Ponce de Leon Springs State Park
This beautiful spring is named for Juan Ponce de León, who led the first Spanish expedition to Florida in 1513 - as legend has it - in search of the “Fountain of Youth”. Visitors might well regain their youth by taking a dip in the clear waters where the temperature is a shocking 68 degrees F. year-round.
The main spring is second magnitude and produces 14 million gallons of water daily through three vents, the northern of which shows a slight boil. The spring bowl is crescent-shaped with depths averaging five feet but increasing to 16 feet over the vents. Two old cypress trees in the spring pool add to the charm of the site.
The bottom is sand and limestone and gives the popular swimming area a light greenish blue appearance. Recent restoration work has removed rubble blocking the vents and has improved spring discharge. The spring-run is approximately 350 feet in length and flows into Sandy Creek, a blackwater stream, which subsequently flows out of the park and into the Choctawhatchee River.
The park is located one-half mile south of U.S. 90 on County Road 181A.
At a Glance:
Activities: Swimming, snorkeling, kayaking/canoeing in Sandy Creek, fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, picnic area.
Entrance Fee: Yes
Scuba Diving: No
Onsite Camping: No
Dogs Allowed: Yes – see state park website for rules.
Type of Park: Florida State Park
Address and Contact Information:
Ponce de Leon Springs State Park
2860 Ponce de Leon Springs Road
Ponce de Leon, Florida 32455
Phone: (850) 836-4281
Find Related Info
Ponce de Leon Springs, Choctawhatchee River
