De Leon Springs State Park

De Leon Springs State Park is a spring park near DeLand in northeast Florida. The water flows from an underwater cave at a constant 72 °F (about 22 °C). Lonely Planet describes the developed swimming area as popular, especially with children. The spring feeds the roughly 18,000-acre (about 7,300 hectare) Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge.

People have known this place for thousands of years: Lonely Planet mentions use by Native Americans about 6,000 years ago, and the park brochure notes two dugout canoes found in the spring that are around 5,000 and 6,000 years old. The park is named after the Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León. There is a half-mile paved nature trail and the 4.2-mile (about 6.8 km) Wild Persimmon Trail through oak hammocks, floodplain and open fields, which Lonely Planet recommends to experienced hikers. You can rent canoes, kayaks and paddleboats at the park. At the Old Spanish Sugar Mill Restaurant, guests cook their own pancakes. Please check opening hours, fees and rental options with Florida State Parks before you go.