Hontoon Island State Park in DeLand, Fla. will reopen on Oct. 20, 2025, after a three-year closure due to previous hurricane damage. The historic park on the St. Johns River, only accessible by park ferry or private boat, is resuming daily ferry service from 8 am until two hours before sundown. Last ferry leaves the island one hour before sundown. Hontoon Island is popular with visitors for birding, paddling, fishing, hiking, boating and camping.
Evidence of Native American inhabitants over thousands of years can be witnessed as visitors hike through 1,648-acre Hontoon Island State Park, featuring 12 tent sites for primitive camping, six one-room rustic cabins with bunk beds and picnic areas. An impressive visitor center depicts how inhabitants lived in the area and uses of Hontoon Island over the years. On-site rentals are offered for kayaking, canoeing, pontoon boats and bicycling.
Hontoon Island State Park is located 6 miles west of DeLand off State Road 44, at 2309 River Ridge Road. Open 365 days a year, with no entrance fee. For kayak, canoe and bike rentals, cabin or tent site reservations and for more information on Hontoon Island State Park, call 833-953-2583 or go to:
Outdoor activities, ferry service and rentals at Hontoon Island State Park are managed by Adventures Unbound™ by Guest Services, passionate about the transformative power of travel and immersive experiences that promise extraordinary adventures and profound moments of discovery. For more information on Adventures Unbound by Guest Services and their Sunshine Collection of Florida State Parks