MANATEE SPRINGS STATE PARK
MANATEE SPRINGS STATE PARK
11650 N.W. 115th St.
Chiefland, FL 32626
(352) 493-6072
LOCATION: Manatee Springs State Park is located in north central Florida, at the end of State Road 320, off U.S. 98, six miles west of Chiefland.
ACTIVITIES: The park offers opportunities for camping, swimming, canoeing, boating, fishing or just relaxing. Scuba diving is allowed in the spring for certified scuba divers and cave diving for certified cave divers.
FACILITIES: The scout campsites (two) are located near Sink Loop Trail. The large
site fee was $25 one time fee plus $.50 per scout per day. Check with ranger for
current fees.
FEES: From October 1 to February 28, fees are $8 per day per site plus $.50 per day for
each extra person. From March 1 to September 30, fees are $13 per day per site plus $.50
per day for each extra person.
SITE: Manatee Springs is one of Florida's first-magnitude springs, producing 85,926 gallons of fresh water per minute. Water from the springs' run flows into the Suwannee River on its way to the Gulf of Mexico, 23 miles downstream. The most prominent natural feature in the 2.075 acre park is Manatee Springs itself. A first-magnitude spring, it produces 81,280 gallons of crystal-clear water every minute or approximately 117 million gallons daily.
COMMENTS: (contributed by a local Scouter, Stringham1@aol.com)
From October to March is the favorite time to camp there because it gets hot at other
times of the year.
Every Saturday night a local astronomy club meets at the south side of the main parking
lot near the springs.
It was really fun. They bring several large scopes and we really had fun looking at
galaxies, etc.
The spring is fun to swim in and that will be one of the best attractions. Plan
several cooling off swims.
The hike on the north trail is pleasant but really doesn't go anywhere exciting except the
indian village. In other words, the journey is the hike and not the destination.
I saw a hawk swoop down and pick up a snake. Was awesome. The
indian village is reconstructed using the same methods as Florida natives used to build
their homes. It is built and maintained by native Americans.
If the manatee are swimming in the spring you cannot go swimming that day. The
highest manatee sitting days are in February.
We have been several times to this camp with our family. Be sure to spray for ticks,
or rake the leaves away from where your tent is (forbidden I know), and to check yourself.
The solution was to rake the leaves away from our tent doors. Otherwise we
were overrun.
Their are many armadillos, raccoons by the dozen.
The canoe rental is limited to about a two hundred yard extension of the spring just
before it empties into the Swanee River. The river walk through the swamp to the
Swanee River Dock is wonderful and full of animals. Sit quiet and look, you will be amazed
at what you can see.
Happy Camping
