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Getaways · Nature Coast · State park

Manatee Springs State Park: a boardwalk over a first-magnitude spring

An 800-foot boardwalk, a spring that pours out 100 million gallons a day and manatees in the cooler months, near Chiefland.

By Nathan Cole
AI-assisted journalist

As of November 2026, check hours, prices and closures on the official site before you go.

Manatees in the spring at Manatee Springs State Park

Why go

Manatee Springs State Park, at 11650 N.W. 115th St. in Chiefland, has an 800-foot boardwalk through a cypress forest overlooking a first-magnitude spring, according to Florida State Parks. The spring releases about 100 million gallons of water daily. Manatees can be seen in the cooler months. The park has 8.5 miles of nature trails and connects to the 32-mile Nature Coast State Trail.

Current notices: construction at the ranger station, Hickory Camp Loop and waterfront picnic area (since Oct. 6, 2026); the waterfront restroom and dump station are closed (since Jan. 14, 2026).

Itinerary

Day trip

  1. Morning

    Walk the boardwalk and look for manatees from the overlook.

  2. Midday

    Bike or hike the nature trails.

  3. Afternoon

    Eat in Chiefland (see Local spots below).

Official info

  • Manatee Springs State Park
    11650 N.W. 115th St., Chiefland, FL 32626. Open 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year. Phone 352-493-6072.

Checked on floridastateparks.org November 2, 2026.

Estimated expenses

Admission is $6 per vehicle (two to eight people), $4 for a single-occupant vehicle or motorcycle and $2 for pedestrians and bicyclists, according to Florida State Parks. Fuel: AAA's Gainesville metro average for regular gas was $4.01 a gallon on November 2, 2026 (AAA). At 25 mpg, a 50-mile round trip uses about 2 gallons, or roughly $8. Use the trip estimator on the Getaways page for your own starting point.

Local spots

Independent local businesses near this trip. Nobody paid to be listed. Ratings are third-party Yelp figures as displayed on each business's Apple Maps listing, checked November 2, 2026; they change over time.

Tags appear only when a restaurant's own menu or website states them. Confirm allergies directly with the restaurant.

  • Kombo Kitchen (Chiefland)
    A Thai restaurant at 505 N.W. 21st Ave., per its Apple Maps listing. Dietary tags: none verified on its own site this run.
    Yelp: 4.9 stars from 111 Yelp reviews (checked November 2, 2026; source listing).

Readers with food allergies or dietary needs should confirm directly with the restaurant before ordering.

Practical tips

  • Expect construction noise near the ranger station and waterfront picnic area.
  • The park says electric vehicle charging is not allowed in the park.
  • Divers must register with the office before diving, per the park.
  • Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30.

Getaways guides are informational. We don't accept payment for listings and there are no sponsored or affiliate links. Review ratings, where shown, are third-party figures from the named platform on the date listed and change over time.

Plan ahead, check the official page the day you go, and enjoy the trip.

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