This guide contains affiliate links to Booking.com. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
The best hotels near Blue Spring State Park are a handful of practical chain hotels in Orange City, DeLand and DeBary, all between about 3 and 10 miles from the park gate, plus one small riverside resort on the St. Johns River. None of them is inside the park, so plan on a short drive whichever you pick.
Blue Spring is the winter home of hundreds of West Indian manatees. From mid-November to March they crowd into the 72-degree spring run, and you watch them from a boardwalk. The park is about 50 minutes by road from downtown Orlando without traffic, so many visitors come for the day. Staying nearby the night before lets you be there at opening time, and in 2026 every visitor also needs a day-use reservation.
Below are seven hotels we checked against their official pages, the park rules that changed this year, and drive times from Orlando.
Quick answer: The closest hotel is the Quality Inn Orange City near Blue Spring State Park, about 2.7 miles from the entrance, with free breakfast and a seasonal outdoor pool. For a newer building with an indoor pool, book the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Deland South (about 5 miles). If you want restaurants you can walk to, stay at the Courtyard by Marriott DeLand Historic Downtown on Woodland Boulevard (about 8 miles). Whichever you choose, reserve your park entry online before you go.
From the boardwalk on a cold winter morning you can count dozens of manatees in the run, like the group above.
Search hotels in any Orlando area
On this page
Blue Spring State Park in 2026: what to know before you book
These are the rules on the park’s official pages, checked in October 2026:
- Reservations are required. Since July 15, 2026, every day-use visitor needs a reservation, including annual passholders, pedestrians and cyclists. You can book up to 60 days ahead, or the same day until the limit fills. The entry fee is paid online with no extra booking fee, and it is refunded if you cancel (no-shows are not).
- Fees: $6 per vehicle (two to eight people), $4 for a single-occupant vehicle, $2 for pedestrians, cyclists and extra passengers.
- Hours: 8 a.m. to sundown, 365 days a year. A reservation covers one entry; re-entry is not guaranteed.
- Other ways in: A camping or cabin reservation, or a booking with the park’s concessions (river cruise, rentals, guided tours), also gets you in.
- Address: 2100 W. French Ave., Orange City, FL 32763; phone 386-775-3663.
The park manager says the system is meant to end the long entry lines and capacity closures of past years. The home page still warns that the park “frequently reaches capacity”, so book early for winter weekends and holidays.
| Season | Dates (official) | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Manatee season | About Nov 15 to Mar 31 | Boardwalk viewing; no swimming, tubing, diving or paddling in the spring run |
| Swimming season | Apr 1 to Nov 14 | Swimming, snorkeling, tubing, scuba, paddling |
| All year | 8 a.m. to sundown | Boardwalk, trails, river cruises, Thursby House |
The park’s pages disagree slightly on the end date: the swimming page closes the run from November 15 to March 31, the scuba page says November 15 to March 15, and the paddling page says “approximately mid-November through March”. All say dates can shift with the manatees, so check the alerts on the official park page before a shoulder-season trip.
How we chose these hotels near Blue Spring State Park
This is not a ranking by review score. We kept hotels that:
- Are close: all within about a 30-minute drive of the entrance (OSRM road routing, no traffic).
- Publish their policies on a brand page (Hilton, IHG, Marriott, Choice) or their own website; where we used an archived copy, we give its date.
- Are bookable on Booking.com, with photos from each property’s own gallery.
- Cover different trips: the closest budget stay, brand hotels with free breakfast, a walkable downtown base and a riverside resort.
Hotels are listed from closest to farthest. Rates vary by season, availability and how far ahead you book.
Hotels near Blue Spring compared
| Hotel | Town | To the park | Breakfast | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quality Inn Orange City | Orange City | About 2.7 mi, 7 min | Free hot breakfast | Closest, budget |
| Holiday Inn Express Deland South | DeLand (south) | About 5 mi, 11 min | Free hot breakfast | Newer rooms, indoor pool |
| Holiday Inn Express Orange City – Deltona | Orange City (I-4) | About 6 mi, 14 min | Free hot breakfast | Quick I-4 access |
| Courtyard DeLand Historic Downtown | Downtown DeLand | About 8 mi, 16 min | On-site Bistro (paid) | Walkable evenings |
| Hampton Inn Debary-Deltona | DeBary (I-4) | About 9 mi, 19 min | Free hot breakfast | Closest to Orlando, pets |
| Hampton Inn & Suites DeLand | North DeLand | About 10 mi, 20 min | Free hot breakfast | Stetson visits, pets |
| Hontoon Landing Resort & Marina | DeLand (river) | About 13 mi, 28 min | Not included | Boating, kitchens |
1. Quality Inn Orange City near Blue Spring State Park
This two-story, motel-style Quality Inn on South Volusia Avenue (US 17-92) is the closest hotel we found to the park: about 2.7 miles and 7 minutes from the entrance. Choice lists 60 guest rooms, all opening onto exterior corridors.
Its Choice Hotels page lists free Wi-Fi, a free hot breakfast, on-site parking, a seasonal outdoor pool, 24-hour security staff, and microwaves and refrigerators for rent.
- Why stay: It is the easiest place to stay if you want to be at the gate when it opens at 8 a.m.
- Getting there / to the parks: About 31 miles (45 minutes) to downtown Orlando, about 37 miles to Universal’s parking garages and about 51 miles (1 hour 10 minutes) to the Magic Kingdom parking plaza, without traffic.
- Good to know: Choice’s page (as archived on Feb. 7, 2026, the newest copy we could open) allows dogs only, up to two per room, for a fee it does not publish. Check-in is 3 p.m. and check-out 11 a.m. Confirm the pool season, the pet fee and fridge rental with the hotel before you book.
Best for: Budget travelers and photographers who want the shortest possible drive to the boardwalk.
Check your dates for the Quality Inn Orange City on Booking.com
2. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Deland South
IHG describes this as a new hotel in south DeLand, 3.1 miles from the historic downtown and 4 miles from Stetson University, surrounded by shops and restaurants. By road it is about 5 miles (11 minutes) from the Blue Spring entrance.
It is the only hotel here with an indoor pool (32 by 18 feet, 3 to 5 feet deep), though the hotel’s FAQ says it is not heated. The free hot breakfast runs from 6 to 9:30 a.m.
- Why stay: Newer rooms, free breakfast and parking with room for trucks, trailers, boats and RVs, plus boat charging stations and two EV chargers.
- Getting there / to the parks: About 36 miles (50 minutes) to downtown Orlando and about 57 miles (1 hour 15 minutes) to the Magic Kingdom parking plaza, without traffic. Daytona Beach is about 28 miles away.
- Good to know: Parking is free for registered guests. Pets are not allowed, and there is no restaurant on site. Check-in is 3 p.m. and check-out 11 a.m. (IHG page as archived on Sept. 6, 2026).
Best for: Families who want a modern room and breakfast, and anglers or boaters towing a trailer.
See prices and availability at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Deland South
3. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Orange City – Deltona
This Holiday Inn Express is at 1330 Saxon Boulevard, next to I-4 on the Deltona side of Orange City, about 6 miles (14 minutes) from the park. It is the quickest Orange City option for getting back on the interstate toward Orlando.
The free Express Start hot breakfast runs from 6 to 9:30 a.m. There is an outdoor pool and spa, a fitness center and a 24-hour business center. IHG says rooms have 42-inch TVs, refrigerators and microwaves, and there are one-bedroom suites as well as standard rooms.
- Why stay: A fridge and microwave in every room, free breakfast and easy I-4 access for a combined Orlando and Blue Spring trip.
- Getting there / to the parks: About 29 miles (40 minutes) to downtown Orlando, about 36 miles (50 minutes) to Universal’s garages and about 50 miles (1 hour 10 minutes) to the Magic Kingdom parking plaza. Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) is about 16 miles away.
- Good to know: Parking is free, and IHG says buses and RVs can park, but trailers over 12 feet are not allowed. Pets, including emotional support animals, are not permitted. Check-in is 4 p.m., the minimum check-in age is 21, and IHG lists weekly housekeeping (IHG page as archived on Sept. 6, 2026).
Best for: Travelers splitting a trip between the Orlando area and Volusia County’s springs and beaches.
Compare rates for the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Orange City – Deltona
4. Courtyard by Marriott DeLand Historic Downtown
If you want to stroll to dinner after a day with the manatees, book this one. The Courtyard is on North Woodland Boulevard in historic downtown DeLand, and Marriott says it is within walking distance of Stetson University and the shops and restaurants of Main Street DeLand. Blue Spring is about 8 miles (16 minutes) south.
The hotel has an outdoor pool, a 24-hour fitness center and The Bistro, serving breakfast, dinner, cocktails and Starbucks drinks. Marriott says rooms have a mini-fridge, microwave and smart TVs for your own streaming accounts.
- Why stay: It is the only pick here with restaurants, bars and downtown museums a short walk away.
- Getting there / to the parks: About 39 miles (55 minutes) to downtown Orlando and about 60 miles (1 hour 20 minutes) to the Magic Kingdom parking plaza. Daytona Beach is about 24 miles (35 minutes) east.
- Good to know: Breakfast is not included; Marriott’s dining page says hot breakfast is available for a fee. At last check, on-site parking was $11.21 per day. Pets are $50 one time plus $5 per night, with a maximum of two pets under 50 pounds total. Check-in is 3 p.m., check-out noon, and the minimum check-in age is 21 (Marriott overview as archived in 2025, the newest we could open). The rooms page advertises complimentary Wi-Fi, but Marriott’s FAQ ties free in-room internet to Bonvoy members who book direct, so don’t count on it with a Booking.com reservation; ask the hotel.
Best for: Couples, Stetson visitors and anyone who would rather walk to dinner than drive.
See available rooms at the Courtyard DeLand Historic Downtown
5. Hampton Inn Debary-Deltona
The Hampton Inn is off I-4 at Exit 108 in DeBary, about 9 miles (19 minutes) from the park and the closest of the seven to Orlando. Hilton calls it the closest hotel to the DeBary SunRail station, about five minutes away, and lists Gemini Springs park about 2 miles off.
Hilton lists a free hot breakfast, free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool, a fitness center and free self-parking. Check-in is 3 p.m. and check-out 11 a.m.
- Why stay: Shortest drive to Orlando of the group, Hilton consistency and free breakfast and parking.
- Getting there / to the parks: About 27 miles (35 minutes) to downtown Orlando, about 34 miles (45 minutes) to Universal’s garages and about 48 miles (1 hour 5 minutes) to the Magic Kingdom parking plaza. Sanford airport (SFB) is about 14 miles away.
- Good to know: The hotel takes pets: dogs and cats only, up to two, maximum 50 pounds. The non-refundable fee is $50 for one to four nights and $125 for five nights or more (Hilton page as archived on June 14, 2026). There is no airport shuttle.
Best for: Theme park visitors adding one manatee morning, and travelers with a dog.
6. Hampton Inn & Suites DeLand
This recently renovated Hampton Inn & Suites is on the north side of DeLand, where US 17 and US 92 meet, about 1.7 miles by road from Stetson University and 10 miles (20 minutes) from Blue Spring. Hilton lists the DeLand Naval Air Station Museum about a mile away.
You get a free hot breakfast, free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool, a fitness center and free on-site parking. Check-in is 3 p.m. and check-out is noon.
- Why stay: A good base for a Stetson visit or a DeLand weekend that also includes the manatees and De Leon Springs.
- Getting there / to the parks: About 41 miles (55 minutes) to downtown Orlando and about 23 miles (35 minutes) to Daytona Beach. It is the farthest of the brand hotels from Disney, at about 62 miles.
- Good to know: Dogs and cats are allowed for a $75 non-refundable fee (Hilton page as archived on June 14, 2026). There is no airport shuttle.
Best for: Stetson families and travelers who also plan a day at the beach.
See prices and availability at the Hampton Inn & Suites DeLand
7. Hontoon Landing Resort & Marina
Hontoon Landing is the odd one out, and that is the appeal. It is a small marina resort on a bend of the St. Johns River west of DeLand, directly across the water from Hontoon Island State Park, which you reach only by private boat or the park ferry (8 a.m. until two hours before sundown, per Florida State Parks). Blue Spring is about 13 miles (28 minutes) away by road.
The resort has 17 rooms and suites, many with fully equipped kitchens, plus a pool and free Wi-Fi. It rents 22-foot pontoons for up to 10 people at $249 on weekdays and $269 on weekends and holidays ($200 for registered guests), plus fuel and tax.
- Why stay: Riverside rooms with kitchens and a boat at the dock, for a full day on the river after your morning at the spring.
- Getting there / to the parks: About 45 miles (just over an hour) to downtown Orlando and about 67 miles (1 hour 30 minutes) to the Magic Kingdom parking plaza.
- Good to know: At last check, the resort’s home page no longer features its river tours, ship’s store or Dockside Deli, so don’t count on buying meals on site; call ahead if that matters. No pets. Check-in is 3 p.m., check-out 11 a.m. Boat renters must be born before January 1, 1988, or hold a boater safety card, and leave a $200 deposit.
Best for: Anglers, boaters and groups who want a kitchen and a slower, Old Florida stay.
How to choose: Orange City, DeLand or DeBary?
- Orange City is closest: the Quality Inn and the I-4 Holiday Inn Express are 7 to 14 minutes from the gate.
- DeLand has the most character, with a historic downtown and Stetson University; the Courtyard puts you right in it. De Leon Springs State Park is about 30 minutes north of Blue Spring.
- DeBary is the best compromise for Orlando trips: see the manatees and be back on I-4 the same morning.
- On the river means Hontoon Landing, if a boat matters more than a hot breakfast.
- Inside the park there are six two-bedroom cabins and a 51-site campground. Cabins sleep up to six (with three beds), need a two-night minimum and cost $95 a night plus tax, a $6.70 reservation fee and a $7 nightly utility fee. No pets in cabins. They book up to 11 months ahead through Florida State Parks.
Planning a manatee day trip from Orlando
From an Orlando base, Blue Spring is an easy half-day trip. These are OSRM road estimates from the park without traffic; add time for I-4 at rush hour.
| From Blue Spring to | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Orlando | About 33 mi | About 50 min |
| Universal Orlando garages | About 40 mi | About 1 hr |
| Magic Kingdom parking plaza | About 54 mi | About 1 hr 20 min |
| Orlando International Airport (MCO) | About 49 mi | About 1 hr 10 min |
| Orlando Sanford Airport (SFB) | About 20 mi | About 40 min |
| Daytona Beach / New Smyrna Beach | About 31 to 32 mi | About 45 min |
- Go on a cold morning. Manatees can’t tolerate water below 68 degrees for long, so the biggest gatherings come in the colder months. Our Orlando in January guide covers the weather that month.
- Walk the full boardwalk. It runs about a third of a mile from the St. Johns River to the head spring, and the park offers daily manatee programs in season.
- Add a river cruise. Two-hour narrated nature cruises on the St. Johns leave daily at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., with a wheelchair lift on board.
- Swim in summer. From April 1 to November 14 you can swim, snorkel and tube the run; food, coolers, disposable bottles, pets and large inflatables are not allowed on the water.
- Hike. The trail page gives the Pine Island Trail as 3.6 miles one way (the home page says 4.5 miles), and the 1872 Thursby House overlooks the river.
To pair the spring with the coast, see our beaches near Orlando guide, best hotels in Daytona Beach and New Smyrna Beach hotels, or more ideas in things to do in Orlando besides theme parks. Flying into Sanford? Our hotels near Orlando Sanford Airport and Lake Mary hotels are about 30 to 40 minutes south. For a theme park base, start with where to stay in Orlando.
Frequently asked questions
What is the closest hotel to Blue Spring State Park?
The closest hotel we found is the Quality Inn Orange City near Blue Spring State Park on South Volusia Avenue, about 2.7 miles and 7 minutes by road from the entrance. The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Deland South is next, at about 5 miles. Inside the park, the only options are six cabins and a campground, booked through Florida State Parks.
Do you need a reservation to visit Blue Spring State Park?
Yes. Since July 15, 2026, every day-use visitor needs a reservation, including annual passholders, walkers and cyclists. You can book up to 60 days ahead on the Florida State Parks reservation site, and the $6 vehicle fee is paid online. Same-day reservations are possible until the daily limit is reached. Camping, cabin and concession bookings also count as entry.
When is the best time to see manatees at Blue Spring?
Manatee season runs from about mid-November through March, and the largest numbers gather on the coldest mornings, when manatees seek out the spring’s constant 72-degree water. During that period the spring run is closed to swimming, tubing, diving and paddling, so you watch from the boardwalk. Arrive at the 8 a.m. opening for the quietest viewing.
Can you swim with the manatees at Blue Spring?
No. Swimming or diving with manatees is not permitted. The spring run is open for swimming, snorkeling and tubing only from April 1 to November 14. The reopening can be delayed if many manatees are still in the spring after a late cold spell. Divers must stay at least 50 feet from manatees.
How far is Blue Spring State Park from Orlando and Disney World?
By road, the park is about 33 miles (around 50 minutes) from downtown Orlando and about 54 miles (around 1 hour 20 minutes) from the Magic Kingdom parking plaza without traffic. I-4 congestion can add a lot of time, so a hotel in Orange City, DeLand or DeBary the night before makes an early arrival easier.
Are there pet-friendly hotels near Blue Spring?
Yes. The Hampton Inn Debary-Deltona, the Hampton Inn & Suites DeLand and the Courtyard DeLand Historic Downtown all accept pets for a fee, and Choice lists the Orange City Quality Inn as accepting dogs. Both Holiday Inn Express hotels and Hontoon Landing do not allow pets. In the park itself, pets are not allowed on the water or in the cabins.
Bottom line
For the shortest drive to the manatees, book the Quality Inn in Orange City; for newer rooms and breakfast, one of the Holiday Inn Express hotels; for an evening on foot, the Courtyard in DeLand. Reserve your Blue Spring entry as soon as your dates are set, and aim for the 8 a.m. opening on a cold winter morning.
Compare rates for the Courtyard DeLand Historic Downtown on Booking.com
Sources checked in October 2026: Blue Spring State Park (Florida State Parks), Blue Spring day-use reservation FAQ, Blue Spring experiences and amenities, Blue Spring hours and fees, Hontoon Landing Resort & Marina