I highly recommend for you to get to this park early because they do have a limit on how many people are allowed to attend this park. I came on Saturday and I was not allowed to come in because it was at full capacity. However, I came back on Monday in the morning and I was able to drive right through without a line. The entrance fee is $6 per vehicle. They have a boat tour, kayak rentals, gift shop, a nice big cold spring pool to swim in and a really cool restaurant. They don't have a lifeguard on duty but I didn't find the water deep in the area that I was at. This park even has a really nice hiking area. This park is really nice and I want to come back to eat the restaurant and take a boat tour. read more

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First time my family and I visiting Deleon Springs state park. I suggest buying the parking pass online and also going during the week. I went on a Saturday and couldn't get in. The park was very packed. Our second attempt we went on Monday morning and we were able to get in. For the parking is $6 usd per vehicle. This state park offers swimming, kayaking, hiking trail. This state park has a breakfast spot called sugar mill on which you can make your own pancakes. A recommendation I also have to make is to put yourself on a waitlist at the restaurant and then go for a swim or take a boat tour of the restaurant is packed. I ordered an ice caramel coffee through the express window that they have on which it was very good. Overall the experience was great. I highly recommend. read more

Crazy that we have been here almost 9 years and this was the first time we have driven up here. It's very peaceful & I guess it's just the time of year where it isn't busy because there wasn't more then 30 or so here most of the day. read more

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The water is a cool 72° but perfect for the summer heat. In spite of how many people were there, it did not feel crowded. There is a diving area, a shallow area cordoned off, and plenty of stairs for access. The bathrooms were clean and there was plenty of parking. read more

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Best place to swim chill and scuba dive I had so much fun with my father I got scuba certified there to just so fun

A little heads up about the Persimmon Trail - once you get to about 1 mile (where the trail splits into a mile loop) both directions on the trail has obstacles. To the right is a tree which appeared to have been rough cut to make the trail passable without having to climb over. To the left appears to be clear, however when you get about .25 miles in the path is blocked by the upper branching portion of a fallen tree. We managed to get in a 3 mile hike by taking some of the shorter trails and boardwalks, and a loop around the swimming area. DeLeon Springs SP is a very pretty park. Aside from the longer trail needing some additional clearing work, all the other areas are being meticulously maintained. Oh, and we did come upon bear scat so stay alert and stay on the trails. read more

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What a great place to visit. The spring is beautiful and widely used to swim in. They have multiple BBQ's that you can spark up to feed the family. It's a great place for couples too. There's lots of history to learn about. I took the boat tour down the lake. It was fascinating we saw crocodiles unique birds and trees that had roots that grew above the water. There's kayaking, paddle boats extra large boards there's also a boardwalk at the end of the trail and you'll find the oldest tree in the world called Methuselah you can add your name to a boardwalk plank for a small fee. read more

DeLeon Spring State Park - The boat tour sign - Parks Near Me - De Leon Springs, Florida

Definitely worth the price of admission! Get on the wait list and experience pancake making at least once. Paddle boats and kayaking is a must after enjoying swimming in the beautiful spring head. Don't forget your floaties or noodles to relax in the water. Plenty of shallow areas in which to just wade. Very well maintained park with so much to explore! Nature trails, pavillions with tables and grills you can rent for groups, optional times for guided boat tours up until 1pm (50 minute intervals), excellent and knowledgeable local staff especially with the boat and kayak rentals (bring your ID and credit card and go see Kole and Cody!!!), plenty of wildlife and photo ops and super easy parking. I can go on and on about how amazing and magical this place is, but just go and see for yourself and then come talk to me... The earlier....the better!!! Seriously. Park closes at sunset 8:45pm at the time of writing this review. Went on a Wednesday and park fills up early. I repeat: Get there EARLY especially if you are traveling for more than an hour away. If it rains, just wait half an hour. It will clear up. Don't leave. And please be respectful to the wildlife, environment and to each other. This place is why I absolutely love Florida!!! Trust me. This place is HEAVEN! read more

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Michelle was lovely, great service. Loved making our pancakes! Get the bacon, it's so delicious.

Love visiting this natural spring! Entry fee is reasonable, they charge per car with some exceptions depending on how many people are in the vehicle-about $8-10. You can stay as long as you want and there are different areas to explore. My friend and I mainly swam in the spring. We got there when they opened to avoid the crowds (it can get VERY busy, especially on the weekend). When the park is at capacity, they don't allow more vehicles to enter, sometimes as people leave they will reopen entry-so come on a weekday if possible, in the morning. The first hour before people started coming in was relaxing and enjoyable. As people came it was still nice, but I would recommend arriving early if you want to enjoy the quiet, serene, atmosphere. I've been to a few different springs, this one was the most calm-no strong current, some can be like a lazy river. I saw a lot of children in the water and they had no trouble as long as they can swim (the water is deep and you can't stand in most areas, you can use floats/tubes). There is a fenced off area for smaller children to be in the water without having to swim. The water is clear and refreshing. The water is very cold, as most are in this area, but once you get in and swim for a bit, your body adjusts. I would avoid going during the colder months. You can spend an entire day here if you like-a lot of people bring food and eat on the open grass area. They do also have a restaurant that's famous for make your own pancakes-check for reservations. I've come just to walk the trails and look around, then other times to swim for a few hours. Some people do scuba dive into the opening of the spring, but there isn't a lot to see-I believe most people use it for practice. read more

DeLeon Spring State Park - In front of the spring - Parks Near Me - De Leon Springs, Florida

Much more than meets the eye here. Ongoing dive lessons you can observe. Swimming are is very nice, we will go back once the kids are back in school. read more

I went here with my friend and between us we had 7 kids. We started with the old sugar mill. Please be warned there is not working ac in the restaurant/ old sugar mill. We ordered the all you can eat pancakes for everyone. The staff brought out one pitcher of pancake mix and the select toppings the kids requested (chocolate chip). Once we were done eating, we proceeded to go outside and explore the springs. I wanted to go canoeing or at least try that paddle boat with the kids. We were able to rent the canoe and then I was told one kid was too small for me to take her out alone. Therefore I paid for an additional rental. Since we had taken the canoe out for the first 10 minutes. Once we secured the paddle boat I was able to comfortably take more of us out at the same time. The view was lovely, the people were kind. Afterwards we went to the springs to swim for a bit. I watched the kids splash and swim for an hour. Afterward we went to explore the walking trail. There was not a lot of people when we went. Thank goodness. I like to keep hand sanitizer with me when I visit the rest rooms. There was so much to enjoy at this beautiful state park. Looking forward to visiting again when it warms up again. read more

Do not purchase admission online. I did, and never got an email with my pass. The wait for the pancake house was 2 1/2 hours. So, we went to Twin Brothers Bakery in town. It was fantastic! read more

Better get your pancake on before it's too late, they're set to close again this September 12th and I think it's going to by (syrupy) sticky permanent this time and turn into another stamped out corporate vendor "priced for your convenience" kinda thing from what I've read; hopefully not. It's too bad they're maybe going to lose that part of their identity but this special place's been many things over the years. Just think it's going to be sad for those who've come to love this place for the pancakes in the last 60 years. I don't know what to say that's already been said but doing the pancakes here at Deleon Springs is sort of a legendary thing. I don't know how many times I've done them with mostly visiting friends and family, guests, and visitors over the years. It's just a fun thing. Especially when the weather's nice and cool and the springs seem warm. I couldn't tell you how many times I've been on Junior High School day camp summer trips so many years ago. Wepa Mrs. Chico (our bus driver)!!! They've already cleaned up and cleaned out some of the quasi museum. Miss the handmade articles once sold for charity on the honor system. Sigh. Still lots of fun to be had. Bring water shoes if yer' swimmin'. We didn't have them back in the day and boy, they're a must here! read more

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Beautiful place! Not just the spring but the hiking trails as well. Saw amazing animals on the trails. The place is a history lesson. People are nice and the price is right! read more

This is a beautiful day out for the whole family! It is pet friendly - so we took our dog.You can swim, walk, hike and bike around the grounds.It is rich in history.Check out The Old Sugar Mill and Pancake House. read more

I'd love to know how the first explorers felt when they first came upon some of these beautiful Florida springs. I can imagine exploring the woods and happening upon a delightful clear blue pond full of icy cold water must seem simply magical. This park is easily accessible and has plenty of parking for the crowds. On the day we visited, it wasn't all that crowded at all. We went on a weekday. I've heard that on the weekends it fills up fast and you need to get there as soon as the park opens. One thing we didn't do that I truly regret is visit the Old Sugar Mill for make-your-own pancakes. I know the kids would have loved that, but we were dodging rain storms on our vacation, and the timing didn't work out for us with one canceled trip and one delayed trip. Next time! The swimming hole (head spring) is beautiful and frigid. It is perfect for a hot summer day, but even then you may find your teeth chattering after a bit. They have several stairs with rails to access the swimming area. I also noticed they have a handicapped-accessible entrance. We brought snorkels and masks to explore, but this spring was one of the "murkiest" we visited. The water clarity was not fantastic, so I could barely see anything. I'm not sure if that was related to the amount of rain the area had or another factor, but other springs we visited were clearer. Regardless, this park is shaded by huge oaks draped in Spanish moss and is home to many species of birds as well. There is actually a lot to see and do here, and many amenities to make your stay more enjoyable. I appreciated with changing room outside to change out of my wet suit when we were ready to go home. All in all, a fantastic park that appears to be run well and kept clean. read more

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We visited the state park and had pancakes at the restaurant with Elana as our waitress. She did a great job! Fun to make pancakes right at your table! read more

Exactly what it is. We had a great time. Found a shady spot under a tree and then slowly got into the coooooold water. Small little state park but you get what you pay for The water is cold The space was scenic You can rent a tube for the spring and you can also get kayaks and conoes for the lake. They are about $20 for the water boats and $5 for the tube They also have a 50 minute boat tour for about $15 per person read more

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Make your own Pancakes and eggs at the Old Sugar Mill! Take a hike to Monkey Island and cool off in DeLeon Springs! read more

DeLeon Spring State Park - Fun! - Parks Near Me - De Leon Springs, Florida

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I can't believe I've been only 45 mins away from a majestic paradise all these years and this was my first time here! This state park is beautiful, historical and has plenty to do. There's a boat tour that leaves on the hour and the last departure is at 1:00 pm, so get there early. There's also a pancake house, where you cook your own food, but we didn't explore that today. Thankfully, we brought snacks, because there was a 4 hour wait! Rumors we're going that they were closing soon, but we heard it's just new ownership taking over in October. They will supposedly have GF pancakes, so that's a nice option. They also have a carry out window for lunch items: burgers and fries, etc. We've never tried the food yet, but look forward to in the cooler months. There's a beautiful trail to walk if the 73 degree water temps isn't your thing. You can also rent tubes and kayaks! There's so much to do so plan your day here. I recommend going on a weekday, because the weekends are quite busy. read more

Seeing the volume of crystal clear water discharging from the spring makes it worth the trip. Old Sugar Mill Restaurant with in table grills allowing you to cook your own pancakes is a unique experience. 50 minute scenic waterway boat tour available at affordable cost. read more

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The spring itself is nice --- don't take the boat tour. We were the first people on a Saturday morning and the so called captain -- well she wasn't happy that we were the only two people on board. She saw we had cameras I would think if she wanted a good tip she would show us something interesting to take photos since we advised her that we were Floridians. She was annoyed -- overall. The first mate was nice and quiet. We left a very small tip for there was no need for a good one -- service gets a good tip bad service bad tip. If you want to go on a boat tour -- go to blue springs but check hopefully the boat tours are operating. read more

This was my second time to this park, and I'm glad that I went as late as I did-- no people! We fished a bit, then took an airboat tour, which you can call and schedule in advance, or if you're having breakfast, you can schedule when putting your name down to eat. I was sad to see that the history center was closed down due to Covid, but you're able to explore every part of the property besides the areas marked for historical preservation. I haven't had a chance to actually swim in the spring, but we did soak our feet and had a small picnic. It's such a nice place to visit when you are just looking for something leisurely to do. read more

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If you are a history buff, this is the place for you. The old sugar mill has a long history and you can read about it. The atmosphere is very nice, good parking and great place for photography. The grounds were very scenic, the water slide and splash pad were a lot of fun for the kids. Our favorite activity was the canoeing, the rental process was very easy. We had a great time. The staff are very friendly and helpful. The food was delicious and reasonably priced. The pancakes were really delicious and fresh. Highly recommended. read more

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We came here on a Tuesday afternoon to check out the restaurant that is on the property. The price to get into the park was $6. This park has a beautiful spring that offers swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving. The temperature of the water is 72 degrees year-round. There is also a 90-minute narrated boat ride for $14 that takes you up and down the river. You can also rent kayaks. There are plenty of pavilions that can be rented for your company event or party. There is two small Piers that you can walk out on but I'm not sure if you can go fishing? There are several hiking paths through the woods and also a small area for the kids to play. Dogs are allowed in this park but only in certain areas so check before you go. The restaurant on this property is open for breakfast and lunch. There is a small museum on the property that talks about how this property was once a Sugar Mill and then in the 1950s turned into an attraction, complete with a full water circus! The property also had a beautiful 14 room hotel which is unfortunately no longer there. Lots of history here. A beautiful place to spend the day! read more

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During holidays, summers and weekends throughout the year you can expect very long lines to get into the park. When they hit capacity everyone is turned away until the number of people dwindles down. They reach capacity often so I recommend that you get there early. It costs six dollars per vehicle, four for motorcycle and single vehicles and two dollars for pedestrians and bicycles. You can rent one of the four pavilions from $45 to $75 plus tax. Pavilions one and two have a electricity, water and a grill. Pavilions three and four have water and a grill. If you are swimming the water is a cool 72 degrees and from eighteen inches to thirty feet deep. Over the years we have enjoyed swimming and picnicking but you can also experience scuba diving, boating, fishing, snorkeling, paddling, hiking, birding and more. read more

First time here and had a nightmare experience when I thought it was going to be a good family day with my babies! Went there early long line like always so go early before they open ! As soon as I got there I wanted to leave someone stole my car key out of their women's bathroom and did not turn it in so thief is happening here be careful what you bring here had to pay 639$ just to get two keys cut to leave and go home with my family read more

They offer food but get "beyond capacity" for both the restaurant and concession stand before 11am. Someone do not want to swim in the heat without have some nutrition and saw that they had food options so didn't stop before. It also took an hour just to get in. The absolute WORST spring in the state of Florida read more

This state park is a very nice spring with a unique old sugar mill pancake house ! We came here the first time on Memorial Day weekend, the tips are go to the early super early , so it is nice and less people. The parking is $6 for 2-8 people . You will have a lot of fun here swim, don't forget to bring your towel and float. You can canoe , fishing or take boat tour around the spring . You can also bbq and have part here , it is a wonderful experience with family, the kids enjoy swimming at the spring . We made reservations and ate at the old sugar mill pancake house , it took 3 hours waiting but it is worth of the experience for all you can eat pancakes, you need to cook your own pancakes and egg. If you have time you can walk the trail around the park , you can spend the whole day here if you like. We will be back for sure soon with family. Kids have a great time, we will bring and have bbq at the park next time . read more

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Florida has many natural springs in this area, and this park is a beautiful example. The swimming area is great and the water stays chilly all summer long so you can cool off here. The swimming area is really nice and this is a beautiful Florida state park. I have taken visitors here to see a side of Florida that is a bit different. Kids love swimming here in the cool clear waters. They have an onsite restaurant here that is well known for pancakes. We always bring a picnic meal with us. read more

Also known as "the pancake park" umm okay I've never made any State Park my destination based on eating pancakes but many do it seems, by no means am I dissing anyone for doing this it's just not something that interest me. When we arrived the park ranger made us aware that the restaurant wait time for pancakes was more than three hours, I had to chuckle since I find it ridiculous but for some I am told this is a bucket list item and the make you own pancakes table-side experience is a real treat - okay enough about the pancakes. This park boost about 625 acres but in all reality most will experience less than twenty and this will be those acres surrounding the springs or the for rent only covered pavilions. I enjoyed my time here and found the small visitor center somewhat interesting and and it provided me with some cool and interesting facts. The park is lined with giant historic oak trees and lots of flowers and boardwalks. This was my first visit here and I will admit it's an interesting place so I think the pancakes aren't the only draw - like most Florida springs there are tales that this is the fountain of youth I know people that have been coming here for decades and believe me they are living proof this is definitely not the fountain of youth... read more

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Second State Park in as many months to try something for the summer. No disappointment here overall; ice park and will depend on what you are looking for how far you want to drive. Overall we enjoyed this place because u like some more "natural" springs; this was a spring pool type (see photos). Which meant no fish, crabs, snakes swimming around (that we saw). It had labels showing 2'-30' so you have to be careful. But water is cold st first, 72; but great on sweltering Florida day. Location: for me it was about an hour & 15 minute drive but wasn't bad. Not much around that I noticed as far as restaurants so plan accordingly. Price: one price for the car depending how many people. $6 for car of 4; can't go wrong. Grounds: very small parking area so I can see how it may hit capacity on a weekend or holiday. We went on a Monday and it was perfect, arrived around 10:30 and found a spot to set up chairs/blanket and between food, swim and bathrooms. Old Spanish Mill: it was 1 & 1/2 hr wait. Put your name in, and then go swim. You will hear your name. Right within 50-100 yards of the. A thing area. Add it to your things to do in the area. read more

DeLeon Spring State Park - Deleon State Park Spring Pool - Parks Near Me - De Leon Springs, Florida

We drove an hour and a half for the pancakes, total bust. Already left a review for that. We thought we could make the most of the trip by going on a nature walk, only to find all the trails closed. We decided to rent paddle boats and kayaks instead, but the paddle boats were not accessible due to the ramp being flooded. We could not rent kayaks only to find out that my teenagers could not rent them without their ID's, even though they were with me. (I had my ID). Not worth the hour and a half drive, so disappointed. read more

We went to this spring last week for the first time. It's literally 25 mins from my house. I thought it was a cool spring. The water is VERY COLD but feels so good once your body aclimates. The spring ut self looks like a giant circle swimming pool that dumps off into I guess a river that you can kayak on, boat tours and other amenities. There is lots of parking, bbq pics, tables and even a restraunt. It was a 2 hour wait when we showed up. You can bring your own food, floats, drinks etc. To rent a kayak from them it's super cheap 15 and hour. My favorite spring though to date is Alexandria springs read more

Beautiful park with a warm spring and kayak and canoe rentals with plenty of wildlife viewing. My wife and I came to take in some nature and were very happy with our visit. We came on a cool-ish Monday in December and really enjoyed ourselves. Mins you it was a little hilly for swimming, but we're hopeful to come for that another time. We rented a canoe and saw tons of wildlife on our hourlong venture. The first thing we came cross was a massive gator! He was probably 12' long and HUGE. We stuck to the warning not to get within 15' but my wife and I had a difference of opinion - I wanted to get right as close we should, but she wanted to stay far away. I yielded and she won. It might have helped her feet when we heard and saw a gigantic splash when the big gator opted to enjoy the water more than the shore. Along the way we saw tons of "flying fish" - I think they were called Millet or Mullet. They varied in size between 8-14" and jumped about 18-24" out of water. We saw waterfowl aplenty with egrets, herons, cormorants, and more. Lastly we had the chance to see a couple of manatees, which was pretty awesome. The waters not real clear but we followed (again at the requisite 15' clearance) and watched them come up for air several times. Overall we had a great time and are already planning another trip. Next time we'll rent a kayak, but it's wonderful gem in Deland Florida. read more

This beautiful state park has been on my to do list for quite some time! Get here early! The park fills up pretty fast! Getting into the park and finding parking weren't too bad. The nature trails are very peaceful. It was easy to follow, and the walk was refreshing! During the walk, I saw some birds and butterflies, and a few spiders. I've heard their are larger critters around, but I didn't see any. There was a little bench area leading to a Old Methuselah, an old oak tree. A nice spot to sit and relax for a bit. Take in the nature. I put my name on the waiting list for the old sugar mill before the walk. I also went on the boat tour. It's worth the ticket price! The boat ride was very informative and peaceful. Not all state parks are exactly the same! If you live in Florida, you have no excuse to not go to De Leon Springs at least once! read more

We had a really great time here! It's a quiet secluded area with tons of seating and swimming space. Parking was ample, but it did take a while to get in with the crowds for the restaurant. Parking was 6 dollars per car for the entire day which is very reasonable for the area. The hiking trails are beautiful and a great way to get some shade in the middle of a hot day. Kayak and canoe rentals are available and boat tours as well! Definitely recommend this for the family or for a getaway day in central Florida. read more

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This was the only place that wasn't so busy on the weekends. Wekiva and blue springs were both full by 10am. The springs swimming area is in a circular shape and the water is quite cold. I saw there's canoe and paddle board rental as well. The canoe and paddleboard area is separated from the swimming area There's plenty of bbq grill stations with picnic tables next to it . If you want shaded area, you can rent pavilions as well. Overall it's nice place not too far from Orlando if you want to come bbq and swim without waiting in a long line to get in. read more

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Can't believe I've been in Florida for 20 Plus years and this is my first visit here. It's absolutely gorgeous out here even on a chilly Florida day. Whether you're looking to just relax, swim or eat at the Sugar Mill restaurant you won't be disappointed. There is an entry fee into the park. We paid $6 to enter. Upon entering they will tell you the wait time for the restaurant. We had a 2 hour wait but it gave use time to really explore the park. I highly recommend taking the 50 minute boat tour. Definitely a lot of history and details about the local wildlife. Enjoy the beautiful clear spring waters Florida has to offer. Be sure to stop by the Visitors Center to learn about how the springs began. They really do keep this park maintained. Public restrooms are clean playgrounds are clean. read more