Hontoon Island State Park in Florida Guide: A Hidden Gem in DeLand

Hontoon Island State Park is one of the most unique parks in Central Florida and you can only reach it by a free ferry. It’s perfect for hiking, kayaking, and spotting wildlife. While it’s popular for camping, it’s worth visiting for anyone who enjoys nature or wants a perfect picnic spot complete with river views and a playground.

I grew up near Hontoon Island State Park in Florida, so I was able to visit this hidden gem many times throughout my life. Taking the ferry across the St. Johns River makes it feel more adventurous and it created such a fun, core memory!

When I was a child, there was also this very rickety tower you could climb for views, but no surprise that the tower is not standing anymore. Regardless, Hontoon Island is a fun destination whether you want to hike, camp, kayak on the St. Johns River or just bring a picnic and let your kids enjoy the playground.

If you’re heading to DeLand, this is a beautiful park to enjoy nature, so here’s a guide on how to enjoy Hontoon Island State Park in Florida.

Quick Facts

Hontoon Island State Park is free to visit and the ferry to get there is also free! You can rent kayaks, canoes, pontoon boats and bikes if you choose, but this is one of the most beautiful, yet lesser visited parks worth checking out!

• Free ferry access
• No swimming (alligators) 🐊
• Easy hiking trails
• Kayak, bike, and boat rentals available
• Playground and swing on site
• Campsites available for rent

Getting to Hontoon Island

Hontoon Island State Park is located in DeLand, Florida. This cute, small town is just west of Daytona Beach, and north of Orlando, making it an easy day trip from either city.

Hontoon Island is about fifteen minutes west of downtown DeLand. It sits on the St. Johns River that stretches all the way to Jacksonville.

The eco-system of the St. Johns River is especially good around Hontoon Island and Blue Spring State Park, which is only about 3 miles down the river. If you are looking for that old Florida beauty, these are the parks to visit!

The Ferry Experience

The ferry to Hontoon Island State Park is free and very easy to catch! You will follow the directions to the parking area, which is a modest, dirt and gravel lot.

I’ve never had issues getting parking, but as with most parks, the weekends will be busier than a weekday. Though I was just there on a Sunday and there were still plenty of spots available.

Once you park, there is a bench and an information sign next to the dock entrance. Sometimes the ferry will be there, but it can also be across the river at the park itself.

When I arrived on my most recent trip, the ferry was across the river and employees were loading the ferry with gear to carry across. I didn’t have to wait long though! The ferry will do crossings as needed throughout the day and I’ve never had to wait a long time for a ferry on any visit.

The ferry itself is a pontoon style boat with a covering that is open on the sides. There is bench seating on the perimeter of the boat, allowing campers and employees to easily load up gear in the open middle portion.

The ferry ride itself is a few minutes as the river in this area is fairly narrow. You can see Hontoon Island from the parking lot!

Best Time to Visit 

Hontoon Island State Park is not one of the busiest parks, and certainly does not see as many visitors as the nearby Blue Spring State Park, which offers manatees sightings in the winter and swimming in the summer.

The parking lot is small, but I just visited on a Sunday afternoon and there were plenty of parking space available. However, camping is popular here and the park is much busier on the weekends as you’d expect.

With options for hiking and kayaking, any of Florida’s seasons ( or really summer and not summer) make for a good time to visit. I’m a beach girl in the summer, so I tend to do river paddles and hiking trails in the cooler months.

Just know that there is not swimming at Hontoon Island State Park. The river is full of alligators and the water is not clear like spring water. Water activities are paddling ones, so unless you want to paddle three miles to Blue Spring State Park, you won’t want to swim.

Hiking Trails on Hontoon Island

Walking the various nature trails on Hontoon Island is definitely a worthwhile activity! You can visit the shop once you arrive and grab a small map of the trails. On my most recent visit, I stopped by and the ranger mentioned the wet trail was his favorite and it wasn’t wet right now.

I visited twice recently and walked most of the trails. Overall, the wet trail is a prettier walk, but the oak tree at Bear Tree Landing is beautiful! Also, I enjoyed the river views at Snake Creek Landing and Oak Tree Landing.

Wet Trail – Hammock Hiking Nature Trail

The wet trail is absolutely beautiful and definitely worth doing! It’s shaded and full of oak and palm trees, with the trail being clear and easy to follow. Some areas have a boardwalk, which I imagine is the most useful during wetter months.

This trail is about 1.5 miles one way to the Shell Mound, a historic site related to the native Americans who used to live here. You can turn around and walk back along the wet trail or inland for different trails.

I walked inland and then down the Snake Creek Road on one trip. It dead ends into the river and offers a beautiful spot to appreciate nature. Thankfully, I chose to head back after this because I did not properly pay attention to the time and cut it close with the ferry.

If you have more time, you can head inland a bit more and head down Oak Tree Road to Oak Tree Landing. The big oak is waiting for you at Bear Tree Landing, and Oak Tree Landing has multiple oak trees with river views.

Timucuan Trail Road

Timucuan Trail Road goes down the middle of Hontoon Island and through the main camping area. It’s 1.78 miles one way according to the mini map I got from Hontoon Island.

At the end of this trail is Bear Tree Landing or you can take a mini detour to River Spoil Landing.

The Bear Tree Landing has a huge and gorgeous oak tree, but no water views. I also walked to River Spoil Landing, but the water wasn’t really visible. The trail just kind of dead ends.

I really enjoyed Bear Tree Landing and Oak Tree Landing, but overall my first day of hiking was better in terms of nature. And you can easily add these stops to one full day of hiking.

Kayaking and Paddling the St. Johns River

Hontoon Island State Park is on the St. Johns River. This massive river stretches from Central Florida to North Florida and flows north. I learned on a Blue Spring boat tour that it flows north due to gravity as the elevation decreases slightly.

Kayak Rental Information

If you want to paddle, you can rent a kayak or canoe at Hontoon Island. Prices vary depending on the time frame and vessel. However, it starts at $30 for two hours.

You can bring your own as well, but I haven’t tried this so I can’t speak to this experience. However, there is a place to launch on the parking lot side. Then you could paddle over to Hontoon Island if you want to use the facilities.

If you’re facing the river, the launch site is on the left side by a fence. There is a small area with the grass mowed down and a sign indicating you can launch there.

Paddling Routes

If you rent a kayak or canoe from Honton Island you have a few options for paddling.

For a long paddle you can head down the St. Johns River toward Blue Spring State Park. It’s about three miles one way, but can be fun if you’re up for it.

The St. Johns River heading north will be busier with boats, but it’s also an option! Or you can head to Lake Beresford and paddle along the edges of this very large lake.

Last option is the Hontoon Dead River. I’ve paddled this with family, and despite the name it’s teeming with wildlife. There are boats that come along this river as well, but it’s generally quieter than the other options and usually the most recommended paddle.

I shared a kayak with my cousin the last time I paddled this and she decided to paddle toward a gator sunning on the bank, only for a boat to pass by causing the gator to submerge. I’m far more afraid of the alligators I can’t see!

Anyway, there is so much old Florida beauty in this area, so if you can I definitely recommend paddling for an hour or more!

Wildlife in the Area

As with any freshwater in Florida, you can encounter alligators and having grown up in this area, your chances are high! Snakes, birds, turtles, and fish (if they jump) can all be seen as well. However, I haven’t seen snakes while paddling, of which I’m grateful!

Though when we first moved to the States, my brother and his childhood friends from Barbados were swimming in the lake. As the story goes, a snake swam by one and he may have walked on water trying to get out.

Additionally, if you hike the trails you can definitely encounter a snake, so be aware of your walking path. Rattle snakes will usually announce themselves, but water moccasins can be aggressive and are usually the ones that concern me most.

Thankfully, I have never had issues in my lifetime with being too close to poisonous snakes!

Manatees can also be seen, especially in the winter months. They come by the hundreds to Blue Spring State Park for cold days, but wander around more on warmer days. I’ve seen them on Lake Beresford, so they can definitely be on the river as well.

Other Activities and Attractions

There are other things to do at Hontoon Island State Park in Florida other than hike or kayak. I love the idea of a picnic, paddle or nature walk, though admittedly I’m not much of a camper. Anyway, here are some additional ideas to consider!

The Famous Hontoon Owl Totem

One of the most famous photo opportunities of Hontoon Island is the replica owl totem that stands near the picnic area. The original 10-foot owl was carved from a single piece of southern hard pine and was discovered in 1955 when a team was dredging the river.

The original is at Fort Caroline National Memorial in Jacksonville, but you can see the replica at Hontoon Island State Park by an oak tree just before the playground. It was far less imposing than I expected, but you could possibly spot it from a distance if you knew to look for it.

Camping Options

I’m not much of a camper, but this is probably one of the most popular Hontoon Island State Park activities. They have basic cabins available to rent or tent sites. There is access to potable water, with restroom facilities nearby.

With the hiking trails and a playground, I can see why this would be a fun place to camp! When I visited recently, there were quite a few campers on the island and more coming!

Fishing and Bird Watching

The St. Johns River around Hontoon Island is teeming with wildlife! There are so many varieties of freshwater fish. You may need a license and you will be expected to follow any regulations concerning number, size, method of capture, and season.

The island has an active eagle nest and nesting herons. Bird watchers have spotted osprey, ibis, herons, egrets, kingfishers, limpkin, sandhill cranes, and cardinals.

After doing the Blue Spring State Park boat tour and the Silver Springs glass bottom boat ride, I’ve learned a lot more of birds in Florida.

Herons, sandhill cranes, and cardinals are the ones I notice most often, but you’ll probably see more from a kayak on the river than on the nature trail. And in my experience, this has been true.

Picnic Areas

The main area near the playground is beautiful and offers quite a few picnic tables. Additionally, there are nice grassy areas a blanket would be charming!

Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the scenery of the water on one side and the forest on the other.

Bike Ride

You can bring your own bike or rent one at Hontoon Island. The trails are sandy and grassy. However, the sand is not so soft that a bike would be miserable.

Pontoon Boat Rental

Another option at Hontoon Island State Park in Florida is to rent a pontoon boat for half or all day. I asked them about it as it wasn’t available to book online. They are currently getting them ready for renting, but she told me the price was about $180 for half a day and $280 for a full day.

She mentioned a boat license was needed if you were born after 1988 per state law, but that they are easy to get online. If Hontoon Island isn’t currently offering rentals, there are places nearby that do, so you can still enjoy a day on the water even if you don’t rent directly from Hontoon Island.

Practical Information for Visiting Hontoon Island

Visiting Hontoon Island State Park in Florida is free! The only cost will be if you rent a bike, kayak, or book a campsite.

Also, I had surprisingly decent service while hiking, which is great if you decide to go solo like I did! Of course, service can vary based on each provider, so be sure download any maps or grab one from the shop. Also, if you venture out solo, ensure someone knows where you are and check-in when you return.

Here are some additional basics to know before you go.

Park Hours and Ferry Schedule

The park is open from 8AM until one hour before sunset, 365 days a year. According to their website, you can catch the ferry to the island from 8AM until two hours before sundown. Once on the island the last ferry leaves one hour before sunset.

For actual times for the last ferry rides, check the sign by the dock in the carpark area. It states the final ferry times both to and from the island, so it’s worth confirming the exact time for that day.

I didn’t really pay attention on a recent visit, and cut it closer than I expected. If you visit in the afternoon, check the sign or ask about the last ferry before you head out hiking or kayaking. 

The ferry runs as needed throughout the day, and in my experience, I’ve never had to wait a long time.

Facilities

There are bathrooms, a small shop where you can buy drinks and snacks, and a vending machine right when you arrive to the island.

Since there is a campsite on this island, there are showers as well.

If you bring a water bottle, there is a water fountain by the bathrooms.

What to Pack

If you’re just going for the day, bring water, snacks, or even a whole picnic lunch! There are picnic tables that overlook the water and that are near the playground, so this makes a perfect spot!

I didn’t take bug spray with me when I just went in April, but the mosquitoes are starting to appear. Thankfully I didn’t get bit too much, but you may want it handy in case.

It’s Florida, so don’t forget sun protection. The wet trail is very shaded, but everywhere else you’ll want sunscreen and a hat.

Pet Policy

Pets are allowed as long as they remain on a leash and you pick up their waste. The leash cannot be longer than 6 feet, so keep that in mind.

Additionally, if you decide to camp, they cannot go in the cabins, but are allowed at tent sites.

Nearby Attractions

Hontoon Island State Park is one of many things to do in DeLand. If you’re looking for more options, here are some worthwhile considerations in the area!

Blue Spring State Park

One of the most popular places to see manatees in the winter is Blue Spring State Park. Of course, if you visit in the summer, it’s worth visiting if you want to enjoy a swim in the beautiful spring waters! And you can also enjoy a St. Johns River boat tour from this state park!

I have a full guide on visiting Blue Spring State Park. It does cost a small fee to enter this park and they can reach capacity, so try to avoid weekends.

Downtown DeLand

Downtown DeLand is a really charming town. You can enjoy a meal, or simply grab a coffee and peruse the shops.

I really love BakeChop for a good farm to table meal, Trilogy or Boston Coffee for coffee or a matcha. There are some really great shops as well. Whether you prefer a well curated home store or an eclectic antique mall, DeLand has you covered.

DeLeon Springs State Park

With Blue Spring State Park south in the neighboring Orange City, you have DeLeon Springs State Park to the north in DeLeon Springs, Florida.

DeLeon Springs is great for swimming, kayaking, or enjoying pancakes at the Old Sugar Mill Pancake House.

The swimming area is like a pool, so it’s not as naturally pretty as Blue Spring State Park. However, it’s still a beautiful park overall and worth visiting!

Stetson Mansion Tour

The Stetson Mansion is a cool historical home to tour. It’s not offered year round, so check to see if they are offering tours when you visit. I did the Christmas tour, but I think the regular tour would be better.

John Stetson started by making hats and eventually expanded. He was friends with many well known people of his day including Thomas Edison. This friendship is why he actually had power even before the White House!

The home has been beautifully restored, so if you enjoy historic design, it will be worthwhile.

Bike Trails

If you are looking for paved trails, Florida is doing a great job of creating connecting bike trails all over the state!

I enjoy a good nature trail and I also love the paved, bike trails as well! Not far from Hontoon Island is Lake Beresford Park, which has a playground, a circular paved trail, and the trail that connects to Blue Spring State Park.

Looking for more bike trails, check out the 13 Best Bike Trails Near Daytona Beach (With Parking & Maps)

More Day Trip Ideas

Visit Ponce Inlet Lighthouse south of Daytona, enjoy the Daytona Speedway tour or head up to St. Augustine for the day! DeLand is a good day trip from Orlando, so the options can seem endless in the area!

Looking for more day trip ideas? Check out A Floridian’s Guide to the Best Day Trips from Daytona Beach

Is Hontoon Island Worth Visiting?

I hope by now you see why Hontoon Island is worth visiting! It’s free, but offers a fun adventure whether you want to walk the trails, enjoy a picnic, or explore the river.

If you love nature, want a good picnic spot for your family, or are looking for a new campsite, Hontoon Island State Park really offers a lot. It gives you that old Florida beauty, but for free!

Let me know if you have visited Hontoon Island State Park in Florida and if so, what was your favorite part?