Camping at Manatee Springs State Park, November 2025
Our third and final stop on our November 2025 trip is returning to Manatee Springs State Park located in Chiefland, Florida. We enjoyed our stay previously, and I decided it was a good stop distance for us on our travels to return home. This time, the Suwannee River is actually very low, so the look of this park on the west end of the campground and by the spring was quite different.
The park ranger called us about 3:45pm to find out if we were still planning to come and camp for the night. I recall telling them that yes, we were, we were currently in Perry, Florida heading their way. She wanted to provide us with the gate code just in case we didn’t make it before 5pm. The rangers leave at 5pm and the gate closes at 6pm. I told her – we would be close to 5pm.
We arrived at the gate at 5:01pm. When we got to the ranger station just a minute later, they said “You made it!” and “We heard the bell and waited for you” – so I guess once you cross where the gate is, a bell will sound at the ranger station to inform them someone just came into the park property. They were all so nice – waited and checked us in – thank you to all of them for being great park rangers.
Park Details
Manatee Springs State Park
Address: 12451 NW 115th Ave, Chiefland, FL 32626
Park: (352) 493-6072
Park: 8am until 6pm, 365 days a year (gate closes at 6pm EDT)
Park Office: 8am until 5pm
Cell phone service (Verizon) was good at this park
There are three campground loops in this park. Magnolia 1, Magnolia 2 and Hickory. Each has its own bathhouse. Magnolia 2 and Hickory do not have sewer hookup but a dump station is available.
Campsite Details
30 amp and 50amp electric
Picnic table, fire ring
Sandy dirt
Our campsite, #57 was very soft sand for a good portion of the site. There was very little tree canopy for the campsite which allowed us to see the night sky from our campsite, but then also left us with a lot of dirt and sand on the ground. The campsite is somewhat private as there is no campsite on the back or far side (just one side has a campsite next to it and it was empty).
Water/Electric
Back in sites
Check in is 3pm
Checkout is 1pm
Dump station and dumpsters a short drive from the campground
Quiet hours 10pm - 7am
A couple of notes about this campground that are pertinent.
- If you want to see the stars, I suggest you go to the parking lot for day use close to the Magnolia 2 campground.
- The campsites in Magnolia 2 varied a good bit in terms of shade cover but ours probably lost trees in 2024 hurricanes and did not have a canopy.
Dogs eating breakfast outside the camper.
Early morning walk
I have noticed that the first to rise and get out are those of us with dogs. Our dogs are pretty early risers and like to go potty shortly after sunrise. We walked through part of the Magnolia 2 campground, but then I spotted deer and we quietly turn around before the dogs noticed. There is a hint of fall in the campground at this time of year - very pretty.
The spring
The water level for the Suwannee River was low (very low) compared to our last time visiting here. We could actually see the clear spring water. The website for this park says “The first-magnitude spring releases an astounding 100 million gallons of water daily.” Dogs are NOT allowed in the spring.
The turquoise water is where the spring head is pushing water up through the ground.
The last time we visited, these stairs were mostly underwater.
We met a young woman and she said that there is an area the dogs are allowed to swim near the spring – it actually looks to be the boat ramp – but Abby was just thrilled to have a chance to play in the water.
The above photograph shows you the area the dogs can go into the water for a little play time.
The boardwalk is now completed – when we last visited I don’t think you could get there due to water levels, but it was closed either way. This boardwalk is NOT dog friendly, so Jim hung with the dogs while I took a walk. If the manatees are here, they usually are towards the end of this boardwalk. There were 3 manatees there at the time I visited per the park ranger – I saw one of those three.
The autumn colors of the cypress trees reflecting in the water provided a nice background for the great blue heron hanging out in the area with manatees.
Trails
We did walk a portion of the north trail and scenic trail, but since we hadn’t prepared by bringing water/snacks we did not walk the entire trail. This trail was flooded when we came before, but pretty dry now.
MAP
Trail Map
Park Map
Campground Map
To view all photographs from this park, click here