Hontoon Island State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hontoon Island State Park |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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 Hontoon Island State Park
Location in Florida
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| Location | Volusia County, Florida, USA |
| Nearest city | DeLand, Florida |
| Area | 1,648 acres (6.67 km2) |
| Governing body | Florida Department of Environmental Protection |
Hontoon Island State Park is a special place in Florida! It's a large park, about 1,648 acres (667 km2), located on Hontoon Island. This island sits between the St. Johns River and the Hontoon Dead River in Volusia County.
You can find the park about six miles (10 km) west of DeLand. It's unique because you can only get there by boat or by using the park's own passenger ferry! No cars or other motorized vehicles (except wheelchairs) are allowed on the island. Also, swimming is not permitted here.
The island is full of different natural areas. You'll see pine flatwoods, palm and oak hammocks, bald cypress swamps, and marshes. The St. Johns River, the Hontoon Dead River, and Snake Creek surround Hontoon Island.
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Fun Things to Do at Hontoon Island
Hontoon Island State Park offers many exciting activities for visitors. You can enjoy horseshoes, cycling, and boating. Canoeing and kayaking are also popular ways to explore the waters around the island. Fishing is a great option if you like to cast a line.
If you prefer land adventures, you can go hiking on the trails. Camping and picnicking are perfect for spending more time outdoors. It's also a fantastic spot for nature viewing and photography. You might even spot some amazing wildlife!
Exploring the Island Trails
You can paddle from Hontoon Island to Blue Spring State Park. It's a short 3.5-mile trip up the St. Johns River. The entire island can be explored on a nine-and-a-half-mile (14 km) day trip.
The park has many helpful features. You can rent canoes to explore the waterways. There are also bike paths for cycling. If you want to stay overnight, the park offers eleven tent sites and six rustic cabins.
Park Amenities and Hours
Hontoon Island State Park also has boat slips you can rent overnight. There's playground equipment for younger visitors and picnic tables for meals. A 3.4-mile (5.5 km) nature trail lets you discover the island's beauty.
The park even has a lending library! It's filled with picture books for children aged four to nine. Hontoon Island State Park is open every day from 8:00 AM until one hour before sunset.
Park Rentals and Stays
Hontoon Island State Park offers various rentals to help you explore. You can rent bicycles to ride around the island. Canoe and kayak rentals are also available for water adventures.
Rental Prices
- Bicycle rentals cost $6 per hour or $15 for the whole day.
- Canoe and kayak rentals are $20 for up to four hours. They cost $40 for the entire day.
- All rentals must be returned by 5:00 PM. Please note that there are no refunds if the weather is bad.
Overnight Stays
If you want to stay overnight, tent sites and marina slips are available. They both rent for $18 per night. The park also has cozy cabins for rent.
- Four-person cabins cost $30 per night.
- Six-person cabins cost $35 per night.
Island History: The Mayacan People
Long ago, the Mayacan Indians were the very first people to live on Hontoon Island. You can still see signs of their presence today. There is a very large shell mound at the end of the Hammock Trail.
This trail is about 1.7 miles (2.7 km) long and mostly shaded. The shell mound is a fascinating reminder of the Mayacan people and their life on the island.
Wildlife Gallery
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Sandhill cranes on Hontoon Island
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A tree full of American white ibis on the St. Johns.
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A Barred owl near Hontoon Island.
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Limpkin on the St. Johns River.
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Red-shouldered hawk, Florida sub-species.
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Primitive cabins may be rented at the park
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Boardwalks protect the fragile soil
