Phoenix, AZ

Highlighting Sun Lakes

Change City

---

• Back to Things to Do

Blue Spring State Park

2100 West French Avenue

Orange City, FL 32763

Blue Spring State Park

386-775-3663

Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the spring run. By 2005, after years of park improvements and manatee protection efforts, wintering manatee numbers exceeded 200 and by 2018, that number skyrocketed to a record 485.Besides "sea cows," fish abound in the spring run, and these attract a variety of wading birds, ospreys, eagles and kingfishers. To see the park’s wonders, one can hike along the spring run or on the 4.5-mile Pine Island Trail. One can also launch a canoe or kayak, rent one at the park or take a guided river boat cruise.ExperiencesBirdingThe endemic Florida scrub-jay calls Blue Spring State Park home.  With many families dwelling in the rare scrub ecosystem, it is likely you will catch a glimpse or hear their calls.  Please keep in mind that Feeding Florida scrub-jays is against the law and can cause great harm to the birds.Boat ToursSt. Johns River Cruises and Tours operates boat tours daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. This is a two-hour narrated nature and ecological cruise on the beautiful and historic St. Johns River.CampingThis campground has 51 campsites (recreational vehicles up to 40 feet long) located in the sand pine scrub and are within walking distance to the spring. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, water, electricity and a grill. A dump station is available in the park. Pets are welcome in the camping area in accordance with our Pet Policy.  Accessible sites are offered on Reserve America and two new bathhouses are complete with accessible showers and bathroom stalls.Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through Reserve America. Book online or call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (888) 433-0287.FishingVisitors can fish from the accessible fishing dock on the St. Johns River.  Fishing is not permitted in the Blue Spring Run.All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season.  A fishing license may be required.  More information is available at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fishing in Florida.HikingThe same pristine beauty enjoyed by Florida's earliest residents can still be seen today. An accessible boardwalk leads visitors on a self-guided tour through a lush hammock to Blue Spring.Pine Island Trail is 3.6 miles in length (one way) and takes you through numerous plant communities from the desert-like scrub to the Blackwater stream known as the St. Johns River.PaddlingYou are invited to canoe beautiful Blue Spring Run and the St Johns River. Canoes and kayaks may be rented at St. Johns River Cruises along the St. Johns River. For more information, current conditions, availability, costs and reservations, call (386) 917-0724 or visit St. Johns River Cruises.Blue Spring is a designated manatee refuge. Temperatures in the spring run remain a constant 72 degrees, creating a safe haven for the West Indian manatee. To provide a safe warm-water refuge for manatees during the winter season, the spring and spring run are closed to all water-related activities including swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and boating from approximately mid-November through March.PicnickingBlue Spring State Park offers two separate picnic areas. There are accessible covered pavilions with accessible grills located at these areas for larger groups. One of these areas also has a large covered barbecue grill. All pavilions are first come, first served.There are many grills and picnic tables throughout the park.Scuba DivingBlue Spring State Park is pleased to allow responsible, certified divers access.  To ensure the safety of all divers and other visitors, the following criteria MUST be met:All divers must show proof of certification before diving and leave certifications visible on the dashboard of the car.All divers must have a dive buddy and remain together for the duration of EACH and EVERY dive.Cavern and cave diving is available only to certified cave divers.Open water divers are permitted to 50 feet.Open water divers are not permitted to carry lights.Instructors conducting a class must have a Commercial Dive Permit.Divers dive at their own risk.No solo diving is permitted.Dives cannot extend past 5 p.m.No scooters (DPVs) or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).No fishing.SnorkelingBlue Spring offers snorkeling in a crystal clear spring run. Swimming with the manatees is NOT permitted.SwimmingBlue Spring offers swimming in a crystal clear spring run.  Swimming or diving with the manatees is NOT permitted.TubingTube rentals are available through the park's concessionaire. You can enter the water at the upper entry, swim to the spring boil, and float back down to the main swim dock. The float run lasts about an eighth of a mile.AmenitiesCabinsSix two-bedroom cabins are located in a shady oak hammock near Blue Spring, a designated manatee refuge. Cabins accommodate up to six people. One bedroom is furnished with a double bed. The second bedroom is furnished with two single beds. A sleeper sofa in the living room converts to a double bed. Each cabin is equipped with a gas fireplace (for use November through March), central heating and cooling, bathroom, fully equipped kitchen with stove and refrigerator, screened porch, outdoor grill and picnic table. Linens, pillows, blankets and towels, cooking and eating utensils are provided. Linens are not changed daily. Two vehicles per cabin are permitted.For the guests' relaxation, televisions and phones are not provided.Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through ReserveAmerica. Book online or call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or TDD (888) 433-0287. Pets are not permitted in cabins. Service animals are welcome.There is a minimum two nights stay in cabins on weekends and holidays, either Friday and Saturday night, or Saturday and Sunday nights. A single Friday or Saturday night may be reserved only if the following Saturday or Sunday night is already reserved.  Cabin 2 is accessible and is available by reservation through ReserveAmerica.CampgroundsCanoe Kayak LaunchNature TrailPicnic PavilionPlaygroundRV

Flag This Place

Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors.

AARP Events for Sun Lakes

AARP Events for Sun Lakes

• Featured Event

  AARP AZ MIM Memory Care Workshop Phoenix, AZ 3/12/25

  Wednesday, Mar 12, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. MST

  Musical Instrument Museum

  Phoenix, AZ

• AARP Smart Driver™: Neighbors Who Care

  Thursday, Mar 13, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. MST

  Neighbors Who Care

  Sun Lakes, AZ

• AARP Smart Driver™: Via Linda Senior Center

  Thursday, Mar 13, 2025 at 12:30 p.m. MST

  Via Linda Senior Center

  Scottsdale, AZ

View All AARP Events

Last Chance to Save!
New Pricing Coming in 2025.

This is AARP's first rate increase in 15 years.
Don't miss out, join today and save!

Join AARP

Already a member? Renew or Print Card

Facebook

Contact AARP
in Phoenix

• Globe iconAARP Arizona
• Map Marker iconContact Us

     

Return to top

Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242]
Code Context
            <?php // if (!$nowrapper) (Globals::$language == 'es') ? include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer_es.html") : include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer.html"); ?>
            <?php if (!$nowrapper):  // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBD
                    include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");
$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp'
$dataForView = array(
	'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box">
	<div class="module-spacer">
		<header><h1 class="article-headline">Blue Spring State Park</h1></header>

		<div class="row">
			<div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer">
				<p>
					<div>
											<div>2100 West French Avenue</div>
											<div>
							<span>Orange City</span>,
							<span>FL</span>
												<span>32763</span>
											</div>
					</div>
				</p>
								<div>
					<i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> 
										<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/blue-spring-state-park" target="_blank">Blue Spring State Park </a>
								</div>
												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 386-775-3663</div>
				
			</div>
			<div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer">
				<iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Blue+Spring+State+Park%2C+2100+West+French+Avenue%2C+Orange+City%2C+FL+32763" allowfullscreen> </iframe>
			</div>
		</div>


				<div class="module-spacer clearfix">
						<p>Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the spring run. By 2005, after years of park improvements and manatee protection efforts, wintering manatee numbers exceeded 200 and by 2018, that number skyrocketed to a record 485.Besides "sea cows," fish abound in the spring run, and these attract a variety of wading birds, ospreys, eagles and kingfishers. To see the park&rsquo;s wonders, one can hike along the spring run or on the 4.5-mile Pine Island Trail. One can also launch a canoe or kayak, rent one at the park or take a guided river boat cruise.ExperiencesBirdingThe endemic Florida scrub-jay calls Blue Spring State Park home.&nbsp; With many families dwelling in the rare scrub ecosystem, it is likely you will catch a glimpse or hear their calls.&nbsp; Please keep in mind that Feeding Florida scrub-jays is against the law and can cause great harm to the birds.Boat ToursSt. Johns River Cruises and Tours operates boat tours daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. This is a two-hour narrated nature and ecological cruise on the beautiful and historic St. Johns River.CampingThis campground has 51 campsites (recreational vehicles up to 40 feet long) located in the sand pine scrub and are within walking distance to the spring. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, water, electricity and a grill. A dump station is available in the park. Pets are welcome in the camping area in accordance with our Pet Policy.&nbsp; Accessible sites are offered on Reserve America and two new bathhouses are complete with accessible showers and bathroom stalls.Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through Reserve America. Book online or call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (888) 433-0287.FishingVisitors can fish from the accessible fishing dock on the St. Johns River.&nbsp; Fishing is not permitted in the Blue Spring Run.All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season.&nbsp; A fishing license may be required.&nbsp; More information is available at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission&rsquo;s Fishing in Florida.HikingThe same pristine beauty enjoyed by Florida's earliest residents can still be seen today. An accessible boardwalk leads visitors on a self-guided tour through a lush hammock to Blue Spring.Pine Island Trail is 3.6 miles in length (one way) and takes you through numerous plant communities from the desert-like scrub to the Blackwater stream known as the St. Johns River.PaddlingYou are invited to canoe beautiful Blue Spring Run and the St Johns River. Canoes and kayaks may be rented at St. Johns River Cruises along the St. Johns River. For more information, current conditions, availability, costs and reservations, call (386) 917-0724 or visit St. Johns River Cruises.Blue Spring is a designated manatee refuge. Temperatures in the spring run remain a constant 72 degrees, creating a safe haven for the West Indian manatee. To provide a safe warm-water refuge for manatees during the winter season, the spring and spring run are closed to all water-related activities including swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and boating from approximately mid-November through March.PicnickingBlue Spring State Park offers two separate picnic areas. There are accessible covered pavilions with accessible grills located at these areas for larger groups. One of these areas also has a large covered barbecue grill. All pavilions are first come, first served.There are many grills and picnic tables throughout the park.Scuba DivingBlue Spring State Park is pleased to allow responsible, certified divers access.&nbsp; To ensure the safety of all divers and other visitors, the following criteria MUST be met:All divers must show proof of certification before diving and leave certifications visible on the dashboard of the car.All divers must have a dive buddy and remain together for the duration of EACH and EVERY dive.Cavern and cave diving is available only to certified cave divers.Open water divers are permitted to 50 feet.Open water divers are not permitted to carry lights.Instructors conducting a class must have a Commercial Dive Permit.Divers dive at their own risk.No solo diving is permitted.Dives cannot extend past 5 p.m.No scooters (DPVs) or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).No fishing.SnorkelingBlue Spring offers snorkeling in a crystal clear spring run. Swimming with the manatees is NOT permitted.SwimmingBlue Spring offers swimming in a crystal clear spring run.&nbsp; Swimming or diving with the manatees is NOT permitted.TubingTube rentals are available through the park's concessionaire. You can enter the water at the upper entry, swim to the spring boil, and float back down to the main swim dock. The float run lasts about an eighth of a mile.AmenitiesCabinsSix two-bedroom cabins are located in a shady oak hammock near Blue Spring, a designated manatee refuge. Cabins accommodate up to six people. One bedroom is furnished with a double bed. The second bedroom is furnished with two single beds. A sleeper sofa in the living room converts to a double bed. Each cabin is equipped with a gas fireplace (for use November through March), central heating and cooling, bathroom, fully equipped kitchen with stove and refrigerator, screened porch, outdoor grill and picnic table. Linens, pillows, blankets and towels, cooking and eating utensils are provided. Linens are not changed daily. Two vehicles per cabin are permitted.For the guests' relaxation, televisions and phones are not provided.Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through ReserveAmerica. Book online or call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or TDD (888) 433-0287. Pets are not permitted in cabins. Service animals are welcome.There is a minimum two nights stay in cabins on weekends and holidays, either Friday and Saturday night, or Saturday and Sunday nights. A single Friday or Saturday night may be reserved only if the following Saturday or Sunday night is already reserved.&nbsp; Cabin 2 is accessible and is available by reservation through ReserveAmerica.CampgroundsCanoe Kayak LaunchNature TrailPicnic PavilionPlaygroundRV</p>		</div>
		

	<div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;">
                <form method="post" action="/sun-lakes-az/report/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html">
        <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button>
    </form>
        
            </div>

    <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. 
    </div>
    <style>
    .report_button_message {
        color: #333;
        font-size: 12px;
        clear: both;
    }
    </style>
		
	</div>
</div>
</div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750">
<a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" 
	href="/sun-lakes-az/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive"  
	alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" 
	src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a>
</div></div></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default-->
<!-- module_RHS - AARP Events -->

<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
	<header>
		<div class="pull-right">
			<a href="/sun-lakes-az/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">
				<img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" />
			</a>
		</div>
		<h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Sun Lakes</h2>
		<h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Sun Lakes</h2>
	</header>
	<div class="wrap">
		<div class="ar-listing snippet">
			<ul class="list">
				<li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-az-mim-memory-care-workshop-phoenix-az-31225-tdn68mlf3ws.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-AZ-MIM-MEMORY-CARE-WORKSHOP-PHOENIX-AZ-31225">AARP AZ MIM Memory Care Workshop Phoenix, AZ 3/12/25</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Wednesday, Mar 12, 2025 at 1:00&nbsp;p.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Musical Instrument Museum</p>
					<p class="loc">Phoenix, AZ</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-chandler-az-c36293.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-NEIGHBORS-WHO-CARE">AARP Smart Driver™: Neighbors Who Care</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Mar 13, 2025 at 8:30&nbsp;a.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Neighbors Who Care</p>
					<p class="loc">Sun Lakes, AZ</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-fort-mcdowell-az-c37460.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-VIA-LINDA-SENIOR-CENTER">AARP Smart Driver™: Via Linda Senior Center</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Mar 13, 2025 at 12:30&nbsp;p.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Via Linda Senior Center</p>
					<p class="loc">Scottsdale, AZ</p>
					
				</li>			</ul>

			<p><a class="link-red" href="/sun-lakes-az/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p>
	
		</div>
	</div>
</div>


<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;height:360px;">
	<img class="img-responsive image" 
		title="image of two AARP membership cards"
		alt="image of two AARP membership cards" 
		src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png">
	<div class="title">Last Chance to Save!<br />New Pricing Coming in 2025.</div>
<br />
	<p>
This is AARP's first rate increase in 15 years.<br />Don't miss out, join today and save!<br /><br />
</p>
	<div class="action">
		<a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-SUNLAKES-AZ">Join AARP</a>
		<div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-SUNLAKES-AZ">Renew</a> or 
			<a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div>
	</div>
</div>
<style>
.membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;}
.membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; }
</style> 
<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="module-spacer text-center">
<div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Arizona Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Arizona Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" data-tabs="timeline" width="" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true">
	<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona">Facebook</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>


<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
<header>
<h2>Contact AARP <br />in Phoenix</h2>
</header>
<div class="wrap">

<div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer">
<ul class="list-unstyled">


<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/arizona/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Arizona</a></li>

<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="http://states.aarp.org/how-to-contact-aarp-arizona/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20171231-SUNLAKES-AZ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li>

</ul>
</div>

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img style="max-width: 48px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/facebook.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://twitter.com/AZ_AARP" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img style="max-width: 48px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/twitter.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a>

&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpaz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img style="max-width: 56px; top: 0px; left: -2px; position: relative;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/instagram.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a>

</div>
</div>

 



</div></div>
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div>
</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar -->
	<script type="text/javascript">
		jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() {
			window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href');
		});
	</script>
</div>
</div>
',
	'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Blue Spring State Park - Sun Lakes, AZ</title>
<meta name="page_title" content="Blue Spring State Park - Sun Lakes, AZ"/>
<meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/>
<meta content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the" name="description"/>
<meta content="Blue, Spring, State, Park, Sun, Lakes, AZ" name="keywords"/>
<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html"/>
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/>
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Blue Spring State Park"/>
<meta name="twitter:description" content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the"/>
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/>
<meta property="og:type" content="place"/>
<meta property="og:title" content="Blue Spring State Park"/>
<meta property="og:description" content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the"/>
<meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/>
<meta property="place:location:latitude" content="28.947627"/>
<meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-81.337154"/>
.main-image { display:none;
}',
	'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP'
)
$content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box">
	<div class="module-spacer">
		<header><h1 class="article-headline">Blue Spring State Park</h1></header>

		<div class="row">
			<div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer">
				<p>
					<div>
											<div>2100 West French Avenue</div>
											<div>
							<span>Orange City</span>,
							<span>FL</span>
												<span>32763</span>
											</div>
					</div>
				</p>
								<div>
					<i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> 
										<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/blue-spring-state-park" target="_blank">Blue Spring State Park </a>
								</div>
												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 386-775-3663</div>
				
			</div>
			<div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer">
				<iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Blue+Spring+State+Park%2C+2100+West+French+Avenue%2C+Orange+City%2C+FL+32763" allowfullscreen> </iframe>
			</div>
		</div>


				<div class="module-spacer clearfix">
						<p>Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the spring run. By 2005, after years of park improvements and manatee protection efforts, wintering manatee numbers exceeded 200 and by 2018, that number skyrocketed to a record 485.Besides "sea cows," fish abound in the spring run, and these attract a variety of wading birds, ospreys, eagles and kingfishers. To see the park&rsquo;s wonders, one can hike along the spring run or on the 4.5-mile Pine Island Trail. One can also launch a canoe or kayak, rent one at the park or take a guided river boat cruise.ExperiencesBirdingThe endemic Florida scrub-jay calls Blue Spring State Park home.&nbsp; With many families dwelling in the rare scrub ecosystem, it is likely you will catch a glimpse or hear their calls.&nbsp; Please keep in mind that Feeding Florida scrub-jays is against the law and can cause great harm to the birds.Boat ToursSt. Johns River Cruises and Tours operates boat tours daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. This is a two-hour narrated nature and ecological cruise on the beautiful and historic St. Johns River.CampingThis campground has 51 campsites (recreational vehicles up to 40 feet long) located in the sand pine scrub and are within walking distance to the spring. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, water, electricity and a grill. A dump station is available in the park. Pets are welcome in the camping area in accordance with our Pet Policy.&nbsp; Accessible sites are offered on Reserve America and two new bathhouses are complete with accessible showers and bathroom stalls.Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through Reserve America. Book online or call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (888) 433-0287.FishingVisitors can fish from the accessible fishing dock on the St. Johns River.&nbsp; Fishing is not permitted in the Blue Spring Run.All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season.&nbsp; A fishing license may be required.&nbsp; More information is available at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission&rsquo;s Fishing in Florida.HikingThe same pristine beauty enjoyed by Florida's earliest residents can still be seen today. An accessible boardwalk leads visitors on a self-guided tour through a lush hammock to Blue Spring.Pine Island Trail is 3.6 miles in length (one way) and takes you through numerous plant communities from the desert-like scrub to the Blackwater stream known as the St. Johns River.PaddlingYou are invited to canoe beautiful Blue Spring Run and the St Johns River. Canoes and kayaks may be rented at St. Johns River Cruises along the St. Johns River. For more information, current conditions, availability, costs and reservations, call (386) 917-0724 or visit St. Johns River Cruises.Blue Spring is a designated manatee refuge. Temperatures in the spring run remain a constant 72 degrees, creating a safe haven for the West Indian manatee. To provide a safe warm-water refuge for manatees during the winter season, the spring and spring run are closed to all water-related activities including swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and boating from approximately mid-November through March.PicnickingBlue Spring State Park offers two separate picnic areas. There are accessible covered pavilions with accessible grills located at these areas for larger groups. One of these areas also has a large covered barbecue grill. All pavilions are first come, first served.There are many grills and picnic tables throughout the park.Scuba DivingBlue Spring State Park is pleased to allow responsible, certified divers access.&nbsp; To ensure the safety of all divers and other visitors, the following criteria MUST be met:All divers must show proof of certification before diving and leave certifications visible on the dashboard of the car.All divers must have a dive buddy and remain together for the duration of EACH and EVERY dive.Cavern and cave diving is available only to certified cave divers.Open water divers are permitted to 50 feet.Open water divers are not permitted to carry lights.Instructors conducting a class must have a Commercial Dive Permit.Divers dive at their own risk.No solo diving is permitted.Dives cannot extend past 5 p.m.No scooters (DPVs) or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).No fishing.SnorkelingBlue Spring offers snorkeling in a crystal clear spring run. Swimming with the manatees is NOT permitted.SwimmingBlue Spring offers swimming in a crystal clear spring run.&nbsp; Swimming or diving with the manatees is NOT permitted.TubingTube rentals are available through the park's concessionaire. You can enter the water at the upper entry, swim to the spring boil, and float back down to the main swim dock. The float run lasts about an eighth of a mile.AmenitiesCabinsSix two-bedroom cabins are located in a shady oak hammock near Blue Spring, a designated manatee refuge. Cabins accommodate up to six people. One bedroom is furnished with a double bed. The second bedroom is furnished with two single beds. A sleeper sofa in the living room converts to a double bed. Each cabin is equipped with a gas fireplace (for use November through March), central heating and cooling, bathroom, fully equipped kitchen with stove and refrigerator, screened porch, outdoor grill and picnic table. Linens, pillows, blankets and towels, cooking and eating utensils are provided. Linens are not changed daily. Two vehicles per cabin are permitted.For the guests' relaxation, televisions and phones are not provided.Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through ReserveAmerica. Book online or call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or TDD (888) 433-0287. Pets are not permitted in cabins. Service animals are welcome.There is a minimum two nights stay in cabins on weekends and holidays, either Friday and Saturday night, or Saturday and Sunday nights. A single Friday or Saturday night may be reserved only if the following Saturday or Sunday night is already reserved.&nbsp; Cabin 2 is accessible and is available by reservation through ReserveAmerica.CampgroundsCanoe Kayak LaunchNature TrailPicnic PavilionPlaygroundRV</p>		</div>
		

	<div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;">
                <form method="post" action="/sun-lakes-az/report/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html">
        <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button>
    </form>
        
            </div>

    <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. 
    </div>
    <style>
    .report_button_message {
        color: #333;
        font-size: 12px;
        clear: both;
    }
    </style>
		
	</div>
</div>
</div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750">
<a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" 
	href="/sun-lakes-az/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive"  
	alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" 
	src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a>
</div></div></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default-->
<!-- module_RHS - AARP Events -->

<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
	<header>
		<div class="pull-right">
			<a href="/sun-lakes-az/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">
				<img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" />
			</a>
		</div>
		<h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Sun Lakes</h2>
		<h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Sun Lakes</h2>
	</header>
	<div class="wrap">
		<div class="ar-listing snippet">
			<ul class="list">
				<li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-az-mim-memory-care-workshop-phoenix-az-31225-tdn68mlf3ws.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-AZ-MIM-MEMORY-CARE-WORKSHOP-PHOENIX-AZ-31225">AARP AZ MIM Memory Care Workshop Phoenix, AZ 3/12/25</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Wednesday, Mar 12, 2025 at 1:00&nbsp;p.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Musical Instrument Museum</p>
					<p class="loc">Phoenix, AZ</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-chandler-az-c36293.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-NEIGHBORS-WHO-CARE">AARP Smart Driver™: Neighbors Who Care</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Mar 13, 2025 at 8:30&nbsp;a.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Neighbors Who Care</p>
					<p class="loc">Sun Lakes, AZ</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-fort-mcdowell-az-c37460.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-VIA-LINDA-SENIOR-CENTER">AARP Smart Driver™: Via Linda Senior Center</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Mar 13, 2025 at 12:30&nbsp;p.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Via Linda Senior Center</p>
					<p class="loc">Scottsdale, AZ</p>
					
				</li>			</ul>

			<p><a class="link-red" href="/sun-lakes-az/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p>
	
		</div>
	</div>
</div>


<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;height:360px;">
	<img class="img-responsive image" 
		title="image of two AARP membership cards"
		alt="image of two AARP membership cards" 
		src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png">
	<div class="title">Last Chance to Save!<br />New Pricing Coming in 2025.</div>
<br />
	<p>
This is AARP's first rate increase in 15 years.<br />Don't miss out, join today and save!<br /><br />
</p>
	<div class="action">
		<a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-SUNLAKES-AZ">Join AARP</a>
		<div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-SUNLAKES-AZ">Renew</a> or 
			<a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div>
	</div>
</div>
<style>
.membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;}
.membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; }
</style> 
<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="module-spacer text-center">
<div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Arizona Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Arizona Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" data-tabs="timeline" width="" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true">
	<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona">Facebook</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>


<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
<header>
<h2>Contact AARP <br />in Phoenix</h2>
</header>
<div class="wrap">

<div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer">
<ul class="list-unstyled">


<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/arizona/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Arizona</a></li>

<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="http://states.aarp.org/how-to-contact-aarp-arizona/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20171231-SUNLAKES-AZ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li>

</ul>
</div>

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img style="max-width: 48px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/facebook.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://twitter.com/AZ_AARP" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img style="max-width: 48px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/twitter.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a>

&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpaz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img style="max-width: 56px; top: 0px; left: -2px; position: relative;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/instagram.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a>

</div>
</div>

 



</div></div>
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div>
</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar -->
	<script type="text/javascript">
		jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() {
			window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href');
		});
	</script>
</div>
</div>
'
$scripts_for_layout = '<title>Blue Spring State Park - Sun Lakes, AZ</title>
<meta name="page_title" content="Blue Spring State Park - Sun Lakes, AZ"/>
<meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/>
<meta content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the" name="description"/>
<meta content="Blue, Spring, State, Park, Sun, Lakes, AZ" name="keywords"/>
<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html"/>
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/>
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Blue Spring State Park"/>
<meta name="twitter:description" content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the"/>
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/>
<meta property="og:type" content="place"/>
<meta property="og:title" content="Blue Spring State Park"/>
<meta property="og:description" content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the"/>
<meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/>
<meta property="place:location:latitude" content="28.947627"/>
<meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-81.337154"/>
.main-image { display:none;
}'
$title_for_layout = 'Place Detail - AARP'
$asset_version = '240925'
$min = true
$nowrapper = false
$css = '.main-image { display:none;
}'
$highlighting = '<span class="highlighting">Highlighting Sun Lakes</span>'
$location = '<a href="/sun-lakes-az/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Phoenix, AZ</a>'
$no_header = false
$header_title = '<a href="/sun-lakes-az/things-to-do/">Places</a>'
$header_subtitle = ''
$isPR = false
$navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse">
	<div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div>
	<ul class="secondary-menu" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true">
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more">
			<span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span>
			<ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu">
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li>
				<!--
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li>
				-->
			</ul>
		</li>
		
	</ul>
</nav>'
$header_custom = ''
$breadcrumbs = array(
	(int) 0 => array(
		'title' => 'Things to Do',
		'slug' => 'things-to-do'
	)
)
$row = array(
	'title' => 'Back to Things to Do',
	'slug' => 'things-to-do'
)
$i = (int) 0
include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242
include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242
View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971
View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933
View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546
View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481
Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963
AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136
PlacesController::display() - APP/Controller/PlacesController.php, line 501
ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ??
Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491
Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193
Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167
[main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118

Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242]
Code Context
            <?php // if (!$nowrapper) (Globals::$language == 'es') ? include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer_es.html") : include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer.html"); ?>
            <?php if (!$nowrapper):  // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBD
                    include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");
$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp'
$dataForView = array(
	'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box">
	<div class="module-spacer">
		<header><h1 class="article-headline">Blue Spring State Park</h1></header>

		<div class="row">
			<div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer">
				<p>
					<div>
											<div>2100 West French Avenue</div>
											<div>
							<span>Orange City</span>,
							<span>FL</span>
												<span>32763</span>
											</div>
					</div>
				</p>
								<div>
					<i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> 
										<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/blue-spring-state-park" target="_blank">Blue Spring State Park </a>
								</div>
												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 386-775-3663</div>
				
			</div>
			<div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer">
				<iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Blue+Spring+State+Park%2C+2100+West+French+Avenue%2C+Orange+City%2C+FL+32763" allowfullscreen> </iframe>
			</div>
		</div>


				<div class="module-spacer clearfix">
						<p>Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the spring run. By 2005, after years of park improvements and manatee protection efforts, wintering manatee numbers exceeded 200 and by 2018, that number skyrocketed to a record 485.Besides "sea cows," fish abound in the spring run, and these attract a variety of wading birds, ospreys, eagles and kingfishers. To see the park&rsquo;s wonders, one can hike along the spring run or on the 4.5-mile Pine Island Trail. One can also launch a canoe or kayak, rent one at the park or take a guided river boat cruise.ExperiencesBirdingThe endemic Florida scrub-jay calls Blue Spring State Park home.&nbsp; With many families dwelling in the rare scrub ecosystem, it is likely you will catch a glimpse or hear their calls.&nbsp; Please keep in mind that Feeding Florida scrub-jays is against the law and can cause great harm to the birds.Boat ToursSt. Johns River Cruises and Tours operates boat tours daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. This is a two-hour narrated nature and ecological cruise on the beautiful and historic St. Johns River.CampingThis campground has 51 campsites (recreational vehicles up to 40 feet long) located in the sand pine scrub and are within walking distance to the spring. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, water, electricity and a grill. A dump station is available in the park. Pets are welcome in the camping area in accordance with our Pet Policy.&nbsp; Accessible sites are offered on Reserve America and two new bathhouses are complete with accessible showers and bathroom stalls.Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through Reserve America. Book online or call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (888) 433-0287.FishingVisitors can fish from the accessible fishing dock on the St. Johns River.&nbsp; Fishing is not permitted in the Blue Spring Run.All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season.&nbsp; A fishing license may be required.&nbsp; More information is available at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission&rsquo;s Fishing in Florida.HikingThe same pristine beauty enjoyed by Florida's earliest residents can still be seen today. An accessible boardwalk leads visitors on a self-guided tour through a lush hammock to Blue Spring.Pine Island Trail is 3.6 miles in length (one way) and takes you through numerous plant communities from the desert-like scrub to the Blackwater stream known as the St. Johns River.PaddlingYou are invited to canoe beautiful Blue Spring Run and the St Johns River. Canoes and kayaks may be rented at St. Johns River Cruises along the St. Johns River. For more information, current conditions, availability, costs and reservations, call (386) 917-0724 or visit St. Johns River Cruises.Blue Spring is a designated manatee refuge. Temperatures in the spring run remain a constant 72 degrees, creating a safe haven for the West Indian manatee. To provide a safe warm-water refuge for manatees during the winter season, the spring and spring run are closed to all water-related activities including swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and boating from approximately mid-November through March.PicnickingBlue Spring State Park offers two separate picnic areas. There are accessible covered pavilions with accessible grills located at these areas for larger groups. One of these areas also has a large covered barbecue grill. All pavilions are first come, first served.There are many grills and picnic tables throughout the park.Scuba DivingBlue Spring State Park is pleased to allow responsible, certified divers access.&nbsp; To ensure the safety of all divers and other visitors, the following criteria MUST be met:All divers must show proof of certification before diving and leave certifications visible on the dashboard of the car.All divers must have a dive buddy and remain together for the duration of EACH and EVERY dive.Cavern and cave diving is available only to certified cave divers.Open water divers are permitted to 50 feet.Open water divers are not permitted to carry lights.Instructors conducting a class must have a Commercial Dive Permit.Divers dive at their own risk.No solo diving is permitted.Dives cannot extend past 5 p.m.No scooters (DPVs) or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).No fishing.SnorkelingBlue Spring offers snorkeling in a crystal clear spring run. Swimming with the manatees is NOT permitted.SwimmingBlue Spring offers swimming in a crystal clear spring run.&nbsp; Swimming or diving with the manatees is NOT permitted.TubingTube rentals are available through the park's concessionaire. You can enter the water at the upper entry, swim to the spring boil, and float back down to the main swim dock. The float run lasts about an eighth of a mile.AmenitiesCabinsSix two-bedroom cabins are located in a shady oak hammock near Blue Spring, a designated manatee refuge. Cabins accommodate up to six people. One bedroom is furnished with a double bed. The second bedroom is furnished with two single beds. A sleeper sofa in the living room converts to a double bed. Each cabin is equipped with a gas fireplace (for use November through March), central heating and cooling, bathroom, fully equipped kitchen with stove and refrigerator, screened porch, outdoor grill and picnic table. Linens, pillows, blankets and towels, cooking and eating utensils are provided. Linens are not changed daily. Two vehicles per cabin are permitted.For the guests' relaxation, televisions and phones are not provided.Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through ReserveAmerica. Book online or call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or TDD (888) 433-0287. Pets are not permitted in cabins. Service animals are welcome.There is a minimum two nights stay in cabins on weekends and holidays, either Friday and Saturday night, or Saturday and Sunday nights. A single Friday or Saturday night may be reserved only if the following Saturday or Sunday night is already reserved.&nbsp; Cabin 2 is accessible and is available by reservation through ReserveAmerica.CampgroundsCanoe Kayak LaunchNature TrailPicnic PavilionPlaygroundRV</p>		</div>
		

	<div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;">
                <form method="post" action="/sun-lakes-az/report/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html">
        <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button>
    </form>
        
            </div>

    <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. 
    </div>
    <style>
    .report_button_message {
        color: #333;
        font-size: 12px;
        clear: both;
    }
    </style>
		
	</div>
</div>
</div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750">
<a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" 
	href="/sun-lakes-az/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive"  
	alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" 
	src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a>
</div></div></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default-->
<!-- module_RHS - AARP Events -->

<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
	<header>
		<div class="pull-right">
			<a href="/sun-lakes-az/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">
				<img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" />
			</a>
		</div>
		<h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Sun Lakes</h2>
		<h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Sun Lakes</h2>
	</header>
	<div class="wrap">
		<div class="ar-listing snippet">
			<ul class="list">
				<li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-az-mim-memory-care-workshop-phoenix-az-31225-tdn68mlf3ws.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-AZ-MIM-MEMORY-CARE-WORKSHOP-PHOENIX-AZ-31225">AARP AZ MIM Memory Care Workshop Phoenix, AZ 3/12/25</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Wednesday, Mar 12, 2025 at 1:00&nbsp;p.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Musical Instrument Museum</p>
					<p class="loc">Phoenix, AZ</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-chandler-az-c36293.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-NEIGHBORS-WHO-CARE">AARP Smart Driver™: Neighbors Who Care</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Mar 13, 2025 at 8:30&nbsp;a.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Neighbors Who Care</p>
					<p class="loc">Sun Lakes, AZ</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-fort-mcdowell-az-c37460.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-VIA-LINDA-SENIOR-CENTER">AARP Smart Driver™: Via Linda Senior Center</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Mar 13, 2025 at 12:30&nbsp;p.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Via Linda Senior Center</p>
					<p class="loc">Scottsdale, AZ</p>
					
				</li>			</ul>

			<p><a class="link-red" href="/sun-lakes-az/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p>
	
		</div>
	</div>
</div>


<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;height:360px;">
	<img class="img-responsive image" 
		title="image of two AARP membership cards"
		alt="image of two AARP membership cards" 
		src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png">
	<div class="title">Last Chance to Save!<br />New Pricing Coming in 2025.</div>
<br />
	<p>
This is AARP's first rate increase in 15 years.<br />Don't miss out, join today and save!<br /><br />
</p>
	<div class="action">
		<a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-SUNLAKES-AZ">Join AARP</a>
		<div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-SUNLAKES-AZ">Renew</a> or 
			<a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div>
	</div>
</div>
<style>
.membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;}
.membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; }
</style> 
<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="module-spacer text-center">
<div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Arizona Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Arizona Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" data-tabs="timeline" width="" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true">
	<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona">Facebook</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>


<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
<header>
<h2>Contact AARP <br />in Phoenix</h2>
</header>
<div class="wrap">

<div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer">
<ul class="list-unstyled">


<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/arizona/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Arizona</a></li>

<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="http://states.aarp.org/how-to-contact-aarp-arizona/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20171231-SUNLAKES-AZ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li>

</ul>
</div>

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img style="max-width: 48px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/facebook.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://twitter.com/AZ_AARP" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img style="max-width: 48px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/twitter.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a>

&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpaz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img style="max-width: 56px; top: 0px; left: -2px; position: relative;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/instagram.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a>

</div>
</div>

 



</div></div>
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div>
</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar -->
	<script type="text/javascript">
		jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() {
			window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href');
		});
	</script>
</div>
</div>
',
	'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Blue Spring State Park - Sun Lakes, AZ</title>
<meta name="page_title" content="Blue Spring State Park - Sun Lakes, AZ"/>
<meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/>
<meta content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the" name="description"/>
<meta content="Blue, Spring, State, Park, Sun, Lakes, AZ" name="keywords"/>
<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html"/>
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/>
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Blue Spring State Park"/>
<meta name="twitter:description" content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the"/>
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/>
<meta property="og:type" content="place"/>
<meta property="og:title" content="Blue Spring State Park"/>
<meta property="og:description" content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the"/>
<meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/>
<meta property="place:location:latitude" content="28.947627"/>
<meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-81.337154"/>
.main-image { display:none;
}',
	'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP'
)
$content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box">
	<div class="module-spacer">
		<header><h1 class="article-headline">Blue Spring State Park</h1></header>

		<div class="row">
			<div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer">
				<p>
					<div>
											<div>2100 West French Avenue</div>
											<div>
							<span>Orange City</span>,
							<span>FL</span>
												<span>32763</span>
											</div>
					</div>
				</p>
								<div>
					<i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> 
										<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/blue-spring-state-park" target="_blank">Blue Spring State Park </a>
								</div>
												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 386-775-3663</div>
				
			</div>
			<div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer">
				<iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Blue+Spring+State+Park%2C+2100+West+French+Avenue%2C+Orange+City%2C+FL+32763" allowfullscreen> </iframe>
			</div>
		</div>


				<div class="module-spacer clearfix">
						<p>Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the spring run. By 2005, after years of park improvements and manatee protection efforts, wintering manatee numbers exceeded 200 and by 2018, that number skyrocketed to a record 485.Besides "sea cows," fish abound in the spring run, and these attract a variety of wading birds, ospreys, eagles and kingfishers. To see the park&rsquo;s wonders, one can hike along the spring run or on the 4.5-mile Pine Island Trail. One can also launch a canoe or kayak, rent one at the park or take a guided river boat cruise.ExperiencesBirdingThe endemic Florida scrub-jay calls Blue Spring State Park home.&nbsp; With many families dwelling in the rare scrub ecosystem, it is likely you will catch a glimpse or hear their calls.&nbsp; Please keep in mind that Feeding Florida scrub-jays is against the law and can cause great harm to the birds.Boat ToursSt. Johns River Cruises and Tours operates boat tours daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. This is a two-hour narrated nature and ecological cruise on the beautiful and historic St. Johns River.CampingThis campground has 51 campsites (recreational vehicles up to 40 feet long) located in the sand pine scrub and are within walking distance to the spring. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, water, electricity and a grill. A dump station is available in the park. Pets are welcome in the camping area in accordance with our Pet Policy.&nbsp; Accessible sites are offered on Reserve America and two new bathhouses are complete with accessible showers and bathroom stalls.Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through Reserve America. Book online or call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (888) 433-0287.FishingVisitors can fish from the accessible fishing dock on the St. Johns River.&nbsp; Fishing is not permitted in the Blue Spring Run.All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season.&nbsp; A fishing license may be required.&nbsp; More information is available at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission&rsquo;s Fishing in Florida.HikingThe same pristine beauty enjoyed by Florida's earliest residents can still be seen today. An accessible boardwalk leads visitors on a self-guided tour through a lush hammock to Blue Spring.Pine Island Trail is 3.6 miles in length (one way) and takes you through numerous plant communities from the desert-like scrub to the Blackwater stream known as the St. Johns River.PaddlingYou are invited to canoe beautiful Blue Spring Run and the St Johns River. Canoes and kayaks may be rented at St. Johns River Cruises along the St. Johns River. For more information, current conditions, availability, costs and reservations, call (386) 917-0724 or visit St. Johns River Cruises.Blue Spring is a designated manatee refuge. Temperatures in the spring run remain a constant 72 degrees, creating a safe haven for the West Indian manatee. To provide a safe warm-water refuge for manatees during the winter season, the spring and spring run are closed to all water-related activities including swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and boating from approximately mid-November through March.PicnickingBlue Spring State Park offers two separate picnic areas. There are accessible covered pavilions with accessible grills located at these areas for larger groups. One of these areas also has a large covered barbecue grill. All pavilions are first come, first served.There are many grills and picnic tables throughout the park.Scuba DivingBlue Spring State Park is pleased to allow responsible, certified divers access.&nbsp; To ensure the safety of all divers and other visitors, the following criteria MUST be met:All divers must show proof of certification before diving and leave certifications visible on the dashboard of the car.All divers must have a dive buddy and remain together for the duration of EACH and EVERY dive.Cavern and cave diving is available only to certified cave divers.Open water divers are permitted to 50 feet.Open water divers are not permitted to carry lights.Instructors conducting a class must have a Commercial Dive Permit.Divers dive at their own risk.No solo diving is permitted.Dives cannot extend past 5 p.m.No scooters (DPVs) or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).No fishing.SnorkelingBlue Spring offers snorkeling in a crystal clear spring run. Swimming with the manatees is NOT permitted.SwimmingBlue Spring offers swimming in a crystal clear spring run.&nbsp; Swimming or diving with the manatees is NOT permitted.TubingTube rentals are available through the park's concessionaire. You can enter the water at the upper entry, swim to the spring boil, and float back down to the main swim dock. The float run lasts about an eighth of a mile.AmenitiesCabinsSix two-bedroom cabins are located in a shady oak hammock near Blue Spring, a designated manatee refuge. Cabins accommodate up to six people. One bedroom is furnished with a double bed. The second bedroom is furnished with two single beds. A sleeper sofa in the living room converts to a double bed. Each cabin is equipped with a gas fireplace (for use November through March), central heating and cooling, bathroom, fully equipped kitchen with stove and refrigerator, screened porch, outdoor grill and picnic table. Linens, pillows, blankets and towels, cooking and eating utensils are provided. Linens are not changed daily. Two vehicles per cabin are permitted.For the guests' relaxation, televisions and phones are not provided.Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through ReserveAmerica. Book online or call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or TDD (888) 433-0287. Pets are not permitted in cabins. Service animals are welcome.There is a minimum two nights stay in cabins on weekends and holidays, either Friday and Saturday night, or Saturday and Sunday nights. A single Friday or Saturday night may be reserved only if the following Saturday or Sunday night is already reserved.&nbsp; Cabin 2 is accessible and is available by reservation through ReserveAmerica.CampgroundsCanoe Kayak LaunchNature TrailPicnic PavilionPlaygroundRV</p>		</div>
		

	<div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;">
                <form method="post" action="/sun-lakes-az/report/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html">
        <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button>
    </form>
        
            </div>

    <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. 
    </div>
    <style>
    .report_button_message {
        color: #333;
        font-size: 12px;
        clear: both;
    }
    </style>
		
	</div>
</div>
</div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750">
<a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" 
	href="/sun-lakes-az/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive"  
	alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" 
	src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a>
</div></div></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default-->
<!-- module_RHS - AARP Events -->

<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
	<header>
		<div class="pull-right">
			<a href="/sun-lakes-az/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">
				<img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" />
			</a>
		</div>
		<h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Sun Lakes</h2>
		<h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Sun Lakes</h2>
	</header>
	<div class="wrap">
		<div class="ar-listing snippet">
			<ul class="list">
				<li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-az-mim-memory-care-workshop-phoenix-az-31225-tdn68mlf3ws.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-AZ-MIM-MEMORY-CARE-WORKSHOP-PHOENIX-AZ-31225">AARP AZ MIM Memory Care Workshop Phoenix, AZ 3/12/25</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Wednesday, Mar 12, 2025 at 1:00&nbsp;p.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Musical Instrument Museum</p>
					<p class="loc">Phoenix, AZ</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-chandler-az-c36293.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-NEIGHBORS-WHO-CARE">AARP Smart Driver™: Neighbors Who Care</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Mar 13, 2025 at 8:30&nbsp;a.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Neighbors Who Care</p>
					<p class="loc">Sun Lakes, AZ</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-fort-mcdowell-az-c37460.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-VIA-LINDA-SENIOR-CENTER">AARP Smart Driver™: Via Linda Senior Center</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Mar 13, 2025 at 12:30&nbsp;p.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Via Linda Senior Center</p>
					<p class="loc">Scottsdale, AZ</p>
					
				</li>			</ul>

			<p><a class="link-red" href="/sun-lakes-az/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p>
	
		</div>
	</div>
</div>


<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;height:360px;">
	<img class="img-responsive image" 
		title="image of two AARP membership cards"
		alt="image of two AARP membership cards" 
		src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png">
	<div class="title">Last Chance to Save!<br />New Pricing Coming in 2025.</div>
<br />
	<p>
This is AARP's first rate increase in 15 years.<br />Don't miss out, join today and save!<br /><br />
</p>
	<div class="action">
		<a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-SUNLAKES-AZ">Join AARP</a>
		<div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-SUNLAKES-AZ">Renew</a> or 
			<a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div>
	</div>
</div>
<style>
.membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;}
.membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; }
</style> 
<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="module-spacer text-center">
<div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Arizona Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Arizona Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" data-tabs="timeline" width="" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true">
	<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona">Facebook</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>


<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
<header>
<h2>Contact AARP <br />in Phoenix</h2>
</header>
<div class="wrap">

<div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer">
<ul class="list-unstyled">


<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/arizona/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Arizona</a></li>

<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="http://states.aarp.org/how-to-contact-aarp-arizona/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20171231-SUNLAKES-AZ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li>

</ul>
</div>

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img style="max-width: 48px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/facebook.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://twitter.com/AZ_AARP" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img style="max-width: 48px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/twitter.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a>

&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpaz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img style="max-width: 56px; top: 0px; left: -2px; position: relative;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/instagram.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a>

</div>
</div>

 



</div></div>
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div>
</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar -->
	<script type="text/javascript">
		jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() {
			window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href');
		});
	</script>
</div>
</div>
'
$scripts_for_layout = '<title>Blue Spring State Park - Sun Lakes, AZ</title>
<meta name="page_title" content="Blue Spring State Park - Sun Lakes, AZ"/>
<meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/>
<meta content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the" name="description"/>
<meta content="Blue, Spring, State, Park, Sun, Lakes, AZ" name="keywords"/>
<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html"/>
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/>
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Blue Spring State Park"/>
<meta name="twitter:description" content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the"/>
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/>
<meta property="og:type" content="place"/>
<meta property="og:title" content="Blue Spring State Park"/>
<meta property="og:description" content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the"/>
<meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/>
<meta property="place:location:latitude" content="28.947627"/>
<meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-81.337154"/>
.main-image { display:none;
}'
$title_for_layout = 'Place Detail - AARP'
$asset_version = '240925'
$min = true
$nowrapper = false
$css = '.main-image { display:none;
}'
$highlighting = '<span class="highlighting">Highlighting Sun Lakes</span>'
$location = '<a href="/sun-lakes-az/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Phoenix, AZ</a>'
$no_header = false
$header_title = '<a href="/sun-lakes-az/things-to-do/">Places</a>'
$header_subtitle = ''
$isPR = false
$navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse">
	<div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div>
	<ul class="secondary-menu" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true">
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more">
			<span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span>
			<ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu">
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li>
				<!--
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li>
				-->
			</ul>
		</li>
		
	</ul>
</nav>'
$header_custom = ''
$breadcrumbs = array(
	(int) 0 => array(
		'title' => 'Things to Do',
		'slug' => 'things-to-do'
	)
)
$row = array(
	'title' => 'Back to Things to Do',
	'slug' => 'things-to-do'
)
$i = (int) 0
include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242
include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242
View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971
View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933
View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546
View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481
Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963
AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136
PlacesController::display() - APP/Controller/PlacesController.php, line 501
ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ??
Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491
Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193
Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167
[main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118

Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243]
Code Context
            <?php if (!$nowrapper):  // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBD
                    include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");
                    include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");
$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp'
$dataForView = array(
	'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box">
	<div class="module-spacer">
		<header><h1 class="article-headline">Blue Spring State Park</h1></header>

		<div class="row">
			<div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer">
				<p>
					<div>
											<div>2100 West French Avenue</div>
											<div>
							<span>Orange City</span>,
							<span>FL</span>
												<span>32763</span>
											</div>
					</div>
				</p>
								<div>
					<i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> 
										<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/blue-spring-state-park" target="_blank">Blue Spring State Park </a>
								</div>
												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 386-775-3663</div>
				
			</div>
			<div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer">
				<iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Blue+Spring+State+Park%2C+2100+West+French+Avenue%2C+Orange+City%2C+FL+32763" allowfullscreen> </iframe>
			</div>
		</div>


				<div class="module-spacer clearfix">
						<p>Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the spring run. By 2005, after years of park improvements and manatee protection efforts, wintering manatee numbers exceeded 200 and by 2018, that number skyrocketed to a record 485.Besides "sea cows," fish abound in the spring run, and these attract a variety of wading birds, ospreys, eagles and kingfishers. To see the park&rsquo;s wonders, one can hike along the spring run or on the 4.5-mile Pine Island Trail. One can also launch a canoe or kayak, rent one at the park or take a guided river boat cruise.ExperiencesBirdingThe endemic Florida scrub-jay calls Blue Spring State Park home.&nbsp; With many families dwelling in the rare scrub ecosystem, it is likely you will catch a glimpse or hear their calls.&nbsp; Please keep in mind that Feeding Florida scrub-jays is against the law and can cause great harm to the birds.Boat ToursSt. Johns River Cruises and Tours operates boat tours daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. This is a two-hour narrated nature and ecological cruise on the beautiful and historic St. Johns River.CampingThis campground has 51 campsites (recreational vehicles up to 40 feet long) located in the sand pine scrub and are within walking distance to the spring. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, water, electricity and a grill. A dump station is available in the park. Pets are welcome in the camping area in accordance with our Pet Policy.&nbsp; Accessible sites are offered on Reserve America and two new bathhouses are complete with accessible showers and bathroom stalls.Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through Reserve America. Book online or call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (888) 433-0287.FishingVisitors can fish from the accessible fishing dock on the St. Johns River.&nbsp; Fishing is not permitted in the Blue Spring Run.All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season.&nbsp; A fishing license may be required.&nbsp; More information is available at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission&rsquo;s Fishing in Florida.HikingThe same pristine beauty enjoyed by Florida's earliest residents can still be seen today. An accessible boardwalk leads visitors on a self-guided tour through a lush hammock to Blue Spring.Pine Island Trail is 3.6 miles in length (one way) and takes you through numerous plant communities from the desert-like scrub to the Blackwater stream known as the St. Johns River.PaddlingYou are invited to canoe beautiful Blue Spring Run and the St Johns River. Canoes and kayaks may be rented at St. Johns River Cruises along the St. Johns River. For more information, current conditions, availability, costs and reservations, call (386) 917-0724 or visit St. Johns River Cruises.Blue Spring is a designated manatee refuge. Temperatures in the spring run remain a constant 72 degrees, creating a safe haven for the West Indian manatee. To provide a safe warm-water refuge for manatees during the winter season, the spring and spring run are closed to all water-related activities including swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and boating from approximately mid-November through March.PicnickingBlue Spring State Park offers two separate picnic areas. There are accessible covered pavilions with accessible grills located at these areas for larger groups. One of these areas also has a large covered barbecue grill. All pavilions are first come, first served.There are many grills and picnic tables throughout the park.Scuba DivingBlue Spring State Park is pleased to allow responsible, certified divers access.&nbsp; To ensure the safety of all divers and other visitors, the following criteria MUST be met:All divers must show proof of certification before diving and leave certifications visible on the dashboard of the car.All divers must have a dive buddy and remain together for the duration of EACH and EVERY dive.Cavern and cave diving is available only to certified cave divers.Open water divers are permitted to 50 feet.Open water divers are not permitted to carry lights.Instructors conducting a class must have a Commercial Dive Permit.Divers dive at their own risk.No solo diving is permitted.Dives cannot extend past 5 p.m.No scooters (DPVs) or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).No fishing.SnorkelingBlue Spring offers snorkeling in a crystal clear spring run. Swimming with the manatees is NOT permitted.SwimmingBlue Spring offers swimming in a crystal clear spring run.&nbsp; Swimming or diving with the manatees is NOT permitted.TubingTube rentals are available through the park's concessionaire. You can enter the water at the upper entry, swim to the spring boil, and float back down to the main swim dock. The float run lasts about an eighth of a mile.AmenitiesCabinsSix two-bedroom cabins are located in a shady oak hammock near Blue Spring, a designated manatee refuge. Cabins accommodate up to six people. One bedroom is furnished with a double bed. The second bedroom is furnished with two single beds. A sleeper sofa in the living room converts to a double bed. Each cabin is equipped with a gas fireplace (for use November through March), central heating and cooling, bathroom, fully equipped kitchen with stove and refrigerator, screened porch, outdoor grill and picnic table. Linens, pillows, blankets and towels, cooking and eating utensils are provided. Linens are not changed daily. Two vehicles per cabin are permitted.For the guests' relaxation, televisions and phones are not provided.Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through ReserveAmerica. Book online or call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or TDD (888) 433-0287. Pets are not permitted in cabins. Service animals are welcome.There is a minimum two nights stay in cabins on weekends and holidays, either Friday and Saturday night, or Saturday and Sunday nights. A single Friday or Saturday night may be reserved only if the following Saturday or Sunday night is already reserved.&nbsp; Cabin 2 is accessible and is available by reservation through ReserveAmerica.CampgroundsCanoe Kayak LaunchNature TrailPicnic PavilionPlaygroundRV</p>		</div>
		

	<div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;">
                <form method="post" action="/sun-lakes-az/report/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html">
        <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button>
    </form>
        
            </div>

    <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. 
    </div>
    <style>
    .report_button_message {
        color: #333;
        font-size: 12px;
        clear: both;
    }
    </style>
		
	</div>
</div>
</div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750">
<a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" 
	href="/sun-lakes-az/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive"  
	alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" 
	src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a>
</div></div></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default-->
<!-- module_RHS - AARP Events -->

<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
	<header>
		<div class="pull-right">
			<a href="/sun-lakes-az/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">
				<img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" />
			</a>
		</div>
		<h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Sun Lakes</h2>
		<h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Sun Lakes</h2>
	</header>
	<div class="wrap">
		<div class="ar-listing snippet">
			<ul class="list">
				<li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-az-mim-memory-care-workshop-phoenix-az-31225-tdn68mlf3ws.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-AZ-MIM-MEMORY-CARE-WORKSHOP-PHOENIX-AZ-31225">AARP AZ MIM Memory Care Workshop Phoenix, AZ 3/12/25</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Wednesday, Mar 12, 2025 at 1:00&nbsp;p.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Musical Instrument Museum</p>
					<p class="loc">Phoenix, AZ</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-chandler-az-c36293.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-NEIGHBORS-WHO-CARE">AARP Smart Driver™: Neighbors Who Care</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Mar 13, 2025 at 8:30&nbsp;a.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Neighbors Who Care</p>
					<p class="loc">Sun Lakes, AZ</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-fort-mcdowell-az-c37460.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-VIA-LINDA-SENIOR-CENTER">AARP Smart Driver™: Via Linda Senior Center</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Mar 13, 2025 at 12:30&nbsp;p.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Via Linda Senior Center</p>
					<p class="loc">Scottsdale, AZ</p>
					
				</li>			</ul>

			<p><a class="link-red" href="/sun-lakes-az/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p>
	
		</div>
	</div>
</div>


<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;height:360px;">
	<img class="img-responsive image" 
		title="image of two AARP membership cards"
		alt="image of two AARP membership cards" 
		src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png">
	<div class="title">Last Chance to Save!<br />New Pricing Coming in 2025.</div>
<br />
	<p>
This is AARP's first rate increase in 15 years.<br />Don't miss out, join today and save!<br /><br />
</p>
	<div class="action">
		<a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-SUNLAKES-AZ">Join AARP</a>
		<div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-SUNLAKES-AZ">Renew</a> or 
			<a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div>
	</div>
</div>
<style>
.membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;}
.membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; }
</style> 
<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="module-spacer text-center">
<div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Arizona Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Arizona Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" data-tabs="timeline" width="" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true">
	<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona">Facebook</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>


<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
<header>
<h2>Contact AARP <br />in Phoenix</h2>
</header>
<div class="wrap">

<div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer">
<ul class="list-unstyled">


<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/arizona/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Arizona</a></li>

<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="http://states.aarp.org/how-to-contact-aarp-arizona/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20171231-SUNLAKES-AZ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li>

</ul>
</div>

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img style="max-width: 48px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/facebook.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://twitter.com/AZ_AARP" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img style="max-width: 48px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/twitter.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a>

&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpaz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img style="max-width: 56px; top: 0px; left: -2px; position: relative;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/instagram.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a>

</div>
</div>

 



</div></div>
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div>
</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar -->
	<script type="text/javascript">
		jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() {
			window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href');
		});
	</script>
</div>
</div>
',
	'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Blue Spring State Park - Sun Lakes, AZ</title>
<meta name="page_title" content="Blue Spring State Park - Sun Lakes, AZ"/>
<meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/>
<meta content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the" name="description"/>
<meta content="Blue, Spring, State, Park, Sun, Lakes, AZ" name="keywords"/>
<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html"/>
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/>
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Blue Spring State Park"/>
<meta name="twitter:description" content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the"/>
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/>
<meta property="og:type" content="place"/>
<meta property="og:title" content="Blue Spring State Park"/>
<meta property="og:description" content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the"/>
<meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/>
<meta property="place:location:latitude" content="28.947627"/>
<meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-81.337154"/>
.main-image { display:none;
}',
	'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP'
)
$content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box">
	<div class="module-spacer">
		<header><h1 class="article-headline">Blue Spring State Park</h1></header>

		<div class="row">
			<div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer">
				<p>
					<div>
											<div>2100 West French Avenue</div>
											<div>
							<span>Orange City</span>,
							<span>FL</span>
												<span>32763</span>
											</div>
					</div>
				</p>
								<div>
					<i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> 
										<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/blue-spring-state-park" target="_blank">Blue Spring State Park </a>
								</div>
												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 386-775-3663</div>
				
			</div>
			<div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer">
				<iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Blue+Spring+State+Park%2C+2100+West+French+Avenue%2C+Orange+City%2C+FL+32763" allowfullscreen> </iframe>
			</div>
		</div>


				<div class="module-spacer clearfix">
						<p>Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the spring run. By 2005, after years of park improvements and manatee protection efforts, wintering manatee numbers exceeded 200 and by 2018, that number skyrocketed to a record 485.Besides "sea cows," fish abound in the spring run, and these attract a variety of wading birds, ospreys, eagles and kingfishers. To see the park&rsquo;s wonders, one can hike along the spring run or on the 4.5-mile Pine Island Trail. One can also launch a canoe or kayak, rent one at the park or take a guided river boat cruise.ExperiencesBirdingThe endemic Florida scrub-jay calls Blue Spring State Park home.&nbsp; With many families dwelling in the rare scrub ecosystem, it is likely you will catch a glimpse or hear their calls.&nbsp; Please keep in mind that Feeding Florida scrub-jays is against the law and can cause great harm to the birds.Boat ToursSt. Johns River Cruises and Tours operates boat tours daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. This is a two-hour narrated nature and ecological cruise on the beautiful and historic St. Johns River.CampingThis campground has 51 campsites (recreational vehicles up to 40 feet long) located in the sand pine scrub and are within walking distance to the spring. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, water, electricity and a grill. A dump station is available in the park. Pets are welcome in the camping area in accordance with our Pet Policy.&nbsp; Accessible sites are offered on Reserve America and two new bathhouses are complete with accessible showers and bathroom stalls.Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through Reserve America. Book online or call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (888) 433-0287.FishingVisitors can fish from the accessible fishing dock on the St. Johns River.&nbsp; Fishing is not permitted in the Blue Spring Run.All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season.&nbsp; A fishing license may be required.&nbsp; More information is available at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission&rsquo;s Fishing in Florida.HikingThe same pristine beauty enjoyed by Florida's earliest residents can still be seen today. An accessible boardwalk leads visitors on a self-guided tour through a lush hammock to Blue Spring.Pine Island Trail is 3.6 miles in length (one way) and takes you through numerous plant communities from the desert-like scrub to the Blackwater stream known as the St. Johns River.PaddlingYou are invited to canoe beautiful Blue Spring Run and the St Johns River. Canoes and kayaks may be rented at St. Johns River Cruises along the St. Johns River. For more information, current conditions, availability, costs and reservations, call (386) 917-0724 or visit St. Johns River Cruises.Blue Spring is a designated manatee refuge. Temperatures in the spring run remain a constant 72 degrees, creating a safe haven for the West Indian manatee. To provide a safe warm-water refuge for manatees during the winter season, the spring and spring run are closed to all water-related activities including swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and boating from approximately mid-November through March.PicnickingBlue Spring State Park offers two separate picnic areas. There are accessible covered pavilions with accessible grills located at these areas for larger groups. One of these areas also has a large covered barbecue grill. All pavilions are first come, first served.There are many grills and picnic tables throughout the park.Scuba DivingBlue Spring State Park is pleased to allow responsible, certified divers access.&nbsp; To ensure the safety of all divers and other visitors, the following criteria MUST be met:All divers must show proof of certification before diving and leave certifications visible on the dashboard of the car.All divers must have a dive buddy and remain together for the duration of EACH and EVERY dive.Cavern and cave diving is available only to certified cave divers.Open water divers are permitted to 50 feet.Open water divers are not permitted to carry lights.Instructors conducting a class must have a Commercial Dive Permit.Divers dive at their own risk.No solo diving is permitted.Dives cannot extend past 5 p.m.No scooters (DPVs) or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).No fishing.SnorkelingBlue Spring offers snorkeling in a crystal clear spring run. Swimming with the manatees is NOT permitted.SwimmingBlue Spring offers swimming in a crystal clear spring run.&nbsp; Swimming or diving with the manatees is NOT permitted.TubingTube rentals are available through the park's concessionaire. You can enter the water at the upper entry, swim to the spring boil, and float back down to the main swim dock. The float run lasts about an eighth of a mile.AmenitiesCabinsSix two-bedroom cabins are located in a shady oak hammock near Blue Spring, a designated manatee refuge. Cabins accommodate up to six people. One bedroom is furnished with a double bed. The second bedroom is furnished with two single beds. A sleeper sofa in the living room converts to a double bed. Each cabin is equipped with a gas fireplace (for use November through March), central heating and cooling, bathroom, fully equipped kitchen with stove and refrigerator, screened porch, outdoor grill and picnic table. Linens, pillows, blankets and towels, cooking and eating utensils are provided. Linens are not changed daily. Two vehicles per cabin are permitted.For the guests' relaxation, televisions and phones are not provided.Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through ReserveAmerica. Book online or call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or TDD (888) 433-0287. Pets are not permitted in cabins. Service animals are welcome.There is a minimum two nights stay in cabins on weekends and holidays, either Friday and Saturday night, or Saturday and Sunday nights. A single Friday or Saturday night may be reserved only if the following Saturday or Sunday night is already reserved.&nbsp; Cabin 2 is accessible and is available by reservation through ReserveAmerica.CampgroundsCanoe Kayak LaunchNature TrailPicnic PavilionPlaygroundRV</p>		</div>
		

	<div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;">
                <form method="post" action="/sun-lakes-az/report/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html">
        <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button>
    </form>
        
            </div>

    <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. 
    </div>
    <style>
    .report_button_message {
        color: #333;
        font-size: 12px;
        clear: both;
    }
    </style>
		
	</div>
</div>
</div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750">
<a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" 
	href="/sun-lakes-az/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive"  
	alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" 
	src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a>
</div></div></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default-->
<!-- module_RHS - AARP Events -->

<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
	<header>
		<div class="pull-right">
			<a href="/sun-lakes-az/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">
				<img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" />
			</a>
		</div>
		<h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Sun Lakes</h2>
		<h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Sun Lakes</h2>
	</header>
	<div class="wrap">
		<div class="ar-listing snippet">
			<ul class="list">
				<li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-az-mim-memory-care-workshop-phoenix-az-31225-tdn68mlf3ws.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-AZ-MIM-MEMORY-CARE-WORKSHOP-PHOENIX-AZ-31225">AARP AZ MIM Memory Care Workshop Phoenix, AZ 3/12/25</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Wednesday, Mar 12, 2025 at 1:00&nbsp;p.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Musical Instrument Museum</p>
					<p class="loc">Phoenix, AZ</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-chandler-az-c36293.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-NEIGHBORS-WHO-CARE">AARP Smart Driver™: Neighbors Who Care</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Mar 13, 2025 at 8:30&nbsp;a.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Neighbors Who Care</p>
					<p class="loc">Sun Lakes, AZ</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-fort-mcdowell-az-c37460.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-VIA-LINDA-SENIOR-CENTER">AARP Smart Driver™: Via Linda Senior Center</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Mar 13, 2025 at 12:30&nbsp;p.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Via Linda Senior Center</p>
					<p class="loc">Scottsdale, AZ</p>
					
				</li>			</ul>

			<p><a class="link-red" href="/sun-lakes-az/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p>
	
		</div>
	</div>
</div>


<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;height:360px;">
	<img class="img-responsive image" 
		title="image of two AARP membership cards"
		alt="image of two AARP membership cards" 
		src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png">
	<div class="title">Last Chance to Save!<br />New Pricing Coming in 2025.</div>
<br />
	<p>
This is AARP's first rate increase in 15 years.<br />Don't miss out, join today and save!<br /><br />
</p>
	<div class="action">
		<a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-SUNLAKES-AZ">Join AARP</a>
		<div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-SUNLAKES-AZ">Renew</a> or 
			<a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div>
	</div>
</div>
<style>
.membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;}
.membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; }
</style> 
<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="module-spacer text-center">
<div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Arizona Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Arizona Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" data-tabs="timeline" width="" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true">
	<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona">Facebook</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>


<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
<header>
<h2>Contact AARP <br />in Phoenix</h2>
</header>
<div class="wrap">

<div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer">
<ul class="list-unstyled">


<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/arizona/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Arizona</a></li>

<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="http://states.aarp.org/how-to-contact-aarp-arizona/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20171231-SUNLAKES-AZ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li>

</ul>
</div>

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img style="max-width: 48px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/facebook.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://twitter.com/AZ_AARP" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img style="max-width: 48px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/twitter.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a>

&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpaz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img style="max-width: 56px; top: 0px; left: -2px; position: relative;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/instagram.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a>

</div>
</div>

 



</div></div>
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div>
</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar -->
	<script type="text/javascript">
		jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() {
			window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href');
		});
	</script>
</div>
</div>
'
$scripts_for_layout = '<title>Blue Spring State Park - Sun Lakes, AZ</title>
<meta name="page_title" content="Blue Spring State Park - Sun Lakes, AZ"/>
<meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/>
<meta content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the" name="description"/>
<meta content="Blue, Spring, State, Park, Sun, Lakes, AZ" name="keywords"/>
<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html"/>
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/>
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Blue Spring State Park"/>
<meta name="twitter:description" content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the"/>
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/>
<meta property="og:type" content="place"/>
<meta property="og:title" content="Blue Spring State Park"/>
<meta property="og:description" content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the"/>
<meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/>
<meta property="place:location:latitude" content="28.947627"/>
<meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-81.337154"/>
.main-image { display:none;
}'
$title_for_layout = 'Place Detail - AARP'
$asset_version = '240925'
$min = true
$nowrapper = false
$css = '.main-image { display:none;
}'
$highlighting = '<span class="highlighting">Highlighting Sun Lakes</span>'
$location = '<a href="/sun-lakes-az/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Phoenix, AZ</a>'
$no_header = false
$header_title = '<a href="/sun-lakes-az/things-to-do/">Places</a>'
$header_subtitle = ''
$isPR = false
$navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse">
	<div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div>
	<ul class="secondary-menu" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true">
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more">
			<span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span>
			<ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu">
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li>
				<!--
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li>
				-->
			</ul>
		</li>
		
	</ul>
</nav>'
$header_custom = ''
$breadcrumbs = array(
	(int) 0 => array(
		'title' => 'Things to Do',
		'slug' => 'things-to-do'
	)
)
$row = array(
	'title' => 'Back to Things to Do',
	'slug' => 'things-to-do'
)
$i = (int) 0
include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243
include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243
View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971
View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933
View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546
View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481
Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963
AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136
PlacesController::display() - APP/Controller/PlacesController.php, line 501
ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ??
Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491
Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193
Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167
[main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118

Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243]
Code Context
            <?php if (!$nowrapper):  // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBD
                    include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");
                    include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");
$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp'
$dataForView = array(
	'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box">
	<div class="module-spacer">
		<header><h1 class="article-headline">Blue Spring State Park</h1></header>

		<div class="row">
			<div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer">
				<p>
					<div>
											<div>2100 West French Avenue</div>
											<div>
							<span>Orange City</span>,
							<span>FL</span>
												<span>32763</span>
											</div>
					</div>
				</p>
								<div>
					<i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> 
										<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/blue-spring-state-park" target="_blank">Blue Spring State Park </a>
								</div>
												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 386-775-3663</div>
				
			</div>
			<div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer">
				<iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Blue+Spring+State+Park%2C+2100+West+French+Avenue%2C+Orange+City%2C+FL+32763" allowfullscreen> </iframe>
			</div>
		</div>


				<div class="module-spacer clearfix">
						<p>Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the spring run. By 2005, after years of park improvements and manatee protection efforts, wintering manatee numbers exceeded 200 and by 2018, that number skyrocketed to a record 485.Besides "sea cows," fish abound in the spring run, and these attract a variety of wading birds, ospreys, eagles and kingfishers. To see the park&rsquo;s wonders, one can hike along the spring run or on the 4.5-mile Pine Island Trail. One can also launch a canoe or kayak, rent one at the park or take a guided river boat cruise.ExperiencesBirdingThe endemic Florida scrub-jay calls Blue Spring State Park home.&nbsp; With many families dwelling in the rare scrub ecosystem, it is likely you will catch a glimpse or hear their calls.&nbsp; Please keep in mind that Feeding Florida scrub-jays is against the law and can cause great harm to the birds.Boat ToursSt. Johns River Cruises and Tours operates boat tours daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. This is a two-hour narrated nature and ecological cruise on the beautiful and historic St. Johns River.CampingThis campground has 51 campsites (recreational vehicles up to 40 feet long) located in the sand pine scrub and are within walking distance to the spring. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, water, electricity and a grill. A dump station is available in the park. Pets are welcome in the camping area in accordance with our Pet Policy.&nbsp; Accessible sites are offered on Reserve America and two new bathhouses are complete with accessible showers and bathroom stalls.Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through Reserve America. Book online or call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (888) 433-0287.FishingVisitors can fish from the accessible fishing dock on the St. Johns River.&nbsp; Fishing is not permitted in the Blue Spring Run.All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season.&nbsp; A fishing license may be required.&nbsp; More information is available at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission&rsquo;s Fishing in Florida.HikingThe same pristine beauty enjoyed by Florida's earliest residents can still be seen today. An accessible boardwalk leads visitors on a self-guided tour through a lush hammock to Blue Spring.Pine Island Trail is 3.6 miles in length (one way) and takes you through numerous plant communities from the desert-like scrub to the Blackwater stream known as the St. Johns River.PaddlingYou are invited to canoe beautiful Blue Spring Run and the St Johns River. Canoes and kayaks may be rented at St. Johns River Cruises along the St. Johns River. For more information, current conditions, availability, costs and reservations, call (386) 917-0724 or visit St. Johns River Cruises.Blue Spring is a designated manatee refuge. Temperatures in the spring run remain a constant 72 degrees, creating a safe haven for the West Indian manatee. To provide a safe warm-water refuge for manatees during the winter season, the spring and spring run are closed to all water-related activities including swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and boating from approximately mid-November through March.PicnickingBlue Spring State Park offers two separate picnic areas. There are accessible covered pavilions with accessible grills located at these areas for larger groups. One of these areas also has a large covered barbecue grill. All pavilions are first come, first served.There are many grills and picnic tables throughout the park.Scuba DivingBlue Spring State Park is pleased to allow responsible, certified divers access.&nbsp; To ensure the safety of all divers and other visitors, the following criteria MUST be met:All divers must show proof of certification before diving and leave certifications visible on the dashboard of the car.All divers must have a dive buddy and remain together for the duration of EACH and EVERY dive.Cavern and cave diving is available only to certified cave divers.Open water divers are permitted to 50 feet.Open water divers are not permitted to carry lights.Instructors conducting a class must have a Commercial Dive Permit.Divers dive at their own risk.No solo diving is permitted.Dives cannot extend past 5 p.m.No scooters (DPVs) or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).No fishing.SnorkelingBlue Spring offers snorkeling in a crystal clear spring run. Swimming with the manatees is NOT permitted.SwimmingBlue Spring offers swimming in a crystal clear spring run.&nbsp; Swimming or diving with the manatees is NOT permitted.TubingTube rentals are available through the park's concessionaire. You can enter the water at the upper entry, swim to the spring boil, and float back down to the main swim dock. The float run lasts about an eighth of a mile.AmenitiesCabinsSix two-bedroom cabins are located in a shady oak hammock near Blue Spring, a designated manatee refuge. Cabins accommodate up to six people. One bedroom is furnished with a double bed. The second bedroom is furnished with two single beds. A sleeper sofa in the living room converts to a double bed. Each cabin is equipped with a gas fireplace (for use November through March), central heating and cooling, bathroom, fully equipped kitchen with stove and refrigerator, screened porch, outdoor grill and picnic table. Linens, pillows, blankets and towels, cooking and eating utensils are provided. Linens are not changed daily. Two vehicles per cabin are permitted.For the guests' relaxation, televisions and phones are not provided.Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through ReserveAmerica. Book online or call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or TDD (888) 433-0287. Pets are not permitted in cabins. Service animals are welcome.There is a minimum two nights stay in cabins on weekends and holidays, either Friday and Saturday night, or Saturday and Sunday nights. A single Friday or Saturday night may be reserved only if the following Saturday or Sunday night is already reserved.&nbsp; Cabin 2 is accessible and is available by reservation through ReserveAmerica.CampgroundsCanoe Kayak LaunchNature TrailPicnic PavilionPlaygroundRV</p>		</div>
		

	<div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;">
                <form method="post" action="/sun-lakes-az/report/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html">
        <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button>
    </form>
        
            </div>

    <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. 
    </div>
    <style>
    .report_button_message {
        color: #333;
        font-size: 12px;
        clear: both;
    }
    </style>
		
	</div>
</div>
</div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750">
<a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" 
	href="/sun-lakes-az/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive"  
	alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" 
	src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a>
</div></div></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default-->
<!-- module_RHS - AARP Events -->

<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
	<header>
		<div class="pull-right">
			<a href="/sun-lakes-az/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">
				<img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" />
			</a>
		</div>
		<h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Sun Lakes</h2>
		<h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Sun Lakes</h2>
	</header>
	<div class="wrap">
		<div class="ar-listing snippet">
			<ul class="list">
				<li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-az-mim-memory-care-workshop-phoenix-az-31225-tdn68mlf3ws.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-AZ-MIM-MEMORY-CARE-WORKSHOP-PHOENIX-AZ-31225">AARP AZ MIM Memory Care Workshop Phoenix, AZ 3/12/25</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Wednesday, Mar 12, 2025 at 1:00&nbsp;p.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Musical Instrument Museum</p>
					<p class="loc">Phoenix, AZ</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-chandler-az-c36293.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-NEIGHBORS-WHO-CARE">AARP Smart Driver™: Neighbors Who Care</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Mar 13, 2025 at 8:30&nbsp;a.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Neighbors Who Care</p>
					<p class="loc">Sun Lakes, AZ</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-fort-mcdowell-az-c37460.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-VIA-LINDA-SENIOR-CENTER">AARP Smart Driver™: Via Linda Senior Center</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Mar 13, 2025 at 12:30&nbsp;p.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Via Linda Senior Center</p>
					<p class="loc">Scottsdale, AZ</p>
					
				</li>			</ul>

			<p><a class="link-red" href="/sun-lakes-az/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p>
	
		</div>
	</div>
</div>


<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;height:360px;">
	<img class="img-responsive image" 
		title="image of two AARP membership cards"
		alt="image of two AARP membership cards" 
		src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png">
	<div class="title">Last Chance to Save!<br />New Pricing Coming in 2025.</div>
<br />
	<p>
This is AARP's first rate increase in 15 years.<br />Don't miss out, join today and save!<br /><br />
</p>
	<div class="action">
		<a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-SUNLAKES-AZ">Join AARP</a>
		<div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-SUNLAKES-AZ">Renew</a> or 
			<a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div>
	</div>
</div>
<style>
.membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;}
.membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; }
</style> 
<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="module-spacer text-center">
<div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Arizona Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Arizona Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" data-tabs="timeline" width="" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true">
	<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona">Facebook</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>


<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
<header>
<h2>Contact AARP <br />in Phoenix</h2>
</header>
<div class="wrap">

<div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer">
<ul class="list-unstyled">


<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/arizona/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Arizona</a></li>

<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="http://states.aarp.org/how-to-contact-aarp-arizona/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20171231-SUNLAKES-AZ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li>

</ul>
</div>

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img style="max-width: 48px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/facebook.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://twitter.com/AZ_AARP" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img style="max-width: 48px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/twitter.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a>

&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpaz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img style="max-width: 56px; top: 0px; left: -2px; position: relative;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/instagram.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a>

</div>
</div>

 



</div></div>
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div>
</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar -->
	<script type="text/javascript">
		jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() {
			window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href');
		});
	</script>
</div>
</div>
',
	'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Blue Spring State Park - Sun Lakes, AZ</title>
<meta name="page_title" content="Blue Spring State Park - Sun Lakes, AZ"/>
<meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/>
<meta content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the" name="description"/>
<meta content="Blue, Spring, State, Park, Sun, Lakes, AZ" name="keywords"/>
<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html"/>
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/>
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Blue Spring State Park"/>
<meta name="twitter:description" content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the"/>
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/>
<meta property="og:type" content="place"/>
<meta property="og:title" content="Blue Spring State Park"/>
<meta property="og:description" content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the"/>
<meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/>
<meta property="place:location:latitude" content="28.947627"/>
<meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-81.337154"/>
.main-image { display:none;
}',
	'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP'
)
$content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box">
	<div class="module-spacer">
		<header><h1 class="article-headline">Blue Spring State Park</h1></header>

		<div class="row">
			<div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer">
				<p>
					<div>
											<div>2100 West French Avenue</div>
											<div>
							<span>Orange City</span>,
							<span>FL</span>
												<span>32763</span>
											</div>
					</div>
				</p>
								<div>
					<i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> 
										<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/blue-spring-state-park" target="_blank">Blue Spring State Park </a>
								</div>
												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 386-775-3663</div>
				
			</div>
			<div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer">
				<iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Blue+Spring+State+Park%2C+2100+West+French+Avenue%2C+Orange+City%2C+FL+32763" allowfullscreen> </iframe>
			</div>
		</div>


				<div class="module-spacer clearfix">
						<p>Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the spring run. By 2005, after years of park improvements and manatee protection efforts, wintering manatee numbers exceeded 200 and by 2018, that number skyrocketed to a record 485.Besides "sea cows," fish abound in the spring run, and these attract a variety of wading birds, ospreys, eagles and kingfishers. To see the park&rsquo;s wonders, one can hike along the spring run or on the 4.5-mile Pine Island Trail. One can also launch a canoe or kayak, rent one at the park or take a guided river boat cruise.ExperiencesBirdingThe endemic Florida scrub-jay calls Blue Spring State Park home.&nbsp; With many families dwelling in the rare scrub ecosystem, it is likely you will catch a glimpse or hear their calls.&nbsp; Please keep in mind that Feeding Florida scrub-jays is against the law and can cause great harm to the birds.Boat ToursSt. Johns River Cruises and Tours operates boat tours daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. This is a two-hour narrated nature and ecological cruise on the beautiful and historic St. Johns River.CampingThis campground has 51 campsites (recreational vehicles up to 40 feet long) located in the sand pine scrub and are within walking distance to the spring. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, water, electricity and a grill. A dump station is available in the park. Pets are welcome in the camping area in accordance with our Pet Policy.&nbsp; Accessible sites are offered on Reserve America and two new bathhouses are complete with accessible showers and bathroom stalls.Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through Reserve America. Book online or call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (888) 433-0287.FishingVisitors can fish from the accessible fishing dock on the St. Johns River.&nbsp; Fishing is not permitted in the Blue Spring Run.All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season.&nbsp; A fishing license may be required.&nbsp; More information is available at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission&rsquo;s Fishing in Florida.HikingThe same pristine beauty enjoyed by Florida's earliest residents can still be seen today. An accessible boardwalk leads visitors on a self-guided tour through a lush hammock to Blue Spring.Pine Island Trail is 3.6 miles in length (one way) and takes you through numerous plant communities from the desert-like scrub to the Blackwater stream known as the St. Johns River.PaddlingYou are invited to canoe beautiful Blue Spring Run and the St Johns River. Canoes and kayaks may be rented at St. Johns River Cruises along the St. Johns River. For more information, current conditions, availability, costs and reservations, call (386) 917-0724 or visit St. Johns River Cruises.Blue Spring is a designated manatee refuge. Temperatures in the spring run remain a constant 72 degrees, creating a safe haven for the West Indian manatee. To provide a safe warm-water refuge for manatees during the winter season, the spring and spring run are closed to all water-related activities including swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and boating from approximately mid-November through March.PicnickingBlue Spring State Park offers two separate picnic areas. There are accessible covered pavilions with accessible grills located at these areas for larger groups. One of these areas also has a large covered barbecue grill. All pavilions are first come, first served.There are many grills and picnic tables throughout the park.Scuba DivingBlue Spring State Park is pleased to allow responsible, certified divers access.&nbsp; To ensure the safety of all divers and other visitors, the following criteria MUST be met:All divers must show proof of certification before diving and leave certifications visible on the dashboard of the car.All divers must have a dive buddy and remain together for the duration of EACH and EVERY dive.Cavern and cave diving is available only to certified cave divers.Open water divers are permitted to 50 feet.Open water divers are not permitted to carry lights.Instructors conducting a class must have a Commercial Dive Permit.Divers dive at their own risk.No solo diving is permitted.Dives cannot extend past 5 p.m.No scooters (DPVs) or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).No fishing.SnorkelingBlue Spring offers snorkeling in a crystal clear spring run. Swimming with the manatees is NOT permitted.SwimmingBlue Spring offers swimming in a crystal clear spring run.&nbsp; Swimming or diving with the manatees is NOT permitted.TubingTube rentals are available through the park's concessionaire. You can enter the water at the upper entry, swim to the spring boil, and float back down to the main swim dock. The float run lasts about an eighth of a mile.AmenitiesCabinsSix two-bedroom cabins are located in a shady oak hammock near Blue Spring, a designated manatee refuge. Cabins accommodate up to six people. One bedroom is furnished with a double bed. The second bedroom is furnished with two single beds. A sleeper sofa in the living room converts to a double bed. Each cabin is equipped with a gas fireplace (for use November through March), central heating and cooling, bathroom, fully equipped kitchen with stove and refrigerator, screened porch, outdoor grill and picnic table. Linens, pillows, blankets and towels, cooking and eating utensils are provided. Linens are not changed daily. Two vehicles per cabin are permitted.For the guests' relaxation, televisions and phones are not provided.Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through ReserveAmerica. Book online or call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or TDD (888) 433-0287. Pets are not permitted in cabins. Service animals are welcome.There is a minimum two nights stay in cabins on weekends and holidays, either Friday and Saturday night, or Saturday and Sunday nights. A single Friday or Saturday night may be reserved only if the following Saturday or Sunday night is already reserved.&nbsp; Cabin 2 is accessible and is available by reservation through ReserveAmerica.CampgroundsCanoe Kayak LaunchNature TrailPicnic PavilionPlaygroundRV</p>		</div>
		

	<div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;">
                <form method="post" action="/sun-lakes-az/report/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html">
        <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button>
    </form>
        
            </div>

    <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. 
    </div>
    <style>
    .report_button_message {
        color: #333;
        font-size: 12px;
        clear: both;
    }
    </style>
		
	</div>
</div>
</div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750">
<a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" 
	href="/sun-lakes-az/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive"  
	alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" 
	src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a>
</div></div></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default-->
<!-- module_RHS - AARP Events -->

<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
	<header>
		<div class="pull-right">
			<a href="/sun-lakes-az/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">
				<img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" />
			</a>
		</div>
		<h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Sun Lakes</h2>
		<h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Sun Lakes</h2>
	</header>
	<div class="wrap">
		<div class="ar-listing snippet">
			<ul class="list">
				<li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-az-mim-memory-care-workshop-phoenix-az-31225-tdn68mlf3ws.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-AZ-MIM-MEMORY-CARE-WORKSHOP-PHOENIX-AZ-31225">AARP AZ MIM Memory Care Workshop Phoenix, AZ 3/12/25</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Wednesday, Mar 12, 2025 at 1:00&nbsp;p.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Musical Instrument Museum</p>
					<p class="loc">Phoenix, AZ</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-chandler-az-c36293.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-NEIGHBORS-WHO-CARE">AARP Smart Driver™: Neighbors Who Care</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Mar 13, 2025 at 8:30&nbsp;a.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Neighbors Who Care</p>
					<p class="loc">Sun Lakes, AZ</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-fort-mcdowell-az-c37460.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-VIA-LINDA-SENIOR-CENTER">AARP Smart Driver™: Via Linda Senior Center</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Mar 13, 2025 at 12:30&nbsp;p.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Via Linda Senior Center</p>
					<p class="loc">Scottsdale, AZ</p>
					
				</li>			</ul>

			<p><a class="link-red" href="/sun-lakes-az/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p>
	
		</div>
	</div>
</div>


<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;height:360px;">
	<img class="img-responsive image" 
		title="image of two AARP membership cards"
		alt="image of two AARP membership cards" 
		src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png">
	<div class="title">Last Chance to Save!<br />New Pricing Coming in 2025.</div>
<br />
	<p>
This is AARP's first rate increase in 15 years.<br />Don't miss out, join today and save!<br /><br />
</p>
	<div class="action">
		<a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-SUNLAKES-AZ">Join AARP</a>
		<div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-SUNLAKES-AZ">Renew</a> or 
			<a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div>
	</div>
</div>
<style>
.membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;}
.membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; }
</style> 
<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="module-spacer text-center">
<div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Arizona Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Arizona Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" data-tabs="timeline" width="" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true">
	<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona">Facebook</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>


<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
<header>
<h2>Contact AARP <br />in Phoenix</h2>
</header>
<div class="wrap">

<div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer">
<ul class="list-unstyled">


<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/arizona/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Arizona</a></li>

<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="http://states.aarp.org/how-to-contact-aarp-arizona/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20171231-SUNLAKES-AZ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li>

</ul>
</div>

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img style="max-width: 48px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/facebook.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://twitter.com/AZ_AARP" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img style="max-width: 48px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/twitter.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a>

&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpaz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img style="max-width: 56px; top: 0px; left: -2px; position: relative;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/instagram.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a>

</div>
</div>

 



</div></div>
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div>
</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar -->
	<script type="text/javascript">
		jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() {
			window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href');
		});
	</script>
</div>
</div>
'
$scripts_for_layout = '<title>Blue Spring State Park - Sun Lakes, AZ</title>
<meta name="page_title" content="Blue Spring State Park - Sun Lakes, AZ"/>
<meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/>
<meta content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the" name="description"/>
<meta content="Blue, Spring, State, Park, Sun, Lakes, AZ" name="keywords"/>
<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html"/>
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/>
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Blue Spring State Park"/>
<meta name="twitter:description" content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the"/>
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/>
<meta property="og:type" content="place"/>
<meta property="og:title" content="Blue Spring State Park"/>
<meta property="og:description" content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the"/>
<meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/>
<meta property="place:location:latitude" content="28.947627"/>
<meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-81.337154"/>
.main-image { display:none;
}'
$title_for_layout = 'Place Detail - AARP'
$asset_version = '240925'
$min = true
$nowrapper = false
$css = '.main-image { display:none;
}'
$highlighting = '<span class="highlighting">Highlighting Sun Lakes</span>'
$location = '<a href="/sun-lakes-az/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Phoenix, AZ</a>'
$no_header = false
$header_title = '<a href="/sun-lakes-az/things-to-do/">Places</a>'
$header_subtitle = ''
$isPR = false
$navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse">
	<div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div>
	<ul class="secondary-menu" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true">
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more">
			<span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span>
			<ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu">
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li>
				<!--
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li>
				-->
			</ul>
		</li>
		
	</ul>
</nav>'
$header_custom = ''
$breadcrumbs = array(
	(int) 0 => array(
		'title' => 'Things to Do',
		'slug' => 'things-to-do'
	)
)
$row = array(
	'title' => 'Back to Things to Do',
	'slug' => 'things-to-do'
)
$i = (int) 0
include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243
include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243
View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971
View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933
View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546
View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481
Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963
AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136
PlacesController::display() - APP/Controller/PlacesController.php, line 501
ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ??
Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491
Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193
Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167
[main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118

Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244]
Code Context
                    include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");
                    include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");
                    include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html");
$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp'
$dataForView = array(
	'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box">
	<div class="module-spacer">
		<header><h1 class="article-headline">Blue Spring State Park</h1></header>

		<div class="row">
			<div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer">
				<p>
					<div>
											<div>2100 West French Avenue</div>
											<div>
							<span>Orange City</span>,
							<span>FL</span>
												<span>32763</span>
											</div>
					</div>
				</p>
								<div>
					<i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> 
										<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/blue-spring-state-park" target="_blank">Blue Spring State Park </a>
								</div>
												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 386-775-3663</div>
				
			</div>
			<div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer">
				<iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Blue+Spring+State+Park%2C+2100+West+French+Avenue%2C+Orange+City%2C+FL+32763" allowfullscreen> </iframe>
			</div>
		</div>


				<div class="module-spacer clearfix">
						<p>Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the spring run. By 2005, after years of park improvements and manatee protection efforts, wintering manatee numbers exceeded 200 and by 2018, that number skyrocketed to a record 485.Besides "sea cows," fish abound in the spring run, and these attract a variety of wading birds, ospreys, eagles and kingfishers. To see the park&rsquo;s wonders, one can hike along the spring run or on the 4.5-mile Pine Island Trail. One can also launch a canoe or kayak, rent one at the park or take a guided river boat cruise.ExperiencesBirdingThe endemic Florida scrub-jay calls Blue Spring State Park home.&nbsp; With many families dwelling in the rare scrub ecosystem, it is likely you will catch a glimpse or hear their calls.&nbsp; Please keep in mind that Feeding Florida scrub-jays is against the law and can cause great harm to the birds.Boat ToursSt. Johns River Cruises and Tours operates boat tours daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. This is a two-hour narrated nature and ecological cruise on the beautiful and historic St. Johns River.CampingThis campground has 51 campsites (recreational vehicles up to 40 feet long) located in the sand pine scrub and are within walking distance to the spring. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, water, electricity and a grill. A dump station is available in the park. Pets are welcome in the camping area in accordance with our Pet Policy.&nbsp; Accessible sites are offered on Reserve America and two new bathhouses are complete with accessible showers and bathroom stalls.Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through Reserve America. Book online or call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (888) 433-0287.FishingVisitors can fish from the accessible fishing dock on the St. Johns River.&nbsp; Fishing is not permitted in the Blue Spring Run.All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season.&nbsp; A fishing license may be required.&nbsp; More information is available at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission&rsquo;s Fishing in Florida.HikingThe same pristine beauty enjoyed by Florida's earliest residents can still be seen today. An accessible boardwalk leads visitors on a self-guided tour through a lush hammock to Blue Spring.Pine Island Trail is 3.6 miles in length (one way) and takes you through numerous plant communities from the desert-like scrub to the Blackwater stream known as the St. Johns River.PaddlingYou are invited to canoe beautiful Blue Spring Run and the St Johns River. Canoes and kayaks may be rented at St. Johns River Cruises along the St. Johns River. For more information, current conditions, availability, costs and reservations, call (386) 917-0724 or visit St. Johns River Cruises.Blue Spring is a designated manatee refuge. Temperatures in the spring run remain a constant 72 degrees, creating a safe haven for the West Indian manatee. To provide a safe warm-water refuge for manatees during the winter season, the spring and spring run are closed to all water-related activities including swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and boating from approximately mid-November through March.PicnickingBlue Spring State Park offers two separate picnic areas. There are accessible covered pavilions with accessible grills located at these areas for larger groups. One of these areas also has a large covered barbecue grill. All pavilions are first come, first served.There are many grills and picnic tables throughout the park.Scuba DivingBlue Spring State Park is pleased to allow responsible, certified divers access.&nbsp; To ensure the safety of all divers and other visitors, the following criteria MUST be met:All divers must show proof of certification before diving and leave certifications visible on the dashboard of the car.All divers must have a dive buddy and remain together for the duration of EACH and EVERY dive.Cavern and cave diving is available only to certified cave divers.Open water divers are permitted to 50 feet.Open water divers are not permitted to carry lights.Instructors conducting a class must have a Commercial Dive Permit.Divers dive at their own risk.No solo diving is permitted.Dives cannot extend past 5 p.m.No scooters (DPVs) or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).No fishing.SnorkelingBlue Spring offers snorkeling in a crystal clear spring run. Swimming with the manatees is NOT permitted.SwimmingBlue Spring offers swimming in a crystal clear spring run.&nbsp; Swimming or diving with the manatees is NOT permitted.TubingTube rentals are available through the park's concessionaire. You can enter the water at the upper entry, swim to the spring boil, and float back down to the main swim dock. The float run lasts about an eighth of a mile.AmenitiesCabinsSix two-bedroom cabins are located in a shady oak hammock near Blue Spring, a designated manatee refuge. Cabins accommodate up to six people. One bedroom is furnished with a double bed. The second bedroom is furnished with two single beds. A sleeper sofa in the living room converts to a double bed. Each cabin is equipped with a gas fireplace (for use November through March), central heating and cooling, bathroom, fully equipped kitchen with stove and refrigerator, screened porch, outdoor grill and picnic table. Linens, pillows, blankets and towels, cooking and eating utensils are provided. Linens are not changed daily. Two vehicles per cabin are permitted.For the guests' relaxation, televisions and phones are not provided.Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through ReserveAmerica. Book online or call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or TDD (888) 433-0287. Pets are not permitted in cabins. Service animals are welcome.There is a minimum two nights stay in cabins on weekends and holidays, either Friday and Saturday night, or Saturday and Sunday nights. A single Friday or Saturday night may be reserved only if the following Saturday or Sunday night is already reserved.&nbsp; Cabin 2 is accessible and is available by reservation through ReserveAmerica.CampgroundsCanoe Kayak LaunchNature TrailPicnic PavilionPlaygroundRV</p>		</div>
		

	<div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;">
                <form method="post" action="/sun-lakes-az/report/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html">
        <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button>
    </form>
        
            </div>

    <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. 
    </div>
    <style>
    .report_button_message {
        color: #333;
        font-size: 12px;
        clear: both;
    }
    </style>
		
	</div>
</div>
</div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750">
<a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" 
	href="/sun-lakes-az/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive"  
	alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" 
	src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a>
</div></div></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default-->
<!-- module_RHS - AARP Events -->

<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
	<header>
		<div class="pull-right">
			<a href="/sun-lakes-az/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">
				<img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" />
			</a>
		</div>
		<h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Sun Lakes</h2>
		<h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Sun Lakes</h2>
	</header>
	<div class="wrap">
		<div class="ar-listing snippet">
			<ul class="list">
				<li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-az-mim-memory-care-workshop-phoenix-az-31225-tdn68mlf3ws.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-AZ-MIM-MEMORY-CARE-WORKSHOP-PHOENIX-AZ-31225">AARP AZ MIM Memory Care Workshop Phoenix, AZ 3/12/25</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Wednesday, Mar 12, 2025 at 1:00&nbsp;p.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Musical Instrument Museum</p>
					<p class="loc">Phoenix, AZ</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-chandler-az-c36293.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-NEIGHBORS-WHO-CARE">AARP Smart Driver™: Neighbors Who Care</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Mar 13, 2025 at 8:30&nbsp;a.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Neighbors Who Care</p>
					<p class="loc">Sun Lakes, AZ</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-fort-mcdowell-az-c37460.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-VIA-LINDA-SENIOR-CENTER">AARP Smart Driver™: Via Linda Senior Center</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Mar 13, 2025 at 12:30&nbsp;p.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Via Linda Senior Center</p>
					<p class="loc">Scottsdale, AZ</p>
					
				</li>			</ul>

			<p><a class="link-red" href="/sun-lakes-az/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p>
	
		</div>
	</div>
</div>


<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;height:360px;">
	<img class="img-responsive image" 
		title="image of two AARP membership cards"
		alt="image of two AARP membership cards" 
		src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png">
	<div class="title">Last Chance to Save!<br />New Pricing Coming in 2025.</div>
<br />
	<p>
This is AARP's first rate increase in 15 years.<br />Don't miss out, join today and save!<br /><br />
</p>
	<div class="action">
		<a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-SUNLAKES-AZ">Join AARP</a>
		<div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-SUNLAKES-AZ">Renew</a> or 
			<a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div>
	</div>
</div>
<style>
.membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;}
.membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; }
</style> 
<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="module-spacer text-center">
<div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Arizona Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Arizona Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" data-tabs="timeline" width="" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true">
	<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona">Facebook</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>


<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
<header>
<h2>Contact AARP <br />in Phoenix</h2>
</header>
<div class="wrap">

<div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer">
<ul class="list-unstyled">


<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/arizona/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Arizona</a></li>

<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="http://states.aarp.org/how-to-contact-aarp-arizona/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20171231-SUNLAKES-AZ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li>

</ul>
</div>

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img style="max-width: 48px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/facebook.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://twitter.com/AZ_AARP" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img style="max-width: 48px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/twitter.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a>

&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpaz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img style="max-width: 56px; top: 0px; left: -2px; position: relative;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/instagram.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a>

</div>
</div>

 



</div></div>
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div>
</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar -->
	<script type="text/javascript">
		jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() {
			window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href');
		});
	</script>
</div>
</div>
',
	'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Blue Spring State Park - Sun Lakes, AZ</title>
<meta name="page_title" content="Blue Spring State Park - Sun Lakes, AZ"/>
<meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/>
<meta content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the" name="description"/>
<meta content="Blue, Spring, State, Park, Sun, Lakes, AZ" name="keywords"/>
<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html"/>
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/>
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Blue Spring State Park"/>
<meta name="twitter:description" content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the"/>
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/>
<meta property="og:type" content="place"/>
<meta property="og:title" content="Blue Spring State Park"/>
<meta property="og:description" content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the"/>
<meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/>
<meta property="place:location:latitude" content="28.947627"/>
<meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-81.337154"/>
.main-image { display:none;
}',
	'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP'
)
$content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box">
	<div class="module-spacer">
		<header><h1 class="article-headline">Blue Spring State Park</h1></header>

		<div class="row">
			<div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer">
				<p>
					<div>
											<div>2100 West French Avenue</div>
											<div>
							<span>Orange City</span>,
							<span>FL</span>
												<span>32763</span>
											</div>
					</div>
				</p>
								<div>
					<i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> 
										<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/blue-spring-state-park" target="_blank">Blue Spring State Park </a>
								</div>
												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 386-775-3663</div>
				
			</div>
			<div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer">
				<iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Blue+Spring+State+Park%2C+2100+West+French+Avenue%2C+Orange+City%2C+FL+32763" allowfullscreen> </iframe>
			</div>
		</div>


				<div class="module-spacer clearfix">
						<p>Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the spring run. By 2005, after years of park improvements and manatee protection efforts, wintering manatee numbers exceeded 200 and by 2018, that number skyrocketed to a record 485.Besides "sea cows," fish abound in the spring run, and these attract a variety of wading birds, ospreys, eagles and kingfishers. To see the park&rsquo;s wonders, one can hike along the spring run or on the 4.5-mile Pine Island Trail. One can also launch a canoe or kayak, rent one at the park or take a guided river boat cruise.ExperiencesBirdingThe endemic Florida scrub-jay calls Blue Spring State Park home.&nbsp; With many families dwelling in the rare scrub ecosystem, it is likely you will catch a glimpse or hear their calls.&nbsp; Please keep in mind that Feeding Florida scrub-jays is against the law and can cause great harm to the birds.Boat ToursSt. Johns River Cruises and Tours operates boat tours daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. This is a two-hour narrated nature and ecological cruise on the beautiful and historic St. Johns River.CampingThis campground has 51 campsites (recreational vehicles up to 40 feet long) located in the sand pine scrub and are within walking distance to the spring. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, water, electricity and a grill. A dump station is available in the park. Pets are welcome in the camping area in accordance with our Pet Policy.&nbsp; Accessible sites are offered on Reserve America and two new bathhouses are complete with accessible showers and bathroom stalls.Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through Reserve America. Book online or call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (888) 433-0287.FishingVisitors can fish from the accessible fishing dock on the St. Johns River.&nbsp; Fishing is not permitted in the Blue Spring Run.All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season.&nbsp; A fishing license may be required.&nbsp; More information is available at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission&rsquo;s Fishing in Florida.HikingThe same pristine beauty enjoyed by Florida's earliest residents can still be seen today. An accessible boardwalk leads visitors on a self-guided tour through a lush hammock to Blue Spring.Pine Island Trail is 3.6 miles in length (one way) and takes you through numerous plant communities from the desert-like scrub to the Blackwater stream known as the St. Johns River.PaddlingYou are invited to canoe beautiful Blue Spring Run and the St Johns River. Canoes and kayaks may be rented at St. Johns River Cruises along the St. Johns River. For more information, current conditions, availability, costs and reservations, call (386) 917-0724 or visit St. Johns River Cruises.Blue Spring is a designated manatee refuge. Temperatures in the spring run remain a constant 72 degrees, creating a safe haven for the West Indian manatee. To provide a safe warm-water refuge for manatees during the winter season, the spring and spring run are closed to all water-related activities including swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and boating from approximately mid-November through March.PicnickingBlue Spring State Park offers two separate picnic areas. There are accessible covered pavilions with accessible grills located at these areas for larger groups. One of these areas also has a large covered barbecue grill. All pavilions are first come, first served.There are many grills and picnic tables throughout the park.Scuba DivingBlue Spring State Park is pleased to allow responsible, certified divers access.&nbsp; To ensure the safety of all divers and other visitors, the following criteria MUST be met:All divers must show proof of certification before diving and leave certifications visible on the dashboard of the car.All divers must have a dive buddy and remain together for the duration of EACH and EVERY dive.Cavern and cave diving is available only to certified cave divers.Open water divers are permitted to 50 feet.Open water divers are not permitted to carry lights.Instructors conducting a class must have a Commercial Dive Permit.Divers dive at their own risk.No solo diving is permitted.Dives cannot extend past 5 p.m.No scooters (DPVs) or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).No fishing.SnorkelingBlue Spring offers snorkeling in a crystal clear spring run. Swimming with the manatees is NOT permitted.SwimmingBlue Spring offers swimming in a crystal clear spring run.&nbsp; Swimming or diving with the manatees is NOT permitted.TubingTube rentals are available through the park's concessionaire. You can enter the water at the upper entry, swim to the spring boil, and float back down to the main swim dock. The float run lasts about an eighth of a mile.AmenitiesCabinsSix two-bedroom cabins are located in a shady oak hammock near Blue Spring, a designated manatee refuge. Cabins accommodate up to six people. One bedroom is furnished with a double bed. The second bedroom is furnished with two single beds. A sleeper sofa in the living room converts to a double bed. Each cabin is equipped with a gas fireplace (for use November through March), central heating and cooling, bathroom, fully equipped kitchen with stove and refrigerator, screened porch, outdoor grill and picnic table. Linens, pillows, blankets and towels, cooking and eating utensils are provided. Linens are not changed daily. Two vehicles per cabin are permitted.For the guests' relaxation, televisions and phones are not provided.Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through ReserveAmerica. Book online or call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or TDD (888) 433-0287. Pets are not permitted in cabins. Service animals are welcome.There is a minimum two nights stay in cabins on weekends and holidays, either Friday and Saturday night, or Saturday and Sunday nights. A single Friday or Saturday night may be reserved only if the following Saturday or Sunday night is already reserved.&nbsp; Cabin 2 is accessible and is available by reservation through ReserveAmerica.CampgroundsCanoe Kayak LaunchNature TrailPicnic PavilionPlaygroundRV</p>		</div>
		

	<div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;">
                <form method="post" action="/sun-lakes-az/report/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html">
        <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button>
    </form>
        
            </div>

    <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. 
    </div>
    <style>
    .report_button_message {
        color: #333;
        font-size: 12px;
        clear: both;
    }
    </style>
		
	</div>
</div>
</div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750">
<a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" 
	href="/sun-lakes-az/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive"  
	alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" 
	src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a>
</div></div></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default-->
<!-- module_RHS - AARP Events -->

<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
	<header>
		<div class="pull-right">
			<a href="/sun-lakes-az/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">
				<img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" />
			</a>
		</div>
		<h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Sun Lakes</h2>
		<h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Sun Lakes</h2>
	</header>
	<div class="wrap">
		<div class="ar-listing snippet">
			<ul class="list">
				<li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-az-mim-memory-care-workshop-phoenix-az-31225-tdn68mlf3ws.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-AZ-MIM-MEMORY-CARE-WORKSHOP-PHOENIX-AZ-31225">AARP AZ MIM Memory Care Workshop Phoenix, AZ 3/12/25</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Wednesday, Mar 12, 2025 at 1:00&nbsp;p.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Musical Instrument Museum</p>
					<p class="loc">Phoenix, AZ</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-chandler-az-c36293.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-NEIGHBORS-WHO-CARE">AARP Smart Driver™: Neighbors Who Care</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Mar 13, 2025 at 8:30&nbsp;a.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Neighbors Who Care</p>
					<p class="loc">Sun Lakes, AZ</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-fort-mcdowell-az-c37460.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-VIA-LINDA-SENIOR-CENTER">AARP Smart Driver™: Via Linda Senior Center</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Mar 13, 2025 at 12:30&nbsp;p.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Via Linda Senior Center</p>
					<p class="loc">Scottsdale, AZ</p>
					
				</li>			</ul>

			<p><a class="link-red" href="/sun-lakes-az/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p>
	
		</div>
	</div>
</div>


<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;height:360px;">
	<img class="img-responsive image" 
		title="image of two AARP membership cards"
		alt="image of two AARP membership cards" 
		src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png">
	<div class="title">Last Chance to Save!<br />New Pricing Coming in 2025.</div>
<br />
	<p>
This is AARP's first rate increase in 15 years.<br />Don't miss out, join today and save!<br /><br />
</p>
	<div class="action">
		<a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-SUNLAKES-AZ">Join AARP</a>
		<div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-SUNLAKES-AZ">Renew</a> or 
			<a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div>
	</div>
</div>
<style>
.membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;}
.membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; }
</style> 
<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="module-spacer text-center">
<div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Arizona Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Arizona Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" data-tabs="timeline" width="" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true">
	<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona">Facebook</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>


<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
<header>
<h2>Contact AARP <br />in Phoenix</h2>
</header>
<div class="wrap">

<div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer">
<ul class="list-unstyled">


<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/arizona/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Arizona</a></li>

<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="http://states.aarp.org/how-to-contact-aarp-arizona/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20171231-SUNLAKES-AZ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li>

</ul>
</div>

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img style="max-width: 48px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/facebook.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://twitter.com/AZ_AARP" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img style="max-width: 48px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/twitter.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a>

&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpaz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img style="max-width: 56px; top: 0px; left: -2px; position: relative;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/instagram.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a>

</div>
</div>

 



</div></div>
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div>
</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar -->
	<script type="text/javascript">
		jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() {
			window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href');
		});
	</script>
</div>
</div>
'
$scripts_for_layout = '<title>Blue Spring State Park - Sun Lakes, AZ</title>
<meta name="page_title" content="Blue Spring State Park - Sun Lakes, AZ"/>
<meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/>
<meta content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the" name="description"/>
<meta content="Blue, Spring, State, Park, Sun, Lakes, AZ" name="keywords"/>
<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html"/>
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/>
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Blue Spring State Park"/>
<meta name="twitter:description" content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the"/>
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/>
<meta property="og:type" content="place"/>
<meta property="og:title" content="Blue Spring State Park"/>
<meta property="og:description" content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the"/>
<meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/>
<meta property="place:location:latitude" content="28.947627"/>
<meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-81.337154"/>
.main-image { display:none;
}'
$title_for_layout = 'Place Detail - AARP'
$asset_version = '240925'
$min = true
$nowrapper = false
$css = '.main-image { display:none;
}'
$highlighting = '<span class="highlighting">Highlighting Sun Lakes</span>'
$location = '<a href="/sun-lakes-az/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Phoenix, AZ</a>'
$no_header = false
$header_title = '<a href="/sun-lakes-az/things-to-do/">Places</a>'
$header_subtitle = ''
$isPR = false
$navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse">
	<div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div>
	<ul class="secondary-menu" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true">
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more">
			<span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span>
			<ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu">
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li>
				<!--
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li>
				-->
			</ul>
		</li>
		
	</ul>
</nav>'
$header_custom = ''
$breadcrumbs = array(
	(int) 0 => array(
		'title' => 'Things to Do',
		'slug' => 'things-to-do'
	)
)
$row = array(
	'title' => 'Back to Things to Do',
	'slug' => 'things-to-do'
)
$i = (int) 0
include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244
include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244
View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971
View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933
View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546
View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481
Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963
AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136
PlacesController::display() - APP/Controller/PlacesController.php, line 501
ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ??
Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491
Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193
Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167
[main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118

Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244]
Code Context
                    include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");
                    include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");
                    include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html");
$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp'
$dataForView = array(
	'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box">
	<div class="module-spacer">
		<header><h1 class="article-headline">Blue Spring State Park</h1></header>

		<div class="row">
			<div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer">
				<p>
					<div>
											<div>2100 West French Avenue</div>
											<div>
							<span>Orange City</span>,
							<span>FL</span>
												<span>32763</span>
											</div>
					</div>
				</p>
								<div>
					<i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> 
										<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/blue-spring-state-park" target="_blank">Blue Spring State Park </a>
								</div>
												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 386-775-3663</div>
				
			</div>
			<div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer">
				<iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Blue+Spring+State+Park%2C+2100+West+French+Avenue%2C+Orange+City%2C+FL+32763" allowfullscreen> </iframe>
			</div>
		</div>


				<div class="module-spacer clearfix">
						<p>Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the spring run. By 2005, after years of park improvements and manatee protection efforts, wintering manatee numbers exceeded 200 and by 2018, that number skyrocketed to a record 485.Besides "sea cows," fish abound in the spring run, and these attract a variety of wading birds, ospreys, eagles and kingfishers. To see the park&rsquo;s wonders, one can hike along the spring run or on the 4.5-mile Pine Island Trail. One can also launch a canoe or kayak, rent one at the park or take a guided river boat cruise.ExperiencesBirdingThe endemic Florida scrub-jay calls Blue Spring State Park home.&nbsp; With many families dwelling in the rare scrub ecosystem, it is likely you will catch a glimpse or hear their calls.&nbsp; Please keep in mind that Feeding Florida scrub-jays is against the law and can cause great harm to the birds.Boat ToursSt. Johns River Cruises and Tours operates boat tours daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. This is a two-hour narrated nature and ecological cruise on the beautiful and historic St. Johns River.CampingThis campground has 51 campsites (recreational vehicles up to 40 feet long) located in the sand pine scrub and are within walking distance to the spring. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, water, electricity and a grill. A dump station is available in the park. Pets are welcome in the camping area in accordance with our Pet Policy.&nbsp; Accessible sites are offered on Reserve America and two new bathhouses are complete with accessible showers and bathroom stalls.Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through Reserve America. Book online or call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (888) 433-0287.FishingVisitors can fish from the accessible fishing dock on the St. Johns River.&nbsp; Fishing is not permitted in the Blue Spring Run.All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season.&nbsp; A fishing license may be required.&nbsp; More information is available at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission&rsquo;s Fishing in Florida.HikingThe same pristine beauty enjoyed by Florida's earliest residents can still be seen today. An accessible boardwalk leads visitors on a self-guided tour through a lush hammock to Blue Spring.Pine Island Trail is 3.6 miles in length (one way) and takes you through numerous plant communities from the desert-like scrub to the Blackwater stream known as the St. Johns River.PaddlingYou are invited to canoe beautiful Blue Spring Run and the St Johns River. Canoes and kayaks may be rented at St. Johns River Cruises along the St. Johns River. For more information, current conditions, availability, costs and reservations, call (386) 917-0724 or visit St. Johns River Cruises.Blue Spring is a designated manatee refuge. Temperatures in the spring run remain a constant 72 degrees, creating a safe haven for the West Indian manatee. To provide a safe warm-water refuge for manatees during the winter season, the spring and spring run are closed to all water-related activities including swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and boating from approximately mid-November through March.PicnickingBlue Spring State Park offers two separate picnic areas. There are accessible covered pavilions with accessible grills located at these areas for larger groups. One of these areas also has a large covered barbecue grill. All pavilions are first come, first served.There are many grills and picnic tables throughout the park.Scuba DivingBlue Spring State Park is pleased to allow responsible, certified divers access.&nbsp; To ensure the safety of all divers and other visitors, the following criteria MUST be met:All divers must show proof of certification before diving and leave certifications visible on the dashboard of the car.All divers must have a dive buddy and remain together for the duration of EACH and EVERY dive.Cavern and cave diving is available only to certified cave divers.Open water divers are permitted to 50 feet.Open water divers are not permitted to carry lights.Instructors conducting a class must have a Commercial Dive Permit.Divers dive at their own risk.No solo diving is permitted.Dives cannot extend past 5 p.m.No scooters (DPVs) or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).No fishing.SnorkelingBlue Spring offers snorkeling in a crystal clear spring run. Swimming with the manatees is NOT permitted.SwimmingBlue Spring offers swimming in a crystal clear spring run.&nbsp; Swimming or diving with the manatees is NOT permitted.TubingTube rentals are available through the park's concessionaire. You can enter the water at the upper entry, swim to the spring boil, and float back down to the main swim dock. The float run lasts about an eighth of a mile.AmenitiesCabinsSix two-bedroom cabins are located in a shady oak hammock near Blue Spring, a designated manatee refuge. Cabins accommodate up to six people. One bedroom is furnished with a double bed. The second bedroom is furnished with two single beds. A sleeper sofa in the living room converts to a double bed. Each cabin is equipped with a gas fireplace (for use November through March), central heating and cooling, bathroom, fully equipped kitchen with stove and refrigerator, screened porch, outdoor grill and picnic table. Linens, pillows, blankets and towels, cooking and eating utensils are provided. Linens are not changed daily. Two vehicles per cabin are permitted.For the guests' relaxation, televisions and phones are not provided.Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through ReserveAmerica. Book online or call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or TDD (888) 433-0287. Pets are not permitted in cabins. Service animals are welcome.There is a minimum two nights stay in cabins on weekends and holidays, either Friday and Saturday night, or Saturday and Sunday nights. A single Friday or Saturday night may be reserved only if the following Saturday or Sunday night is already reserved.&nbsp; Cabin 2 is accessible and is available by reservation through ReserveAmerica.CampgroundsCanoe Kayak LaunchNature TrailPicnic PavilionPlaygroundRV</p>		</div>
		

	<div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;">
                <form method="post" action="/sun-lakes-az/report/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html">
        <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button>
    </form>
        
            </div>

    <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. 
    </div>
    <style>
    .report_button_message {
        color: #333;
        font-size: 12px;
        clear: both;
    }
    </style>
		
	</div>
</div>
</div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750">
<a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" 
	href="/sun-lakes-az/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive"  
	alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" 
	src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a>
</div></div></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default-->
<!-- module_RHS - AARP Events -->

<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
	<header>
		<div class="pull-right">
			<a href="/sun-lakes-az/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">
				<img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" />
			</a>
		</div>
		<h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Sun Lakes</h2>
		<h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Sun Lakes</h2>
	</header>
	<div class="wrap">
		<div class="ar-listing snippet">
			<ul class="list">
				<li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-az-mim-memory-care-workshop-phoenix-az-31225-tdn68mlf3ws.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-AZ-MIM-MEMORY-CARE-WORKSHOP-PHOENIX-AZ-31225">AARP AZ MIM Memory Care Workshop Phoenix, AZ 3/12/25</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Wednesday, Mar 12, 2025 at 1:00&nbsp;p.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Musical Instrument Museum</p>
					<p class="loc">Phoenix, AZ</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-chandler-az-c36293.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-NEIGHBORS-WHO-CARE">AARP Smart Driver™: Neighbors Who Care</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Mar 13, 2025 at 8:30&nbsp;a.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Neighbors Who Care</p>
					<p class="loc">Sun Lakes, AZ</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-fort-mcdowell-az-c37460.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-VIA-LINDA-SENIOR-CENTER">AARP Smart Driver™: Via Linda Senior Center</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Mar 13, 2025 at 12:30&nbsp;p.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Via Linda Senior Center</p>
					<p class="loc">Scottsdale, AZ</p>
					
				</li>			</ul>

			<p><a class="link-red" href="/sun-lakes-az/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p>
	
		</div>
	</div>
</div>


<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;height:360px;">
	<img class="img-responsive image" 
		title="image of two AARP membership cards"
		alt="image of two AARP membership cards" 
		src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png">
	<div class="title">Last Chance to Save!<br />New Pricing Coming in 2025.</div>
<br />
	<p>
This is AARP's first rate increase in 15 years.<br />Don't miss out, join today and save!<br /><br />
</p>
	<div class="action">
		<a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-SUNLAKES-AZ">Join AARP</a>
		<div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-SUNLAKES-AZ">Renew</a> or 
			<a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div>
	</div>
</div>
<style>
.membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;}
.membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; }
</style> 
<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="module-spacer text-center">
<div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Arizona Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Arizona Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" data-tabs="timeline" width="" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true">
	<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona">Facebook</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>


<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
<header>
<h2>Contact AARP <br />in Phoenix</h2>
</header>
<div class="wrap">

<div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer">
<ul class="list-unstyled">


<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/arizona/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Arizona</a></li>

<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="http://states.aarp.org/how-to-contact-aarp-arizona/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20171231-SUNLAKES-AZ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li>

</ul>
</div>

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img style="max-width: 48px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/facebook.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://twitter.com/AZ_AARP" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img style="max-width: 48px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/twitter.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a>

&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpaz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img style="max-width: 56px; top: 0px; left: -2px; position: relative;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/instagram.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a>

</div>
</div>

 



</div></div>
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div>
</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar -->
	<script type="text/javascript">
		jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() {
			window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href');
		});
	</script>
</div>
</div>
',
	'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Blue Spring State Park - Sun Lakes, AZ</title>
<meta name="page_title" content="Blue Spring State Park - Sun Lakes, AZ"/>
<meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/>
<meta content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the" name="description"/>
<meta content="Blue, Spring, State, Park, Sun, Lakes, AZ" name="keywords"/>
<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html"/>
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/>
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Blue Spring State Park"/>
<meta name="twitter:description" content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the"/>
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/>
<meta property="og:type" content="place"/>
<meta property="og:title" content="Blue Spring State Park"/>
<meta property="og:description" content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the"/>
<meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/>
<meta property="place:location:latitude" content="28.947627"/>
<meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-81.337154"/>
.main-image { display:none;
}',
	'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP'
)
$content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box">
	<div class="module-spacer">
		<header><h1 class="article-headline">Blue Spring State Park</h1></header>

		<div class="row">
			<div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer">
				<p>
					<div>
											<div>2100 West French Avenue</div>
											<div>
							<span>Orange City</span>,
							<span>FL</span>
												<span>32763</span>
											</div>
					</div>
				</p>
								<div>
					<i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> 
										<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/blue-spring-state-park" target="_blank">Blue Spring State Park </a>
								</div>
												<div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 386-775-3663</div>
				
			</div>
			<div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer">
				<iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Blue+Spring+State+Park%2C+2100+West+French+Avenue%2C+Orange+City%2C+FL+32763" allowfullscreen> </iframe>
			</div>
		</div>


				<div class="module-spacer clearfix">
						<p>Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the spring run. By 2005, after years of park improvements and manatee protection efforts, wintering manatee numbers exceeded 200 and by 2018, that number skyrocketed to a record 485.Besides "sea cows," fish abound in the spring run, and these attract a variety of wading birds, ospreys, eagles and kingfishers. To see the park&rsquo;s wonders, one can hike along the spring run or on the 4.5-mile Pine Island Trail. One can also launch a canoe or kayak, rent one at the park or take a guided river boat cruise.ExperiencesBirdingThe endemic Florida scrub-jay calls Blue Spring State Park home.&nbsp; With many families dwelling in the rare scrub ecosystem, it is likely you will catch a glimpse or hear their calls.&nbsp; Please keep in mind that Feeding Florida scrub-jays is against the law and can cause great harm to the birds.Boat ToursSt. Johns River Cruises and Tours operates boat tours daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. This is a two-hour narrated nature and ecological cruise on the beautiful and historic St. Johns River.CampingThis campground has 51 campsites (recreational vehicles up to 40 feet long) located in the sand pine scrub and are within walking distance to the spring. Each site is equipped with a picnic table, water, electricity and a grill. A dump station is available in the park. Pets are welcome in the camping area in accordance with our Pet Policy.&nbsp; Accessible sites are offered on Reserve America and two new bathhouses are complete with accessible showers and bathroom stalls.Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through Reserve America. Book online or call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (888) 433-0287.FishingVisitors can fish from the accessible fishing dock on the St. Johns River.&nbsp; Fishing is not permitted in the Blue Spring Run.All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season.&nbsp; A fishing license may be required.&nbsp; More information is available at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission&rsquo;s Fishing in Florida.HikingThe same pristine beauty enjoyed by Florida's earliest residents can still be seen today. An accessible boardwalk leads visitors on a self-guided tour through a lush hammock to Blue Spring.Pine Island Trail is 3.6 miles in length (one way) and takes you through numerous plant communities from the desert-like scrub to the Blackwater stream known as the St. Johns River.PaddlingYou are invited to canoe beautiful Blue Spring Run and the St Johns River. Canoes and kayaks may be rented at St. Johns River Cruises along the St. Johns River. For more information, current conditions, availability, costs and reservations, call (386) 917-0724 or visit St. Johns River Cruises.Blue Spring is a designated manatee refuge. Temperatures in the spring run remain a constant 72 degrees, creating a safe haven for the West Indian manatee. To provide a safe warm-water refuge for manatees during the winter season, the spring and spring run are closed to all water-related activities including swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and boating from approximately mid-November through March.PicnickingBlue Spring State Park offers two separate picnic areas. There are accessible covered pavilions with accessible grills located at these areas for larger groups. One of these areas also has a large covered barbecue grill. All pavilions are first come, first served.There are many grills and picnic tables throughout the park.Scuba DivingBlue Spring State Park is pleased to allow responsible, certified divers access.&nbsp; To ensure the safety of all divers and other visitors, the following criteria MUST be met:All divers must show proof of certification before diving and leave certifications visible on the dashboard of the car.All divers must have a dive buddy and remain together for the duration of EACH and EVERY dive.Cavern and cave diving is available only to certified cave divers.Open water divers are permitted to 50 feet.Open water divers are not permitted to carry lights.Instructors conducting a class must have a Commercial Dive Permit.Divers dive at their own risk.No solo diving is permitted.Dives cannot extend past 5 p.m.No scooters (DPVs) or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).No fishing.SnorkelingBlue Spring offers snorkeling in a crystal clear spring run. Swimming with the manatees is NOT permitted.SwimmingBlue Spring offers swimming in a crystal clear spring run.&nbsp; Swimming or diving with the manatees is NOT permitted.TubingTube rentals are available through the park's concessionaire. You can enter the water at the upper entry, swim to the spring boil, and float back down to the main swim dock. The float run lasts about an eighth of a mile.AmenitiesCabinsSix two-bedroom cabins are located in a shady oak hammock near Blue Spring, a designated manatee refuge. Cabins accommodate up to six people. One bedroom is furnished with a double bed. The second bedroom is furnished with two single beds. A sleeper sofa in the living room converts to a double bed. Each cabin is equipped with a gas fireplace (for use November through March), central heating and cooling, bathroom, fully equipped kitchen with stove and refrigerator, screened porch, outdoor grill and picnic table. Linens, pillows, blankets and towels, cooking and eating utensils are provided. Linens are not changed daily. Two vehicles per cabin are permitted.For the guests' relaxation, televisions and phones are not provided.Reservations may be made up to 11 months in advance through ReserveAmerica. Book online or call (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) or TDD (888) 433-0287. Pets are not permitted in cabins. Service animals are welcome.There is a minimum two nights stay in cabins on weekends and holidays, either Friday and Saturday night, or Saturday and Sunday nights. A single Friday or Saturday night may be reserved only if the following Saturday or Sunday night is already reserved.&nbsp; Cabin 2 is accessible and is available by reservation through ReserveAmerica.CampgroundsCanoe Kayak LaunchNature TrailPicnic PavilionPlaygroundRV</p>		</div>
		

	<div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;">
                <form method="post" action="/sun-lakes-az/report/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html">
        <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button>
    </form>
        
            </div>

    <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. 
    </div>
    <style>
    .report_button_message {
        color: #333;
        font-size: 12px;
        clear: both;
    }
    </style>
		
	</div>
</div>
</div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750">
<a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" 
	href="/sun-lakes-az/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive"  
	alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" 
	src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a>
</div></div></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default-->
<!-- module_RHS - AARP Events -->

<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
	<header>
		<div class="pull-right">
			<a href="/sun-lakes-az/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">
				<img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" />
			</a>
		</div>
		<h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Sun Lakes</h2>
		<h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Sun Lakes</h2>
	</header>
	<div class="wrap">
		<div class="ar-listing snippet">
			<ul class="list">
				<li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

										<h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3>
					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-az-mim-memory-care-workshop-phoenix-az-31225-tdn68mlf3ws.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-AZ-MIM-MEMORY-CARE-WORKSHOP-PHOENIX-AZ-31225">AARP AZ MIM Memory Care Workshop Phoenix, AZ 3/12/25</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Wednesday, Mar 12, 2025 at 1:00&nbsp;p.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Musical Instrument Museum</p>
					<p class="loc">Phoenix, AZ</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-chandler-az-c36293.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-NEIGHBORS-WHO-CARE">AARP Smart Driver™: Neighbors Who Care</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Mar 13, 2025 at 8:30&nbsp;a.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Neighbors Who Care</p>
					<p class="loc">Sun Lakes, AZ</p>
					
				</li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1">

					
					<h2 class="title"><a href="/driver-safety/aarp-smart-driver-fort-mcdowell-az-c37460.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-AARP-SMART-DRIVERTM-VIA-LINDA-SENIOR-CENTER">AARP Smart Driver™: Via Linda Senior Center</a></h2>
					<p class="time">Thursday, Mar 13, 2025 at 12:30&nbsp;p.m. MST</p>
					<p class="venue">Via Linda Senior Center</p>
					<p class="loc">Scottsdale, AZ</p>
					
				</li>			</ul>

			<p><a class="link-red" href="/sun-lakes-az/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p>
	
		</div>
	</div>
</div>


<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;height:360px;">
	<img class="img-responsive image" 
		title="image of two AARP membership cards"
		alt="image of two AARP membership cards" 
		src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png">
	<div class="title">Last Chance to Save!<br />New Pricing Coming in 2025.</div>
<br />
	<p>
This is AARP's first rate increase in 15 years.<br />Don't miss out, join today and save!<br /><br />
</p>
	<div class="action">
		<a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-SUNLAKES-AZ">Join AARP</a>
		<div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-SUNLAKES-AZ">Renew</a> or 
			<a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div>
	</div>
</div>
<style>
.membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;}
.membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; }
</style> 
<div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper">
                    
                    <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250">
                        
                         
                            <script type="text/javascript">
                                if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){
                                  AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'});
                                }
                            </script>
                         
                    </div>
                </div>
<div class="module-spacer text-center">
<div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Arizona Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Arizona Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" data-tabs="timeline" width="" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true">
	<blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona">Facebook</a></blockquote>
</div>
</div>


<div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer">
<header>
<h2>Contact AARP <br />in Phoenix</h2>
</header>
<div class="wrap">

<div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer">
<ul class="list-unstyled">


<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/arizona/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Arizona</a></li>

<li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="http://states.aarp.org/how-to-contact-aarp-arizona/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20171231-SUNLAKES-AZ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li>

</ul>
</div>

<a href="https://www.facebook.com/aarparizona" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img style="max-width: 48px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/facebook.png" alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon"></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://twitter.com/AZ_AARP" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img style="max-width: 48px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/twitter.png" alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon"></a>

&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpaz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img style="max-width: 56px; top: 0px; left: -2px; position: relative;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/page/icons/instagram.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a>

</div>
</div>

 



</div></div>
	<div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div>
	<div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div>
</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	</div>
<div class="row oneColumnLayout">
	<div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar -->
	<script type="text/javascript">
		jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() {
			window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href');
		});
	</script>
</div>
</div>
'
$scripts_for_layout = '<title>Blue Spring State Park - Sun Lakes, AZ</title>
<meta name="page_title" content="Blue Spring State Park - Sun Lakes, AZ"/>
<meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/>
<meta content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the" name="description"/>
<meta content="Blue, Spring, State, Park, Sun, Lakes, AZ" name="keywords"/>
<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/blue-spring-state-park-orange-city-fl.html"/>
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/>
<meta name="twitter:title" content="Blue Spring State Park"/>
<meta name="twitter:description" content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the"/>
<meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/>
<meta property="og:type" content="place"/>
<meta property="og:title" content="Blue Spring State Park"/>
<meta property="og:description" content="Conservation measures can produce astounding results. In 1970, two years before Blue Spring State Park was established, researchers tracked 14 manatees in the"/>
<meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/>
<meta property="place:location:latitude" content="28.947627"/>
<meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-81.337154"/>
.main-image { display:none;
}'
$title_for_layout = 'Place Detail - AARP'
$asset_version = '240925'
$min = true
$nowrapper = false
$css = '.main-image { display:none;
}'
$highlighting = '<span class="highlighting">Highlighting Sun Lakes</span>'
$location = '<a href="/sun-lakes-az/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Phoenix, AZ</a>'
$no_header = false
$header_title = '<a href="/sun-lakes-az/things-to-do/">Places</a>'
$header_subtitle = ''
$isPR = false
$navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse">
	<div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div>
	<ul class="secondary-menu" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true">
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/sun-lakes-az/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li>
		<li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more">
			<span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span>
			<ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu">
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li>
				<!--
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li>
				<li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/sun-lakes-az/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li>
				-->
			</ul>
		</li>
		
	</ul>
</nav>'
$header_custom = ''
$breadcrumbs = array(
	(int) 0 => array(
		'title' => 'Things to Do',
		'slug' => 'things-to-do'
	)
)
$row = array(
	'title' => 'Back to Things to Do',
	'slug' => 'things-to-do'
)
$i = (int) 0
include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244
include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244
View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971
View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933
View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546
View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481
Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963
AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136
PlacesController::display() - APP/Controller/PlacesController.php, line 501
ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ??
Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 491
Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 193
Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/Cake/Routing/Dispatcher.php, line 167
[main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 118