The park is a popular tourist destination; available activities include canoeing, SCUBA diving, kayaking, fishing, camping, hiking, wildlife watching, and swimming.

[2] The spring and surrounding land were acquired by the Weismore family in the mid-19th century and a large plantation-style home built upon a shell mound on the property.

The area seemed to be excellent for the cultivation of citrus fruit, and a small railway was built linking Orange City to the dock at Blue Spring.

The Thursbys switched to the tourist trade, taking advantage of the beautiful spring and excellent fishing and hunting opportunities along the St. Johns River.

[7][5] Identifications by state park rangers and Save the Manatee Club researchers at Blue Spring have contributed a large number of sightings to this database.

[citation needed] Another environmental problem is the decrease in the natural water supply to the spring due to the groundwater pumping in the nearby cities.