Manatee state park in Chiefland,Fla

We were on site #66 last March, and found the park to be acceptable, but not as nice as some of the other FL state parks. The site separation was minimal, and the sand was difficult to keep out of our coach. Our site was on Magnolia Loop 2, and Magnolia loop 1 was undergoing a complete rebuild, so hopefully things have improved there. Cell service was quite weak, although our amplifier and external antenna did keep us well connected during our stay. In Chiefland, our favorite breakfast stop quickly became "Bett's Big T Restaurant", a former truck stop. Good food, large servings, friendly staff, and very reasonable prices made Bett's our morning go to spot when we didn't feel like fixing something ourselves. All in all, I'd say Manatee was a good place to visit, but I doubt we'll go out of our way to go there again. There are too many other FL SP's we haven't seen yet. Next spring, Rainbow Springs and Stephen Foster will be our two new FL state parks to check out, preceded by return visits to Alafia River SP and Midway NPS Campground in January.

Site #66 Manatee Springs SP

The wife and I have reservations for sit 13 (I think) for this weekend. I hope this rain lets up by then!

sdianel wrote:
Roads are sand and sites are sand.

Oops. Guess I won't be going there on the bike then.
It might be a while before I get to check it out in a car.

My bad we enjoy hiking, fishing, outdoor stuff. We live in the country thanks for the mention about the ticks and snakes. We will definitely try the barbeque I have noticed that everyone has mentioned that

I was there this past April. The park is nice, and the area around the springs is really neat with the boardwalk and kayak rentals. The water is 72 degrees year round but in reality it's cold as hell. I jumped in for about two minutes just to say I did it..... Watch out for all the water snakes. From what I saw the highlight of Chiefland itself was the Walmart store.... Not much else to do. TONS of ticks in the park too!!!! And definitely grab some barbecue from the vender by the springs.

Manatee Springs SP, correct? If so:

Here's another photo of your site (although I kind of like the one on R/A with the guy sitting at the picnic table). :)

You didn't mention what you enjoy doing, so it's difficult to recommend stuff.

You'll be about 40 miles (+/-) from Paynes Prairie and the wild horse area if you like wild life walks. It's not in the main park.

Thanks for the replys. I have read the reviews and wanted info from here also.

Read reviews on www.rvparkreviews.com they are mixed. As many Florida State Parks it is rustic and beautiful. Roads are sand and sites are sand. The springs are gorgeous with nice swimming area. Concession has food and rents kayaks and canoes. It's a wooded park so getting satellite may not be possible. There are hiking trails but watch for ticks. Cedar Key is a nice drive for lunch or dinner at Tony's Seafood Restaurant. It has a small beach at the city park. Another small fishing village is Horseshoe Beach. Not much else to do in the area.

We've stayed here twice in the last two years, the first time for a whole two weeks. We loved it. We were in Site #94 in the Hickory Loop. We have a 35' fifth wheel and that site is very spacious. The road into the campsites is narrow and winding with trees very close to the edges. You just have to go slow and watch everything at all times. Sort of like threading a needle.

Lots of walking trails, the boardwalk to the Swanee River is great as are the springs. Swimming is open nearly all the time as the water is always the same temperature.

The park is only 6 miles from Chiefland, where you'll find almost everything you could need or want, including an excellent produce stand.

Enjoy your stay!

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