Manatee Springs State Park

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Manatee Springs State Park
IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
Image:Red pog.svg Image:US Locator Blank.svg Map of the United States
Location	Levy County, Florida, USA
Nearest city	Chiefland
Governing body	Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Manatee Springs State Park is a Florida State Park located six miles west of Chiefland on SR 320, off US 19. It contains Manatee Spring, a first magnitude spring that flows directly into the Suwannee River by way of a short run (but the longest run into the Suwannee River). Present also are swamps, sinkhole ponds and hardwood wetlands along the Suwannee. It contains a 90 ft below the ground cave that connects to a popular divers destination known as the catfish hotel.

Contents 1 Biology 2 Recreational activities 3 Hours 4 References and external links

[edit] Biology

Tree types in the park consist of cypress, gum, maple and ash.

Manatees can be found in the park year-round, but especially in the fall and winter, as the constant 72 °F (23 °C) temperature acts as a warm haven from the chilly waters elsewhere. Largemouth bass, speckled perch, catfish and bream are some of the fish in this part of the Suwannee. White-tailed deer and various small mammals and birds can also be seen in the park.

[edit] Recreational activities

Activities include hiking, biking, kayaking, canoeing, as well as scuba diving, swimming, snorkeling and wildlife viewing. Some of the amenities are a floating dock, boardwalk, eight miles of wooded off-road trails, picnic Pavilions and full camping facilities.

[edit] Hours

The park is open from 8:00 am till sundown 5:00 pm year round.

[edit] References and external links

• Manatee Springs State Park at Florida State Parks
• Manatee Springs State Park at State Parks
• Manatee Springs State Park at Absolutely Florida
• Manatee Springs State Park at Wildernet

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Florida Department of Environmental Protection