A first-magnitude spring, towering cypress swamps, and wildlife-rich forests shape this serene North Florida escape.

Blue Spring State Park is Florida at its finest. Located west of Orange City and north of Orlando, the 2,600-acre destination centers around the eponymous first-magnitude spring that discharges more ...

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A beloved spring in Central Florida has been recognized as one of the best state parks in the country. Blue Spring State Park, west of Orange City in Volusia County, was named ...

The cold weather across Central Florida this week brought hundreds of manatees to Blue Spring State Park in Volusia County.

As the cold front moved through Florida, 148 manatees were observed gathering in the springs of Blue Spring State Park on ...

This story is part of our weekly Hidden Gems feature series as the USA TODAY Network-Florida takes readers around the state to highlight some of our most interesting attractions. DUNNELLON — Ali ...

Seen from the air, a Florida freshwater spring is a bit of liquid heaven, luring humans and wildlife to enjoy its aquamarine cool. With at least 1,000 of them — more than any other state — the springs ...

DeLeon Springs State Park, north of Orlando, is drawing crowds with an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast that lets visitors ...

Sunshine State? 697 manatees flocked to Blue Spring State Park in Orange City, Florida, on New Year's Day, Jan. 1, 2026, ...

This story is part of our weekly Hidden Gems feature series as the USA TODAY Network-Florida takes readers around the state to highlight some of our most interesting attractions. Just a couple of ...

A push in Congress to designate Ocala National Forest and the surrounding springs is drawing mixed feedback from locals, economists and conservationists. Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., has proposed the bill ...

A Florida congressman’s proposal to stitch together a patchwork of springs in North and Central Florida into the country’s 64th national park won’t help protect the state’s outstanding, and crucial, ...