Welcome to De Leon Springs

De Leon Springs is a small community just north of Deland. The main attraction here is De Leon Springs State Park. At the springs you can retrace the route taken by Spanish explorer Ponce DeLeon when he discovered what he believed to be the legendary Fountain of Youth. Here, too, you will find ancient cypress and oak trees, native birds, Indian burial grounds, and an old Spanish sugar mill which has been converted into a most unusual restaurant where you may cook delicious pancakes on a griddle built right into your table. A natural spring swimming area, picnic grounds, fishing, rental canoes and paddle boats are also available. Park hours are 8 a.m. to sundown. If you would like further information, you can call the Springs at 1-386-985-4212.

Also located in De Leon Springs is the Strawn Historic Citrus Packing House District (also known as the Bob White Historic Citrus Packing House District), located at 5707 Lake Winona Road.

Ancient cypress and oak trees dominate the landscape in this part of Florida. Smaller plants in the area include the leather leaf fern. Wildlife you might encounter in this section of Volusia County includes alligators, deer, turtles and otters, as well as seasonal sightings of the Florida black bear, migrating from the Ocala National Forest to the Tiger Bay Wildlife Management Area.

For birdwatchers, you may even see anhinga, egrets, swallow-tailed kites, sandhill cranes, swallow tailed kit, teal, limpkins, ospreys, vultures, American bald eagles, American white ibis, belted kingfishers and great blue herons.