Park Summary for Print - Lafayette Blue Springs State Park

View of walk-in tent camping area. Large Pine and Oak trees providing shade on green grass in campsites.

Welcome to Lafayette Blue Springs State Park

Located on the Suwannee River, this inviting source of cool, clear water has attracted people for thousands of years. Lafayette Blue Springs produces up to 168 million gallons of water daily, making it one of Florida's 33 first magnitude springs. Swimming or snorkeling in the spring is a refreshing activity on a hot day; river fishing is also a popular recreation. Visitors can enter the park by boat from the Suwannee River as well as by car. Many visitors enjoy the shaded picnic area. White-tailed deer, gray squirrels, red-shouldered hawks, pileated woodpeckers, and barred owls are some of the animals seen in the park. Walk-in tent camping is available for a fee. During rainy seasons sometimes the dark river water backs up into the springs making the springs appear to be black in color. When this occurs, swimming and diving is prohibited for your safety. Be sure to call the park ahead of time to see if swimming is open.

Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries.
For Information about Lafayette Blue Springs State Park, please call 386-294-3667.

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Hours of Operation

Lafayette Blue Springs is open from 8:00 a.m. until sunset 365 days a year.

Driving Directions

Lafayette Blue Spring is located 7 miles northwest of Mayo on the west side of the Suwannee River. From Mayo, drive northwest on US 27 for 4.3 miles Turn right on CR 292 and continue for 2.1 miles. Turn east on Blue Springs Road and go 0.2 miles to the park entrance.

Park Fees

Admission Fee - $4.00 per vehicle (up to 8 people). Children five years and younger are admitted free with paid adult.

Single Car Occupant - $3.00

Motorcycle Fee - $3.00

Pedestrians & Bicycles - $1.00

Diving Fee - $10.00 per person (includes Admission fee). All divers must show proof of cave diving certification before diving. No solo or open water diving is permitted.

Walk-in Camping - $10.00 per site (water and electric provided)

All State Park passes are honored.

Activities at Lafayette Blue Springs State Park

	Boat Ramp The park has a boat ramp located on the north side of the parking lot. There is over-size parking available for six vehicles.
	Boating Lafayette Blue Springs is located between mile marker 103 and 104 on the Suwannee River.
	Cabins/Lodging Conserve water and energy… … and help us save nature’s resources while vacationing in a beautiful Florida State Park cabin. Florida state parks will begin a new initiative for cabin guests on July 1, 2009, which will save water, detergent, electricity and related costs. Florida state parks will no longer supply bedroom, bathroom or kitchen linens for cabin or yurt stays, including sheets, blankets, pillowcases, mattress pads, bed covers, towels (bath towels, hand towels, face towels, or dish towels), or bathmats. When making reservations, available beds and bed sizes may be found by looking online at the Site Type details pages for the cabins. The park has five full service cabins which sleep 6 and include a dishwasher, fireplace and large screened porch. Please note that pets are not allowed in the cabins. Cabin Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance through Reserve America online or calling 1-866 I CAMP FL (1-866-422-6735) or 1-800-326-3521. One ADA cabin is available for reservation.
	Canoeing/Kayaking Lafayette Blue Springs is a great beginning or ending destination spot while exploring the many wonders of the world famous Suwannee River year round.
	Fishing Fishing is allowed with current Florida fishing license. NO fishing in swimming areas. Do you need a Fishing License?
	Hiking/Nature Trails * Under Construction * Take a hike while viewing a series of interpretive displays as you pass through a variety of ecosystems. Along the trail is a series of sinkholes; depressions formed by the collapse of underground caverns. These sinkholes are indicative of karst topography. Animals typically observed in the mixed forest community include white-tailed deer, gray squirrel, red shouldered hawk, pileated woodpecker, barred owl, eastern glass lizard, and red bellied, gulf hammock rat, rough green and coral snakes.
	Pets Well-behaved dogs are welcome at Lafayette Blue Springs State Park. They must be kept on a 6-foot leash at all times and can not be left unattended for more than a half-hour. Dogs are not permitted in buildings or in the springs.
	Picnic Areas Picnic facilities are located by the beautiful spring and by the Suwannee River. Picnic tables and grills are available on a first-come first-serve basis. Picnickers can enjoy meals overlooking the beautiful spring and river areas. Two pavilions are also available on a first come, first serve basis. There are ADA restroom facilities located near the main entrance to the park.
	Primitive Camping Primitive camping is available on a walk-in first come, first serve basis. Bathhouses are under renovation at this time. Portable restroom facilities are available.
	Scuba An extensive aquatic cave system associated with Lafayette Blue Spring, known as the Green Sink cave system, is well documented by the local diving community. Over 12,000 feet of cavern passageways have been surveyed. The caves extend west and southwest from the main spring. The system is described as relatively large and open, averaging 20 feet wide and 10 feet tall, with "rooms" up to 100 feet wide and 30 feet tall. NO solo or open water diving is permitted. All divers must show proof of certification. Dives cannot extend past 5:00 p.m. Diving fees are $10.00 per person (includes Admission Fee).
	Swimming Swim or snorkel in the 72º F spring water while viewing a variety of fish, turtles and beautiful karst formations. Swim at your own risk. NO lifeguard on duty.
	Wildlife Viewing Wildlife viewing is possible at this park. We suggest that you bring a field guide in order to identify the abundant wildlife within the park. Reported sightings are hawks, eagles, kites, doves, swifts, woodpeckers, flycatchers, wrens, thrushes, waxwings, warblers, cardinals, and sparrows.

Special Events for Lafayette Blue Springs State Park

There are no events listed at this time. Please call our park for more details on possible future events.

Lafayette Blue Springs State Park Ranger Programs

Frequently Asked Questions about Lafayette Blue Springs State Park

Question: How cold is the spring water?
Answer: Springs are the outflows of underground rivers. The spring stays a cool 72ºF year round.

Question: What activities does the park have to offer?
Answer: Swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, canoeing, kayaking, picnicking, nature viewing and limited primitive camping is available.

Question: Is there camping?
Answer: There is primitive camping available on a first come, first serve basis. The bathhouses are under renovation. There are portable restroom facilities available.

Question: Are campsites located on the river?
Answer: The primitive campsites are located by the river. However, due to the possible flooding of the Suwannee River, please call the park for information on the water levels.

Question: Does the park have a boat launch or dock?
Answer: Yes. The boat ramp is located inside the park, north of the main parking lot. The ramp is paved, but the approach is not. There is over-sized parking available for six vehicles.

Question: Are there snakes at Lafayette Blue Springs State Park?
Answer: Yes there are snakes. You may find a rattlesnake in the forest or a cottonmouth in the water. Most of the snakes around the swimming area are banded water snakes and not poisonous. However, they will bite if provoked. Just like all the other animals within state parks, snakes are protected and should not be disturbed. Generally snakes avoid humans, but if you do see one it is best to leave it alone.

Question: Do you have scuba diving?
Answer: Yes. Scuba diving is allowed with proof of certification and when following safety guidelines. The cost is $10.00 per diver. There is NO solo diving allowed. Dives cannot extend past 5:00 p.m.

Question: How big is the park?
Answer: It contains approximately 200 acres.

Question: How do I get to the park?
Answer: Take US 27 North, go west five miles outside of Mayo, turn on north on CR 292, go two miles, turn right on Blue Springs Road.