GUIDE ABOUT BLUE SPRING
STATE PARK
Hours
8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year
Fees
$6 per vehicle
Location
2100 W. French Ave. Orange City FL 32763
Contact Info
386-775-3663
About Blue Spring State Park
Plan Your Visit To Blue Spring State Park
Gift Shop, Food Service & Cruises at Blue Spring
Swimming at Blue Spring
BIRDING AT BLUE SPRING
Experiences
Blue Springs State Park offers a variety of seasonal activities.
Birding
Boat Tours
Camping
Fishing
Hiking
Scuba Diver
Snorkeling
Swimming
Swimming at Blue Spring State Park
Swimming and scuba diving are available in Blue Spring’s crystal clear, 72-degree spring run. Scuba divers must register with an up-to-date certification card and a partner at the entrance station between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. It is not permissible to swim or dive with the manatees.
Blue Spring has been recognised as a manatee sanctuary. The spring flow maintains a consistent temperature of 72 degrees, providing a safe sanctuary for the West Indian Manatee. From November 15 to March 1, the spring and spring flow are closed to all water-related activities, including swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, and boating, to provide a safe warm water sanctuary for manatees throughout the winter season.
Boating At Blue Spring State Park
Cruises and tours on the St. Johns River. At 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., every day. On the gorgeous and historic St. Johns River, enjoy a two-hour narrated nature and ecological cruise. See Florida the way it is…naturally. Call 407.330.1612 or 386.917.0724 for costs and reservations.
Blue Spring State Park Scuba or Snorkeling
If you’re a diver, Blue Springs State Park could be your undiscovered diving paradise. Several people in their gear have been observed preparing to dive into the head springs. I’ll admit that I was envious and wished I had my PADI certification. When viewed from above, the head springs are extremely stunning, with such brilliant hues and depth.
While snorkelling into the head is fine, spring diving will provide you with a more comprehensive experience. However, according to Florida State Parks regulations, scuba diving is authorised. You can’t dive if there are manatees present, but park employees or volunteers are usually on hand to monitor manatee activities and ensure that tourists and wildlife are treated equally.
Kids At Blue Spring State Park
Our goal when we initially went to Blue Spring with the kids was to see a few manatees, but we were there a little late in the season for that. The gigantic fish in the river, on the other hand, wowed us entirely. The Florida gar and other huge varieties were quite spectacular, and they could be seen from the observation platforms.
There are platforms strewn along the river for watching the manatees as well as taking in the natural beauty of the beautiful waters. We’ve visited Blue Spring numerous times since that initial trip with the kids, and we’ve seen hundreds of manatees from the observation platforms, the ecotour boat cruise, and our own kayaks and paddle boards.You’re in luck if you’re looking for a place to swim and admire the stunning crystal clear water at Blue Spring State Park. Swimming is possible at a number of locations along the river. If you like, you may even hire tubes to float down the river. When the weather is hot, the water will feel frigid, but it is not unpleasant. The water is delightfully warm for us, coming from the Pacific Northwest, and the kids aren’t apprehensive in the least.
The boardwalks that go through the palm forest to reach to the bathing holes are part of the fun of walking and swimming at Blue Spring State Park.
Manatees at Blue Spring State Park
Hundreds of manatees assemble in the spring run from mid-November to March to seek cover from the cold. Seeing so many of these renowned animals in one spot is a wonderful experience.
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Reviews about Blue Springs State Park
Frequently Asked Questions
Most frequent questions and answers for Blue Springs State Park
Snorkeling in a crystal-clear spring run is available at Blue Springs State Park. It is not permissible to swim with the manatees. At all times, children and non-swimmers should be accompanied by an adult swimmer. There are no lifeguards on duty.
$5 for each vehicle (two to eight people). A single-occupant vehicle costs $4. Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, and passengers in vehicles with an annual Individual Entrance Pass are all charged $2.
We will be operating at 50% capacity for the day to safeguard the safety of the public and our employees. We won’t let any more visitors in for the remainder of the day once we’ve reached capacity. Water activities are welcome for our spring run.
At Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park, there are warning signs about alligators, although they’re mostly in the spring run beyond the swimming barrier or elsewhere in the park. It is safe to presume that alligators can be found in any freshwater body of water in Florida.
The natural spring that produces 3,600 gallons of water per minute into two bathing areas is named Blue Springs State Park. Year-round, the water temperature is 68 degrees..
Blue Spring State Park is home to a first-magnitude spring that serves as one of Florida’s most important winter meeting spots for manatees. Hundreds of manatees can be seen in the winter months, enjoying the steady 72-degree spring water.