My family and I moved to Florida in 2010, and only once had I seen a firefly (or lightning bugs as I called them while growing up). I’m pretty sure that one was a straggler who stowed away in someone’s car. This all changed, though, on our recent RV weekend at Blue Spring State Park. What an incredible weekend it was!
Fireflies in Florida have a short season, usually mid-March through mid-April. In 2026, Blue Spring State Park is hosting Firefly Nights through April 12. There are talks on fireflies in the evening, and then once the sun starts to go down, the area lights up! Honestly, it was one of the most amazing things that I’ve seen. There are spots along the boardwalk with great viewing. Guests are asked to not use flashlights (or other lights) or bug repellent. Learn more about Firefly Nights on the Blue Spring State Park Facebook page.
Blue Spring State Park is known as the winter home of manatees. We saw dozens while we were there. During the colder months, there are hundreds! Manatees will visit the park because of the water temperature. It’s fairly consistent, unlike river and ocean water. The manatees were around in the morning and early afternoon, but swam out towards evening. Manatee Season is winding down as the weather gets warmer, it typically lasts through the end of March.
Aside from fireflies and manatees, there are other activities at Blue Spring State Park. We rented a kayak and saw some unforgettable scenery! We had just about given up on seeing manatees in the kayak when two swam right next to us! It was so much fun.
Swimming at Blue Spring State Park is closed off during Manatee Season, but is available during the warmer months. You’ll also find hiking trails (many are wheelchair friendly), a playground, games such as corn hole, and a lot more. We saw a lot of wildlife; birds, giant fish, and turtles. We didn’t see any alligators, but I was okay with that.
Want to bring your furry best friend? Blue Spring State Park is dog friendly. Dogs aren’t allowed in the buildings or on the boardwalk during Firefly Nights. We still saw thousands of fireflies with our dog Yoda without going all the way to the boardwalk.
Blue Spring State Park is located an hour or so outside of Walt Disney World. It is close to the top of my favorite places that we’ve camped. It’s hard to get a reservation because it is so popular. People do cancel often, so I’m going to keep checking back for our next adventure. We’re already hoping to return for Firefly Nights next year.
