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Safety Updates

Florida State Parks will follow local orders requiring facial coverings or masks to provide for staff and visitor safety. These requirements vary from area to area. Our main priority is the safety of our guests and staff. We will continue to review operations on a daily basis and make additional operational changes as may be deemed necessary for protection of public health. Please review individual park pages for specific information for each location.

View details about online payments, park and campground closures, park programs/events and facial coverings.

Water Activities Closed

Effective Nov. 15, 2020, to March 31, 2021: The spring run at Blue Spring State Park is closed to all water activities for manatee season. This includes swimming, snorkeling, tubing, canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding. Please visit Wekiwa Springs State Park or De Leon Springs State Park for winter water activity fun.

Limited Visitation at this Park

Effective Nov. 15, 2020: Blue Spring State Park is open (see hours of operation and fee information below). Swimming is not available during manatee season. Correct change is required. Credit/debit cards accepted. Visitors are expected to maintain distances of at least six feet apart.

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Experiences & Amenities

Back to Blue Spring State Park

Park Menu

  • Hours & Fees
  • Experiences & Amenities
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Experiences

Birding
Birding

The endemic Florida scrub-jay inhabits Blue Spring State Park. With many families dwelling in the rare scrub ecosystem, it is likely you will catch a glimpse or hear their calls.  

Please keep in mind that feeding Florida scrub-jays is against the law and can cause great harm to the birds.

Boat Tours
Boat Tours

St. Johns River Cruises and Tours operates boat tours daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. This is a two-hour narrated nature and ecological cruise on the beautiful and historic St. Johns River.

  • For fees and reservations, please call 833-953-2583, or visit Blue Springs Adventures.

St. Johns River Cruises has become the latest Florida ecotour provider to successfully complete the Florida Society for Ethical Ecotourism's rigorous certification program and was awarded the prestigious Platinum Level Certification for meeting over 90% of the bonus criteria on the Society's checklist. 

Wheelchair access is provided with a wheelchair lift into the vessel. Please reference any accessibility needs when making a reservation.

Camping
Camping

The campground has 51 campsites (recreational vehicles up to 40 feet long) located in the sand pine scrub and within walking distance of the spring. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, water, electricity and a grill. A dump station is available in the park.

Pets are welcome in the camping area in accordance with our Pet Policy. Accessible sites are offered on ReserveAmerica. Two new bathhouses are complete with accessible showers and bathroom stalls.

  • Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance through ReserveAmerica. Book online or call 800-326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf 888-433-0287.
  • Swimming in the spring is prohibited after hours.
Fishing
Fishing

Visitors can fish from the accessible fishing dock on the St. Johns River. Fishing is not permitted in the Blue Spring Run.

  • All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season. A fishing license may be required.  More information is available at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fishing in Florida.
Hiking
Hiking

The same pristine beauty enjoyed by Florida's earliest residents can still be seen today. An accessible boardwalk leads visitors on a self-guided tour through a lush hammock to Blue Spring.

Pine Island Trail is 3.6 miles in length (one way) and takes you through numerous plant communities from the desert-like scrub to the blackwater stream known as the St. Johns River.

  • Please check postings at the trail head for information on trail conditions.
Paddling
Paddling

You are invited to canoe beautiful Blue Spring Run and the St Johns River. Canoes and kayaks may be rented at Blue Springs Adventures along the St. Johns River.

  • For more information, current conditions, availability, costs and reservations, call 833-953-2583, or visit Blue Springs Adventures.

Blue Spring is a designated manatee refuge. Temperatures in the spring run remain a constant 72 degrees, creating a safe haven for the West Indian manatee.

To provide a safe warm-water refuge for manatees during the winter season, the spring and spring run are closed to all water-related activities including swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and boating from approximately mid-November through March.

  • For the safety of visitors, climbing onto the spring banks or trees is prohibited
Picnicking
Picnicking

Blue Spring State Park offers two separate picnic areas. There are accessible covered pavilions with accessible grills located at these areas for larger groups. One of these areas also has a large covered barbecue grill. 

  • All pavilions are first come, first served.
  • There are many grills and picnic tables throughout the park.
Scuba Diving
Scuba Diving

Blue Spring State Park is pleased to allow responsible, certified divers access. To ensure the safety of all divers and other visitors, the following criteria must be met:

  • All divers must show proof of certification before diving and leave certifications visible on the dashboard of the vehicle
  • All divers must have a dive buddy and remain together for the duration of each and every dive
  • Cavern and cave diving is available only to certified cave divers
  • Open water divers are permitted to 50 feet
  • Open water divers are not permitted to carry lights
  • Instructors conducting a class must have a commercial dive permit
  • Divers dive at their own risk
  • No solo diving is permitted
  • Dives cannot extend past 5 p.m.
  • Swimming after hours is prohibited
  • No scooters (DPVs) or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
  • No fishing
  • Divers must keep a distance of 50 feet between themselves and manatees
Snorkeling
Snorkeling

Blue Spring offers snorkeling in a crystal-clear spring run.

  • Swimming with the manatees is not permitted
  • For the safety of visitors, climbing onto the spring banks or trees is prohibited
Swimming
Swimming

Blue Spring offers swimming in a crystal-clear spring run.

  • Swimming or diving with the manatees is not permitted
  • For the safety of visitors, climbing onto the spring banks or trees is prohibited
Tubing
Tubing

Tube rentals are available through Blue Springs Adventures at 833-953-2583. You can enter the water at the upper entry, swim to the spring boil, and float back down to the main swim dock. The float run lasts about an eighth of a mile.

Amenities

Accessible Amenities
Accessible Amenities

Blue Spring State Park is committed to providing a variety of amenities accessible to all of our visitors.

These amenities include:

  • Boat tours.
  • Fishing dock.
  • First floor of Thursby House.
  • Picnic facilities with tables and grills.
  • Concession for food and gift shop.
  • Interpretive exhibits.
  • Campsites with concrete pad, picnic table, ground grill and nearby restrooms.
  • Cabins for overnight accommodations.
  • Restrooms.

Service animals are welcome in all areas of Florida State Parks.

Cabins
Cabins

Six two-bedroom cabins are located in a shady oak hammock near Blue Spring, a designated manatee refuge.

  • Swimming in the spring is prohibited after hours.

Cabins accommodate up to six people. One bedroom is furnished with a double bed. The second bedroom is furnished with two single beds. A sleeper sofa in the living room converts to a double bed. Each cabin is equipped with a gas fireplace (for use November through March), central heating and cooling, bathroom, fully equipped kitchen with stove and refrigerator, screened porch, outdoor grill and picnic table.

Linens, pillows, blankets and towels, cooking and eating utensils are provided. Linens are not changed daily. Two vehicles per cabin are permitted. For the guests' relaxation, televisions and phones are not provided.

  • Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through ReserveAmerica. Book online or call 800-326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or TDD 888-433-0287. Pets are not permitted in cabins. Service animals are welcome.
  • There is a minimum two nights stay in cabins on weekends and holidays, either Friday and Saturday night, or Saturday and Sunday nights. A single Friday or Saturday night may be reserved only if the following Saturday or Sunday night is already reserved.
  • Cabin 2 is accessible and is available by reservation through ReserveAmerica.
Campgrounds
Campgrounds
Canoe Kayak Launch
Canoe Kayak Launch
Concession and Restaurant
Concession and Restaurant

The Manatee Gift Shop, Food Service, Camp Store and Water Activities Rental Station are located near the public swimming area.

  • For more information, costs and seasonal hours, contact Blue Springs Adventures at 833-953-2583.
Dump Station
Dump Station
Historic Site
Historic Site

The Thursby House was built by Louis Thursby in 1872 and became a hub of activity on the St. Johns River, hosting steamboat passengers as they made their way up and down the river.

Thursby House

Interpretive Exhibit
Interpretive Exhibit

Interpretive exhibits are available in the Thursby House and on kiosks along the accessible Spring Run boardwalk. Interpretive programs on manatees are offered daily during the manatee season (November 15-March 1).

  • Special programs are offered to schools and organized groups upon request.
Nature Trail
Nature Trail
Parking
Parking
Picnic Pavilion
Picnic Pavilion

Three accessible picnic pavilions are offered that have stand-up grills. There is also a large accessible barbecue grill by the pavilions near the river.

Playground
Playground
Restroom Facilities
Restroom Facilities

Blue Spring State Park has accessible day-use restrooms and campground restrooms.

RV
RV
Shower Station
Shower Station
Florida State Parks

Main Menu

  • Plan your visit
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Have Questions?

Contact the Statewide Information Line:
(850) 245-2157

Or send an email to:
FSP.Feedback@FloridaDEP.gov

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