Blue Springs Park and Henry Beck Park closed on Friday, Sept. 18, and Levy County says both will reopen in spring 2027, according to WCJB. The closure follows the county's operating calendar. On the Levy County Blue Springs page, the park "typically operates April through September each year," and that page still says it opened for the season April 1, 2026.
West of town, Manatee Springs and Fanning Springs keep state park hours of 8 a.m. to sunset, 365 days a year, and the cooler months bring manatees into both. So swimming near Bronson doesn't stop in the fall. It moves to the state parks, which come with their own rules, fees and construction notices.
What Blue Springs Gave You for $2
Start with what the local park costs, because everything else gets compared to it. Blue Springs charges $2 per person. Children under 5 get in free, and seniors and military pay half price. No pets or alcohol are allowed, and the county page says the park no longer sells concessions.
Even this summer, the park had closures. In early August, WCJB reported that Blue Springs and Henry Beck Park would reopen after heavy rain and high water, and county officials warned the water would stay higher and darker than usual. Then on Sept. 18 the gate closed for the year.
The state springs charge most visitors who drive in by the vehicle, and walk-ins, bicyclists and boat passengers pay per person. For a family of four arriving by car, the $6 vehicle fee costs less than four $2 tickets at Blue Springs.
Manatee Springs: Open Daily, With Construction Underway
Manatee Springs State Park in Chiefland has an 800-foot boardwalk and 8.5 miles of nature trails, and it connects to the Nature Coast State Trail. Its posted fees are $6 per vehicle for two to eight people, $4 for a single-occupant vehicle or motorcycle, and $2 for pedestrians, bicyclists and extra passengers.
Check two park notices before you go this fall:
- Effective Oct. 6, 2026: the ranger station, the Hickory Camp Loop and the waterfront picnic area are under construction, and the park says to expect noise and possible inconvenience.
- Effective Jan. 14, 2026: the Waterfront Restroom and the dump station are closed.
That means the waterfront picnic area and its restroom are both affected this season. A picnic table by the spring may not be available, so plan around the construction.
The swimming rules are different from Blue Springs. According to the park's experiences and amenities page, you can swim in the main spring, but not in Catfish Hotel, the spring run or at the end of the boardwalk. Manatees come into the park in the cooler months, and divers must stay at least 50 feet away from them. The park's posted rules don't include a seasonal swimming ban when manatees are present. The 50-foot rule for divers is what's written.
Fanning Springs: Year-Round Swimming, With Dock Work
Fanning Springs State Park sits on the Suwannee River. Florida State Parks lists swimming there year-round in 72-degree spring water, and manatees show up in the spring and river during colder weather. Visitors arriving by boat are required to keep to idle speed in the short spring run, where manatees may be.
The current notice is about the floating dock. Effective Aug. 20, 2026, the dock is under an improvement project, and until further notice "swimming and boating will remain open but be prepared to be asked to exit at all times for safety purposes." You can still swim, but you may be asked to get out of the water during the work.
Fanning's fees look a lot like Manatee Springs': $6 per vehicle for up to eight people, $4 for a single-occupant vehicle, and $2 for pedestrians, bicyclists and extra passengers. It also charges $2 per passenger for visitors arriving by boat. On land, a 0.75-mile nature trail and boardwalk run through the park.
Comparing the Options
Here's how the cool-season options compare, based on what each operator posts now. These are live pages, so fees and notices can change.
| Spot | Hours | Cost to get in | Water access | Current notice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Springs Park, Bronson | Closed until spring 2027 | $2 per person when open | Seasonal swimming | Closed since Sept. 18 |
| Manatee Springs State Park | 8 a.m. to sunset, daily | $6 per vehicle, 2 to 8 people | Swimming in the main spring only | Construction effective Oct. 6; waterfront restroom closed |
| Fanning Springs State Park | 8 a.m. to sunset, daily | $6 per vehicle, up to 8 people | Year-round swimming, 72-degree water | Floating dock project effective Aug. 20 |
| Devil's Den, Williston | Varies by day of week | $30 per person, snorkel session | Snorkel and scuba only | Reservations required |
| Nature Coast State Trail | 8 a.m. to sunset, daily | Free | None; land trail | None posted |
| Goethe State Forest | Sunrise to sunset | $2 day pass | None; land recreation | None posted |
Devil's Den Is Snorkeling, Not a Swim Day
Devil's Den Prehistoric Spring in Williston is privately run, and it works differently from the state parks. General swimming isn't allowed. Only snorkelers and scuba divers can get into the spring. A 90-minute snorkel session costs $30 per person and includes a day pass. Renting a mask, snorkel and fins costs $15 more, and reservations are required.
It's open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday, and it closes on Christmas Day. If someone in your group plans to walk the grounds without getting in the water, call ahead. The FAQ lists a $7 fee for that, while the snorkel page lists a $15 walk-through or day pass.
Dry Options: The Trail and the Forest
The cooler months are a good time for land options, too. The Nature Coast State Trail runs 32 miles, charges no entrance fee, and is open 8 a.m. to sunset every day. It connects towns including Chiefland and Fanning Springs, and it's set up for walking, running, bicycling, skating and, on parallel sections, horseback riding. Because Manatee Springs connects to the trail, you can get to the spring on foot or by bike and pay the $2 pedestrian or bicyclist fee.
Goethe State Forest is open from sunrise to sunset for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. A day pass is $2, and an annual pass is $45. If you'll go more than 22 times before spring, the annual pass costs less. Goethe isn't on the state's list of forests closed after Hurricane Isaias. That list names Blackwater River, Pine Log and Point Washington.
The Storm Didn't Close These Parks
Hurricane Isaias came ashore far to the west, and the Florida State Parks storm update effective Oct. 17 lists closures only in the Panhandle. Blackwater Heritage State Trail in Santa Rosa County and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Walton County are closed. A few others are open, but their overnight accommodations are closed. Manatee Springs, Fanning Springs and the Nature Coast State Trail aren't on the list. The state says it posts storm changes on that page, so check it again before a weekend trip.
The Manatee Calendar
Here are the dates to keep in mind for winter:
- Now through mid-November: Both state springs are open daily, with the construction and dock notices above in effect.
- Nov. 15 through March 31: This is FWC's standard window for seasonal manatee speed-zone signs. It's a rule for boats, not a swimming ban. If you arrive at Fanning by boat, the park requires idle speed in the spring run.
- Colder snaps through winter: Both parks say this is when manatees are most likely to be in their water.
- Spring 2027: Blue Springs and Henry Beck Park reopen, according to the county.
Two Dates Back in Town
Some cool-season plans are right in Bronson and nearby. The Town of Bronson has its 2026 Trunk or Treat on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. Applications to take part are due at Town Hall by close of business Thursday, Oct. 29. In December, the Chiefland Chamber lists the Christmas Festival and Lighted Parade for Saturday, Dec. 12, at Trail Head Park, 23 SE 2nd Ave. The festival runs 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the parade starts at 6 p.m. The Rudolph Fun Run 5K starts at the same park at 8 a.m. that day, with registration opening at 7.
With Blue Springs closed until spring, Fanning Springs, Manatee Springs and Devil's Den cover your swimming and snorkeling until it reopens. If you have questions about property around Bronson or the Nature Coast in the meantime, Briar Patch Realty will answer the phone, and we're glad to run a free home valuation for you any time.
