A Visitor’s Guide

A visitor’s guide to a city is one of the most common pieces of content that you can find on travel sites. The guide usually consists of information about attractions, hotels and restaurants, as well as special event details.

The “best visitor guides” are a great way to get an overview of the city. They’re easy to read and provide a lot of information about what’s going on in the area.

We may get compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on one of the links in this article.

What is the location of Blue Spring State Park?

Blue Springs State Park is situated just west of Orange City, Florida, north of Orlando and inland from New Smyrna Beach. Along the Saint Johns River, the park is sandwiched between two other parks.

summer view of Blue Springs State Park in Florida with clear river waters. Blue Spring State Park FL A Visitor's Guide

How to go from Orlando to Blue Spring SP

You’ll want to take I-4 northbound from Orlando. Take this interstate to US-17 N/US-92 E in Seminole County, then continue I-4 E to US-17 N/US-92 E. From I-4 E, take exit 104 and proceed to Blue Springs State Park.

Turn left into French Avenue, then left onto Becker Boulevard, and finally right into the park in Orange City. The journey is around 33.5 miles long and takes little over forty minutes.

How to go from Tampa to Blue Spring SP

The drive from Tampa, Florida, brings you straight to Orlando, then back to the park through the same path.

To get to I-4 E, you’ll need to take I-275 north. To get to the park, keep on I-4 E through Orlando, exit at exit 104, and continue on US-17 N/US-92 E. Turn left into French Avenue, then left onto Becker Boulevard, and finally right into the park in Orange City. The journey is around 117 miles long and takes slightly over two hours.

In relation to the park

The park’s background

Blue Springs used to be a lively fish camp that was privately owned. In 1972, the park was established to safeguard the manatees that live in the Saint John’s River. The region was so crowded before it was declared a park that manatees seldom came and had effectively lost their winter habitat. Approximately 500 manatees now call the park and river home.

Steamboats carried the cypress and pine logs up the river to Jacksonville, making logging a large industry in the region. The Thursby family erected a huge plantation home on the site in 1872, which has been preserved as a historical monument. The region was like the Wild West if it were a Florida swamp, with a lively riverboat landing.

The history of indigenous peoples

Blue Springs was founded by the Timucuan Indians, who lived in the region for about 3,000 years.

On the east end of the spring, huge mounds of snail shells were discovered. They were a primary diet for the tribe, and the stacks of shells were thought to have served as a barrier to defend their houses from periodic floods.

Blue Spring State Park is home to a variety of wildlife.

Is it true that there are manatees in Blue Springs?

manatees enjoying the water at Blue Springs State Park

Manatees are common visitors to Blue Springs, and although they are more numerous in the winter, they are usually there. Blue Springs is one of the few spots in the world where you can reliably view manatees from the beach.

Manatees should not be approached and should only be swum in specified places. However, if manatees approach you in such locations, you are free to swim with them.

Is Blue Spring State Park home to any alligators?

There are alligators in the water, as in most freshwater regions in central Florida. They have a safe place to live with the manatees, with lots of fish and birds to eat. They prefer calmer, less populated regions most of the time, but you should always be aware that they live there and should only swim in specified areas.

In Blue Spring State Park, you may witness a variety of other species.

other animals in the park perched on a driftwood in the river

The park is also home to a variety of other creatures. There are several species to be seen, including kingfishers, wading birds, ospreys, and eagles. A few black bears, as well as gopher tortoises, may be spotted in the forested regions around the springs.

Gar, sunfish, and turtles may be spotted in the sea, swimming across the beautiful blue waters.

Blue Spring State Park offers a variety of activities.

Is it possible to swim in the park?

In the park, you may swim, but only in approved sections. There are sometimes closures, so check the park’s website before going so you don’t get caught off guard. Swimming restrictions may be found here. Because it is spring-fed, the water temperature remains consistent at 72 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year.

Tubing

Blue Spring Adventures provides tubing services. You get in and float back to the main boat pier. The whole journey is roughly an eighth of a mile long.

Kayaking

Kayaking is another activity offered by Blue Spring Adventures. Every year, seasonal closures occur, so contact ahead to check on availability, closures, and reservations.

Hiking

In the park, there are a few of self-guided nature hikes. A small boardwalk route allows visitors to experience the spring’s natural beauty while walking to the spring.

Pine Island Route is a more difficult 3.6-mile (one-way) trail that winds through the scrub vegetation and then along St. John’s blackwater river. At the trailhead, there are updates on path conditions.

What amenities does the park offer?

The park offers a variety of camping choices as well as a variety of facilities for visitors. Accessibility solutions are available to assist persons with impairments in enjoying the park. The park offers cottages, a campsite, and an RV park for camping. There are showers, restrooms, and concessions available. There are also educational activities and a children’s playground.

landscape view of Blue Springs State Park in Florida. Blue Spring State Park, FL A Visitor's Guide

What is the ideal time to go to Blue Spring State Park in Florida?

Summer and winter are the park’s busiest seasons, with summer providing the finest weather and winter attracting the most manatees. The offseasons of fall and spring have fewer visitors, but they are also when the park does maintenance and building work, so fewer facilities are accessible.

You should go to the park during the winter months if you want to view the most manatees.

The “Knoxville guide to” is a visitor’s guide to Knoxville, Tennessee. It includes information on what to do and where to go in the city. Reference: guide to knoxville.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a visitor guide?

 

How do you write a visitors guide?

A: You need to know what your website is about. If you are looking for web design, then talk to someone who specializes in it.

Why do tourists need a guide?

A: Tourists can be easily overwhelmed with the amount of things to see and do in a city. If youre not careful, this could lead to disappointment or failure when trying something new. Its always better to have someone who knows what theyre doing for your trip tell you where the best places are and how much itll cost!

  • digital visitor guide
  • michigan travel guide by mail
  • visitnepa
  • scranton, pa visitors guide
  • woodlands activity guide