DeLeon Springs State Park

What a super fun day we had at the De Leon Springs!
The weather was perfect and the water was crystal clear and cool! It wasn’t overly crowded either for a weekday in the summer. I’m sure on a weekend it wouldn’t have been so enjoyable.
This was our first time here so we weren’t sure exactly what to pack. But next time we will be more prepared.
They have tubes that you can rent, but I’d rather buy my own. They allow all sorts of water toys, floats, etc.
There was 1 lifeguard on duty who kept a keen eye out on the swimmers and was friendly.
Definitely bring:
Sunscreen
Towels
Beach blanket
Snorkels & masks
Floats/​tubes
Beach umbrellas
Optional: water shoes. There are some rocks and large tree roots that we stubbed our toes on a few times.
My only complaint is that the park allows smoking which is just absolutely disgusting! We actually had to move bc some wrinkly old fat women came and sat down next to our spot and started smoking. I approached the park rangers about it but they said unfortunately it was allowed and they couldn’t stop them. Seriously thinking of starting a petition to have this changed.
We had planned on taking the boat tour but once we saw the price of $ 14 per person we changed our minds. That’s a little much when you consider how many children some families have. Children under 4 ride free.
The entrance fee to the park is $ 6 and then they do have canoes, kayaks and paddle boats that you can rent per the hour.
We did eat brunch at the sugar milk restaurant and that was a lot of fun.

Very beautiful park, with an easy and simple spring. The park and staff were great, but I came primarily for the spring. Here the water is 72° and is clean. However, unlike other springs, this pool of fresh water is separated from the rest of the lake by a gated waterfall, meaning there’s next to zero wildlife in the spring (I literally only saw one small turtle 12′ down, nothing else). It’s basically a giant fresh water pool, but don’t get me wrong, it’s still very nice. It’s a great place to go for a swim without the threat of gators in the back of your mind, and the height of the spring let me practice my diving (goes as deep as thirty feet, I only did half that though).
Clarity is good, but there isn’t much to look at after a while. I would recommend for family time as the water is very safe and clean, children will love the clean water and parents can relax and picnic on the grass or benches, but underwater explorers can pass this one up if not in area.
The park has a long rich history, so if you’re in the area and like to learn and read, stop by.

Came here on a Sunday and paid $ 6 at the entrance for 2 people. There’s plenty of space to sunbathe and even a good spot to hammock. There’s a neat restaurant there that had a 2hr wait– you could hear on an intercom the announcements of parties that need to be seated. Restaurant had griddles in the middle of the tables where you could make your own pancakes (only $ 4.95). Bathrooms were clean and it was overall a very nice spring to visit.

Because of diving we ended up at Ponce De Leon State Park recently (or Ponzie the Lion as we affectionately call him).
While my travel buddy was undergoing some dives at this spring for her open water certification, I had a chance to get intimately acquainted with the lawn and do some very important things like getting a tan and reading a good book (My sunshine away by M. O Walsh — greatly recommended).
Right across the fencing is the river which is beautiful, and near the pancake place you can often find manatees or so I was told. At concessions you’re able to rent canoes and kayaks by the hour, which sounds like heaven to me.
The color of the spring is a beautiful turquoise, which also happens to be very chilly and very deep. It’s deep enough to scuba dive in, and apparently there are even caves underneath (but you’re not allowed to go in them). Watching my stepdaughter shiver in her wetsuit, it wasn’t a hard decision to continue bathing in the sun as opposed to bathing in the water. Many others were braver than I, making the small water area a little full anyways.
Because of the way it is fenced off, this spring really gives off a swimming pool feel — it’s actually easy to forget that you’re in the middle of nature. Overall this park is very popular with families, so if over crowding and loud kids are your thing. then you’d be perfectly happy. I chose to close my eyes and plug into some The Weeknd on my earphones, instead.
Since we were part of an organized diving group we didn’t stay after the dives, but under any normal circumstances I’d be all over kayaking ~ that shit’s my «thing». And under normal circumstances I’d also be all over those pancakes — obviously. This park has food, water and kayaks, you can’t really go wrong.

DeLeon has a fantastically kept swimming area, although it gets very crowded during the summer months. Arrive early, before the park gets to full capacity! It is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon or day with the family.

The wife and I came to this park with my sister and her husband and twin 5 yr old boys. What a great time for the family. The park is home to a natural springs and they have an area where the springs come up where you can swim. Since this is spring fed, the water is crystal clear! So if you plan to head this way, DON“T forget the swim suit. Also, being spring fed the water stays at a constant temperature year round — so are you brave enough to brave the cooler days?
We rented a canoe and my sister and her family rented a paddle boat. We then took off down the spring fed river to watch wildlife and natural beauty. My wife and I took of near the shore and you could see fish taking off literally everywhere. They do allow fishing there as well (thought we did not fish). There are also nature trails available for taking in even more scenery.
For a fun day out enjoying nature, and taking a swim in order to cool off, this a great area to go and visit.
One last thing, leave early and hungry and make reservations at the Old Saw Mill and Griddle House while you are there for a fun time in making your own pancakes for brunch!

This place is absolutely gorgeous. The swimming area is like a pool which is accessible by stairs and ramps. It’s 72 degrees all year long. There’s a shallow area for the kids. The spring is deeper than it looks so be cautious.
There’s many activities to do around the park: picnics, kayaking, canoeing, trails, boat tours, and much more.
The park is also known for pancakes! The Old Sugar Mill located inside is probably one of the most unique dining experience.

This is a great place to spend the day enjoying the outdoors and exploring nature if that interests you. $ 6 per car to get in all day. We rented a canoes and went out on the water for an hour. They also have kayak and paddle boat rentals for $ 12 and $ 16 an hour.
We got there early and had the all you can eat pancake breakfast which was a nice experience for the kids. They brought the batter out and we got to make them ourselves as they have a griddle built into each table. The wait was an hour because where found eat is small, but get on the list and go enjoy the water until they call your name.
I encourage you bring tour kids as there is a lot to see and explore. You can bring your own food and even grill, so for the $ 6 it is cheap and fun entertainment for the day. They have a small playground and even a volleyball court out front.
Get there early if you can, it is first come first serve on parkimg. Once the park is full they stop letting people in.

I love springs. Not spring — though I really have nothing against spring, mind you — but springs. They are freaking awesome. With the increasing reports of sharks in the waters off the beaches these days, and even alligators being known to take strolls so that you don’t want to wade, it makes things tough. Not ever being a big fan of pools, because I don’t want to clean them and they give you that nasty chemical smell, and lakes always have that muddy nastiness to them, springs are the best. And Florida has them all over the place.
De Leon is one of the coolest — literally because like most, it is a crisp 72 degrees year round. But also because like most springs, the water is clear so you can see on and on. Swim across and you can look down into the springs, often where there are divers sitting on the bottom just hanging out. I’d say they were having a beer, but being that that they are underwater, the odds are against it.
The surrounding park is one of the nicer ones — some parks around springs can be a bit wild, but not at De Leon. And as a bonus, they have a restaurant that serves pancakes. Well, in the sense that they sit you at a griddle and give you batter so you can make your own, so it’s like a Melting Pot for pancakes. And they don’t have air conditioning, so you’ll want to get there early. It also helps with the lines. But it is pretty amazing, so it’s worth it.

Love the pancakes in the morning and then enjoying a nice calm afternoon in the springs. Love!

What a great unique experience! DeLeon Springs is an amazing place to visit and is well known for its unique restaurant that allows you to cook your own pancakes and eggs, if you choose, at your table. Expect a long wait to be seated! While you are waiting, you can swim in the Spring or you can walk along the beautiful nature trails (just keep track of the time to come back for them to call you to your table). Each table at the restaurant has a griddle installed in the center. The very friendly waitresses bring you two kinds of pancake batter — whole grain and regular. If you choose to order eggs, they bring them to you uncooked and you cook them yourself on the same griddle to your own liking. Orders for sausage or bacon come to the table already cooked. You can add fruit and other toppings to cook into your pancakes and you can top your pancakes with butter, maple syrup, molasses, or honey. It was a really fun experience!

Making Pancakes at DeLeon Springs If you ever wanted to spend the morning swimming in a spring fed pool, and then grill your own lunch on a sweltering griddle, then DeLeon Springs is probably one of the few places you can get your fix.
On this Sunday morning, the park was jam packed, and there was a wait for the Sugar Mill restaurant, so we spent our wait swimming in the 72 degree water. It was murky from all the swimmers, and we couldn’t see the bottom, even with snorkels and masks, but the water was nice and cool, and by the time we were done, they were calling our names.
The set-​up in the restaurant was pretty neat, although you’re essentially paying for the privilege to cook your own breakfast. The thing to order is pancakes, and they bring two types of batter, a white and a wheat, and any toppings you want. We had bacon and eggs too, which sizzled and popped on the hot griddle in the middle of our table.
Even though it was baking outside, there was no AC in the Sugar Mill, and all the windows were open wide, with screens to keep the bugs out. Ceiling fans turned lazy circles above us while we grilled up walnut and blueberry pancakes. I remember thinking they were some of the best pancakes I’ve had — and I’m not too big on breakfasts.
There are some places which seem unique. Sitting on the screened porch, listening to bacon fry and the fans hum, it really felt like The South, whatever that means. And that’s why, I assume, people go — lining up for the privilege of sweating over a borrowed griddles on a hot July day.
The only sour spot was that the park was full when we tried to enter, and we were told to drive around and come back. We came back 10 minutes later to see them letting cars in, and we almost didn’t make it under the cut-​off. At other state parks I’ve been to, they let you queue up when the park is full. Oh well.

Went here to do some trail running. There are a lot of roots on the trails, but overall they are clear and very well marked. The trail we ran was a great, flat 4.2 mile there and back. There is also access to the springs, which are 72 degrees year round.
Everything is free once you’ve paid the parking fee.
The restaurant here has a long wait and isn’t worth checking out.

Thanks to Unilocal,my recent family visit was enhanced by a trip here, where I first read a review about Deleon Springs a few weeks ago.
We had a wonderful time creating our pancakes, partaking in the scenic eco-​boat tour and even swimming in the (cold!) springs pool. My family visits 1−2x a year from overseas, and we’re always looking for fun places to go that are ‘out of the norm’ and this was a winner… affordable, old ‘real’ Florida fun!

After out Father’s Day weekend visit to Deleon Springs I’m going to bump them up to a 5 star park. It is one of our favorite state parks and one we most often visit, despite the fact that it is an hour and a half away! Yes, the crowds can be annoying but that isn’t the park’s fault. The surroundings are gorgeous, the swimming clear, and those pancakes!!! We LOVE the make your own pancakes at the Olde Spanish Sugar Mill. On our last trip we rented a canoe for $ 10/​hour from a friendly employee and saw 2 gators as well as plenty of birds and fish. This park is a must-​visit for and Central Floridian!

De Leon Springs State Park is a very nice natural spring near DeLand. The springs is home to tons of natural wildlife including fish, manatees, and of course, gators! But don’t worry, the swimming area is enclosed, so no worries about wildlife getting «too friendly»
The Good:
Crystal Clear waters: I go to De Leon Springs State Park, and every time I go the water is so pure and clean. It’s pretty amazing, and I love how this place has steps that go into the water. The only thing that I would caution swimmers about is the underwater rocks. They’re actually really mossy and really slippery, so be careful!
Wonderful walking trails: Although you might get caught up swimming in the beautiful waters, there are plenty of nice trails to walk along, and you may even see a gator or two!
Go Canoing: DeLeon has some seriously long Canoe trails. It feels like you could go on these forever. Just make sure not to stay out too late, or the rangers will come to get you. and that’s no fun!
The Bad: N/​a
Overall: ¹⁰⁄₁₀ = DeLeon is DeBest!