Experiences & Amenities

Ponce de Leon Springs is a great place to view wildlife in migration. The park's real strength is wintering birds, especially those at the southernmost limit of their range.

Birds like brown creeper and golden-crowned kinglet are possible at this site; your chances improve with your ability to identify birds by sound.

Hike both short trails – Spring Run and Sandy Creek – stopping to listen carefully in the shady hardwood forest.

This park can be busy with swimmers in warm weather, so weekday and early morning birding may prove the most rewarding.

Fishing is permitted in areas not designated for swimming. Otherwise, throw your pole in and watch your cork to see if your efforts are to be rewarded with catches of catfish, largemouth bass, chain pickerel and panfish. If watching closely you can actually see the fish come to the bait. 

• All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season. 
• A fishing license may be required. More information is available at the Florida Wildlife Commission’s Fishing in Florida.

Explore the park in a new and challenging way. Experienced Geocachers have requested permission to hide caches containing trinkets, treasures or information in various places around the park. Please check the Geocaching website for the most up-to-date information and clues to locate these caches. 

• Operation Recreation GeoTour 

Take a stroll down the two trails of the park, Sandy Creek and Spring Run.

Each trail will take you through a lush hardwood forest, which provides optimum vantage points for observing wildlife along the 350-foot spring run and Sandy Creek.

Enjoy a relaxing stroll among a variety of native plant and animal habitat, where you can listen to the relaxing sounds of the flowing stream or conversation of the birds.

Rangers conduct seasonal guided walks but self-guided tours are also available.

After you have worked up an appetite splashing around in the cool spring water and walking the nature trails, it is time for lunch. Approximately 20 acres have been enhanced with amenities for visitors.

Four picnic shelters with grills are available for reservation, and numerous picnic tables are available on the grounds for anyone who wishes to stop in for a short picnic lunch or spend the day swimming and relaxing in the park. Your grill is also welcome for that special cookout.

• Consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.

Snorkeling is a fun and relaxing way to view the colorful and fascinating world just beneath the surface. Just floating and being immersed within the underwater scenery is enough to escape the hurdles we encounter in everyday life.

• Snorkeling is available in designated areas.

On those sweltering days of summer, regain your youth by taking a dip in the cool crystal-clear waters of Ponce De Leon Springs where the water temperature remains a constant 68 degrees year-round.

The main spring is a convergence of two underground water flows and produces 14 million gallons of water daily. You may not get any younger, but the water is sure to invigorate.

The park has a large bathroom facility complete with changing rooms for your convenience.

Ponce de Leon Springs is a great place to view wildlife in migration. This park's real strength is wintering birds, especially those at the southernmost limit of their range. Birds like brown creeper and golden-crowned kinglet are possible at this site; your chances improve with your ability to identify birds by sound.

Hike both short trails – Spring Run and Sandy Creek – stopping to listen carefully in the shady hardwood forest.

This park can be busy with swimmers in warm weather, so weekday and early morning birding may prove the most rewarding. This park is part of the Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.