Blue Spring State Park is really neat. You can see Manatees in the winter months as it's the winter home to numerous manatees; Blue Spring is a designated manatee refuge.

Blue Spring is the largest spring on the St. Johns River. There are trails you can walk on and The Thursby house, built in 1872, to walk through. Riverboat tours are also available.

Blue Springs State Park has got to be on my favorite state parks in the country. The park itself is quite large but the main attraction is the Blue Spring, which runs all year long, flowing over 100 million gallons daily. In the winter manatees move out of the cold St. John’s River into the warm 72-degree water of the spring. We were there in January when it was a little cooler out so over 100 manatees were there. It is something else to see these wonderful animals in the wild and not in a pool at the zoo. The clarity of the spring water allows people to view without disturbing this unique gathering of endangered species.

I have attached several photos below that say all I need to say. It’s quite amazing to see them come up to the top of the water for a breath of air. We got close enough that we could actually hear the "phoof" sound they made. Do yourself a favor and plan about five hours and pack a picnic and spend the afternoon there with your family.

Blue Springs is the natural winter home to the Florida Manatee. During November through March, the springs are closed to all swimmers other than the manatee. The endangered manatee seek warmth and refuge from the colder St. John River in the 72 degree springs.
One of my fondest memories is of a manatee cow resting in the sun at my foot and nursing her newborn baby. The mother was about 8 feet long, the baby the size of a human infant. The mother extended her flipper to touch my foot and I reached for the baby. My husband, always cautious, snatched me from presumed harm. I still feel the proud mother was welcoming me for a closer look.