deleon springs state park

We ate at the Pancake house and then went canoeing. The rental guy was having a bad day but we really enjoyed canoeing down the very wide river, seeing wildlife and overall enjoying a beautiful day in Florida.

Came early on a Friday. There was hardly anyone here. Only $4 to get into the park. Had breakfast at The Old Spanish Sugar Mill Grill and Griddle House. All you can eat pancakes for $4.95 and you make them yourself at your table! I had the French Toast.. Ha! Everything was fresh and tasted so good. Even the coffee was delicious. The waitress was super friendly and efficient. After breakfast I went to the visitor center. Great little museum with history of the springs. Actually learned a lot and didn't mean to. Next I took a hike around the park. Amazing place. Beautiful, natural Florida landscape. I can't wait to come back and swim in the spring. You can dive into 30 feet of crystal clear water! Best state park I've ever been to.

This is a small state park that is known for the Old Spanish Sugar Mill restaurant. We went on Valentine's Day (as did many others) and waited two hours to eat at the restaurant, which has a griddle at the table to make your own (delicious) pancakes. The waitresses were all friendly and the restaurant has a nice charm to it. The trails are paved and go through the woods and a cypress swamp, where you can see a 500+ year old cypress tree. We rented a canoe and paddled along Spring Garden Lake and Deep Creek where we saw numerous birds and an ~8 foot alligator sunning on the river bank. You could canoe further down to Lake Woodruff, or even farther to the St. John's River, but we just wanted a light canoe trip. The park is worth a several hour visit

Deleon Spring state park used to be Ponce de Leon Springs, a historical site that drew people to swim in the clear waters. There is a sugar mill here that has been converted to a restaurant and it is known for having pancakes cooked at your table. When I came there was a two hour wait, so I did not eat. They were having "A Day in Florida History" when I came which made it even more interesting. A minimum of 8 can go on an "ecotour" on a tour boat. Or you can rent a canoe or personal watercraft. There are trails you can hike or you can swim. The most fascinating is the huge oak trees. And there is a "fountain of youth" but there is no water coming out of it anymore, so you can't try to extend your life (darn it). Glad I visited!