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

Manatee Springs State Park Campground 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 Campground?

Yes, Manatee Springs State Park Campground 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 Campground?

Fire policies at Manatee Springs State Park Campground: Do not bring your own firewood into the park to prevent pest spread; firewood is sold at the concession stand or ranger station ($11.99 each or 3 for $30, plus tax).. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

How many campsites does Manatee Springs State Park Campground have?

Manatee Springs State Park Campground 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 Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Manatee Springs State Park Campground. 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 Campground?

Manatee Springs State Park Campground offers: Restrooms, 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 Campground?

Popular activities at Manatee Springs State Park Campground 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 Campground

4.53

288 reviews

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

69 ft

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

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

69 ft

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

Get Directions

Manatee Springs State Park Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Firewood sold at the concession stand or ranger station: $11.99 each or 3 bundles for $30, plus tax. Individual campsite fees are not specified on...

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

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Campground Map

Manatee Springs State Park Campground

29.4866, -82.9760

Weather at Manatee Springs State Park Campground

Best Time to Camp at Manatee Springs State Park Campground

Spring delivers the best balance: daytime highs in the mid-60s to mid-80s°F pair well with the constant 72°F spring water for swimming and snorkeling. Humidity stays moderate, wildflowers bloom, and migratory birds pass through. Ranger programs run regularly. Expect crowds on weekends and spring break, but weekdays remain quiet. Summer heat and humidity make the spring especially popular. Winter brings manatees to the run and cooler conditions for hiking the trails, though the spring water temperature never changes.

Best

Summer (Jun-Aug)

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

Planning Tips

About Manatee Springs State Park Campground

Manatee Springs State Park Campground offers 80 sites spread across three loops near a first-magnitude spring that flows into the Suwannee River. The campground sits among cypress swamps and uplands at 69 feet elevation, with most sites providing electricity and water hookups. Options range from tent-only pads to full-hookup RV sites and glamping tents, plus two group areas for youth camping.

The park has 80 campsites in three loops, including tent-only sites in Magnolia 1, glampsites in the Hickory Loop (concessionaire-operated), and two youth group (primitive) camping areas that accommodate up to 35 people.

Weather and SeasonsSpring delivers the best balance: daytime highs in the mid-60s to mid-80s°F pair well with the constant 72°F spring water for swimming and snorkeling. Humidity stays moderate, wildflowers bloom, and migratory birds pass through. Ranger programs run regularly. Expect crowds on weekends and spring break, but weekdays remain quiet. Summer heat and humidity make the spring especially popular. Winter brings manatees to the run and cooler conditions for hiking the trails, though the spring water temperature never changes.

Natural Features and SceneryThe park's centerpiece is a first-magnitude spring pumping 72-degree water at a constant rate before joining the Suwannee River. An 800-foot boardwalk crosses ancient cypress swamps between the spring and river, passing through moss-draped forest and over dark tannin water. Sinkholes dot the upland forest. The spring run attracts manatees November through March seeking warm-water refuge. Deer wander through the campground loops regularly, comfortable enough to graze near occupied sites. The terrain is mostly flat with sandy soil.

Geological RegionCypress swamps, sinkhole ponds and uplands surrounding a first-magnitude spring that flows into the Suwannee River; 300-yard boardwalk provides access from the spring to the river.

Scenic ViewsBoardwalk views through cypress swamp from the spring to the river; easy access to the spring and river shoreline from campsites and waterfront areas.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsFlorida State Parks reservations website; call 800-326-3521 or TDD 888-433-0287. Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance.

Total Campsites80 campsites

Best CampsitesSite 21 in the Magnolia Loop gets repeated recommendations for its gravel pad, seclusion, and full hookups. Tent-only sites in Magnolia 1 include 2, 15, 18, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, 35, and 40. Paved sites are 7, 20, 32, and 37. Sites 5, 7, and 37 accommodate RVs up to 40 feet. About half the RV sites have sewer connections, though some place the inlet awkwardly at the front of the pad requiring extra hose.

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Florida State Parks Guide

Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Campground amenities include hot shower restrooms in each loop, electricity and potable water at every site, a dump station, picnic tables, campfire circles, ADA-accessible restrooms and showers in Magnolia 1 and the Hickory Loop, a concession stand, boat ramp, and parking. Pets are allowed on a six-foot leash; firewood is sold on-site.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Manatee Springs offers a wide range of water- and land-based activities including swimming and scuba/diving in the main spring and Catfish Hotel (with regulated limits), paddling on the Suwannee River, fishing, hiking, biking, boating, picnicking and wildlife viewing from boardwalks and trails.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsSwift current in the spring—use caution when swimming. Diving and cave diving are regulated and have strict certification and registration requirements; all diving is at users' own risk. Emerald ash borer precautions: do not bring outside firewood into the park.

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

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

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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 Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Visitor reviews are generally positive: users praise the spring, cypress forest, trails and well-maintained campgrounds and bathhouses. Common criticisms include small or uneven campsite pads, occasional facility issues, reports of on-site homeless encampments by some visitors, and limited cell service in the area.

Review Summaries

Based on 288 reviews

What Campers Love

Beautiful first-magnitude spring and cypress groves; easy walking access from campground to springs; clean, well-kept bathhouses and facilities; electricity and water at sites; well-marked trails and...

Based on 288 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Reserve campsites well in advance (reservations open up to 11 months), buy firewood on-site (firewood sold at concession/ranger station), bring mosquito repellent and ant/tick protection, bring extra...

Based on 288 reviews

Camper Quotes

One reviewer: "This is one of the most beautiful campgrounds in the Florida." Another: "Beautiful Springs with easy swimming access... My only complaint, as a camper, is that the bathrooms really...

Based on 288 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

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Go if

Swimmers, snorkelers, and paddlers who want to walk from their site to a real spring. The 8.5-mile trail system handles hikers, winter brings manatees to the run, and the bathhouses are genuinely clean. Book 11 months out for weekends.

Skip if

Full-time remote workers won't survive the cell dead zone, Verizon is nearly useless and one reviewer drove 7 miles for a usable signal. Tight site pads also frustrate larger rigs, and there's no sewer hookup at any site.

Nearby Campgrounds

Highly Popular

4.5

(288)

Manatee Springs State Park Loop Mag2

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

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.