Blue Spring State Park: Your Complete Guide to Manatees, Kayaking, and DeLand
Everything you need to know about visiting Blue Spring State Park — manatee season, swimming, kayaking, and where to stay near DeLand.
Blue Spring State Park sits about 45 minutes west of New Smyrna Beach, outside DeLand on the St. Johns River. It's one of the most remarkable natural sites in Florida — a first-magnitude spring that pumps 100 million gallons of 68-degree water per day, creating a refuge for West Indian manatees in winter that's unlike anything else in the state. This guide covers when to go, what to do, and where to stay.
The Manatees: What You Actually Need to Know
From roughly November through March, West Indian manatees migrate from the cold Atlantic and St. Johns River into the spring run at Blue Spring, where the water holds a constant 68°F regardless of air temperature. On the coldest winter days, the spring run fills with hundreds of manatees — a genuinely jaw-dropping sight.
- Peak manatee season: December through February. January and February typically see the highest counts.
- Park records have logged over 500 manatees in the spring run on cold mornings. Average winter days still see 50–150.
- Swimming is prohibited in the spring run during manatee season (November 15 – March 31). The boardwalk along the run gives excellent viewing at close range.
- The park opens at 8 AM. Arrive early — parking fills by mid-morning on cold weekdays and well before 9 AM on weekends.
- Manatee counts and observations are logged daily on the park's Facebook page. Check the day before your visit.
The coldest day of the forecast window is actually the best day to visit. When overnight lows drop below 60°F, the manatees pack the spring run by sunrise.
Swimming at Blue Spring
Outside of manatee season (April 1 through November 14), swimming in the spring run and spring head is permitted and spectacular. The water is crystal clear with 30+ foot visibility in places. At 68°F it's refreshing — cold enough to feel like a plunge, warm enough to swim for an hour. This is an entirely different Florida than what most visitors experience.
- Swim season: April 1 through November 14.
- The spring head is the deepest and coldest entry point — popular with snorkelers.
- No saltwater, no seaweed, no jellyfish. Just spring-fed clarity.
- Flotation devices are allowed. Scuba gear is permitted with certification.
- The swim area can reach capacity on summer weekends. Weekday visits are significantly less crowded.
Kayaking and Canoeing
Blue Spring offers one of the better kayaking experiences in Central Florida. The spring run flows about half a mile from the spring head to the St. Johns River, and the surrounding ecosystem — cypress trees, Spanish moss, alligators on the banks, wading birds working the shallows — is classic Florida at its best.
- Kayak and canoe rentals are available at the park concession. Single and tandem kayaks, canoes, and tubes are offered seasonally.
- The spring run paddle is calm and manageable for beginners. Current is gentle.
- Paddling out onto the St. Johns River opens up miles of additional waterway. The river is wide and scenic, though boat traffic from the marina requires awareness.
- During manatee season, paddling in the spring run is permitted but swimming from your kayak is not — keep gear inside the boat.
- Arrive early if you want to rent. Peak season kayaks rent out by mid-morning.
Camping and Cabin Stays at Blue Spring
The park offers full-facility camping with electric and water hookups, plus a handful of cabins that book out months in advance. If you want to stay on-site, reservations through Florida State Parks are essential — walk-ins almost never succeed during manatee season or summer weekends.
- 51 full-facility campsites with electricity and water.
- 6 camping cabins — rustic but solid. They fill months ahead during peak manatee season.
- Reservations open 11 months in advance at floridastateparks.reserveamerica.com.
- For more comfortable accommodation, DeLand proper is 6 miles east and has several excellent options.
Staying Near Blue Spring: DeLand and the DeLand Spring House
DeLand is one of the most underrated small cities in Florida. A Victorian downtown, a genuine Stetson University campus lined with 100-year-old oaks, and a walkable restaurant and bar scene on Woodland Boulevard that punches well above the town's size. If you're visiting Blue Spring, DeLand is the obvious base.
- Woodland Boulevard has excellent dining — The Persimmon Hollow Brewing Company, Cress Restaurant, and the DeLand Artisan Inn are all worth knowing.
- The DeLand Spring House is a Casa Bella property about 15 minutes from Blue Spring — a great home base for exploring both the spring and the St. Johns River corridor.
- DeLand is also a short drive from Gemini Springs, Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge, and the St. Johns River boat launches.
- The town's historic district is walkable and genuinely pleasant — not tourist-manufactured charm.
Practical Visitor Information
A few details that affect how your visit goes.
- Park entrance fee: $6 per vehicle (up to 8 people).
- Address: 2100 W French Ave, Orange City, FL 32763.
- The park is 6 miles west of DeLand, off US-17.
- No pets allowed on the spring boardwalk during manatee season.
- Cell service is limited inside the park. Download offline maps if you plan to kayak the St. Johns.
- Bring cash for the kayak concession — card readers can be unreliable.
Stay Close to Blue Spring
The DeLand Spring House puts you minutes from the spring and the full St. Johns River corridor. Book direct for the best rate.
View the DeLand Spring House