DeLEON SPRINGS STATE PARK

By  Mike Miller May 25, 2025

DeLeon Springs State Park in DeLeon Springs, Florida, is a 625-acre park centered around a natural spring. Visitors can swim, paddle, or hike.

The park offers a mix of nature and history. The spring pours out millions of gallons daily, creating a clear pool for recreation. The park also features a historic sugar mill turned restaurant.

DeLeon Springs State Park

The spring was named for Juan Ponce de León, the Spanish explorer, though his visit is unconfirmed.

Native Americans lived here 6,000 years ago. Artifacts like tools and pottery were found nearby. In the 1800s, settlers built a sugar mill and cotton plantation.

The mill, constructed in 1831, used spring water for power. It operated until the Civil War. The area became a tourist spot in the 1920s.

The state acquired the park in 1982. It’s now on the National Register of Historic Places. 

The park is at 601 Ponce De Leon Boulevard, DeLeon Springs, FL 32130 about 6 miles north of DeLand. It’s open daily from 8 am to sunset.

Arrive early, as the park limits entry when full, especially on weekends. Swimming is allowed in the spring, but no diving. Bring water shoes for rocky areas.

Kayaks and canoes are available to rent. The Old Sugar Mill Pancake House serves make-your-own pancakes. Trails offer birdwatching and wildlife viewing. Pets are allowed on leashes.

Call 386-985-4212 for restaurant or rental information. Accessibility includes paved paths and restrooms. 

• The spring pumps out 19 million gallons of 72-degree water daily.
  
  
• The sugar mill, built in 1831, is one of Florida’s oldest surviving mills.
   
• The park was a backdrop for the 1942 film Reap the Wild Wind.
    
• Bald eagles and manatees are often spotted near the spring.
    
• The restaurant’s griddles are built into tables.
  
  
• A 600-year-old cypress tree stands along the park’s trails.
    
• The spring connects to the St. Johns River via a 4-mile waterway.
  
  
• Archaeological digs uncovered a Native American canoe from 1,200 years ago. 

DeLEON SPRINGS STATE PARK WEBSITE

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