Trail Head Manatee Springs - Chiefland, FL
Trail Head Manatee Springs is a beautiful dog park in Chiefland, FL, offering pet-friendly trails and dog-friendly hiking opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts and their furry friends. Located at 11650 NW 115th St, this park features well-maintained off-road trails that wind through scenic natural areas, providing a great environment for dogs and their owners to explore and enjoy nature together. The park is also kid-friendly, making it an ideal spot for families looking to combine hiking with quality time outdoors.
What makes Trail Head Manatee Springs unique is its proximity to the famous manatee habitats in the Suwannee River area. Visitors can enjoy viewing manatees lounging in the warm spring waters during the winter months, along with other wildlife such as largemouth bass and alligators. The park offers accessible boardwalks and plenty of amenities like trash cans, ensuring a clean and comfortable experience. Whether you’re kayaking year-round or hiking with your dog, this dog park in Chiefland, FL, provides a memorable and pet-friendly outdoor adventure.
FAQ for Trail Head Manatee Springs in Chiefland Florida:
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? Yes, the park is good for kids and offers kid-friendly hikes making it suitable for families with children.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, Trail Head Manatee Springs has great maintained, off-road hiking trails and a trail head that leads to a boardwalk with access to viewing areas.
- Is the park regularly cleaned and maintained? Yes, the trails and areas like the boardwalk are well maintained with trash cans available throughout to keep the park clean.
- Is the park wheelchair accessible? The boardwalk at the park is quite short and accessible, suitable for visitors needing accessible areas.
Reviews
Where manatees are resting snowbirds.The 18th century naturalist William Bartram named a strip of land in northwest Florida “Manatee Springs” because he spotted a manatee carcass along the banks of the Suwannee River. Now a state park, Manatee Springs lives up to its name, not with dead manatees, but with living ones.Manatees swim into the Gulf of Mexico and into Florida’s many springs in search of warmer climates during the winter months. The water in the springs stays warm (72º F), making them an ideal place for manatees to wait out the winter. The river bottom is covered in seagrass, a favorite food of the manatees. Other native animals include largemouth bass and speckled bass, as well as the odd alligator.The springs were declared a state park in 1971. Swimming is allowed in the summer but is prohibited in the winter to give the manatees space and shelter. Kayaking is allowed year-round, however, and the manatees, who are notoriously timid, have been known to swim up to boats and allow kayakers to pet them. Lucky visitors may even spot a baby manatee or two, as the warm waters also serve as a nursery during calving months.
Great maintained, off-road trails, lots of wildlife and info boards throughout
5 stars
Awesome
The trail head to the boardwalk gives great access to the viewing area. When we were there in mid December, we were able to see 15 to 20 manatees lounging about in the water walk was quite short and accessible with plenty of trash cans. There was plenty of other wildlife in the area despite the cold weather.