Hontoon Island State Park
Hontoon Island State Park
4.5
8:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Monday
8:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Friday
8:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 1:00 AM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 1:00 AM
About
ACCESSIBLE ONLY BY PRIVATE BOAT OR PARK FERRY The island has pine Flatwoods, palm and oak hammocks, bald cypress swamps, and marshes. Hontoon Island is surrounded by the St. Johns River, the Hontoon Dead River, and Snake Creek. Activities include horseshoes, cycling, boating, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing, as well as hiking, camping, picnicking, and nature viewing and photography. The island can be circumnavigated with a nine and a half-mile (14 km) day trip; Blue Spring State Park is a short paddle up the St. Johns (3.5 miles) one way. Amenities include canoe rentals, bike paths, eleven tent sites, and six rustic cabins. The park also has overnight boat slip rentals, playground equipment, picnic tables, and a 3.4-mile (5.5 km) nature trail. The park has a lending library with picture books for children aged four to nine. The park is open from 8:00 am till one hour before sunset year-round.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
275 reviews
Excellent
182
Very good
73
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2
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1
JimS628
Jacksonville, FL119 contributions
Aug 2020
Well due to the Covid issue, the free fairy only takes 3 people at a time to the park. Lots of good hiking and I assume fishing and boating here. There is a small gift shop and kayak rentals here. There is also a small marina to dock you boat.
Written August 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cyndi B
Arvada, CO42 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
Love, love, loved this quaint little island. We stayed a couple of nights at Hontoon Resort which is very close by, so we went over the the island on the free ferry several times. The rangers who operate the ferry and maintain this island state park are very friendly and informative. We took a hike one day and saw almost no one along the path. The next day, I rented a bike and took a different path along the other side of the island. Again, I saw almost no one. At the end of the bike path is a lovely glen with a HUGE live oak tree that the ranger told me is over 600 years old. We were there during the week. On Friday afternoon, I did see a large group of teens headed over to camp for the weekend, so I image it is busier on the weekends.
I would definitely return to this island and spend more time exploring next time I’m in central Florida.
I would definitely return to this island and spend more time exploring next time I’m in central Florida.
Written June 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darlene F
Orange City, Florida, Usa59 contributions
Jan 2020
A great boat ride over to island. Lots of parking. They have a small store for some refreshments and picnic tables to use when you bring a packed lunch. Play ground the kids, but children need to be watched closely. Snakes, gators and lots of birds can be seen.Its a good idea to have a ranger take you on a guided trip around the island. This island was home to moonshiner stills at one time. This island has a lot of history during the civil war, also the first people of Florida native Americans
Written February 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan H
Prescott, WI95 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Nice park to visit. You need to ferry across but only 6 people at a time. Camping overnight is an option but we didn’t. Walked the trails but the maps and trails are not marked so it’s confusing. There is a little store and they have bathrooms with showers that you can pay to use.
Written February 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deborah Lucas A
Corinth, Kentucky, USA48 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We did one of the guided walks with Ranger Jim. His knowledge is awesome! And, his patience with his audience is appreciated.
This Island is a haven and a wonderful way to spend an hour, a day, or; if you want to camp there, a week. Nature in all her glory!!
This Island is a haven and a wonderful way to spend an hour, a day, or; if you want to camp there, a week. Nature in all her glory!!
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pizzaguy34172
Daytona Beach, FL1 contribution
Mar 2013 • Couples
Recently visited the park for a one night camping trip. Upon arrival we were taken over to the island by ferry by a park ranger (could have been staff or volunteer). This ranger was nice and helpful. The day went fairly well, until night set and more campers arrived. Quiet time is meant to be 11 pm, and when we arrived the ranger gave us a paper telling us that if there were any issues to call either number on the paper for help. So heres the issues, our neighbors decided to invite 2 other campsite's members to their site to "hang out". Little did we know this would be a disaster. They were talking extremely loud and drinking within 4 feet of our tent and urinating outside on the trees surrounding our tent. The neighbors also had two dogs, who should've been kept on a leash but were not and kept running off and stepping all over our tent and the owner didn't even bother to call them back to their site. This loud obnoxious behavior went on for 5 hours, three of those hours being after the so called "quiet time". We called the park manager and ranger station several times and left a message, although no one answered. Eventually we went to the "campground host" site and woke him up to come over and talk to the neighbors. He did so 2x's, the noise quieted for about 15 minutes each time, during which our neighbors made rude comments about the campground host and us and made plans to make the next night a big "party night". We were trapped, as there is no way off the island till 8 am and we were certainly not going to put ourselves in danger by confronting these people.
We slept for about 4 hours, got up packed up and left, probably never to return again. Its too bad too, as this park has a neat concept and a clean campground, although not much to do.
Here's some issues with this park, all of the 3 phone numbers we called had no response, that is what they told us to call if there was an emergency or problem! What if there had been an emergency? What if these neighbors decided to seek revenge on us for "telling" on them. When we got to the rangers office in the morning, it was before 8 (before the first ferry runs) so we waited, the ranger was extremely rude to us, we wanted to tell him about all the issues of the night before but he was not approachable. He took us back to the car, not even bothering to hook the ferry to the dock, parking crooked and told us to "go ahead". WOW. glad I didn't fall in.
It's very scary to be in a situation like this, where everyone around you has no common courtesy and are just rude, and you can't just pack up and walk away, because you're stuck till someone gets there to take you home. Beware of this. They need to get this park in order.
We slept for about 4 hours, got up packed up and left, probably never to return again. Its too bad too, as this park has a neat concept and a clean campground, although not much to do.
Here's some issues with this park, all of the 3 phone numbers we called had no response, that is what they told us to call if there was an emergency or problem! What if there had been an emergency? What if these neighbors decided to seek revenge on us for "telling" on them. When we got to the rangers office in the morning, it was before 8 (before the first ferry runs) so we waited, the ranger was extremely rude to us, we wanted to tell him about all the issues of the night before but he was not approachable. He took us back to the car, not even bothering to hook the ferry to the dock, parking crooked and told us to "go ahead". WOW. glad I didn't fall in.
It's very scary to be in a situation like this, where everyone around you has no common courtesy and are just rude, and you can't just pack up and walk away, because you're stuck till someone gets there to take you home. Beware of this. They need to get this park in order.
Written March 10, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chip W
DeLand, FL6 contributions
Feb 2013 • Friends
During the summer the trails can be quite muddy, and the bugs can carry you off. During late fall and winter visibility is better because foliage isn't quite as thick and the bugs aren't as ferocious. Very nice family day for hiking and exploring cabins camp sites and boat slips available.
Written May 10, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RobertMPhotography
Orlando, FL182 contributions
Aug 2014 • Family
Let me say that I originally planned on giving Hontoon Island 4 stars because with all the rain they've had recently, the island was VERY damp but that wasn't their fault so I decided to go with 5 stars.
This was based on our first trip to Hontoon (me and my two sons, 11 & 14 for a one night camping and fishing trip).
As you've probably read in other reviews of Hontoon, the staff on the island are beyond helpful. Actually, it may deserve 4 stars just for that. It's unique because in most state parks you only really ever see the park staff when you pay at the gate and them maybe randomly in the park. Not at Hontoon. Since you have to take a ferry over to the island (you COULD swim, it's that close, but with the creatures and current, it wouldn't be too much fun), you meet your first park staff member on the boat. They are VERY forthright with info so by the time you make the short trip from parking to the island, you know exactly where to go and what to do. We were told to take our stuff... get this... to a van that would drive us to our camp site then check in with the ranger's office. I had not read about the van elsewhere. Had we known that we'd not be hiking to the site, we may have packed differently but as it was, it was a great help not to have to carry it all.
Oh, and a tip; we didn't find out until we were leaving that there are wheelbarrows the park provides free of charge that you can put all your stuff in while you wander around. This was really helpful getting from the van to the boat to the car. Really, it felt like 5 star camping. I've gotten worse service at 4 star hotels.
Ok, so we loaded our stuff into the van and walked around to check in at the office. By the time we got there, they already guessed who we were and had our paperwork ready (we reserved a tent site online). Within 5 minutes we were told the rules of the park, interesting tidbits about what to do, good fishing spots and provided some phone numbers for "daytime" and "after hours" staff. It is an island you're basically stuck on after 7:00pm (probably earlier in the winter) but there is someone on call 24 hours a day in case of emergency.
We stopped by the island store for some last minute provisions and then it was off to the campsite. FYI, the store has most of what you need including ice, firewood, fishing supplies, cold drinks, snacks, camping supplies, ice cream and a lot more.
We went to the van, took the short trip to the campsites and found a lot of them flooded. They told us with a lot of rain, the place floods fairly easily. No worries, since our site we reserved online had some water in it so they just moved us to one that was fairly dry.
For the rest of the day we set up camp,fished and took a hike around the island.
This wasn't a long trip so we didn't explore the whole island but what we did do was great. It felt really private and peaceful.
While I'd hesitate to go out there in the summer unless it was in one of their cabins, I would certainly recommend Hontoon to anyone who wants to do some camping, hiking and fishing.
This was based on our first trip to Hontoon (me and my two sons, 11 & 14 for a one night camping and fishing trip).
As you've probably read in other reviews of Hontoon, the staff on the island are beyond helpful. Actually, it may deserve 4 stars just for that. It's unique because in most state parks you only really ever see the park staff when you pay at the gate and them maybe randomly in the park. Not at Hontoon. Since you have to take a ferry over to the island (you COULD swim, it's that close, but with the creatures and current, it wouldn't be too much fun), you meet your first park staff member on the boat. They are VERY forthright with info so by the time you make the short trip from parking to the island, you know exactly where to go and what to do. We were told to take our stuff... get this... to a van that would drive us to our camp site then check in with the ranger's office. I had not read about the van elsewhere. Had we known that we'd not be hiking to the site, we may have packed differently but as it was, it was a great help not to have to carry it all.
Oh, and a tip; we didn't find out until we were leaving that there are wheelbarrows the park provides free of charge that you can put all your stuff in while you wander around. This was really helpful getting from the van to the boat to the car. Really, it felt like 5 star camping. I've gotten worse service at 4 star hotels.
Ok, so we loaded our stuff into the van and walked around to check in at the office. By the time we got there, they already guessed who we were and had our paperwork ready (we reserved a tent site online). Within 5 minutes we were told the rules of the park, interesting tidbits about what to do, good fishing spots and provided some phone numbers for "daytime" and "after hours" staff. It is an island you're basically stuck on after 7:00pm (probably earlier in the winter) but there is someone on call 24 hours a day in case of emergency.
We stopped by the island store for some last minute provisions and then it was off to the campsite. FYI, the store has most of what you need including ice, firewood, fishing supplies, cold drinks, snacks, camping supplies, ice cream and a lot more.
We went to the van, took the short trip to the campsites and found a lot of them flooded. They told us with a lot of rain, the place floods fairly easily. No worries, since our site we reserved online had some water in it so they just moved us to one that was fairly dry.
For the rest of the day we set up camp,fished and took a hike around the island.
This wasn't a long trip so we didn't explore the whole island but what we did do was great. It felt really private and peaceful.
While I'd hesitate to go out there in the summer unless it was in one of their cabins, I would certainly recommend Hontoon to anyone who wants to do some camping, hiking and fishing.
Written August 17, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom G
Ormond Beach, FL152 contributions
Mar 2014 • Couples
Was a little bit wary of the fact that I would have to bring everything I needed on our three night trip on a small ferry and then find my way to our cabin. But the park made it all a snap. We put our stuff on the end of the dock and in minutes the small ferry boat was there to shephard us across to Hontoon Island. Once we arrived, the park ranger helped us load our gear into a van and drove us to our cabin. There are only six cabins and 10 campsites on the whole island. We had bonfires every night and cooked our meals outside. Fortunately on the other side of the ferry boat ride was the town of Deland, FL that had plenty of stores when we needed more food. There were great trails for hiking and biking on the island. The park rents bikes, canoes, and kayaks if you don't have your own. They were ok with bringing bikes on the ferry as well. There was plenty of wild life from owls and hawks and eagles to gators, snakes, deer and all sorts of birds. It was an excellent outdoor experience that I intend to try again soon.
Written April 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travelbuni01
Plant City, FL179 contributions
Feb 2012 • Friends
"An Island Getaway Along the St. John's River" is what the brochure says and it's true! Tired of traffic, high rises, sunburns and sand where it doesn't belong? You can come camping along the St. John's River! Hontoon has both shaded (and def. not private) campsites (some have tent platforms) and small, primitive shaded cabins with screened in porches that accomodate 4-6 people on bunk beds. Everyone shares the clean bathrooms and warm water showers.
We stayed in cabin #2 for 4 people. It actually had 3 double electrical outlets, a ceiling fan inside and one in the porch, a dining table, a firepit and a picnic table. Instead of the expected thick matt to sleep on there were actually single sized mattresses! Bring a fitted and flat sheets or your sleeping bag if you'd like. There's a single yellow bug light in the porch and a large fluorescent interior light. There is one wheelchair accessible cabin close to the restrooms. Can't get better than that for $30/night and an island all to ourselves! We stayed during the week, Tue-Fri and we were the only ones on the island besides the rangers and day trippers. So peaceful! We heard there would be a packed park on the day we left. No thanks!
For cabin renters, the rangers pull out their van and dropped us and our gear off upon arrival and picked us up at our cabin upon departure. They will not assist in lugging your stuff in or out of the ferry or van-so pack light. For campers, there are multiple 2 wheeled wheel barrows to help with your stuff.
They have free parking ANDa free battery powered ferry to/from the island during the day light hours and they do mention a park donation. You can rent a canoe or kayak, hike, bike, fish or walk the dog along the 5 1/2 half miles of natural Florida trails or waterways. Bring your water, sunscreen and bug repellant. Even in February the skeeters were pretty bad. You can pull up your boat to their docks for a nominal fee and stay in luxury! Their visitor's center is pretty impressive. The park rangers are extra friendly. The little general store sells drinks, snacks, repellant, sunscreen, (wet)firewood, charcoal and ice plus some stuff to keep the kids busy for 5 minutes (there's a playground a few hundred feet from the main building). They could use a few cintronella candles. You can buy fishing bait at the marina across the water on the mainland.
There's supposed to be a lot of wildlife on the island, but we didn't see much except armadillos, vultures and fat squirrels, possibly because it was chilly at night. We did have a small scorpian though!
You can rent the cabins and campsites by going to: www.reserveamerica.com. You don't need a reservation for the ferry-just stand on the dock for pick up and the ranger can see you. I'd definitely go again, to get away from every day hectic life inexpensively, this is it! Amtrak stops about a mile or less away at the DeLand station!
We stayed in cabin #2 for 4 people. It actually had 3 double electrical outlets, a ceiling fan inside and one in the porch, a dining table, a firepit and a picnic table. Instead of the expected thick matt to sleep on there were actually single sized mattresses! Bring a fitted and flat sheets or your sleeping bag if you'd like. There's a single yellow bug light in the porch and a large fluorescent interior light. There is one wheelchair accessible cabin close to the restrooms. Can't get better than that for $30/night and an island all to ourselves! We stayed during the week, Tue-Fri and we were the only ones on the island besides the rangers and day trippers. So peaceful! We heard there would be a packed park on the day we left. No thanks!
For cabin renters, the rangers pull out their van and dropped us and our gear off upon arrival and picked us up at our cabin upon departure. They will not assist in lugging your stuff in or out of the ferry or van-so pack light. For campers, there are multiple 2 wheeled wheel barrows to help with your stuff.
They have free parking ANDa free battery powered ferry to/from the island during the day light hours and they do mention a park donation. You can rent a canoe or kayak, hike, bike, fish or walk the dog along the 5 1/2 half miles of natural Florida trails or waterways. Bring your water, sunscreen and bug repellant. Even in February the skeeters were pretty bad. You can pull up your boat to their docks for a nominal fee and stay in luxury! Their visitor's center is pretty impressive. The park rangers are extra friendly. The little general store sells drinks, snacks, repellant, sunscreen, (wet)firewood, charcoal and ice plus some stuff to keep the kids busy for 5 minutes (there's a playground a few hundred feet from the main building). They could use a few cintronella candles. You can buy fishing bait at the marina across the water on the mainland.
There's supposed to be a lot of wildlife on the island, but we didn't see much except armadillos, vultures and fat squirrels, possibly because it was chilly at night. We did have a small scorpian though!
You can rent the cabins and campsites by going to: www.reserveamerica.com. You don't need a reservation for the ferry-just stand on the dock for pick up and the ranger can see you. I'd definitely go again, to get away from every day hectic life inexpensively, this is it! Amtrak stops about a mile or less away at the DeLand station!
Written February 11, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My father is in memory care and I see or check on him daily. Is there cell service ?? (I have Verizon)
Written November 16, 2021
Is there a place on the island to buy Ice or snacks?
Written February 7, 2020
Yes, There is a camp store right where you access the island.
Written February 8, 2020
Can you bring your own kayak if you have camping reservations? Or would it be hard to transport them to the primitive camping area?
Written April 11, 2019
You can bring your own kayak to the Island. The rangers will
help transport it for you. They are great people and you will
have a fantastic time there.
Written April 14, 2019
Are there ceiling fans and/or lights in cabins? Are there windows with screens?
Written October 16, 2018
There are lights in the cabins. We stayed in one, had a great time. The windows have screens.
Written April 14, 2019
Can you take your pet on the ferry to the island?
Written May 31, 2018
Yes I saw dogs riding the ferry.
Written June 1, 2018
Is there a restaurant on site and what is the exact address?
Written February 16, 2017
Just a snack bar. You can find the address on google search
Written February 18, 2017
Jamie
Shelby, North Carolina
How much are they rentals for bikes, kayaks, boats from there park ?
Do they have kid bikes ?
Written December 22, 2016
I was just someone on vacation, please contact them
Written December 23, 2016
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