Hontoon Island State Park

Hontoon Island State Park

Accessible only by private boat or park ferry, the park offers nature and history

Hurricane Ian Update

Effective Jan. 30: Hontoon Island State Park is open for day use. Amenities include the picnic area, restroom, playground and boat dock. The ferry service is not available. Some areas remain closed, so please adhere to all posted signs and avoid closed areas. For additional information, please contact the ranger station. 

Hours

8 a.m. - 4 p.m., 365 days a year

Fees

No entrance fee required

See all fees
 

Location

2309 River Ridge Road
DeLand FL 32720

Get directions

Contact Info

386-736-5309

Welcome to Hontoon Island State Park

Located on the St. Johns River, we welcome visitors to enjoy nature, recreation and history.

Evidence of Native American habitation over thousands of years can be witnessed as visitors hike through the park. Walk through the impressive visitor center to learn more about the many inhabitants and uses of Hontoon Island over the years. The island is accessible only by private boat or park ferry.

Paddling, fishing, hiking, biking and camping are popular activities. Canoe, kayak and bicycle rentals are available from the island store. Picnic areas include tables, grills and a playground.

Overnight boat slip rentals are available. The park's ferry operates daily from 8 a.m. to one hour before sunset. Hontoon Island is located six miles west of DeLand off State Road 44.

Plan Your Visit

Devin Whitney, Park Manager
Learn

Manager's Message

Hontoon Island State Park is a 1,650-acre island tucked away on the scenic St. Johns River, southwest of DeLand. It is surrounded by waterways with the St. Johns River to the north and east, the Hontoon Dead River to the west and Snake Creek to the south.
Cabin in the woods
Learn

Camping at Hontoon

Have you ever camped on an island before? Join us on island time by camping in one of our primitive cabins!
Entrance to the Hammock Hiking Nature Trail
Learn

Hiking on Hontoon Island

Discover the beauty of Hontoon Island by exploring one of our many nature trails. Evidence of Native American habitation over thousands of years can be witnessed as visitors hike through the park.

Experiences

Bicycling
Bicycling
Boating
Boating
Camping Boat
Camping Boat
Camping Primitive
Camping Primitive
Camping, Primitive Group
Camping, Primitive Group
Fishing
Fishing
Hiking
Hiking
Paddling
Paddling
Picnicking
Picnicking

Amenities

Accessible Amenities
Accessible Amenities
Cabins
Cabins
Canoe Kayak Launch
Canoe Kayak Launch
Historic Site
Historic Site
Museum
Museum
Nature Trail
Nature Trail
Parking
Parking
Pets
Pets
Picnic Pavilion
Picnic Pavilion
Playground
Playground
Restroom Facilities
Restroom Facilities
Shower Station
Shower Station

Hontoon Island State Park Photo Gallery

Hontoon Island State Park
Hontoon Island State Park
Boat Dock at Hontoon Island State Park
Gator at Hontoon Island State Park
Baby Sandhill Crane at Hontoon Island State Park
Ferry Dock at Hontoon Island State Park
Grounds at Hontoon Island State Park
Whistling Ducks at Hontoon Island State Park
Replica of Hontoon Owl Totem pole
Learn

History of the Mayaca at Hontoon Island

The Mayaca Native Americans were the first known inhabitants of the island.
Prescribed Fire at Hontoon Island
Learn

Prescribed Fire at Hontoon Island

Prescribed fire is a very important resource management tool that land managers at Hontoon Island State Park use to maintain the island's natural communities.

People Make the Parks

Volunteer Drew Stam

Staff Spotlight

A native Floridian, Drew enjoys being outdoors and working in a natural environment.
Stephen Downs is a volunteer at Hontoon Island State Park.

Volunteer Spotlight

Stephen enjoys the outdoors and volunteering has helped him explore his new home state.
Welcome to Hontoon Island State Park. Pictured here is the park entrance sign.

Friends of Hontoon Island

Friends groups meet the critical needs of individual parks and the system of state parks. They share one thing in common – passion for parks.

This Park is Recognized by:

Clean Marina

Park Map

More Places You Might Like

See all parks
Bridge at Cross Florida Greenway

Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway

Occupying more than 70,000 acres of land formerly known as the Cross Florida Barge Canal, the Greenway is a 110-mile linear park that is more than a mile wide in places. It hosts more than 300 miles of trails of all types — paddling, hiking, mountain biking, equestrian and paved multi-use.

8282 S.E. Highway 314
Ocala FL 34470

Fairchild Oak at Bulow Creek

Bulow Creek State Park

Bulow Creek protects nearly 5,600 acres, more than 1,500 of which are submerged lands. The reigning tree of the park is the Fairchild Oak, one of the largest live oak trees in the South.

3351 Old Dixie Highway
Ormond Beach FL 32174

Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park

Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park

The 150 acres of Bulow Plantation Ruins stand as a monument to the rise and fall of sugar plantations in East Florida. In 1836, the Second Seminole War swept away the prosperous Bulow Plantation.

3501 Old Kings Road
Flagler Beach FL 32136