Blue Springs State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blue Springs State Park |
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 Blue Springs State Park
Location in Alabama
Blue Springs State Park
Location in the United States
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| Location | Blue Springs, Barbour County, Alabama, United States |
| Nearest city | Clio, Alabama |
| Area | 103 acres (42 ha) |
| Elevation | 302 ft (92 m) |
| Designation | Alabama state park |
| Established | 1963 |
| Administrator | Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources |
| Website | Blue Springs State Park |
Blue Springs State Park is a cool place to visit in Blue Springs, which is in Barbour County, Alabama. It's about 7 mi (11 km) east of Clio. This 103-acre (42 ha) state park is famous for its clear, blue natural spring. This spring is underground and pumps out a lot of water every hour. This water fills two swimming pools that have concrete edges.
In 2013, the park got bigger! The Forever Wild Land Trust bought 100 more acres next to the park. This was done to add new hiking trails for everyone to enjoy. The Magnolia Trail, along with two shorter paths, opened in 2018. This trail is 2 mi (3.2 km) long and goes through a beautiful forest in southeast Alabama. You can even see parts of the west fork of the Choctawhatchee River from the trail. The trail starts inside the park, but most of it goes through the new land added by Forever Wild.
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Park History
Blue Springs has a long history as a popular spot. Back in 1890, a place called Harrison's Hotel was built. People hoped to make the village of Blue Springs a health resort. Ten years later, J.T.E. Whigham started building the Blue Springs Hotel. This hotel eventually had 28 rooms and a modern bathhouse.
In 1913, the main spring pool was lined with concrete. A smaller pool was also added just for kids. The area became a favorite place for big gatherings. People held political rallies and three-day horse-trading events here. Even soldiers from the Confederate army had their yearly reunions at the spring. The large pool was used until about 1938. Later, J.D. McLaughlin sold the property to the state. This led to the creation of Blue Springs State Park in 1963.
At the park's entrance, there is a stone monument. It honors Dr. James Daniel McLaughlin (1880-1953). He was a medical doctor who helped make the park what it is today.
Fun Things to Do
Blue Springs State Park offers many activities for visitors.
Swimming in the Spring
The park's main attraction is its natural spring. The spring has a sandy bottom and pumps out 3,600 US gallons (14,000 L) of water every minute! The water stays at a cool 68 °F (20 °C) all the time. You can swim in the spring-fed pools, but remember there are no lifeguards on duty.
Camping and Staying Over
If you want to stay longer, the park has different camping options.
- Modern campsites: These sites have facilities like water and electricity.
- Primitive campsites: These are more basic, for a true outdoor experience.
- Rental cabins: You can rent cozy cabins for a comfortable stay.
- Rental campers: The park also has campers you can rent.
Fishing Fun
There is a small pond in the park that is great for fishing. It's stocked with different kinds of fish. You might catch catfish, bass, or bream here.
Picnic Areas
The park has nice spots for picnicking. You can bring your own food and enjoy a meal outdoors. There are also pavilions you can rent for larger groups or parties.
Playground for Kids
In 2014, a new playground was added to the park. It's made from 100% recycled materials! There are two main play structures. One is for younger children, ages 2 to 5. The other is for older kids, ages 5 to 12. There's also a big sandbox for little ones to play in.
Volleyball Court
If you like sports, the park has a sand volleyball court. They even hold tournaments there in the spring and summer.
