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Blue Spring State Park
Several seasonal residents move into Florida towns to pass the winter, but none are more unusual or intriguing than the winter inhabitants of Orange Park, with their telltale snouts, pancake-like tails and giant gray bellies. We’re talking about Florida’s popular manatees, which come by the hundreds to warm up in the waters of Blue Spring State Park. Located just 35 minutes northeast of Orlando and 30 minutes southwest of Daytona Beach, Blue Spring State Park is a haven for the gentle giants which find the water in the St. John’s River typically too chilly during the months of late November, December, January and February. “Blue Spring is the largest spring that feeds the St. John’s River,” explains a park staffer. The water comes from a 120’ deep, natural spring called boil; the water is boiling up from underground and is 72 degrees at the surface. The river can drop as low as 50 degrees in the winter time, so manatees come into the spring area to get warm, to warm up their kids, and let them play. They’ll go in and out during the day to feed in the river, but keep returning to the 1/3 mile stretch that is the spring.”
The maximum number of manatees counted in one day was during January’s cold snap, when 311 sea cows came to the spring at once. Along the length of the spring runs a boardwalk with multiple observation platforms over the river; visibility is always amazing because natural fresh spring water is perfectly clear. A “first magnitude spring,” Blue Spring produces no less than 104 million gallons of fresh water daily, which feeds into the St. John’s, along the park’s southern edge.
West Indian Manatees, also called sea cows, grow to nine feet long and weigh between 800 and 1200 pounds at maturity. Even a young manatee is large, and stays close to “mom.” These slow-moving creatures are herbivores, and rely upon fresh water. Their closest relative is actually the elephant. During “manatee season,” park service employees offer daily interpretive programs.
After March 1, Blue Spring State Park reverts to a watery wonderland for people once again, when it offers swimming, snorkeling, scuba and paddle sports. Families also enjoy picnic tables, barbecue grills, picnic areas, a hiking trail which goes into the woods, and a paved trail across the street, which is reserved for bicycles and hiking. There are plenty of restrooms and parking is plentiful except on weekends, when the park can get overcrowded.
In the fall, the park offers St. Johns River Nature Cruises and guided kayak tours, both of which are terrific family activities. A small snack bar and gift shop offers food, drinks and manatee-themes souvenirs. Family geared activities for fall include St. Johns River Nature Cruises and Kayak tours by a Florida Park Service Visitor Services Provider located along the banks of the St. Johns River; all ages are welcome to participate. You can grab a snack or quick lunch while perusing the manatee themed books and souvenir offerings at the Blue Spring Enterprises snack bar and gift shop.
Blue Spring State Park is just a short drive from our Orlando resorts: The Fountains and Orlando's Sunshine Resort. If you are visiting the Atlantic coast and staying in Daytona Beach, be sure to book a stay at Daytona SeaBreeze or Casa Del Mar Beach Resort. Grab your swimsuit or your camera and set your GPS for Orange City. This is the best of what nature lovers call “Olde Florida.”
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