Central Florida springs day: Blue Spring and De Leon Springs
Two Volusia County state parks on the St. Johns River system, roughly an hour and three-quarters from Palm Bay.
As of October 2026, check hours, fees and closures before you go.
Itinerary
Day trip
- Morning
Arrive at Blue Spring State Park in Orange City early; the park often reaches capacity. In winter, manatees gather in the spring run to stay warm.
- Midday
Drive roughly 30 to 40 minutes north to De Leon Springs State Park. The Old Spanish Sugar Mill restaurant is in the park.
- Afternoon
Swim (in season), paddle or walk the trails, or stop at a riverfront restaurant in DeBary on the way back south.
- Evening
Home in under two hours.
Parks & fees
- Blue Spring State Park (Florida State Parks)
Open 8 a.m. to sunset. $6 per vehicle. Frequently reaches capacity and may close temporarily. Swimming season is April 1 to November 14; winter is manatee season. - De Leon Springs State Park (Florida State Parks)
Check the official page for fees and hours; we could not verify them for this guide.
Fees and hours as listed on each official page when we checked in October 2026.
Where to eat
Popular, long-running local picks. No paid placements.
- Old Spanish Sugar Mill · De Leon Springs
Restaurant at De Leon Springs; its site calls it a Central Florida staple since 1961. Source: official site. - Swamp House Riverfront Grill · DeBary
Seafood and Florida dishes on the St. Johns River, according to its site. Source: official site.
Practical tips
- For manatees, go in the cooler months; for swimming, go April 1 to November 14.
- Weekend and holiday crowds can close the gates early. Arrive at opening.
- Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30.
Getaways guides are informational. We don't accept payment for listings, there are no sponsored or affiliate links, and we don't rate or review places. Restaurants are well-known, long-running local spots, each linked to its official site. Drive times are rough estimates from Palm Bay without traffic.
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