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State Park Location Maps:
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State Park Photo Gallery:
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State Park Event Calendar:
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Nearby Parks:
Lower Wekiva River State Reserve
Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge
Wekiwa Springs State Park
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| State Park Overview: |
 | This island, located in the St. Johns River in Volusia County, welcomes visitors to enjoy nature and history in quiet solitude. The island is accessible only by private boat or park ferry. Evidence of Native American habitation over thousands of years can be witnessed as visitors hike through the park. Stop in and walk through the impressive visitor center to learn more about the many inhabitants and uses of Hontoon Island over the years. Boating, canoeing, and fishing are popular activities and canoe rentals are available. Picnic areas include tables, grills, and a playground. For overnight stays, the park has rustic cabinsan enclosed sleeping space with electricityno heat, air conditioning, bathrooms, or kitchens. Overnight boat slip rentals and a tentsonly campground are also available. The park?s ferry operates daily from 8:00 a.m. to one hour before sunset. Located six miles west of Deland off State Road 44. |
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| Camping: |
| Primitive Camping
Hontoon Island has 12 tent sites in a very primitive environment. Each site has a picnic table, a ground grill, and access to a water spigot. The campground is in a hammock area so it is shady. Restroom facilities are located in the center of the campground, which include ADA accessible facilities and hot showers.
Hontoon Island State Park also offers the Bedtime Story Camper Lending Library of picture books for campers aged four to nine. From Alligators to insects, the Lending Library is a fun way to enhance your childs experience in the Real Florida. For a quiet afternoon or bedtime, share a story with your child to help explain the sights and sounds of Hontoon Island. Ask the Ranger Station about how to check out a book.
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| Trails: |
| Nature Trails
A 3-mile round trip self guided trail begins at the Ranger Station and follows Huntoon Dead River to the large Indian mound at the southwest corner of the island. Allow 2 1/2 hours for a leisurely walk.
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| Picnicking: |
| The picnic area includes playground equipment, picnic tables, cooking grills, and a restroom which overlooks the St. Johns River. |
| Boating: |
| Hontoon Island State Park offers overnight boatslips, which are available on a "first come, first served basis" . Reservations are not required?advance reservations are not accepted. Boatslips run $12.00 per night/plus tax (30 amp service). |
| Fishing and Hunting: |
| Fishing is permitted from the banks of the island. Largemouth bass may be caught on artificial bait or live shiners. Most bluegills and shellcrackers are caught with earthworms and crickets, but may also be taken on small artificial topwater bugs. Small live minnows are the best bait for speckled perch. Channel cats are often caught on earthworms sunk to the bottom along the main river channel. A Florida freshwater fishing license is required for persons 16 years of age or older. |
| History of the Area: |
| The first inhabitants of the island were the Timucuan Indians. Snails gathered from the shallows of the St. Johns River were a staple food of these people. Through the years, the discarded shells accumulated to form large mounds on the island, one of which may be viewed on the park?s nature trail. Three remarkable artifacts have been found in the vicinity of Hontoon Island. A large owl totem, carved from a log and two smaller carvings of wood, one of an otter holding a fish and the other of a bird which is apparently a pelican. Replicas of two of the totems stand in the picnic area as a tribute to the artistry and craftsmanship of the extinct culture.
In later years, the 1,650-acre island was a pioneer homestead, a boat yard, a center for commercial fishing and a cattle ranch before being purchased by the state in 1967. |
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| | Note to Park related businesses:
List your vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental or any other park related activity, park related attraction or park related service on Google or StateParks.com. (more).... |
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| Related Links: |
| Hontoon Island State Park - Hontoon Island State Park Overview | | Hontoon Island State Park - Welcome - The Timucuan Indians were the first inhabitants of Hontoon Island. Snails gathered from the shallows of the St. Johns River were a staple food of these people. Through the years, the discarded shells ... | | Hontoon Island State Park - Virtual Tour - Welcome | Park Features | Highlights | Fee's & Rentals | Virtual Tour - ? Copyright 2000 - Tinker Graphics Design & Hosting by: TINKER GRAPHICS tink@planetusofa.com | | Welcome - Hontoon CSO - ... Support Organization, committed to the Enhancement of Hontoon Island State Park." The Foundation was created in 1993. Charter ... the unique opportunities Hontoon Island State Park has to offer ... | | Hontoon Island State Park - Florida information. Online hotel reservations, attractions and events. Florida State parks and ... SouthEast Alphabetical Region: Central HONTOON ISLAND STATE PARK Deland, Florida Contact Information ... | | Hontoon Island State Park - Hontoon Island State Park Hontoon Island State Park is a paradise for fishing, camping, hiking, boating, canoeing, picnicking ... in 1967. Location Hontoon Island State Park 2309 River Ridge Road ... | | Hontoon Island State Park - Hontoon Island State Park There's something romantic about an island! From the first inhabitants, the Timucuan Indians, to ... more information, contact Hontoon Island State Park at (904) 736 ... | | Hontoon Island State Park - Hontoon Island State Park Trails The trails at Hontoon Island State Park are relatively short but make for a pleasant hike or ride. The park is an island in the middle of the St. Johns River ... |
| Directions: |
| Hontoon Island State Park is located six miles west of Deland, off S.R. 44. |
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