Inflatable floats and tubes are allowed in the spring and adjacent river. Visitors may bring their own float. To help protect the spring and river, no food, drink, pets, tobacco, alcohol or disposable items are allowed.
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No food or drinks allowed inside tubes. Food and drinks are allowed when kayaking. There are accessible covered pavilions with accessible grills. All pavilions are first come, first served.
Tip: the best time to visit Blue Spring State Park is in the mid morning before the sun is fully up and warming the waters. As the day goes on, the manatees work their way back into the St Johns River. In the morning there are also smaller crowds, so it's much more pleasant.
Can you swim in Blue Springs? Yes, swimming and scuba diving are permitted at Blue Springs, Florida. Check at the entrance if you are required to register. However, the spring run closes during the winter to protect the migratory manatees.
It's best to get to the spring before 10am. We were there on a Friday around 9:30am, it wasn't crowded at all. But when we left around 12:30pm, more and more people started showing up at the park. Just arrive early and enjoy the spring.
Park Capacity InformationMadison Blue Springs State Park experiences frequent closures between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekends and holidays due to high visitation. The park closes when it reaches capacity but may reopen to additional visitors at a later time that day.
Ruth B. Kirby Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park is in the north central part of the state, an area well known for the many spectacular freshwater springs found along the Suwannee and Santa Fe rivers.
GATORLAND | ORLANDO, FLORIDASince 1949, Gatorland has been privately owned and keeping tourist wowed with these giant reptiles. Part of the park was even used during filming of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. The birds of the park really run the place.