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Spring basin at De Leon Springs

De Leon Springs State Park

While pancakes and De Leon Springs go hand-in-hand thanks to the popular Old Spanish Sugar Mill Restaurant, the natural beauty of De Leon Springs is the reason to visit

De Leon Springs      ( 29.132239,-81.360821 )      

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Grab a spatula and start flipping pancakes! Once a Florida roadside attraction, De Leon Springs State Park still draws big crowds for its unique make-your-own-pancake restaurant with griddle top tables, set inside a historic sugar mill.

Of course, that’s not the only cool thing about this long-time Florida State Park. Front and center is its namesake spring, set up for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving in a cool natural pool.


Resources

50 Hikes in Central Florida Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover Complete Guide to Florida Wildflowers

Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.


Overview

Location: De Leon Springs
Trailhead: 29.132239,-81.360821
Address: 601 Ponce de Leon Blvd, De Leon Springs
Fees: $4-6 per vehicle
Restroom: At both the picnic area and swimming area
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 386-985-4212

Open 8 AM to sunset daily. Leashed pets welcome but not in swimming area or restaurant or on tour boats.

The Old Spanish Sugar Mill and Griddle House is open 9-5 weekdays, 8-5 weekends (serving until 4), closed Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Looking into the water of De Leon Springs


Directions

 
The town of De Leon Springs is just north of DeLand on US 17. From US 17 in De Leon Springs, turn west onto Ponce De Leon Boulevard. Follow it 0.8 mile. The entrance to De Leon Springs State Park is just after the railroad crossing.

About the Park

The wait for the Old Spanish Sugar Mill and Griddle House is long, especially on weekends. It’s worth it, but you can keep busy while you wait.

Griddle table in restaurant Table with griddles at the Old Spanish Sugar Mill


There is plenty to do in this expansive park, from swimming in the spring to taking a guided boat tour along Spring Garden Creek to a visit to the museum.

Pontoon boat about to launch Pontoon boat tour launching


Enjoy a wander in the woods, too, on your choice of gentle wheelchair-friendly trails or seriously squishy tromps through the floodplain forest.

Trail sign for Wild Persimmon Trail The Wild Persimmon Trail is a rugged day hike


Open water SCUBA diving is permitted if you’re here as part of a diving class with a certified instructor.

Swimming area in the spring The spring basin was made into a swimming pool long ago


Hiking

Three trails offer hikers a walk in the dense palm hammocks and cypress swamps found along this tributary of the St. Johns River.

Nature Trail sign and path Start of the Nature Trail


The easy to follow paved Nature Trail includes a side spur to Old Methusalah, an ancient cypress of enormous size.

Giant cypress with interpretive sign The base of Old Methusalah


On the short Monkey Island Trail, a wilder spur off the nature trail, you see the remains of what once was a “jungle cruise” style boat ride through the floodplain forest.

Waterway in palm hammock Monkey Island had monkeys in residence in the 1950s


Along the much longer Wild Persimmon Trail, go deep into the jungle-like wilds of the floodplain of Spring Garden Run on a squishy interpretive loop hike.

A stream crossing along the trail

Wild Persimmon Trail

At De Leon Springs State Park, the Wild Persimmon Trail is a 4.4 mile wild walk along the edge of habitats in the floodplain forest created by the springs


Paddling

Paddlers are welcome to put in at the designated launch near the canoe rental for a round-trip of up to 8.5 miles along Spring Garden Creek.

While somewhat open to start, it joins a sinuous stream through the floodplain after you pass Spring Garden Lake. Hug the near shore along the edge of the lake.

Spring Garden Creek reaches Lake Woodruff after more than 4 miles. The lake is the turn-around point for a day paddle.

Open water with floating mats of water lettuce De Leon Springs is the headwater of Spring Garden Creek


Biking

De Leon Springs State Park is slated to be the northern terminus of the countywide Spring-to-Spring Trail when it is complete.

Right now, a 6 mile segment of this paved bike path begins to the south of the park at Chuck Lennon Park and parallels Grand Avenue through Glenwood.

Playground under oaks Chuck Lennon Park


Trail Map

De Leon Springs State Park Trail Map Trails at De Leon Springs


Explore More!

Learn more about De Leon Springs State Park

Parallel bike path and road in rural forested area

Spring to Spring Trail North

Paralleling the St. Johns River basin, the northernmost segment of the Spring to Spring Trail is a hilly and often canopied ride through historic communities

Swimmers in De Leon Springs

De Leon Springs State Park

While pancakes and De Leon Springs go hand-in-hand thanks to the popular Old Spanish Sugar Mill Restaurant, the natural beauty of De Leon Springs is the reason to visit

Old Spanish Sugar Mill at De Leon Springs State Park

Pancakes at the Old Spanish Sugar Mill

Making pancakes at the Old Spanish Sugar Mill in De Leon Springs has been a tradition since 1961. But did you know the mill’s history? Settle in and flip a flapjack after learning about its roots.

Slideshow

See our photos of De Leon Springs State Park


Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

Lake Woodruff NWR

Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge

Six miles of trails meander through wide open spaces preserved for wintering waterfowl at 21,500-acre Lake Woodruff NWR along the St. Johns River.

Hontoon Island

Hontoon Island State Park

An island in the St. Johns River, Hontoon Island State Park is worth the short trip to see the bounteous wildlife of the St. Johns River along its trails.

Bartram Gardens & Trail Stetson

Bartram Gardens & Trail

Along the St. Johns River at Lake Beresford, discover the river anew through William Bartram’s eyes as he recorded his observations of alligators, fish, and flora in 1774

Rima Ridge pines Tiger Bay

Tiger Bay State Forest

Surrounding more than 42 square miles of the Tomoka River watershed, Tiger Bay State Forest provides nearly 20 miles of interpretive and multiuse trails between Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, and DeLand

Park Map (PDF) Official Website

Category: Biking, Canoe & Kayak Rentals, Central Florida, Day Hikes, Florida State Parks, Hikes, Natural Attractions, Nature Trails, Paddling, Parks, SpringsTag: Accessible, Archaeological Sites, Big Trees, Birding, Civil War, De Leon Springs, De Leon Springs State Park, Deland, Family-Friendly, Favorites, Florida State Parks, Guided Tours, Picnic, Rivers, Scuba, Snorkeling, Spring to Spring Trail, Springs, St. Johns River, Swimming, Wildlife Viewing

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