Blue Spring State Park
Orange City, FL
The winter refuge of hundreds of West Indian manatees, watched from a boardwalk along the clear spring run from November to March. Swimming is closed in manatee season; the lots fill by mid-morning on cold days.
Blue Spring State Park is a nature park near Orange City, Florida, and a winter refuge for manatees. More than 300 animals seek out the spring water, which stays at about 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius), during the cold winter months. A boardwalk about 0.4 miles (650 m) long follows Blue Spring Run through a shady hardwood forest.
The park also holds the Louis Thursby House from 1872, which visitors can tour on their own; Thursby built it on a large shell midden left by the indigenous population. According to the park brochure, swimming is permitted only in designated areas; additional restrictions may apply during manatee season, so please check in advance. Address: 2100 West French Avenue, Orange City.
- Nearest town
- Orange City, FL
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 28.9476, -81.3397
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually November–April. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September–October. Hot in June–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Sand Pine Scrub CampgroundCampsite0 mi from Blue Spring State ParkTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- River Forest Group SiteCampsite5 mi from Blue Spring State Park
- Cypress Point RV ParkMotorhome stopover14 mi from Blue Spring State ParkMotorhomes
- Alexander SpringsCampsite17 mi from Blue Spring State ParkTentsCaravansDrinking water
- International RV ParkMotorhome stopover20 mi from Blue Spring State ParkMotorhomes
- Daytona RV ParkMotorhome stopover24 mi from Blue Spring State ParkMotorhomesWi-Fi
All campsites in Florida · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Blue Spring State Park?
Blue Spring State Park is in Orange City, FL, at GPS 28.9476, -81.3397. It is about 17 mi from Alexander Springs.
Can you camp near Blue Spring State Park?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Sand Pine Scrub Campground, about 0 mi away; within 25 mi there are 61 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Blue Spring State Park?
Blue Spring State Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Central Florida springs: Wekiwa to the Ichetucknee and Spring pools, manatees and sand pines – by camper from Orlando through the Ocala National Forest to the springs of Central Florida.
What is there to see near Blue Spring State Park?
Places worth a stop nearby: De Leon Springs State Park (13 mi), Wekiwa Springs State Park (18 mi), Mount Dora (21 mi) and Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse (27 mi).
When is the best time to visit Blue Spring State Park?
The most pleasant months are usually November–April. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September–October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)