RV rental Manatee Springs State Park, FL: Motorhome rentals, camper van rentals and more

Home to a first magnitude spring that releases some 100 million gallons of water each day, Manatee Springs State Park offers an abundance of water-based recreational activities. The spring is a popular swimming spot with campers and day visitors, its cool waters offering the perfect place to cool off during the hotter months. Snorkeling is another favorite activity — snorkel and mask rentals are available at the waterfront concession stand — and the pristine waters also offer plenty of underwater scenery for scuba divers to explore. If you visit at the right time of year, you might even catch a glimpse of a beautiful manatee. Open water diving and cave diving are both allowed in specific areas, but there are strict regulations concerning registration, proper diving certification, and where divers are authorized to go. Make sure you read the fine print closely before taking to the water. The spring flows into the nearby Suwannee River, which is also the site of plenty of activity within the park. For some visitors, it's the perfect place to launch a canoe or kayak and enjoy a leisurely paddle. You can rent a kayak, canoe, paddleboard, or paddleboat from the park's concessionaire if you want to take to the water, while shuttle services are also available to help you make the most of the river's flow. Other campers prefer to try their luck fishing in the river. Catfish, panfish, largemouth bass, and a variety of other species can all be caught here, while fishing from the park's boardwalk along the run that leads to the river is also permitted. Of course, if you'd rather do some exploring on foot, Manatee Springs State Park also boasts over eight miles of nature trails. These trails lead you past cypress swamps, sinkhole ponds, and wetlands. The highlight is, of course, the 800-foot boardwalk that meanders its way from the spring to the river. It's a peaceful and easy walk, but it's also a simple way to explore the surrounding terrain.