Let's Explore Morrison Springs & Ponce de Leon Springs State Park
One of our family’s favorite things to do on a hot summer day is to head to Morrison Springs or Ponce de Leon Springs State Park, both located in Ponce de Leon, FL. Ponce de Leon Springs is part of the Florida State Park system, and Morrison Springs is part of the Florida Water Management System.
Free to visit and open daily from sunrise to sunset, Morrison Springs in Walton County, Florida is one of the most popular dive spots in northwest Florida. The park includes a sandy beach, a boardwalk, a diving dock, and a boat ramp just down the road from the diving area. With an average water temperature of 68 degrees, “The highlight of the park is a 250-foot diameter spring pool that produces and estimated 48 million gallons of crystal clear water each day.”
Ponce de Leon Springs State Park is open year-round from 8 am to sunset for an entry fee of only $4 per car. At the height of summer, you’ll often find cars lined up waiting for the gates to open at 8 am. Only a certain number of vehicles are allowed in, and once the parking lot is full, the ranger will stop letting vehicles in until others leave. So, as the old adage goes, “the early bird gets the worm.” This stunning spring is named for the Spanish explorer, Juan Ponce de León, who led the first Spanish expedition to Florida in 1513 in search of the fountain of youth. “The water temperature at the springs remains 68 degrees year-round. The main spring is a convergence of two underground water flows and produces 14 million gallons of water daily. Visitors can also take a walk along two self-guided nature trails (bring bug spray for the trails).”
Ponce de Leon Springs State Park gets busy quickly, but the rangers will limit entry if the park gets too full.
If you've never been to a spring in Florida, I feel it's only my duty to warn you - they're COLD!
Florida's springs average between 68° & 70° year round! It'll take your breath away if you're not mentally prepared, but it feels fantastic on a HOT summer day. Also, if we’ve had a stretch with no rain, the springs will be super clear - like pool water clear.
You can check the clarity level of the springs by visiting the Walton County Parks & Rec Dept website here.
Both Morrison Springs Community Park and Ponce de Leon Springs State Park have their perks, and I’d be hard-pressed to choose a favorite. I love them both for different reasons. Ponce de Leon Springs is a smaller spring and I find it easier to keep up with our kids if I take them by myself. It also has a spring run with water from 4 - 24” deep that was perfect for our youngest when he was a toddler. Ponce de Leon also has more space to spread out in the shade if you need a break from the water.
One thing that Morrison Springs has that we love is the small man-made beach that allows you to stay in shallower water and work your way into the frigid waters more slowly. Morrison Springs is also a MUCH larger spring, so although there are often more people around, it doesn't feel as crowded. Each park has bathroom facilities with outdoor showers, a large pavilion with grills, a diving platform, and picnic tables. Morrison Springs also has a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk overlooking the springs and a boat ramp. Both springs are perfect for swimming and jumping in the water as well as snorkeling and floating around in. You can use kayaks, stand-up paddle (SUP) boards, and canoes at Morrison Springs, but not at Ponce de Leon as the spring is not large enough.
