Blue Spring State Park, centered on Volusia Blue Spring, is the largest spring on the St. Johns River and one of central Florida’s most important natural landscapes. Long used by people and visited by John Bartram in 1766, the area later supported citrus growing, river access, and tourism under the Thursby family. Since Florida acquired the property in 1972, it has become a major refuge and research site for Florida manatees, which gather in the spring’s warm water each winter. The park balances recreation, historic preservation, and wildlife protection, though pollution and reduced groundwater flow now threaten the spring’s health.