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Bicycle rack, Manatee Springs State Park📷 Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0

Manatee Springs State Park

Chiefland, FL

Nature

A spring run flowing through cypress swamp into the Suwannee River, with a boardwalk to the river and a popular campground. Manatees come in during winter.

Nearest town
Chiefland, FL
Category
Nature & parks
GPS
29.4893, -82.9770

Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.

Good to know

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually October–April. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. Hot in June–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

Featured in these trip guides

Manatees and springs on Florida’s Nature Coast – Weeki Wachee Springs in the 1950s© Tupelo the typo fixer · CC BY-SA 4.0
19
National park loops

Manatees and springs on Florida’s Nature Coast

182 mi8 stops3 days

Nearby

Cedar Key – Assessing Pre-Oil Baseline Levels (4817490817)© U.S. Geological Survey from Reston, VA, USA · Public domain
History

Cedar Key

Cedar Key, FL
Ichetucknee Springs State Park – Ichetucknee Springs (48928998791)© Florida Guidebook from Florida, USA · CC BY 2.0
Nature

Ichetucknee Springs State Park

Fort White, FL
Rainbow Springs State Park – Rainbow Springs around 1970© Tupelo the typo fixer · CC BY-SA 4.0
Nature

Rainbow Springs State Park

Dunnellon, FL
Three Sisters Springs, Crystal River - panoramio© qwesy qwesy · CC BY 3.0
Editor's pick
Nature

Three Sisters Springs

Crystal River, FL

Campsites nearby

  • Hickory Camping AreaCampsite
    0 mi from Manatee Springs State Park
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Magnolia 2 Camping AreaCampsite
    0 mi from Manatee Springs State Park
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Magnolia 1 Camping AreaCampsite
    0 mi from Manatee Springs State Park
    OSMAdd to trip
  • Southern Leisure RV ResortMotorhome stopover
    7 mi from Manatee Springs State Park · 218 pitches
    MotorhomesElectricityWi-Fi
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Strawberry Fields For RV'ersMotorhome stopover
    7 mi from Manatee Springs State Park · 72 pitches
    MotorhomesWi-Fi
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip
  • Shady Oaks CampgroundCampsite
    17 mi from Manatee Springs State Park
    WebsiteOSMAdd to trip

All campsites in Florida · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026

FAQs

Where is Manatee Springs State Park?

Manatee Springs State Park is in Chiefland, FL, at GPS 29.4893, -82.9770. It is about 24 mi from Cedar Key.

Can you camp near Manatee Springs State Park?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Hickory Camping Area, about 0 mi away; within 25 mi there are 33 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

Which road trips pass Manatee Springs State Park?

Manatee Springs State Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Manatees and springs on Florida’s Nature Coast.

What is there to see near Manatee Springs State Park?

Places worth a stop nearby: Cedar Key (24 mi), Ichetucknee Springs State Park (37 mi), Rainbow Springs State Park (42 mi) and Three Sisters Springs (48 mi).

When is the best time to visit Manatee Springs State Park?

The most pleasant months are usually October–April. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)