• The Old Spanish Sugar Mill, 601 Ponce DeLeon Blvd. Inside the DeLeon Springs State Park. +1 386 985-5644. Restaurant features griddle cakes and sandwiches. Open 9am to 5pm daily.

DeLeon Springs State Park [2] is the main attraction in DeLeon Springs. DeLeon Springs State Park is comprised of 603 acres, and swimming is popular here as the water remains at 72°F year-round. The Park is built around a natural sulphur spring, flowing at a rate of about 20 million gallons a day, that remains 72 degrees Fahrenheit year-round and reaches a depth of 30 feet at the spring boil.

History

DeLeon Springs was first settled as early as 8000 BCE by local Native American tribes. In the 1500s, Spanish forces passed through. Land was granted near the springs to settlers to establish a plantation called "Spring Garden" where corn, cotton, and sugar cane were grown. Around this time, the Seminole Indians began to settle in the area.

The area came under American ownership after Florida became a territory in 1821; Colonel Orlando Rees built a mill to grind the corn and sugar. Many facilities were destroyed by Union troops during the American Civil War; however, the waterwheel and building remain on the site to this day, now housing a pancake restaurant called "The Old Spanish Sugar Mill", owned and operated by local residents.

The Seminole tribe regained the land during the Second Seminole War and sacked the plantation; General Zachary Taylor led the U.S. Army forces to gain control of it in 1838.

The area drew tourists in the 1880s, when it was touted as a fountain of youth and winter resort for the springs' alleged rejuvenating powers.

In 1982 the State of Florida acquired the land for use as a recreational area.

Flora and fauna

Ancient cypress and oak trees dominate the landscape in this part of Florida. Smaller plants in the area include the leatherleaf fern.

Park wildlife you might see includes alligators, white-tailed deer, turtles and otters. Among the birds that can be seen are anhingas, egrets, hawks, limpkins, ospreys, vultures, American Bald Eagles, American White Ibis, Belted Kingfishers and Great Blue Herons.

Seasonal sightings may include Florida black bears en route from the Ocala National Forest to the Tiger Bay Wildlife Management Area, manatee seeking relief from the cold during winter and migratory birds such as the swallow-tailed kite, the sandhill crane and teal.

Fees/Permits

• Admission is $5 per car of eight passengers.
• Pedestrians, Bicyclists, Extra Passengers, Passengers In Vehicles With Holder of Annual Individual Entrance Permit - Admission Fee $1
• Pavilion fees are $30.00, plus tax, for a small pavilion, and $60.00, plus tax, for a large pavilion.

Get around

There is a five-mile hiking trail popular for birdwatching (the park is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail). One dead end of the trail leads to Monkey Island, named after monkeys who had escaped from the circus and settled there.

See

• A visitor center providing historical, cultural and natural history information is operated by the Friends of DeLeon Springs State Park.
• Guided boat eco-tours are offered from the park to the adjacent Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge.

Do

Canoeing, kayaking, and fishing are permitted in the spring run; swimming is permitted only in designated areas.

• Anglers will find bass and bream in abundance in the Spring Run. A Florida freshwater fishing license is required for persons 16 years of age or older.
• At the park boat launch you can rent a boat or launch your own.
• Picnic pavilions may be reserved October through March. Pavilions are on a first come first served basis April through September.
• Scuba diving is limited to open-water instructors and six students. A certification check and Instructor Permit are required.
• Volleyball, horseshoes and a playground area are also available.

By car

The best way to get into DeLeon Springs is by car. Take Route US-17 north from DeLand for about 6 miles and you will be in the general area of DeLeon Springs. Turn left onto Ponce DeLeon Blvd. and you will travel approximately one mile to the entrance to DeLeon Springs State Park.

By bus

VOTRAN [1] bus Route 24 passes by the DeLeon Springs area about every two hours. The bus only travels along Route US-17, connecting with DeLand to the south and Pierson to the north. However, you will be short of DeLeon Springs State Park by about 1 mile. You can bring a bicycle along on the VOTRAN bus to complete the journey if you wish to reach the Park.

• The Old Spanish Sugar Mill, 601 Ponce DeLeon Blvd. Inside the DeLeon Springs State Park. +1 386 985-5644. Restaurant features griddle cakes and sandwiches. Open 9am to 5pm daily.

• The Old Spanish Sugar Mill, 601 Ponce DeLeon Blvd. Inside the DeLeon Springs State Park. +1 386 985-5644. Restaurant features griddle cakes and sandwiches. Open 9am to 5pm daily.