F by the afternoon!

The water temperatures in central Florida, including the ocean temperature, remain cold in the spring. This is why manatee season extends into March, even though the air temperature is warming up. I have a rule of 80F and sunny for beach days in the spring because the wind off the water keeps things colder!

So with that in mind, Blue Spring State Park offers two completely different experiences depending on the season or time of year, so here’s how winter and summer compare.

Bookmark Blue Spring State Park in Google Maps for directions.

Feature	Winter (Manatee Season)	Summer (Swimming Season)
Approximate Dates (weather dependent)	November to April	May to October
Primary Draw	Manatee viewing	Swimming, snorkeling, paddling
Manatees	Hundreds possible on cold days	Rare (may see one or two)
Swimming in Spring Run	❌ Not allowed	✅ Allowed
Snorkeling	❌ Not allowed	✅ Allowed
Tubing / Floating	❌ Not allowed	✅ Allowed
Kayaking / Paddleboarding in Spring Run (clear water)	❌ Not allowed	✅ Before 10 AM & after 5 PM
Kayaking / Paddleboarding in St. Johns River	✅ Allowed	✅ Allowed
Boardwalk Access	✅ Open	✅ Open
Boat Tour (St. Johns River)	✅ Available	✅ Available
Water Temperature	~72°F (feels warm vs air)	~72°F (feels cold)
Crowd Levels	Busy on cold mornings & weekends	Very busy on weekends
Best Time of Day	Early morning	Early morning or late afternoon
Ideal For	Wildlife lovers, photographers	Families, swimmers, paddlers

Visiting Blue Spring State Park in Winter (Manatee Season)

Why Manatees Come to Blue Spring State Park in Winter

The manatees in Florida can be seen all over the state and in every type of water! I’ve seen them in the Intracoastal Waterway, lakes, rivers, and I’ve even seen them while paddle boarding in the ocean (though that is rare). However, in the cooler months, manatees seek the springs, like Blue Spring State Park, for what becomes the warmer waters.

Florida springs are generally 72F year-round. So once the temperature drops, the springs become the warm water that the manatees seek. Cold weather is the predictor of if and how many manatees you’ll see at Blue Spring State Park!

Best Time to See Blue Spring State Park Manatees

The best time to see Blue Spring State Park manatees is a cold morning or day! The colder the day, the more manatees you’ll see!

As the day warms up, manatees will head out of the spring run and into the rivers and lakes. While there are usually some that stick around, the morning will have the most.

While Blue Spring State Park will generally prevent swimming from mid-November to March or April, it’s the weather that you want to consider. An early November cold front, for example, increased the odds of seeing manatees before swimming and kayaking were officially closed.

I actually saw several while paddle boarding at sunset in early November, and some lucky swimmers and snorkelers also got to see them more up close. Of course, it is prohibited to get too close to manatees or touch them.

If you are wondering how to swim with manatees, you have to visit the other coast as there is only one county in the state that allows it.

Interested in swimming with Manatees? Read more about my snorkel with manatees on the west coast of central Florida:
How to Swim with Manatees in Florida | My Experience & Top Advice

Activities Offered During the Winter

The winter at Blue Spring State Park is mainly for viewing manatees from the scenic boardwalk or platforms. You can also do a boat tour of the St. Johns River, which is scenic and informative! It’s possible to see manatees from the boat tour, but the water in the river is dark and you won’t truly see them well.

I spent about an hour and a half at Blue Spring State Park recently to view the manatees and walk through the Thursby historic home. Most of my time was spent on the boardwalk, which extends to the start of the spring!

There are plenty of viewing platforms or areas you can stop, enjoy the views, and appreciate the wildlife in the water. I forgot how peaceful and beautiful this walk was and I love how well nature is preserved here.

When I swam with manatees on the west coast, the area is more built up and it made me appreciate Blue Spring State Park in a new light.

• View manatees and other wildlife from the boardwalk and platforms
• River boat tour
• Thursby historic home

Activities Prohibited During Winter

Any water activities within the spring run (the crystal clear water) are prohibited during the winter at Blue Springs. No swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, snorkeling, or diving are allowed at Blue Spring State Park during the cooler months.

You can kayak or paddle board on the St. Johns River during the winter, but the spring run is closed to protect the manatees. Technically, you could swim in the river and lake, but the water is dark and there are alligators and snakes, so I don’t recommend it.

Nearby Swimming Options

If you really want to swim during these months, there are two state parks to consider. De León Springs State Park is 28 minutes from Blue Spring State Park. The swimming area looks like a big public pool, and there is also a pancake house and kayak rentals for the river.

Another swimming option is Wekiwa Springs State Park, which is 42 minutes from Blue Spring State Park and is the closer option of the two to Orlando. They also have kayak rentals and you can enjoy some clear water paddling here!

Firefly Event (March or April)

There is a short window of fireflies at Blue Spring State Park. The dates change every year based on the weather, and I was told to check the Facebook page for the latest.

This after hours event does incur an additional cost on top of the entrance park fees, so keep that in mind. It’s typically something that happens in the spring, so expect the dates to fall in March or April.

Manatee Viewing at Blue Spring State Park: What to Expect

I headed there recently on a Friday afternoon. It was a very cold morning (for Florida) in the 40s! Though the day warmed up significantly, there were still plenty of manatees in the spring run.

Of course, had I gone in the morning, the sign said there were 450 manatees at Blue Spring State Park! Once the day warms up, the manatees will disperse and head back into the river and I definitely didn’t see 450 manatees.

Despite going in the afternoon, the park was busier than I expected for a Friday. While I did have to wait behind several cars, I had no issues getting into the park. If you visit on the weekend, you may have a harder time.

Follow the road and you’ll eventually arrive to the parking area. You’ll see the Thursby historic home, beautiful oak trees, and the boardwalk on the right. Kayak and canoe rentals will be straight ahead by the St. Johns River and there are bathrooms near there as well.

I started by immediately heading to the boardwalk, which follows the spring run. You can walk this beautiful, scenic journey all the way to the start of the spring. It’s about a half mile to the spring, but there are so many places to stop and watch the Blue Spring State Park manatees.

The entire spring run will be full of manatees on a cold morning or day! While it wasn’t full when I visited in the warmer part of the day, there were manatees all along the spring river! I saw plenty of manatees, including little babies! The manatees come up for air quite often and you will hear them as you walk.

Along the boardwalk is a canteen for drinks or snacks and a souvenir shop. They have some great souvenir options if you wanted to commemorate your Blue Spring State Park trip!

Visiting Blue Spring State Park in Summer

Summer, or more accurately the hotter months, at Blue Spring State Park is fun and full of water activities! Swimming and snorkeling are allowed and the park will get full on the weekends with locals and tourists alike!

The water is 72F year-round, which is cold in my opinion, but it can be a fun way to cool down during the super hot summer days.

Kayaking and paddle boarding are also permitted on the spring run, but there are timing rules to consider. Before 10AM and after 5PM, you are allowed to paddle along the Blue Spring run. So if you want to enjoy the clear waters, you will need to plan your visit accordingly.

Swimming & Snorkeling at Blue Spring State Park

During the warmer months, Blue Spring State Park is a popular destination for swimming, snorkeling, or simply floating on a tube. The water does flow from the spring, offering a small lazy river type of experience. It’s not an aggressive flow, but it can be a relaxing way to enjoy the park.

Swimming at Blue Spring State Park Considerations

There are several entry points into the Blue Spring run. You cannot climb from the boardwalk and jump in the water wherever you want. The entry options provided must be utilized. Additionally, they do not want you to climb out of the water onto land apart from the official entry and exit points.

You can rent tubes at the park, but they do NOT rent out snorkel gear. There are snorkel tours if you want a guide, and the tour company does sell (not rent) snorkel gear. I’d suggest bringing your own. Floats are cheap as well and may be worth bringing, but keep the size to 72 inches in both width and length.

There are lockers at a couple of places along the boardwalk and outside the souvenir shop in case you have belongings you want to lock up, like your car keys.

It’s not completely necessary, but water shoes may come in handy, especially if you have delicate feet. If you decide to float down the spring run, you will have to exit and then walk back to your starting point if you leave your towel and shoes behind.

Don’t forget a towel, even if you leave it in the car. A change of clothes can be useful if you want to change there. And of course, don’t forget sunscreen, though choose reef safe to protect the wildlife.

Additionally, if you didn’t want to worry with lockers, you could use a waterproof case for your phone and/or keys or even a dry bag.

Lastly, consider a waterproof phone case or a waterproof camera if you want to take photos. I used this waterproof phone case during my solo trip to Fiji and it worked so well while I was snorkeling!

Kayaking at Blue Spring State Park Guide

You can rent kayaks or canoes at Blue Spring State Park, or bring your own! However, there are rules about where you can go, which are very important to note.

If you want to paddle along the spring run, you can ONLY do so before 10AM or after 5PM. If you go in the middle of the day, you will only be allowed to paddle in the St. Johns River, which is not clear water.

Paddling the river is beautiful, but it’s a different experience from the spring run. You won’t see the fish, or possible manatee in the clear water, but you might get to see a gator on the surface or water’s edge.

Of course, hiring a guide is a good way to increase the odds of seeing wildlife any time of year! This kayak tour is highly rated and recommended by 99% of travelers.

Check for available dates: Small Group Manatee Discovery Kayak Tour near Orlando

My Recent Paddle Experience

I took my paddle board there, just before water activities were closed for the winter. My friend and I arrived around 4PM and after paddling the river for a bit, we headed to the spring run at 5PM. It was a Saturday, so the river was fairly busy with boaters, which ruined the ambience.

Of course, the highlight was the amount of manatees we saw in the spring run once we were permitted to paddle inside. My friend and I paddled all the way to the start of the spring and saw several manatees!

The sunset was also gorgeous and made the paddle experience extra beautiful! Since it was a Saturday, I wasn’t worried about gators since so many boats had been around, but I would probably have been a bit more nervous otherwise.

The time had already changed, so the sunset was around 5:30PM. In the summer, you have way more time to enjoy the spring run after 5PM.

Scuba Diving

You can actually go scuba diving at Blue Spring State Park! In fact, I actually became scuba certified here!

I booked my trip to Fiji and knew I wanted to do a bull shark dive, so I decided to get certified to prepare. It wasn’t necessary as they offer shallow dives for anyone not certified, but I’m so glad I prepared for what ended up being an amazing experience!

I did two dives at Blue Spring State Park to get certified and the first day was great! The second day was scary as my mask filled with water as I dove down into the spring. While it was scary, it was also very cool and the dive ended with manatee sightings!

If you know what you’re doing, just be sure to follow the park rules. However, if you prefer a guide, the Florida Dive Company can lead you!

Year-Round Information of Blue Spring State Park

Blue Spring State Park is a popular year-round destination and makes a great day trip from Orlando. It’s one of the top things to do in DeLand, and it’s an easy day trip from Daytona Beach as well! None of this is surprising when you consider its proximity to popular Florida destinations, natural beauty, and manatees.

Regardless of the time of year, here are some basics to consider when you visit Blue Spring State Park.

Park Hours

It’s open from 8AM to sunset all year.

Entrance Fees

Check the official website for updated fees, but it’s generally $6 per vehicle of two or more people. It’s only $4 if you drive in solo.

There is only a fee of $2 if you walk or bicycle into the park. Just know the journey from the entrance to the parking area is quite far.

Park Closures

Once the park reaches capacity, it will close. This is common on weekends, so if you plan to visit get there super early. If not, you will have to wait in a car line and hope people leave before they let more in.

I recommend visiting during the week to avoid this issue altogether. If that’s not possible, and it’s summer or a cold winter weekend day, get there before the park opens at 8AM to get in line. If it’s a fall or spring weekend or it’s a warm winter day, it may not be as busy, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Food Options

I didn’t go inside the Canteen to assess what they offer, but I recommend bringing a picnic lunch! Whatever they do offer will be limited, so for a true Florida experience, get a pub sub (Publix sub).

You can also get any fruit, drinks or chips while you’re there as well! There is a Publix grocery on the south side of DeLand, only 10 minutes from Blue Spring State Park.

Walking Trails

There are hiking trails at Blue Spring State Park. While I have done many trails around east central Florida, I have yet to do the trails here.

Pine Island Trail is 3.6 miles long one way and ends by the St. Johns River. For a shorter loop, you can do part of Pine Island Trail and circle around Scrub Spur.

While I haven’t done these trails, Florida trails have a lot of similarities. Florida is mostly flat, so the toughest physical thing you’ll experience is soft sand or muddy areas.

Watch out for wild boar and snakes, though not all snakes are poisonous. And Florida does have bears, deer, and plenty of birds as well! And the mosquitos can be brutal in the summer.

Walking amongst the trees is so peaceful though! If you enjoy a good trail, Blue Spring State Park can deliver!

Camping

I’m not a big camper, but Blue Spring State Park has camping and cabin options! My friend did go camping here and enjoyed it, so if that does interest you, it’s a good place to consider!

FAQ

Blue Spring State Park Guide

I hope this Blue Spring State Park Guide was helpful! This Florida state park is so beautiful and I love how well they have preserved nature. I took it for granted until recently, but it’s a beautiful park!

The Blue Spring State Park manatees are a huge draw and there is a chance to see a manatee or two even in the summer!

If you decide to visit this popular park in Orange City, I hope you have an amazing time!