Blue Spring State Park is a popular nature reserve and manatee refuge located along the St. Johns River in Orange City, Florida. This guide covers opening hours, entry fees, transport, and practical visitor tips for planning a trip to the spring.
The information in this guide was last updated in April 2026 to reflect the current status of water activities.
Quick facts section
| Feature | Details |
| Opening hours | 08:00 – Sundown (Daily) |
| Ticket prices | $6.00 per vehicle (2–8 people) |
| Address | 2100 W. French Ave, Orange City, FL 32763 |
| Nearest transport | Best reached by car; no direct public transit to gate |
| Time needed | 2 – 4 hours |
Blue Spring State Park opening hours
Blue Spring State Park is open 365 days a year from 08:00 until sundown. During the spring and summer months, the park frequently reaches capacity within one to two hours of opening, resulting in temporary closures to all incoming traffic.
The spring run is open for swimming, tubing, and diving from late March through mid-November. During the winter manatee season (typically mid-November to March), all water activities are strictly prohibited to protect the hundreds of manatees that seek refuge in the warm 22°C (72°F) waters.
Blue Spring State Park ticket prices
The standard park entrance fee for Blue Spring State Park is $6.00 per vehicle with two to eight occupants. For a single-occupant vehicle or a motorcycle, the fee is $4.00, while pedestrians and cyclists are charged $2.00 per person.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in April 2026. The park is part of the Florida State Parks system; it is not included in private city passes but accepts the Florida State Parks Annual Pass, which provides unlimited entry to over 170 state parks including nearby De Leon Springs, Hontoon Island, and Silver Springs.
Other Florida state parks covered by the pass include Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park in Key West, Devil’s Millhopper State Geological Park in Gainesville, Anastasia State Park in St Augustine.
How to get to Blue Spring State Park
The park is located approximately 45 minutes north of Orlando, 40 minutes south-west of Daytona Beach and 1 hour 45 minutes south of Jacksonville. Most visitors arrive via I-4, taking Exit 114 (SR-472) toward Orange City and following the brown signs to the park entrance on West French Avenue.
There is no direct public bus service that stops at the park gates. Visitors without a car typically use ride-sharing services from the nearby DeBary SunRail station, which is roughly 6 miles (10 kilometres) from the park.
Parking at Blue Spring State Park
Parking is available in several paved lots near the spring head and the St. Johns River boat dock. However, because Blue Spring State Park is one of Florida’s most popular destinations, parking fills rapidly on weekends and during school holidays.
Once the parking lots are full, the park staff will close the front gate and a “Park at Capacity” sign will be displayed. Entry is only granted on a one-out, one-in basis, which can result in long wait times on the road outside the park.
How long to spend at Blue Spring State Park
A typical visit to Blue Spring State Park lasts between 2 and 4 hours. This allows time for a walk along the 1/3-mile boardwalk to view the spring head and a session of swimming or tubing in the spring run.
Visitors who intend to rent a kayak or take the two-hour guided river cruise on the St. Johns River should plan for a full-day trip. If you are visiting during a peak weekend, allow at least an extra hour for potential entry queues.
Accessibility at Blue Spring State Park
Blue Spring State Park features several accessible amenities, including a paved and wooden boardwalk that provides a step-free route from the car park to the spring head. Accessible picnic pavilions, restrooms, and a gift shop are also available near the main parking area.
While the boardwalk allows for viewing the water, the entry points for swimming and tubing involve stairs that may be difficult for those with significant mobility impairments. A specialized beach wheelchair is available for use at the park upon request at the ranger station.
Inside Blue Spring State Park
The primary attraction is the Blue Spring Run, a crystal-clear channel where water remains a constant 22°C (72°F) year-round. A wooden boardwalk parallels the run, offering multiple viewing platforms to observe fish, turtles, and large alligators.
The Thursby House, a restored 19th-century plantation house located near the river, serves as a small museum providing insight into the area’s steamboat history. Visitors can explore the ground floor and the surrounding grounds, which feature ancient live oaks draped in Spanish moss.
For those interested in water sports, the park offers rentals for kayaks, canoes, and tubes at the concession stand. The lower end of the spring run opens into the St. Johns River, where boat tours depart several times a day to explore the surrounding St. Johns River lagoons and marshes.
Practical visitor tips
| Aspect | Tip |
| Arrival | Arrive before 08:00 on weekends to secure a parking spot before capacity is reached. |
| Manatees | Visit between December and February to see the highest concentration of manatees. |
| Tubing | Rent a tube at the concession or bring your own (max 5 feet) for the spring run. |
| Supplies | The on-site canteen serves basic snacks; bring a cooler if you plan to have a full picnic. |
| Currents | The current in the spring run is moderate; swimming is most efficient when moving downstream. |
Frequently asked questions about Blue Spring State Park
| Query | Answer |
| Is Blue Spring State Park suitable for children? | Yes, the shallow areas of the spring and the fenced boardwalk are very family-friendly. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Blue Spring State Park? | No, but camping and cabin reservations must be made via the Florida State Parks website. |
| Is Blue Spring State Park open on Sundays? | Yes, it is open from 08:00 until sundown every Sunday. |
| Are dogs allowed at Blue Spring State Park? | Pets are allowed in designated areas but are strictly prohibited from the swimming and boardwalk areas. |
Things to do near Blue Spring State Park
- De Leon Springs State Park: Famous for its “Old Spanish Sugar Mill” where visitors can cook their own pancakes at the table.
- Hontoon Island State Park: An island park accessible only by ferry, offering hiking trails and ancient Indian mounds.
- St. Johns River Cruises: Guided boat tours departing from the park’s dock to see birds and wildlife in the river basin.
- Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp: A historic community known for its unique architecture and psychic readings, located 15 minutes away.
- Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park: A large wilderness area offering extensive horse riding and hiking trails through Florida scrubland.
More Florida travel
Other Florida travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Guide to the Marine Science Center and Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse at Ponce Inlet.
- Plan your visit to the Dunlawton Sugar Mill Gardens in Port Orange.
- Step back in time at Daytona Beach’s Halifax Historical Museum.
- Ride the slides at the Daytona Lagoon Waterpark in Daytona Beach.
- Getting to Daytona Beach: The best stops on the Jacksonville to Daytona Beach drive and St Augustine to Daytona Beach drive.
