Blue Springs State Park

Blue Spring is a designated manatee refuge. Temperatures in the spring run remain a constant 72 degrees, creating a safe haven for the West Indian Manatee. To provide a safe warm water refuge for manatees during the winter season, the spring and spring run are closed to all water related activities, including swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and boating from November 15 through March 15.

Blue Springs State Park
2100 W. French Ave., Orange City, FL 32763
(386) 775-3663

De Leon Springs State Park

The park is on the Great Florida Birding Trail. Birding can be by foot or boat, with wading birds almost always present in Spring Garden Run.

De Leon Springs State Park
601 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, De Leon Springs, Florida 32130
(386) 985-4212

Hontoon Island State Park

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 may be required.

Hontoon Island State Park
2309 River Ridge Road, DeLand, Florida 32720
(386) 736-5309

Hickory Bluff Preserve

The 150-acre Hickory Bluff Preserve overlooks the St. Johns River and contains many natural communities including mesic and scrubby flatwoods, oak hammock, cypress domes, floodplain swamp, and wet prairie.

Hickory Bluff Preserve
598 Guise Rd., Osteen, FL 32764
(386) 740-5261

Hontoon Landing Resort & Marina

The Resort is planted with trees, vines, perennials and annuals selected to attract hummingbirds. The nectar bearing flowers are supplemented by artificial feeders placed throughout the Resort.
The Ruby Throated Hummingbirds are frequent visitors to the Resort and are enjoyed by guests and staff alike!

Our Hummingbird Plaza is a special place for guests to relax and enjoy the hummingbirds.

The Ruby Throats arrive at Hontoon Landing in early March, where they remain until late August. In the fall, they depart for their annual migration to southern Mexico and Central America.

Hontoon Landing Resort & Marina
2317 River Ridge Road, DeLand FL 32720
(386) 734-2474

Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge

Established in 1964, Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge is comprised of 21,574 acres in central Florida along the St. Johns River (Florida’s longest river) near DeLeon Springs. The Refuge has: 11,100 acres of freshwater marsh, 7,200 acres of hardwood swamps, 2,400 acres of uplands, More than 1,000 acres of lakes, streams, and canals.

The Refuge’s geographical location straddles an overlapping zone between the subtropical and temperate climates. This overlap allows for a high diversity of species to be found on the Refuge. Additionally, it is uniquely positioned to support a wide variety of resident and migratory species.

Lake Woodruff Birding Checklist

Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge
2045 Mud Lake Road, De Leon Springs, FL 32130
(386) 985-4673

Lake George State Forest

Lake George State Forest is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail. Click here for a printable checklist of birds at LGSF:

Great Florida Birding Trail LGSF Birding Trail Checklist

A beautiful natural refuge to get away from it all. Fishing, picnicking, hiking, and horseback riding. Canoes and small Jon boats may be launched from the bank at the Bluffton Recreation Area. Primitive camping by permit.

To access the forest north of State Road 40 (Astor Tract), take Riley Pridgeon Road, located 1/2 mile east of the town of Astor.

To access the forest south of State Road 40 (Mary Farms/Dexter Tracts), take St. Johns River Road, located 1/2 mile east of Astor. This goes to Bluffton Recreation Area. An entrance for hunters is located on State Road 40, 3.25 miles east of Astor.

Lake George State Forest
St. Johns River Road, Volusia/Astor, FL 32102
(386) 985-7822

Lyonia Preserve & Environmental Center

Lyonia Preserve is a great place to see one of Volusia County’s protected species, the Florida Scrub Jay, in its natural habitat.

Juvenile scrub jays are born between March and June. Juvenile scrub jays have gray feathers on their heads. When they are approximately 6 months old juveniles change into the adult plumage. At this time the gray feathers on their heads are replaced by blue feathers.

Lyonia Preserve & Environmental Center
2150 Eustace Ave., Deltona, FL 32725
(386) 789-7207