Is Manatee Springs State Park Loop Mag2 first-come first-served or reservation?

Manatee Springs State Park Loop Mag2 accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Are there showers at Manatee Springs State Park Loop Mag2?

Yes, Manatee Springs State Park Loop Mag2 has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Can I have a campfire at Manatee Springs State Park Loop Mag2?

Fire policies at Manatee Springs State Park Loop Mag2: Do not bring firewood into the park due to invasive pest concerns; firewood is sold at the concession stand or ranger station. Follow park rules regarding campfires and use only approved fire rings/circles as directed by park staff.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Manatee Springs State Park Loop Mag2 have?

Manatee Springs State Park Loop Mag2 has 80 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Manatee Springs State Park Loop Mag2?

Yes, pets are allowed at Manatee Springs State Park Loop Mag2. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Manatee Springs State Park Loop Mag2?

Manatee Springs State Park Loop Mag2 offers: Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Manatee Springs State Park Loop Mag2?

Popular activities at Manatee Springs State Park Loop Mag2 include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Manatee Springs State Park Loop Mag2

4.53

288 reviews

11650 N.W. 115 St., Chiefland, FL 32626

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

80 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on Florida State Parks Official Website

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

80 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Pets Allowed

Partial HookupsShowers

Book on Florida State Parks Official Website

Manatee Springs State Park Loop Mag2

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No campsite fees listed on the official page. Firewood is sold on-site at the concession stand or ranger station for $11.99 each or 3 bundles for...

No paid fee categories listed.

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Florida State Parks

Provider

800-326-3521 (reservations); TDD 888-433-0287; park phone 352-493-6072

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Manatee Springs State Park Loop Mag2

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Campground Map

11650 N.W. 115 St., Chiefland, FL 32626

No map location available

Nearby places

Chiefland (nearest town

distance not specified)

Nearby supplies

Chiefland (supplies and dining)

Weather at Manatee Springs State Park Loop Mag2

Best Time to Camp at Manatee Springs State Park Loop Mag2

Fall delivers the best balance: daytime highs in the 70s–80s°F, nights in the 50s–60s°F, lower humidity, and easier hiking and biking without summer heat and bugs. The spring stays 72°F year-round, so swimming, paddling, and snorkeling work any season. Winter brings cooler temps and the best manatee viewing. 15 to 20 animals can congregate in the spring run on a single day, and rangers run interpretive programs. Summer is hot and humid but the cold spring water feels like relief. Crowds peak in winter during manatee season and on summer holiday weekends.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm weather, perfect for water activities. Book early.

Planning Tips

About Manatee Springs State Park Loop Mag2

Loop MAG2 sits in the Magnolia 2 section of Manatee Springs State Park, one of 80 campsites spread across three loops. Sites come with water and electric hookups (no sewer) and share a dump station with neighboring loops. The campground is a short walk or drive from the park's first-magnitude spring and boardwalk. Expect narrow, hard-packed dirt and sand roads that can challenge larger RVs.

Magnolia 2 (MAG2) is one of three family-campground loops in the park. Sites in the campground have electricity and water hookups; Magnolia 2 specifically has no sewer hookups but a dump station is provided. The park also offers glampsites (in Hickory) and separate youth group primitive camping areas.

Weather and SeasonsFall delivers the best balance: daytime highs in the 70s–80s°F, nights in the 50s–60s°F, lower humidity, and easier hiking and biking without summer heat and bugs. The spring stays 72°F year-round, so swimming, paddling, and snorkeling work any season. Winter brings cooler temps and the best manatee viewing. 15 to 20 animals can congregate in the spring run on a single day, and rangers run interpretive programs. Summer is hot and humid but the cold spring water feels like relief. Crowds peak in winter during manatee season and on summer holiday weekends.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground sits beneath native hardwoods and offers forest views with tree-screened neighboring sites. The real scenery is a short walk away: a crystalline spring pumping 72-degree water into a run that flows to the Suwannee River. A boardwalk winds through old-growth cypress swamp and traces the riverfront, where you'll see the turquoise spring pool and clear water teeming with fish and turtles. Deer roam freely through the campground, sometimes in groups of 15 or more. Manatees gather in the spring run during cooler months. Alligators and snakes appear near the water, and ticks are common in grassy and wooded areas.

Geological RegionFlorida Big Bend / Nature Coast

Scenic ViewsViews from the loops are primarily wooded campsites and forest; a short walk leads to the spring pool, spring run and Suwannee River with boardwalk overlooks.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsFlorida State Parks reservation website; phone 800-326-3521; TDD 888-433-0287. Glampsite reservations through the park's concessionaire (contact concessionaire for reservations). Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance.

Total Campsites80 campsites

Need help booking Manatee Springs State Park Loop Mag2?

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Florida State Parks Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

Find your booking window

Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Loop MAG2 (Magnolia 2) is part of the family campground that shares park amenities: hot shower restrooms, water and electrical hookups at sites, a drive-up dump station, picnic tables and grills, and campfire/campfire-circle options. ADA restrooms/showers are available in Magnolia 1 and Hickory loops; the park sells firewood at the concession or ranger station.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Dump station

Fire rings

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Manatee Springs offers a wide range of water- and land-based activities centered on the first-magnitude spring, boardwalk and Suwannee River.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsThe spring has a swift current—use caution when swimming. Scuba and cavern diving are regulated and involve inherent risks; divers must follow park dive rules and certification limits. Maintain distance from manatees and take standard precautions for wildlife; park warnings and dive regulations apply.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available at this campground. Expect vault or pit toilets only.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.5

288 reviews

Top-Rated

Manatee Springs State Park Loop Mag2 is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Visitors praise Manatee Springs and its campgrounds for scenic springs and cypress boardwalk, clean bathhouses, well-spaced sites, and abundant wildlife (including manatees in cooler months). Common criticisms include limited cell service, narrow/sandy campground roads that can challenge larger RVs, occasional pests (ticks, mosquitoes), and variability in campsite size/privacy.

Review Summaries

Based on 288 reviews

What Campers Love

Clear, cold spring and boardwalk views; good opportunities for swimming, paddling, diving and wildlife viewing; generally clean, well-maintained restrooms and showers; sites with water and electric...

Based on 288 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Make reservations in advance (up to 11 months). Bring leveling blocks and be prepared for sandy/packed-dirt pads and narrow loop roads. Buy firewood on-site (sold at concession/ranger station) rather...

Based on 288 reviews

Camper Quotes

“Beautiful springs with easy swimming access.”; “Our site was nicely shaded, had a small grill, water and electrical and was located close to the bathrooms and springs.”; “Very nice campground…water...

Based on 288 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

RV campers who book 11 months out and come in fall or winter get the best of it: mild temps, manatees in the spring run, and sites with water and electric under real hardwood canopy a short walk from the boardwalk.

Skip if

Large rigs will fight the narrow, sandy loop roads, bring leveling blocks regardless. Cell service is effectively gone here, Verizon especially, so anyone expecting to work remotely or stay connected should know that driving several miles out may be the only fix.

Campgrounds

Manatee Springs State Park

Manatee Springs State Park Loop Mag2

About Stampede Reservoir

Context for the broader area surrounding Manatee Springs State Park Loop Mag2, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

Completed in 1970, <A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/dataweb/dams/ca10192.htm">Stampede Dam</a> and Reservoir are located on the Little Truckee River immediately below the mouth of Davies Creek and approximately 8 miles above the confluence of the Little Truckee and Truckee Rivers. The dam and reservoir are features of the <A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/dataweb/html/washoe.html">Washoe Project</a>. Open year-round (frozen during winter). A surface area of approximately 3,340 acres at full reservoir storage with 25 miles of shoreline. Fishing season is year-round, with ice fishing during the winter. Available species include kokanee salmon, rainbow, brook, brown and lake (mackinaw) trout. A California Department of Fish and Game target fishery for hatchery catchables. Access by paved road.

Directions

Site is 7 miles north of I-80 near Truckee, California.