Special Events for Manatee Springs State Park

• BREAKFAST WITH A RANGER
  Date: Sunday, May 18th, 2008. 9:00 a.m.
  Description: Meet with a Ranger. Ask questions and make new friends. Enjoy a delicious breakfast with special rates at the Manatee Café. Relax while enjoying a beautiful morning next to Manatee Spring. Free with regular admission or camping fees.
  
  Fees: Free with regular admission or camping fees.
  Contact: For more information, call 352-493-6072.
  
• MANATEE SPRINGS PAST AND PRESENT
  Date: Saturday, May 24th, 2008. 3:00 p.m. Meet at the amphitheater.
  Description: Come along with Ranger Renee Waldo while walking back in time to get a glimpse of how Manatee Springs State Park was many years ago. Wear comfortable shoes and bug repellant. Free with regular admission or camping fees.
  
  Fees: Free with regular admission or camping fees.
  Contact: For more information, call 352-493-6072.
  
• BREAKFAST WITH A RANGER
  Date: Sunday, May 25th, 2008. 9:00 a.m.
  Description: Meet with a Ranger. Ask questions and make new friends. Enjoy a delicious breakfast with special rates at the Manatee Café. Relax while enjoying a beautiful morning next to Manatee Spring. Free with regular admission or camping fees.
  
  Fees: Free with regular admission or camping fees.
  Contact: For more information, call 352-493-6072.
  
• SUNSET NATURE WALK
  Date: Saturday, May 31st, 2008. 8:00 p.m. Meet at the manatee statue at head spring.
  Description: Enjoy a guided evening nature walk along the Spring Run out to the Suwannee River. Be sure to bring a flash light and bug repellant; great family activity! Free with regular admission or camping fees.
  
  Fees: Free with regular admission or camping fees.
  Contact: For more information, call 352-493-6072.
  

Manatee Springs State Park Ranger Programs

• RANGER PROGRAMS
  Saturdays and some weekdays. Programs vary weekly and may include nature walks, moonlight walks, interpretive programs about Manatee Springs' cultural and natural resources, invasive non-native plants, guided canoe tours and even the occasional Covered Wagon ride! Activity level, time and duration will vary with each program. Please, contact the Ranger Station for exact time and location. Free with park admission.
  Call the park for information on available ranger programs.
  Call (352) 493-6072 for more details.
• SPECIAL YOUTH PROGRAM
  Ongoing. Wanted: Junior Rangers!
  Junior Rangers are kids ages 6-12 who help Florida State Parks by learning special secrets of the environment. They do this by visiting the parks and completing the fun activities in the Florida Junior Ranger newspaper. Manatee Springs State Park invites you and your family to experience the Real Florida. Come and enjoy this unique area and learn what you can do to help protect Florida's environmental treasures for future generations.
  Call 352-493-6072 for more details.
• GUIDED PADDLING PROGRAM
  Beginning Friday, December 7, 2007 and continuing every Friday through March 28, 2008.
  
  Manatee Springs State Park offers a guided paddling trip leaving from the canoe launch promptly at 8:30 a.m. The hope is to see manatees, most frequently seen in the spring run area during early morning hours. This is a great opportunity to learn about manatees, and to learn the proper behavior to maximize your viewing experience without disturbing these gentle giants. If no manatees are present, there is still other wildlife to experience along the natural serenity of the cypress-lined crystal clear spring run stream.
  
  To make sure the experience is the best it can be, and as safe as possible, participation will be limited to the first ten boats. Arrive early. If you need to rent the equipment, contact our Visitor Services Provider, Suwannee River Tours, at 352-949-0379 by 3:00 p.m. the day before, Thursday. The park opens at 8:00 a.m.
  
  Call 352-493-6072 for more details.