Getting to Blue Spring

Blue Spring State Park is located in Orange City, about 35 miles north of Orlando off I-4 and US-17/92. The drive takes 45 minutes to an hour. The park is home to one of Florida's largest manatee aggregation sites, with hundreds of manatees gathering in the crystal-clear spring run from November through March.

Manatee Season

Manatees migrate to Blue Spring when the St. Johns River water temperature drops below 68 degrees, typically November through March. Peak viewing days can see 200 or more manatees in the spring run. BusBrother times group arrivals for the morning when manatees are most active.

Activities for Groups

Beyond manatee viewing, Blue Spring offers a swimming area in the spring head, kayak and paddleboard rentals, nature trails, and the historic Thursby House. The park's boardwalk along the spring run is fully accessible and provides the best manatee viewing.

Park Capacity and Planning

Blue Spring now requires a day-use reservation for every visitor, so the group's entry is booked online before the trip rather than won at the gate. The park still fills on busy days, so plan a morning arrival time that matches the reservation and confirm with the park how a large coach group is charged.

What Do Blue Spring State Park's Current Rules Mean for a Group Trip?

Since July 15, 2026, every Blue Spring State Park visitor needs a day-use reservation with the entry fee paid online; the park at 2100 West French Avenue, Orange City is open 8 a.m. to sundown every day, and the spring run closes to all water activities from about mid-November through March for manatee season.

Do we need a reservation?

Yes. Starting July 15, 2026, all visitors, including annual passholders, pedestrians and cyclists, need a day-use reservation, and the entry fee is collected online at booking with no added reservation fee. Reserve before you book the bus. Source: floridastateparks.org.

What does entry cost?

Florida State Parks lists 6 dollars per vehicle with two to eight people, 4 dollars for a single-occupant vehicle and 2 dollars for pedestrians, bicyclists and extra passengers. The park does not publish a separate bus rate, so confirm how a large coach group is charged when you reserve. Source: floridastateparks.org.

When can the group swim, and when are manatees there?

Swimming in the spring run is open from April 1 to November 14 and can reopen later if many manatees remain. From about mid-November through March the entire run closes to swimming, tubing, diving and paddling for manatee season. Blue Spring is a first-magnitude spring discharging over 102 million gallons a day into the St. Johns River and is a designated winter manatee refuge. Source: floridastateparks.org, floridastateparks.org, floridastateparks.org.

Does the park fill up?

Florida State Parks says Blue Spring frequently reaches capacity on summer weekdays and weekends and advises arriving early. For boat tours and other on-water activities, the park refers visitors to its concessionaire, Blue Springs Adventures, at 833-953-2583. Source: floridastateparks.org, floridastateparks.org.

How long is the drive to Blue Spring State Park?

FromRoad milesFree-flow drive
Orlando3650 min
Sanford1630 min
Daytona Beach3144 min
Kissimmee571 hr 18 min

OSRM / OpenStreetMap routing from city centers, 2026-10-08; no traffic or stops.

Official sources checked October 8, 2026.

What Do Groups Ask About This Trip?

Yes. Starting July 15, 2026, Florida State Parks requires a day-use reservation for every Blue Spring State Park visitor, including annual passholders, pedestrians and cyclists, with the entry fee collected online at booking and no added reservation fee. Make the reservation first, then book the charter bus to match your entry date and time.
No. The park closes the entire spring run to swimming, tubing, diving and paddling from about mid-November through March while manatees shelter there, and swimming is open from April 1 to November 14, with reopening delayed if many manatees remain. Winter groups come for manatee viewing from the boardwalk instead.
From downtown Orlando the drive to Blue Spring State Park in Orange City is about 36 road miles, roughly 50 minutes in free-flowing traffic, and from Daytona Beach it is about 31 miles or 44 minutes, based on OSRM routing. Leave early in summer, when the park often reaches capacity.
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About the Author

Mark Gabrielli is the founder of BusBrother and CEO of WETYR Corporation. With over a decade of experience in Florida transportation logistics, Mark has personally coordinated thousands of group trips - from cruise port shuttles at Port Canaveral to corporate charters across Orlando and Tampa. He started BusBrother to bring transparent pricing, competitive carrier bidding, and 24/7 service to a market that historically lacked all three.

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