Manatee Springs State Park — Attraction in Newberry

I had a fantastic experience at Manatee springs state park. Upon arrival the park rangers were very friendly and informative, the roads were nicely paved and had a large parking lot in the springs area. While driving through the park I saw many trails and camping areas that looked so scenic and beautiful, I will definitely come back with hiking boots to walk the trails. They also have a boardwalk system that runs the spring and down the Suwannee River partially. Don't forget the bug spray! It's all old Florida woods with many picturesque views. Gorgeous kayaking along the spring into the Suwannee with so many unique opportunities to experience Florida's nature. When I pulled into the parking lot I got my gear and made the walk down the convenient sidewalk, while walking I saw several pavilions with BBQs and picnic tables, two had active birthdays. There were also people playing Frisbee with their dogs (there are signs saying no dogs in the water but they are premitted in the park). The public bathrooms are attached to the concession stand and they were well lit, clean, and have plenty of fans running to avoid the humidity(very nice of them!). Afterwards I made the walk down the path towards the springs, they have well maintained boardwalks and sidewalks leading to the swimming area, they also had metal stairs into the springs itself. The water is cool and crystal clear wasn't too crowded and I was pleasantly surprised with the size of the swimming area nearly 200ft wide and I'd estimate 45ft deep not going into the cave of course. After snorkeling I decided to check out the concession stand they had your standard accoutrements chips, cookies, crackers, ice cream, candies. They also had masks, snorkels, fins, inflatable floats, sunscreen, souvenirs and very warm and friendly Park Rangers. After grabbing some snacks I walked along the boardwalk reading the various posted signs with information about the springs it's history how the natives used springs, the cave systems and the ecosystems that survive off the springs and its many benefits. Overall this state park was a trip I will never forget and will definitely be returning I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a beautiful place to relax and enjoy time with...

UPDATE 06/05: I wrote the review below right after we left camping but I wanted to leave this important update regarding THE TICKS. We have not encountered ticks anywhere else. My husband had only one tick actually bite and burrow into him on his back, and he has contracted lymes disease from this tick. He is undergoing treatment, he has a bullseye rash on his back the size of a baseball right now and doesn't feel well. Still a beautiful campground but please be cautious of the ticks.

Original review: My family just got done camping for 3 nights/4 days here in Magnolia loop 1, spot 19. It is an absolutely beautiful park. We saw all sorts of critters such as deer (there are a lot), armadillo, possum, gator, banded water snakes, turtles, freshwater eel, large mulltet, ribbon fish, crawfish, and some cool spiders. The bathrooms in our loop were so clean! Everything is really shaded in the loop. The spring is beautiful. Great for swimming but there is no where to stand in the water but the stairs so if you aren't a strong swimmer then bring a float. The bathrooms at the spring weren't the cleanest but the family one was fine. We also went kayaking and the little canal from the spring is beautiful with all the Cyprus trees and it leads you to the Suwanee River. ALL of the Rangers were the kindest we'd ever met. The camp host in Mag 1 loop was so kind and he made sure everyone checking out was good to go and did a great job cleaning up the sites. The only thing I have to mention is there are ticks, lots of ticks everywhere you go. To the spring area, at your site, in the trails (all woods where the deer travel). We were vigilant in using bug spray and doing tick checks and we still had about a dozen on us between the 4 of us by the time is was over (at separate times). Aside from that this is an amazing park and I'd say everyone...

Real nice for about a week, clean bath house NO LAUNDRY😢 host Laura was very helpful👍 I brought my inflatable paddle board that you can leave at a guests storage beams near the water, that is very Helpful, had it there for over a week without a lock but bring one if you want. I went to see the manatees and wild life every day on my board it's really cool BUT STAYING FOR WEEK IS ENOUGH. I stayed for 14 nights. If I was on Site 44 (dirt)on magnolia 2 loop is the closest to the parking and the spring and it's shady I would have enjoyed the shade . I am on site 34 magnolia 1 it's ful sun all day DO NOT BOOK THAT ONE WHEN HOT TEMPERATURE GO 44, 45, 43 MAGNOLIA 2. ROADS IN THE CAMPGROUND ARE FULL OF HOLES GO SLOWLY. Nice staff at the concession. Ice cream and tacos on the weekends. Kayak Rentals 30$ 2hours. I saw turtles, alligators,lots of sweet manatees, huge blue carp fishes, birds, mangroves are beautiful. Took pictures and videos. I fished, I swam in the spring 72 all year around. I brought my mask but nothing much live to see in the spring. I did the trail on a bike with my dog in the basket. I RESERVED FOR 14 DAYS WITH MY DOG. THE DOWNSIDES ARE, 1. THE TICKS, DO NOT BRING YOUR DOG !! Dog NOT ALLOWED TO SWIM WITH YOU or walk on boardwalk. THE TRAILS ARE FULL OF TICKS. SO THE DOG STAYS IN MOST OF THE TIME. 2. MOST OF THE SITES ARE DIRT AND SAND VERY DIRTY. IF YOU WANT PAVED YOU HAVE TO GO WITH 07 AND 37 SITES MAGNOLIA 1 LOOP THEY ARE FOR HANDICAPS BUT I THINK YOU CAN RESERVE THEM. 3. BRING BUG SPRAY. OR A Screen ENCLOSURE! There is a Walmart in Chiefland 11 miles. I needed milk I went by bike to the gas station 3 miles with my bike. Hope this review...