De Leon Springs State Park601 Ponce De Leon Blvd, De Leon Springs, FL 32130

Native people known as the Mayaca lived around De Leon Springs for at least 6,000 years. Pedro Menendez, the founder of St. Augustine, first described the Mayaca after an encounter with them north of the park in 1566, a year after he founded St. Augustine. Legend and local folklore claim that Juan Ponce de Leon, conqueror and former governor of Puerto Rico, sought and discovered the mythical Fountain of Youth at De Leon Springs. A close reading of the historical record reveals no evidence for the legend, nor is there any archaeological evidence to support it.

In the late 1500s, Spanish missions were established in the area. In the early 1800s, settlers built sugar and cotton plantations, including the Spring Garden Plantation here, that were destroyed by Seminole Indians during the Second Seminole War in the 1830s. By the 1880s the springs had become a winter resort, and tourists were promised “a fountain of youth impregnated with a deliciously healthy combination of soda and sulphur.”

In 1953 the resort was developed as an attraction, adding gardens, a jungle cruise and a water circus with “Queenie,” an elephant on water skis. Marj Rusing first skied with Queenie followed by Liz Dane, whose family owned the elephant. Dane performed with Queenie on both land and water at the springs in 1959 and 1960. During the show,

Queenie and Dane would water ski, play the harmonica and dance. Queenie and Dane’s act also made appearances at state and county fairs, television shows and circuses around the country. When Dane left to attend college, her family sold the elephant. Dane tracked down Queenie in 2005 at Wild Adventures in Valdosta and Queenie clearly remembered her. Dane made annual visits to see Queenie until the elephant’s death in 2011.

In 1982 the State of Florida purchased the property and it became De Leon Springs State Park.

The Visitor Center features exhibits on the park’s rich history along with artifacts from the Mayaca. A touch table with bones and shells, park photo albums, printed information and a children’s area ensure there is something for everyone. The

Center is open daily.

The swimming area is adjacent to a beautiful, shady picnic ground. Canoe, kayak and paddleboat rentals are available throughout the year. De Leon Springs flows into the Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge where paddlers can explore 22,000 acres of lakes, creeks and marshes, with excellent fishing and birding opportunities. The park is on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail and many wading birds are present in the spring run.

At The Old Spanish Sugar Mill Grill and Griddle House, guests can make their own pancakes at the table. The restaurant (and park) are very popular on weekends. Arrive early to ensure seating, although you can explore the spring area if you are on a waiting list since names are announced over a loudspeaker. If the parking area is full, entrance will not be allowed into the park until space becomes available.

The spring itself is in a large, shallow, conical pool, 28 feet deep to the single central vent that stays a refreshing 72-degrees year round. Water flows at an average 20 million gallons per day over a 3-foot drop to Spring Garden Lake. The lake connects to Lakes Woodruff and Dexter and eventually to the St. Johns River. Visitors can sign up for a 50-minute eco/history boat tour of the Spring Garden Run aboard the M/V Acuera. See a variety of wildlife and learn about the area’s rich history. Call (386) 837-5537 for reservations. The tour boat is wheelchair accessible with parking nearby.

De Leon Springs State Park offers a half-mile paved nature trail that is wheelchair accessible. This trail passes through a flood plain hammock with many hardwoods, pines and other plants native to this area, including a cypress tree that is more than 500 years old. A variety of wildlife may be seen from the trail. Enjoy the Wild Persimmon Hiking Trail, a 4-mile loop trail that meanders through several natural communities. Parts of the trail can flood during wet seasons and biting insects are common, so appropriate clothing and footwear are recommended, along with insect repellent and drinking water.

Hikers must register at the Ranger Station. When you enter the park, you’ll see a vintage sign from when the park was a private attraction that shows a likeness of Ponce De Leon arm-in-arm with a bathing beauty. “Make a date with history,” it says. This is meant to represent old and new being linked together at the springs, a fitting symbol for any visit to De Leon Springs State Park.