Manatee Springs State Park

About Manatee Springs State Park

Manatee Springs discharges an average of 100 million gallons of water per day from this top-notch source. The surrounding land is like a sponge, sand and limestone drain rainfall into deep caves that transport water in all directions, mainly from southeastern sources. When rain falls on land within 40 miles of the springs, the water will flow in at a speed of about 1,000 gallons per second.

The spring water itself is popular for swimming, snorkeling and diving and it is an excellent year-round experience for people. From November to April, manatees use spring life and release water to generate heat. During these months, the Suwannee River and the Gulf of Mexico get cold, but with constant 72-degree wells.

During the summer months you can see giant prehistoric - eons-old looking Gulf sturgeon jumping in and out of the water. Children can have fun on the picnic area, where tables, barbecues and gazebos are available for family fun. The spring forms a sparkling stream that winds through towering cypresses before flowing into the Suwannee River. In Manatee Springs, you can walk, swim, snorkel, fish, kayak, boat, canoe and do other activities.

Hiking and cycling adventures await at the northern end of the trail network, and a fully equipped campsite is surrounded by hardwood hammocks and highland pine habitat. A promenade that winds through the springs, rivers, cypresses and swamp paths is a great place to observe wildlife.

People have been coming to Manatee Springs for thousands of years, and a large Indian village, Timucuan, was once rich in springs.

Both cultures came for the same reason: natural resources, and Europeans and Americans were among the youngest visitors to Manatee Springs. The Seminoles hunted in the woods, fished the rivers and hunted deer, elk, coyotes and other wildlife out of the woods.

In 1949, the State of Florida began to buy the springs and the adjacent land to preserve them forever. Manatee Springs was opened as a state park in 1955, to the delight of all Florida residents and visitors. This site has 82 pitches, campsites, electricity and water and is one of the largest parks in Florida.

The convenience station, which is centrally located, is on the loop and offers comfort stations with hot showers, toilets and sinks.

Pets are not allowed in tents and animals that are noisy, dangerous, intimidating or destructive are not allowed to stay in the park. Numbered pitches 14 - 34 are also suitable for tents only and all campsites are located within the Magnolia 1 campsite. All campsites are allowed, but no pets or animals except dogs, cats, horses, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks, turkeys, rabbits, birds, squirrels, geese or other animals.

Manatee Springs State Park has 82 pitches and campsites with electricity and water at all locations. The convenience station, which is centrally located, is in the loop and the comfort station offers hot showers, toilets and sinks.

Pets are not allowed in tents and animals that are noisy, dangerous, intimidating or destructive are not allowed to stay in the park. Numbered pitches 14 - 34 are also suitable for tents only, and all animals are prohibited. This campsite is located in the Magnolia # 1 campsite and is only open to adults and children between 12 and 18 years old.

Organized groups of six or more people can camp in the vicinity of the primitive youth camp or at one of the other campsites in the park.

These facilities include drinking water and outdoor showers, but some areas are reserved for nonprofit and organized groups, such as the primitive youth camp and primitive campgrounds.

Be careful, the current is fast and you can swim up to 300 meters from the shore to the edge of the water.

Canoeing and kayaking are available all year round - on the famous Suwannee River, and motor boats can be moored at floating moorings along the river. The park offers painting rentals through contracted concessionaries and houses the Manatee County Museum of Natural History and the Florida State Museum.

The spring manatees "run will be closed from 1 December to 30 March and from 1 March to 1 April. Canoe starts at the spring race require a vehicle start, and canoes at all spring races require a vehicle start.

Canoes and kayaks can start from a floating jetty in the parking lot of Manatee State Park and start at 1: 30 p.m. on the first day of the spring race. Canoe starts at all spring races require a vehicle start or ask for directions from the Ranger Station. The park is accessible by car or by boat, boat, canoe or kayak or boat.

Lucky anglers will enjoy a variety of fish species in the Manatee River and its tributaries. The river is always popular, with a wide range of sizes from small to medium sized trout to large perch and large, medium and large trout.

Divers must present their diving certificate at registration, but it is possible to dive in the Manatee Catfish Hotel Pool.

Divers must register with the diving office before diving, and instructors must have a professional diving license. Be careful, the current is fast and snorkels in the seaweed hotel pool in the early morning and late evening hours.

Manatee Springs State Park offers a variety of nature trails that wind through cypress swamps, sinkholes and plateaus. Bikes are welcome on the park's roads, and mountain bikers can enjoy off-road trails with trees.

Rangers offer guided tours, and seasonal carriage rides are offered on the northern network in autumn and spring. Ranger - guided paddle programs are planned throughout the year, as well as a summer camp for children and adults. Most ranger programs are free and paid, but some are limited to a limited number of days per year.

For more information, call the park at 352-493-6072 or the Manatee State Park Ranger's Office at (352) 494-707-4357.

All well-behaved dogs are welcome at Manatee Springs State Park, and all dogs can be leashed along the park's trails and parking lot.

Dogs must always be kept on a lead and not left unattended for more than one hour, and dogs are not allowed in buildings or in the swimming pool. Pets are excluded from the water unless they are encountered by another dog, but owners can wade onto the spring track and canoe launch pad with a controlled leash.

Pet tents are possible at all campsites, but it is limited to a maximum of two dogs per person per day and no more than four dogs at a time.

All pets must be kept under the physical control of a person, on a leash or otherwise, and Florida law requires that all pets be vaccinated against rabies. The laundry must not exceed 1.50 m and must be held in the hand, but not more than 2.5 m from the entrance to the park.

All pets must be well behaved and must not be kept on a leash for more than 30 minutes. All pets may be accommodated in the parking lot of Manatee Springs State Park, but not on the grounds of the park.

Pet owners are obliged to collect their animals and dispose of their droppings properly in bins. Pets considered "annoying" may not stay in the park and must be properly disposed of. Manatee Springs State Park is located on the west side of the Florida Turnpike, south of Interstate 95 and north of I-95.