Head outdoors

Description:

A handicapped fishing pier is one of the most popular areas for catching fish at Blue Springs State Park. The other popular location is launching a boat or canoe and venturing out into the St. Johns River. Many restricted areas apply due to the presence of endangered manatees sharing the water.

From the pier, anglers will find an abundance of bluegills and blue cats, in addition to largemouth bass, shellcrackers and speckled perch. Gazing into the waters, you might see the prehistoric-looking gar fish which sometimes reaches 5 feet long. A Florida freshwater fishing license is required for individuals age 16 years and older.

Canoe rentals are available at the concession area that also offers limited snacks, camping supplies, trinkets, T-shirts, and groceries.

Visitors to Blue Springs State Park may also be interested in knowing that the park offers a tour boat that follows a 2.5-hour route that travels from the mouth of Blue Springs Run and through a canal that leads to Dead River. At Dead River, the tour boat picks up more tourists as it passes Hontoon Island State Park then circles back to Blue Spring Run. The trip includes a restaurant stop. Reservations can be made by calling the park office.

Historians will find it interesting to learn that three-story Thursby House is located at the park. Before settling at Blue Springs, Louis Thursday abandoned New York to become a soldier in the Mexican War. After the war, he became one of the first successful citrus fruit growers and tradesman from Central Florida.
Directions: Take exit 114 off Interstate 4 and follow the signs. Go south on 17/92 to Orange City, about 2.5 miles. Make a right onto West French Avenue.

Description:

The 2,600-acre site supports an abundance of wildlife due to the subtropical hardwood forest and the huge Blue Springs Run where 55 thousand gallons of water per minute flow 2,200 feet to the river.

There are plenty of opportunities for viewing wildlife at Blue Springs. One in particular is the lengthy handicapped accessible boardwalk paralleling Blue Spring Run. At the western end of the boardwalk is a large ADA fishing pier. From the boardwalk, you can see the bubbling cavernous spring where scuba divers venture into the dark turquoise depths. This is the perfect location for viewing the graceful manatee. Even though the park indicates there is no swimming with the manatees, scuba divers frequently share the same waters. Our visit rewarded us with sights of 13 endangered manatees peacefully enjoying the tepid waters. They come so close to the boardwalk that you can see their scared heads and bodies from where motorboats blazed their flesh. We shared our visit with many visitors, but I have to believe that this pristine environment affords sights of alligators, river otters and a variety of wading birds during the quiet morning or evening hours. The park opens at 8 A.M. and closes at sunset. However, if camping, you can always venture to the boardwalk when day use hours are not in effect. Sometimes feeding at waters' edge, you'll see limpkins, white ibises, crowned-herons and if you visit in winter or spring, be sure to gaze overhead for bald eagles. The rare Florida scrub jay is known to live at the park as well. To highlight your wildlife expedition, enjoy the manatee slide program or a ranger-guided boat tour that follows a 2.5-hour route that travels from the mouth of Blue Springs Run and through a canal that leads to Dead River. At Dead River, the tour boat picks up more tourists as it passes Hontoon Island State Park then circles back to Blue Spring Run. The trip includes a restaurant stop. Reservations can be made by calling the park office.

Historians will find it interesting to learn that the three-story Thursby House is located at the park. Before settling at Blue Springs, Louis Thursday abandoned New York to become a soldier in the Mexican War. After the war, he became one of the first successful citrus fruit growers and tradesman from Central Florida.
Directions: Take exit 114 off Interstate 4 and follow the signs. Go south on 17/92 to Orange City, about 2.5 miles. Make a right onto West French Avenue.

Description:

Blue Springs State Park has three separate overnight locations; a campground, a cabin community and a primitive waterfront site. As soon as you enter the park, take the first road on the right to enter the main campground where you will find 51 tent and RV sites. Twenty-seven of the sites have electric hookups. Each site has a picnic table, grill and fresh drinking water. No sites have a their own dump station, however, there is one within the park. There are only a few sites that are of sufficient size to accommodate today's larger camping rigs. The campground offers accessible bathhouse facilities.

Reservations are taken on 90% of campsites, and 100% for cabins. The reservations can be made up to eleven (11) months in advance from the day you wish to arrive. A convenient feature of the park service is that they accept American Express credit cards.

The campground is located in a pine forest within walking distance of the river and spring run. This is a wonderful feature if you enjoy early morning or late evening walks in hopes of spotting some of the park's unique wildlife including river otters and alligators. Manatees may be seen throughout the day during the winter months.

Primitive camping is available to registered backpackers at the end of Pine Island Trail, which is a 4-mile hike-in site along the banks of St. Johns River.

Visitors to Blue Springs State Park may also be interested in knowing that the park offers a tour boat that follows a 2.5-hour route that travels from the mouth of Blue Springs Run and through a canal that leads to Dead River. At Dead River, the tour boat picks up more tourists as it passes Hontoon Island State Park then circles back to Blue Spring Run. The trip includes a restaurant stop. Reservations can be made by calling the park office.

Historians will find it interesting to learn that three-story Thursby House is located at the park. Before settling at Blue Springs, Louis Thursday abandoned New York to become a soldier in the Mexican War. After the war, he became one of the first successful citrus fruit growers and tradesman from Central Florida.

Our Local Expert Says:

Best close encounters with dolphins and marine life

Description:

In July of 2000, Discovery Cove opened its gates and began providing a unique theme park experience that is nothing short of extraordinary. With a maximum of 1,000 guests per day, the park has managed to create an intimate feel – more like you're visiting a swanky resort in the Caribbean than visiting a theme park in the middle of Orlando. The admission price, though hefty, includes all of your needs…
towels, wet suits, lockers, snorkels, masks, sun tan lotion, souvenir photos and parking.

Meals and snacks are included as well (and not just hot dogs and hamburgers either). You'll start the day with a continental breakfast (pastries, muffins, fresh fruit, juices and coffee). You can have a hamburger for lunch if you'd like, but Discovery Cove also offers such items as grilled salmon and pasta primavera. Unlimited snacks such as chips, pretzels, nachos, ice cream and smoothies are available all day. You can also enjoy as much bottled water, soda, beer, and cappuccinos as you like.

If you've booked yourselves into the Dolphin Encounter, the friendly concierge will schedule your time in the Dolphin Lagoon when you arrive. During the 30-minute encounter, you and 5-7 other guests will wade into shallow water and get up close and personal with a very sociable and playful Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin. Your trainer will guide the dolphin through a series of activities, allowing you to touch and instruct the dolphin. You'll also be able to experience a dorsal tow ride. For dolphin lovers, the extra admission price to include this encounter is definitely worth it.

When you arrive, you'll also want to check on the feeding times at Ray Lagoon so you can make sure to schedule that into your day. You can interact with dozens of rays of all sizes, some up to four feet in diameter. It's an amazing experience to be amongst these gentle and graceful creatures. The Coral Reef is where you'll really get to test your snorkeling skills as you float along amongst the hundreds of brilliantly colored tropical fish and rays. Make sure you find the shark encounter. Don't worry… they're behind thick glass.

You'll want to make several trips down the warm Tropical River, drifting in the slight current, under waterfalls, and through an underwater cave. The river also takes you through the Aviary, where you can hop out of the water and interact with over 250 exotic birds, none of which are caged. Having a toucan land on your arm is an interesting experience. Discovery Cove's beach is a great feature as well. Along
the huge expanse of white, sugary sand, you'll find hammocks, umbrellas, and cabanas for your use. When all the swimming and snorkeling leaves you exhausted, grab a beach lounger and have a nap.
To avoid disappointment, reservations are a must!

Description:

Roy Yamaguchi's eatery serves delicious seafood that is the result of fresh ingredients blended sinfully with Hawaiian recipes. Try some of the classic items like Roy's Canoe Appetizer, Yellow Fin Ahi Poketini and Original Hawaiian Blackened Island Ahi. While relishing your food, do yourself a favor and remember to leave room for the Melting Hot Chocolate Soufflé – it's simply divine! The wine list is equally impressive, with a huge variety of sparkling wines, white wines, chardonnays and merlots to choose from.