Reeves’ Reports: Hontoon Island Marina at the State Park and Blue Spring Park, St. Johns River
Skipper Reeves continues his exploration of the St. Johns River with a visit to Hontoon Island State Park Marina/Dock, south of Lake George and north of Lake Monroe near Deland, FL. located east-southeast of flashing daybeacon #53 and the northeasterly mouth of Hontoon Dead River.
Very quiet and laid back. Lots to explore here with many creeks to visit in the dink.We are planning on moving our residence to Florida next week and we can visit here for half price $10 a day all inclusive. I wanted to stay here for ever. There is a marina across the river that does not have good reviews and is very high on fuel prices. Right around the corner is Holly Bluff Marina that has better prices and service. Rick in the shop found me a hose to fix a problem and was very helpful. Rick carries a lot of parts and can get anything you need. Several boaters in little trailer tugs came by and said they stop here all the time. This is not nowhere but you can see nowhere from here.
Anchored at Lungren Island with the dink at the island for a dog walk.
Hontoon Island State Park has a lot of slips but only the T dock has enough water for our trawler and we plowed a little soft mud at 5 ft on the T dock to the West. We picked up WiFi from across the way and the dock has 50 amp service, water and is almost new. Very nice park with hot showers and clean restrooms. The rangers are super nice. No groceries or laundry. All this for $20. a night. Only $10 if you are a Florida resident. https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Hontoon-Island
Docked at Hontoon Island only 5 boats were there the week we were there.
At Blue Spring you can beach and tie up to the South of the swim area. Do not dock on the dock. Self serve on park fee of $1.00 per person. We want to come back when they allow swimming in the spring . The water is 72 F year round.
Looks green to me but they call it Blue Spring. The board walk goes all the way down to the “Boil” of over a 100,000 gals per hour.
Additional Information from Skipper Reeves on 6/15/2015
A most excellent place to be on the river. The rangers are hard working and very helpful. The deep water (we saw 5 ft) is at the T dock as you approach from the North it is first one on your starboard. Do not get too close to the shore when you come in. The nice floating docks are self serve. Rangers are not allowed to help you dock. The T dock has 50 amp power and water. $10 a nite if Fl resident, $20 if not. The inside docks are for small craft only. We stopped for a few days going to Sanford and a few more on our return trip. From here you can visit Blue Springs and take a trip in your dink or kayak all the way around on Snake Creek. The Rangers rent canoes. Just like the Amazon with all the wildlife. We visited in winter. Watch your pet around the shore. Alligators everywhere. The park trails, the fishing, all is Good! We had some wifi from across the river on our booster. The park has limited supplies, more across the river. It is a no wake zone but idiots will blast through sometimes. Very quiet and laid back at night and week days. You can anchor in the creek to the North if you wish. The showers are hot and clean. Day use is allowed for a small fee. See more and pictures http://ontheofficewautoteacher.blogspot.com/2015/03/hontoon-island-state-park-has-lot-of.html
Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Hontoon Island State Park
Comments from Cruisers (2)
While not a secret, this is one of the least known areas on the St. John’s. Take your dink and explore the “Hontoon Dead River” that runs behind the island. It is too shallow in places for anything deeper draft than your dink, but you will be rewarded with the most spectacular display of wildlife anywhere on the St. Johns. You will see alligators, turtles, beavers, wild turkeys, raccoons, birds of all kinds, and the list of wildlife goes on and on including a very large population of manatees. Start your trip by going in a counter-clockwise manner around the island. There are three canals that connect the St Johns with the “Dead River” but only a couple are navigable. What a wonderful way to spend an afternoon! Then finish with a stop at Blue Springs before returning to your boat at Hontoon Landing. Plan on at least an entire day for a round trip you will not forget.
Many fond memories of Lungren Island. Back in the ’60s, Dad and I’d camp on Lungren Isalnd over the weekend and fish for Specks on Lake Dexter. As a kid, I’d explore the marshy north 2/3 of the island with a Daisey BB gun in hand…felt like I was exploring the Amazon River basin – to a 10 year old.