Reviews

Christina M

Beautiful spring, perfect for cooling off in the hot weather. The swimming area is quite large. There is a separate ramp that you can use to paddle out into the Suwannee River and canoe/kayak rentals are available at the park. A beautiful boardwalk also takes you down to the river. There is a small concession stand and store, but we didn't visit as we tend to pack lunch and being what we need. We plan on returning in the colder months to hopefully spot some manatees.

Justin S.

This review is specifically for snorkeling the spring, which I did with my kids. Pros: Not very crowded, even on a Saturday - the swim area is relatively large. Multiple (3x) entry/exit points (stairs) into the swim area. There are shallow areas where you can stand and take a break if you're not a strong swimmer. Bathrooms had two stalls, cleanliness was average. Manatee has a particularly stunning blue color compared to other springs. Cons: There is quite a bit of algae that is covering most underwater surfaces and is coming off in mats and chunks. Kids weren't excited to come in contact with these. Water was clear enough, but noticeably more murky than other central Florida springs. Summary - I wouldn't likely come back exclusively to snorkel this particular spring, but it is well worth exploring as part of a larger visit while doing many other activities this park has to offer.

Plants Over Animals

Great time visiting here, several options to do here, there was a cool bridge/walkway to check out, saw turtles and herons. There are kayak rentals here to do, a small snack shop that also sells floats, goggles, t-shirts etc. to swim there were a few areas to pick from to go in, definitely bring water shoes, goggles and a float, the water was freezing 🥶 to say the least but after getting in and maybe 10 minutes later it was somewhat tolerable. The bottom here looks to be around 40 feet, super clear it was definitely a fun experience!

Harry Canary

Nice state park with plenty of access to springs. Also, easy park entry as the street that it is on literally dead ends at the park entrance. Also the boardwalk out to the Suwanee River is a must see! Tip: Bring your own floats to relax in the water Pros - Plenty of parking - Very friendly staff and rangers - Paved road Into park - Fantastic boardwalk - Numerous stairways into springs - Plenty of kayaks on hand for rent - Bathrooms are cleaner than most - Has a snack bar, small store and ice Cons - Stairways could use an extra step or two into water - Hiking trails were minimally marked and maintained

Michael Briggs

Beautiful crystal clear, cool springs for swimming, and a great little creek for paddling, that meets the Suwanee River a couple hundred meters down. Camp sites are adequate sized, with electric and water, a little vegetation between sights for visual break. Clean bathrooms. A great place to camp for a few days.

Jeanette V.

Manatee Springs State Park is absolute magic! 🌿🐢 From the crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming to the serene boardwalk winding through lush forests, every inch of this park is pure bliss. And let's not forget the wildlife - spotting manatees, alligators, and birds galore is like nature's own show! 🌟 The peacefulness here is palpable, making it the ultimate escape from the hustle and bustle. If you're looking for a slice of paradise, look no further! 🌴❤️ Five stars isn't enough - I'd give it ten stars if I could! ⭐️

Ryan Feller Realtor

Manatee Springs State Park is a beautiful spot to visit! The highlight for me was the scenic tree-covered boardwalk that winds through the park and along the springs — very peaceful and well-maintained. It’s a great place to take a leisurel walk and enjoy nature. The only downsides were we didn’t see any manatees during our visit and would’ve liked to see some kind of nature center, welcome center, museum, or something about the area and the manatees. However, There was a small gift shop/concession stand with ice cream and several food options. Overall, it’s a lovely park overall and worth a stop if you’re in the area!

Dr. Romar Rochet

Father / Son camping weekend. Camp sites were spacious and well kept. Electricity and water hookups were easily accessible. Showers and bathrooms were clean. Nice sized park for a 2 night camping trip. There are plenty of trails for bikes and hiking. We kayaked and fished (although the mullet were not biting anything. All the other guests we interacted with were nice as well. Off the beaten path, but great little state park.

Heidi

I visit the last week of March and was surprised to see a few manatees still around. There was one that they were keeping an eye on and it was very interesting talking to the ranger and the researchers that had arrived that morning. It was the first time I had seen Manatees and the first time at this park. I highly recommend visiting and will definitely return. For this area I was told Mid October to Mid March is the best time to visit while the manatees are there. The boardwalk was beautiful to walk and even able to see 2 gators swimming around. It is a great place to kayak and the water temperature was perfect. Although I did not get in I couldn't resist getting my toes wet. I was told it is a heavy swimming area.

Fraud Frog

A really beautiful state park I'm proud to have had the pleasure of visiting. My dad, daughter and niece and nephew camped here in our tents for five days and enjoyed the abundance of nature and wildlife. We rented some kayaks and gently floated in the spring above the manatees. The water was so clear you could see the manatees at the bottom! The area that's separated for swimming was so cool to swim in and explore with the kids even though it was February and the water was cold. The local town of chiefland has plenty of amenities if needed. The bath house was clean and all the trails and locations were clearly illustrated with appropriate signage. We all had a great time!