Reviews

Milena Stötzel

Very unique experience! We spontaneously decided to drive up here during our stay in Orlando. We enjoyed the boardwalk, got to see manatees and even one gator when we took the 1h boat tour. Our guide Lee was very funny and we learned a bunch about the area and St Johns River. Restrooms were clean and well maintained.

C B

Great state park with lots of wildlife and things to explore and do. On my visit we saw 3 manatee there hard to spot in the river that is black but you can see the movement of the leafs on top of the water getting eaten. Look for there mouths mainly sticking up since hard to spot there entire body in dark water. If you go to the clear water definitely easy to spot but can be limited in numbers due to people swimming. We did see 1 in clear water and 2 on the boat tour.

Kathy “Kwhite” White

This is a beautiful spring with clear water, lot's of fish and an occasional manatee sighting or two. They're beautiful creatures and very curious. You're not aloud to touch them, but this manatee didn't get the memo. Lol! What an awesome experience and video I was able to capture.

Jordan Michelle

Absolutely beautiful! The park is clean, well-maintained, and has a great playground and campsite. They have rentals for inner tubes, kayaks, and snorkeling gear, with a few food and beverage kiosks. The homestead was also interesting and a cool bit of history! Quick disclaimer though - the water is quite chilly!

Brittany Balusik

Very clean walk ways and bench areas, well placed signs and cool picture opportunities. We mostly walked around with my toddler because the water looked deep. I definitely will be coming back for the glass bottom boat tours

Dave A

Great place to visit, we went in March and the Manatee count was 47 at the time. Took a minute to get through the gate and it was a little busy but worth the trip. You can rent canoes or take a ride on the boat or just walk down the boardwalk and enjoy the views. Great relaxing time to see plenty of wildlife!

C Jones

A beautiful park hidden away a bit. Well worth traveling to though. Manatees are here during winter time I'm told but it is still worth coming during the summer. There is a boat tour for 1 and 2 hours tours and kayak/canoe/paddle board rentals. There is also a hiking trail nearby and some campgrounds/cabins. Definitely will be back in the winter to check out the manatees!

Amanda Pace (ChronicChick)

This place was super cool! Make sure to have polarized glasses. You can kayak and see a lot of different animals. There were good informational boards. The crowd was very patient and let everyone have their own turn in the viewing areas. Highly recommended.

rohit murarka

Our stay at Blue Spring State Park was nothing short of magical. Nestled in nature, the cabins were clean, comfortable, and perfectly secluded, offering a peaceful retreat from everyday life. The park itself is beautifully maintained, with lush greenery, scenic trails, and crystal-clear spring waters teeming with life. One of the highlights was (as we went 3rd week of March), witnessing manatees gracefully gliding through the spring—a truly unforgettable experience. The sight of these gentle giants in their natural habitat was both serene and awe-inspiring. As night fell, the park transformed into something even more enchanting. The glow of fireflies dancing in the dark created a surreal, almost fairytale-like ambiance. Sitting outside our cabin, surrounded by the soft flicker of lights and the sounds of nature, was an experience we won’t forget. The park offers fantastic opportunities for kayaking, hiking, and wildlife watching, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers. The facilities were well-kept, and the entire experience felt both adventurous and relaxing. Whether you’re looking for a quiet escape or an outdoor adventure, Blue Spring State Park is a must-visit. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to reconnect with nature and experience Florida’s incredible wildlife!

Justin Buzzard

We visited on a seemingly busy day during the holidays when kids were out of school, as it took close to 30 minutes to get inside. We paid with a card as they were walking down the queue to make it faster. We were fortunate to get parking close, so not much walking to the water. We went to see some manatees which we did. None got too close as they seemed to gravitate to a warmer portion of the water. There is plenty of other wildlife to see with birds and fish. We didn't see any gators or turtles. The Thurman House was nice and we visited the gift shop. There were also lines for the bathroom as the crowds were bigger, but overall, it was a nice experience. For a large family, the price for the boat ride on the river was out of our range as it would have been well over $100 for the short boat trip. There are picnic tables, and it seems you can grill there as well. There is also a kids' play area, but the kids didn't use it on this trip.