Blue Spring State Park
Go to walk the Pine Island Trail, spend time beside the spring and look for manatees in winter, when the 72-degree waters offer refuge along the St. Johns River.
November through March the spring run fills with hundreds of wild manatees escaping the cold St. Johns River — a boardwalk view of megafauna no aquarium can sell you.
Read the full 12 Things to Do in Orlando That Aren't Theme Parks →Also featured in Florida Manatee Season 2026: Where to See Manatees This Winter
Map & parking
Hundreds of manatees that gather in the spring run to stay warm from mid November through March.
Florida scrub jays live here all year, and visitors may also spot ospreys, eagles, and kingfishers.
Crystal clear and cool, with a lazy river feel and wildlife around every bend.
Food: Start your day with a slow walk on the boardwalk to look for wildlife in the clear water.
Drink: Add a two hour narrated nature cruise on the St. Johns River for a different view.
Hike the Pine Island Trail for a walk away from the spring.
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