Reviews

Edwin Abbett

We had a wonderful time! We saw lots of manatees, hundreds of fish, and some lovely birds. There are clearly bears there as there were a lot of bear droppings along the trails, but we didn't see any. It was February when apparently it's the best time to see manatees. Despite it being winter and the trails being flat, if you aren't used to the humidity, they are tiring (Pine Island is about 6/7 miles in total). There are kayak, canoe, and boat activities available but we didn't do them. The staff at the gate and in the facilities were very friendly and efficient. The park was generally very clean but there were a few bits of car-related trash on the Pine Island Trail. We'd read online that it fills up fast and they stop letting people in, so we headed there early. At 9:15 I'd say it was maybe 30% full. It's a lovely park and I'd definitely go again.

Nelson Montero

It's was an awesome experience! During the cooler months if you want to see the manatees I recommend arriving early because as the water warms up through out the day they go out into deeper waters. We did see them start arriving as the evening got later. We are planning to return again during the warmer months to enjoy the clear water and the summer activities the park has to offer.

Angela Fischetti

Visited in January 2026 to see the Manatees. An absolutely beautiful park. A long amazing boardwalk with so many places to view the manatees. Wheelchair friendly. Has gift shop and a snack place. We went on a Sunday and got there at 7:45am, it opens at 8am. There was a line already to get in. We were in and parked by 8:19am. So many manatees. A dream come true for this manatee lover. I would say it is a bucket list type thing that will not disappoint. I can't wait to go in the summer and experience the spring. It's so big. Biggest I have ever been to

Tammi Voskuhl

This is a beautiful park, ESPECIALLY when its cold. Maybe one of the most populated places for manatee. Over 800+ on the day we were there. Definitely go this week because it'll be cold again. The park rangers even have names for many of them because they come back every year. There were so many babies & they are adorable, floating by their mommy's sides. Although you can go in the water in summer, you CAN NOT during this time. It is very sad to see scars on them from boat propellers. Wish that didn't happen 😪there are also paths for hiking, picnic tables or just a blanket in the sun. You can also explore the old house on the property, pretty cool. Fee to get in was $6. Plenty of restrooms. There is a little shop at one end & a little place to get food. Definitely check this place out.

The Baseline

The Baseline: For a park/monument the site must be informative, have great attraction, and have a park rangers that are knowledgeable of one of the park we are visiting. Park: This was one of the cleanest and best organized state parks I have ever visited. The parking was easy and the access to the main attraction was easy to get to. The walkway trail along the spring was well taken care of and safe. There is no graffiti or vandalized buildings in the park. Thank you State of Florida and California you should take notes. Attraction: The Springs are the main attraction with options to swim, tube, snorkel, and scuba dive in the spring in the summer. When we visited that was all restricted because the manatees were here to nest in the winter. This was awesome and it was great to see these amazing creatures in their winter respite. This is a must if you are visiting the Orlando area in the winter. Cost: Six dollars to come into the park with up to 8 people in the vehicle. Great price for an unforgettable experience.

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.