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Manatee Springs State Park: Manatee Springs and Manatee Springs Run Boardwalk to Suwannee River, Chiefland, Florida

11/19/2016

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Out of all of the different aspects of nature in Florida, the springs are perhaps the best-known. There are dozens of large springs in northern Florida, some of which pump out millions of gallons of water per day. A lot of the biggest springs are the focal points of state parks, and a large amount of people find them suitable for various recreational uses, including swimming in the crystal clear waters or kayaking the outflow streams that flow away from the springs. Manatee Springs is one such example. This spring is a first-magnitude spring with an output of about 100 million gallons of water per day! While Manatee Springs are certainly the primary point of interest in Manatee Springs State Park, an extensive trail system also meanders through other portions of this large park, although unfortunately, on this day, I did not have the opportunity to check it out. This hike occurred on Sunday, July 31st, 2016. My plan was to visit Manatee Springs, before hiking the boardwalk along Manatee Springs Run to its mouth at the Suwannee River. I would return the same way. 

Summary

R/T Length of Trail: 0.8 Miles 
Duration of Hike: 0:30 
Type of Hike: Out and Back
Difficulty Rating: 1 out of 10
Total Elevation Gain: Minimal 
Pros: Great views of Manatee Springs Run and Suwannee River from several observation decks
Cons: Enormous crowds around Manatee Springs
Points of Interest: Manatee Springs; Views of Manatee Springs Run; Views of Suwannee River
Trail Blaze Color(s): None 
Best Season(s) to Hike: Winter, when it is possible to spot manatees here
Fees: There is a $6 fee for entry to Manatee Springs State Park, if your car has 2-8 passengers. For cars with just one passenger, the fee is $4. 
Beginning Point: Manatee Springs Parking Area
Directions from Chiefland, FL: From the intersection of US Route 98 and Florida State Route 320, follow FL Route 320 West for 5.7 miles until you reach the entrance to Manatee Springs State Park. Pay your fee and continue into the park. Follow the road for another 1.3 miles until it dead ends in the large parking area at Manatee Springs. 

Map

Details

Being in the middle of a lengthy drive from the Sarasota area to the Florida Panhandle, I chose Manatee Springs State Park as a place to take a quick sightseeing stop. I would have to loved to explore the park's many miles of trails, but unfortunately, my time was limited, so I only got to see the park's namesake spring, in addition to walking down the nature trail/boardwalk along the Manatee Springs Run and to the Suwannee River. It was the first time that I had actually seen a large spring in Florida, though, which is surprising, considering that springs are Florida's biggest natural jewels. Maybe it is just because most springs in Florida are located in an area of Florida that I rarely visit or pass through. 

To see the springs, follow the path from the parking area past concession stand. The path arrives at Manatee Springs at 0.15 miles. On this summer day, there was at least several dozen people milling around the springs or in the waters. The crystal clear blue waters of the springs are a sight to behold. Manatee Spring is one of 33 first-magnitude springs in Florida (the criteria for a first-magnitude spring is that it discharegs at least 65 million gallons of water per day). Manatee Springs discharges about 100 million gallons of water per day on average, The depth of the pool is 25 feet. The temperature of the water in the pool at the springs stays at 72 degrees year-round. For this reason, manatees are frequently seen around the spring during winter. Manatees cannot endure cold water for extended periods of time, so they are forced to swim upstream along the Suwannee River in search of warmer water, such as at this spring.

Continue slightly farther on the path to the back of the spring, where there is a different perspective of the cypress-lined pool. From here, the North Trail continues straight and connects to the park's main trail system, but this is a good turnaround point. However, don't return to your car just yet. Instead, continue downstream along the spring run to the canoe launch. This is where the boardwalk to the Suwannee River begins. Begin walking down the boardwalk, which enters a beautiful cypress swamp that borders the sparkling waters of Manatee Springs Run. As I had pulled into the parking area, I heard some thunder, and now, just as I began walking the boardwalk, it started to rain, making for some interesting pictures of the spring run. The first observation deck is to the right at 0.35 miles. it provides a great view of Manatee Springs Run, with the swimming area at the spring visible upstream and the mouth of the run visible downstream. Despite its short length, Manatee Springs Run may be one of the most beautiful waterways that I have seen in Florida. 

Continue down the boardwalk and note the large cypress trees shooting up on all sides. Without such a great boardwalk, it would have been difficult to truly see the beauty of this cypress swamp. At 0.4 miles, arrive at the second observation deck. This observation deck is closer to the mouth of the run, and you can see the Suwannee River from here. While I was shooting pictures of the run, I noticed a pair of logs that were clearly visible at the bottom of the rather deep run. This showed just how clear the water is, unlike the black water in most of Florida's streams and rivers. From the second observation deck, the boardwalk continues to the edge of the cypress swamp and to a sheltered observation deck on the Suwannee River at 0.5 miles. The river is very wide here - I am always amazed at just how much grander many of Florida's rivers are as compared to mountain rivers. To the right, you can now see the mouth of the Manatee Springs Run, which appears small in comparison. As I was reading the interpretive signs at the observation deck, I learned that gulf sturgeons can be seen during warmer months leaping out if the Suwannee River's waters. Being not very well-educated in terms of the different types of fish, I learned something that I still find hard to believe: the gulf sturgeon's length is 8-9 feet and it can weigh up to 300 pounds! Can you imagine that? 

From the observation area at the Suwannee River, retrace your steps back to the parking area, reaching it at 0.8 miles. I highly recommend doing this short hike, if you're passing through this area. Additionally, I am sure that Manatee Springs State Park would be a worthy day hiking destination, due to its extensive trail system. A trail map is shown below for those who are interested in a longer hike. 
Picture
Manatee Springs State Park Trail Map

Mileage

0.0 - Manatee Springs Parking 
0.15 - Manatee Springs
0.35 - Manatee Springs Run Observation Area 1 
0.4 - Manatee Springs Run Observation Area 2 
​0.5 - Suwannee River Observation Area 
​0.8 - Manatee Springs Parking 

Variations

There are many ways to do a bigger hike in Manatee Springs State Park, from simply adding on the Sink Trail to hiking the North Trail out to the longer trails in the park's northern section. See the trail map above for more information. 

Bonus Stops

Fanning Springs is another first-magnitude spring in the area, and it is also very easily accessed from US 98 north of Chiefland. It is important to note that the spring has experienced lower water output levels, so it is technically no longer a first-magnitude spring. 

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    About Me

    Mark Oleg Ozboyd
    I'm an avid outdoor explorer and a hobbyist landscape photographer. I'm 21 years old and have been hiking since 2011. Originally based out of Atlanta, Georgia, I started out by occasionally hiking short trails throughout well-known Georgia State Parks. During 2012 and 2013, I began to expand my trips into adjacent states, as well as into the wilder National Forest areas rather than just State Parks. Throughout the years that followed, as I slowly ran out of popular hiking trails in my area, I began to search for and hike in more seldom-visited areas. Today, you can find me out in the woods every weekend, whether it's on an official trail or bushwhacking through cross-country terrain without any paths. I now attend Washington & Lee University and am exploring Virginia and West Virginia. My other hobbies include chess, science, old music, and meteorology. I have 3 years of amateur weather forecasting experience, having studied a lot of meteorology basics over the years. I am also a student at European School of Music where I learned that music and nature have a lot in common. Listening to good music inspires me to capture nature's beauty on the camera in different aspects that also make me recall many beautiful music pieces that I've heard.​


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Important: I disclaim any responsibility for any damage or personal injury that may occur as a result of the activities and information found on this website. All outdoor activities, especially off-trail hiking, are done at your own risk. Never hike or head into that area that may be above your fitness or experience level.
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