FAQ

601 Ponce DeLeon Blvd. De Leon Springs, FL 32130

No, De Leon Springs State Park is on the east side of Florida, north of Orlando and west of Daytona Beach.

If reservations are cancelled by the operator due to weather, guests will receive a full refund. Launches take place rain or shine.

A state park pass can be purchased in advance. Parking is included with the entrance fee.

De Leon Springs is an hour North of Orlando. Directions:

Straight up I-4 towards Deland/Deltona. At Exit 114, head right on the ramp for FL-472 toward DeLand / Deltona. Continue on FL-472 for 2.9 miles. Take ramp on right for US-92/US-17 N. Left onto S. County Rd. 3. Park entrance is located just after the railroad crossing.

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The waterfall was created in the 1990’s when the walkway and dive platform were updated and the wheel was put in to raise and lower the water level in the spring.

Queenie was the elephant in the video and was at the park in 1959 and 1960. Sunshine Sally was here before Queenie and was the first Water skiing elephant at the park.

Yes, back when the park was a resort the park had several different types of animals at the park including monkeys. The monkeys were housed on an island, and visitors were able to see the monkeys on the boat tour Monkey Island Trail was named for that reason.

On the resort map in the Visitor Center, it shows many areas that had pens that housed the animals. There were alligators, flamingos, llamas, peacocks, monkeys, and there was a lioness housed in a pen back on the trail.

One was in the spring on a holiday weekend that was 9 feet long. A trapper was called and the alligator removed before the park opened. The other two were smaller and removed by park staff. Every morning the spring is checked for alligators and otters before we open.

Manatees generally start showing up when it starts getting cold (late November), if it stays cold enough to drop the river temperature below 68 degrees, they will stay overnight and leave to feed and return but have also been observed at other times throughout the year.

Spring has a depth of thirty feet and there is a large area that opens like a room that has a grate over it preventing entry. A cave extends outward into the spring run, which is not passable, it is about 70 feet in length.

There have been pottery sherds and bones found in the spring by divers. Also, two dugout canoes dated to be 5 and 6 thousand years old (pieces in the Visitor Center). It is prohibited for anyone to use a metal detector at DeLeon Springs and to dig up or remove artifacts from any State Park.

There are some items in the Visitor Center and there are more items that are housed and archived in Tallahassee, a lot of items were just thrown out and were found buried in a pile by the Visitor Center. (Dishes, bottles, etc.)

Spring briefly stopped flowing and turned a milky white color and it was determined that there was an underground collapse of lime rock. After 24 hours the spring returned to normal. Then again when there were some sinkholes outside the park the spring turned a muddy light brown, never losing the flow but again in 24 hours had cleared and appeared normal again.

The Burt’s Park (Mc Bride) property was added to the park in 2004 to protect the Spring it is 7.17 acres and was previously used as a park for swimming and picnicking, there is a retention wall of the old pool and a metal slide still there.

The boardwalk to Old Methuselah is approximately 200 yards from the beginning of the paved trail. If you continue down the paved trail the four-mile Wild Persimmon Hiking Trail head is marked. You must sign in for this trail at the Ranger Station. Please bring spray for ticks and mosquitoes and bring water.

Daily, 8 am – 4 pm

Take out is available at the takeout window. Daily 8 am – 5 pm

Wait times vary and fill up quickly. Plan an early arrival.

Guests can join the waitlist on Yelp.

Park admission is required to visit the Sugar Mill Restaurant.

Gluten-free pancakes are available; no vegan options at this time.

Fountain of Youth Boat Tour
Fountain of Youth Boat Tour departs from De Leon Springs State Park and travels west through Spring Garden Creek. Take in iconic views of Spring Garden Lake, Jones Island, and the Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge. The tour will be approximately 50 minutes in duration and will include narration on the history and natural resources of our waterway.

Guided Kayak Tour
Join your guide and experience Spring Garden Creek on a one hour guided kayak tour. Each trip is unique, with opportunities to see wading birds, manatees, and alligators along the way. These small group tours allow for a more personalized experience on the water.

Guided Hiking Tour
Join your guide and experience the De Leon Springs Nature Walk on a 50 minute guided hike. The tour offers an easy way to explore the park’s natural surroundings and enjoy the scenery along the trail.

You can find pricing information here.

Daily at multiple times.

Approximately 50 minutes.

Access at our boathouse location on the north side of the park.

No.

No, entry will be denied.

During busy months, possibly as early as 9AM.

Yes, as guests leave.

Find a list of park activities here.

Learn about our rentals here.

Learn about our rentals here.

No.

Rebooking or full refund.

Pets are welcome at De Leon Springs State Park. All pets must be on a hand-held, 6-foot leash at all times.
Pets may not be left unattended.
Pet owners must pick up after their pets and properly dispose of all pet droppings in trash receptacles.
Service animals are allowed in all areas of the park.

Pets are not allowed on rentals.

Only qualified service dogs are allowed on the boat tour.

Only qualified service dogs are allowed in the restaurant.

No, outdoor kennels are not being offered at this time.

Pets are not allowed in any of the swimming areas.

No, there is no camping of any type of De Leon Springs State Park.

You can find our operating hours here.

We offer a variety of different items. From Sugar Mill/De Leon Springs logo apparel to coffee cups, mugs, stickers, swimming gear, pancake mix, and more!

We offer two very convenient retail locations. Visitors will find one located right inside the Sugar Mill Restaurant and the other located in the Visitor’s Center on the other side of the park.

Yes.

No, the park does not allow after hour parties.

De Leon Springs State Park has four pavilions for rent – two large pavilions (with electric) that seat 50 to 60 people and two smaller pavilions (without electric) that seat 40 to 50 people. Each pavilion has a large grill and water.

Fees for pavilions do not include park entry fees or any special use fees. The pavilions are available by fee only and can be reserved, except during the summer months (Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend). They can be rented, but only first-come, first-served. One additional free pavilion is provided first-come, first-served.
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in any area of the park.
Please contact the park for information and reservations.