While the Blue Spring State Park offers the normal amenities of camping, hiking, wildlife watching, fishing, kayaking or canoeing, or simply sitting back on a two-hour narrated guided river boat cruise (Blue River Adventures) on the St. Johns River, it's the manatees that many come to see. With a constant 72-degree crystal-clear spring water in the winter months, the park is home to the largest manatee gathering site in Florida. On almost any given day, you will be able to observe hundreds of these gentle creatures socializing and mothers with their small calves along the park's 1/3 of a mile boardwalk that runs from the St. Johns River to the headspring. What started out as 36 animals being researched in the 70s, has now grown to hundreds; 900+ were reported in 2024. A great comeback not to be missed.