You Can See Hundreds of Manatees Gather at This Stunning State Park Every Winter-and It Has Crystal-clear Spring Water

"Visitors can stroll the park's boardwalk-a one-third-mile stretch from the St. Johns River to the headspring-and watch from above as manatees float peacefully below, socializing or nursing their calves in the clear, warm water. It is not only a rare chance to observe these gentle giants without disturbing them, but also a conservation success story: When research began in the 1970s, around 36 manatees visited the park. Now, there are well over 700."

"Some of the most pristine places on Earth attract not just people seeking beauty, but animals searching for food, safety-or, in the case of Blue Spring State Park in Central Florida, warmth. Each winter, when the surrounding waters cool, hundreds of West Indian manatees migrate to the park's crystal-clear spring, where the temperature remains 72 degrees year-round. The spring releases over 70 million gallons of water a day into the St. Johns River,"

Blue Spring State Park in Central Florida maintains a 72-degree spring that attracts hundreds of West Indian manatees each winter, creating one of Florida's largest winter refuges. The spring releases over 70 million gallons of water daily into the St. Johns River, and manatee counts have grown from about 36 in the 1970s to more than 700. Visitors can observe manatees from a boardwalk without disturbing them, and some manatees return to give birth or are released there after rehabilitation. Year-round activities include spotting the endemic Florida scrub jay, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, boating, paddling, hiking, fishing, camping, and accessible facilities.

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