Hontoon Island State Park
| Hontoon Island State Park | |
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IUCN Category Ib (Wilderness Area)
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| Location | Volusia County, Florida, USA |
| Nearest city | DeLand, Florida |
| Coordinates | 28°58′01″N 81°21′47″W / 28.96694°N 81.36306°WCoordinates: 28°58′01″N 81°21′47″W / 28.96694°N 81.36306°W |
| Area | 1,648 acres (6.67 km2) |
| Governing body | Florida Department of Environmental Protection |
Hontoon Island State Park is a 1,648-acre (6.67 km2) Florida State Park located on Hontoon Island between the St. Johns River and the Hontoon Dead River in Volusia County. It is six miles (10 km) west of DeLand, off SR 44, and can only be reached by boat or park operated 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 boating, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing, as well as hiking, camping, picnicking, and nature viewing. The island can be circumnavigated with a nine-mile (14 km) day trip; Blue Spring State Park is a short paddle up the St. Johns. Amenities include canoe rentals, bike paths, twelve tent sites and six rustic cabins. The park also has overnight boat slip rentals, playground equipment, picnic tables,and a 3-mile (4.8 km) nature trail. The park is unique in having a lending library with picture books for children aged four to nine. The park is open from 8:00 am till sundown year round.
The Timucuan Indians were the first inhabitants of Hontoon Island.Evidence of their presence can be seen by the large shell mounds that still exist.
[edit] Wildlife gallery
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Sandhill Cranes on Hontoon Island
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A tree full of American White Ibis on the St. Johns.
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A Barred Owl near Hontoon Island.
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Limpkin on the St. Johns River.
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Red-shouldered Hawk, Florida sub-species.
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Primitive cabins may be rented at the park
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Boardwalks protect the fragile soil
[edit] References
- Hontoon Island State Park at Florida State Parks
- Hontoon Island State Park at State Parks
- Hontoon Island State Park at Absolutely Florida
- Hontoon Island State Park at Wildernet
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