Located in the panhandle of Florida, Ponce de Leon Springs State Park is a major spring in the state of Florida gushing out 14 million gallons of water daily. This Florida State Park can be found in the town of Ponce De Leon Springs.
Camping ● Day Tip ● Dogs ● Swimming ● Hiking ● Fishing
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Named after the famous explorer, Ponce de Leon Springs State Park is supposedly the fountain of youth. You will have to draw your own conclusions after you visit. There is another state park in Florida, De Leon Springs State Park that is also named after the explorer and a supposed fountain of youth.
Camping at Ponce De Leon Springs
There are no camping facilities at Ponce de Leon Springs State Park… however they have everything you need to spend an enjoyable Florida summer day at the park. With bathrooms, picnic tables, water fountains, hiking trails, and pavilions, Ponce de Leon Springs State Park is ready for your visit.
If you want to camp and visit the Ponce de Leon Spring State Park then I would recommend staying at one of the other Florida State Parks in the Panhandle. Our favorite State Parks in the Florida Panhandle are the Blackwater River State Park and St. Andrews State Park
Day Trip to Ponce De Leon Springs State Park
The location of Ponce de Leon Springs State Park in the northern Panhandle of Florida makes it a great day trip from many of the popular beach towns like Navarre, Pensacola, and Panama City. Getting an early start to the day can help assure admittance to the park as it can be popular (especially on the weekends) and avoid the crowds.
I would highly recommend that people who visit Ponce de Leon State Park bring a lunch and have a picnic at the park. The town of Ponce De Leon, Florida does not have a whole lot of food options and enjoying a picnic at the park enhances your experience and time at the park.
There is a second section of Ponce de Leon Springs State Park. This section also has a spring – the Jackson Spring. But there are not as many facilities as the main as at the main part of Ponce de Leon Springs State Park.
Dogs at Ponce De Leon Springs State Park
Dogs are welcome in Ponce de Leon Springs State Park but they are not allowed in the spring water. We were able to bring Juniper the Corgi with us and have her on her leash on the banks while we enjoyed the water.
Swimming at Ponce De Leon Springs State Park
Swimming in the springs at Ponce de Leon Springs State Park are very enjoyable in the heat of the Florida summer. The Ponce de Leon Springs State Park spring waters are cool 68 degrees Fahrenheit year round. From the main pool of the spring, the water flows to Sandy Creek. Swimmers can enjoy the main part of the pool or follow the creek that forms from the spring water around the corner. All-in-all there is lots of room for many people to enjoy the springs at Ponce de Leon Springs State Park.
With 14 million gallons of fresh spring water pushed out daily, there is plenty of crystal clear water to snorkel in Ponce de Leon Springs State Park. So don’t forget to bring your mask and fins so you can dive down to where the 14 million gallons f fresh spring water bubble up out of the ground here at Ponce de Leon Springs State Park
Hiking in Ponce De Leon Springs State Park
While in Ponce de Leon Springs State Park visitors can enjoy hiking two trails.
One of the trails at Ponce De Leon Springs State Park follows along the Ponce de Leon Spring creek to the main Sandy Creek. This trail is enjoyable because you can follow the clear pretty spring water until it turns into your average muddy creek. Seeing the change really makes one appreciate the beautifully transparent waters of Ponce de Leon Springs.
The second trail at Ponce de Leon Springs State Park ventures into the woods of the park that surround the crystal-clear springs. This trail is also enjoyable and a good way to take a break from swimming at the springs. However you will want to apply bug spray before hiking as there are more mosquitos in this wooded section of the park.
Fishing at Ponce De Leon Springs State Park
Fishing at Ponce de Leon Springs State Park is also a popular activity in the park. You can catch many traditional Florida freshwater like bream, bass, catfish, and pickerel.
With many activities to fill a fun day at Ponce de Leon Springs State Park, it is can’t miss when visiting the panhandle of Florida. Ponce de Leon Springs State Park is only a short one hour drive from Panama City Beach and Destin. The best day trip from Panama City Beach! Ponce de Leon Springs State Park is what to do while visiting Destin.
Take a break from the traditional “Florida Beach Vacation” and experience the natural Florida.
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