Spring to Spring Trail:
Florida
Trail Map
  • Get Personalized Driving Directions!
  • Find Trail Side Shops with Google Search!
  • See Users’ Geocoded Photos!
  • Get a Print-Friendly Map and Get Outdoors!
Description:
If you're traveling to central Florida, you won't want to miss the Spring to Spring Trail, which connects a number of small, friendly towns between Orlando and Daytona Beach, as well as many of the area's natural treasures. Although much of the trail is completed (15 of 26 miles), the trail is currently comprised of a few disconnected segments, all of which are paved.

The most northern segment starts near the base of De Leon Springs State Park. Enjoy the park's lakes, creeks and marshes by canoe, kayak or paddleboat as you scout for alligators, deer, otters, egrets, bald eagles and other wildlife. From there, the trail travels south through the well-shaded neighborhoods of De Leon Springs along Grand Avenue.

The next segment begins further south on Grand Avenue and travels nearly two miles along the roadway through wooded and open areas to its end near Minnesota Avenue. To the west lies the Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge, where freshwater marshes and swamps provide a critical habitat for nesting, migrating and wintering birds.

The trail picks up on the southwestern outskirts of DeLand, the seat of Volusia County and home to Stetson University. Here, the trail sits not far from the banks of the 2-mile-long Lake Beresford, whose calm waters are a favorite of rowers. The trail travels south along Blue Spring State Park for just over 3 miles through an environment lush with hammock and magnolias trees. The park is a designated manatee refuge and trail-goers can learn more about this endangered animal through ranger programs and view them from an observation platform during the winter when manatees gather in the warm waters of the spring. Swimmers, snorkelers and even scuba divers can also enjoy the spring.

Further south, in DeBary, the trail continues. It begins on DeBary Plantation Boulevard and travels 1.3 miles in a relatively straight line along the Donald E. Smith Boulevard through high-end neighborhoods. The city is known for its beautiful oak trees and they line the path as it makes its way to W. Highbanks Road.

One of the most scenic portions of the trail is the one that traces the northwestern shoreline of Lake Monroe. Start at the trailhead outside the DeBary Hall Historic Site, an 8,000-square-foot estate that offers exhibits, multimedia programs and guided tours where you can learn about the history of the St. Johns River region and the individuals that worked at the house and grounds during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Back on the trail, you'll make your way through a lovely tree-filled area to Dirksen Drive. You'll cross the street and parallel the roadway westward for 1.7 miles to Gemini Springs Park, a picturesque 210-acre park named for its freshwater spring. Stop for a picnic or take a stroll on one of its nature trails. From there, the trail drops southward for 2.4 miles to Lake Monroe Park, where you can access the water from the park's boat ramps and fishing docks.

The final segment provides a mix of residential and commercial views just north of Lake Monroe. You'll begin off Maple Avenue, south of DeBary Avenue, and follow DeBary to Providence Boulevard. Cross the boulevard to visit the Deltona Landings Shopping Center anchored by the Publix Super Market.
... Click to read more
Parking & Trail Access:
Parking can be found in Lake Beresford Park (2100 Fatio Road, DeLand) and Blue Spring State Park (2100 W. French Avenue, Orange City).

The following parking areas are also available in DeBary on the Lake Monroe segments:

  • Historic DeBary Hall (210 Sunrise Boulevard)
  • Gemini Springs Park (37 Dirksen Drive)
  • Lake Monroe Park (975 US Highway 17)

... Click to read more
... Click to read more
Reviews: [4 trail ratings]
[View all reviews for this trail]
[register/login to Submit a Review of this Trail]
It was a great trail and great historic Debary Hall tour and loved the Gemini Springs park, too.
By janhodge in March, 2012
This was a wonderful trail from Debary Hall to Gemini Springs. We did go on to Lake Monroe, too. We had a wonderful tour of Historic Debary Hall. Clean rest rooms! If you park here make sure you take a tour of DeBary Hall, the magnificently restored Victorian 1800s hunting estate of wine importer Frederick deBary. It was only $4 for seniors and 5 for adults. Allow min. 1 hour. You start in the visitor's center with a presentation that begins with you feeling like you are on a paddle boat on the river. History and some history of Frederick deBary's role in the developement of this area. Unique treasures can be found in the gift shop. I had looked for paper dolls for our granddaughter and there they were. It was the next review that made us decide to start at Debary Hall. It was a beautiful pleasant ride and not right along traffic. Trails that are right along the traffic are great for getting from point a to point b but for an enjoyable ride, and to see some wildlife, this is the trail. We only saw an EAGLE but that was great for mid afternoon. Loved the walk in Gemini Springs park...no charge! : ) Nice trail to Lake Monroe but not as beautiful as the first section but way off the road there, too. You can camp at Lake Monroe so that is a definitie plus. Tent camping at Gemini springs park, too! Sometimes that is really nice. It will be great when all these trails are connected. Next section for us is Blue Springs State park section! : ) Hopefully it'll get a glowing report, too. No where did we feel it was unsafe!
Riding to Manatees from Deland
By langtoni in March, 2012
We rode this trail in early March 2012 from Lake Beresford Park in Deland to Blue Springs State Park and back, 5.6 miles. Blue Springs is a great destination for a bike trip, with manatees in the winter and cool, refreshing swimming in the spring, summer and fall. The facilities at Lake Beresford are also excellent. The park is 210 acres, with restrooms, picnic tables and a great playground. The park has its own paved 1.8-mile loop trail that connects to the Spring to Spring Trail if you want a longer ride. The park has two nature trails as well (very ticky!). The Rail-to-Trail was in use by about a dozen bikers, runners, and walkers. It is nicely shaded and a bit hilly (for FL). Lots of curves in the trail add to the feeling you are deeper in the woods than you are. Be prepared to climb a bit on the way south then glide back heading north. We came upon a sizable rattler sunning right across the trail. The trail has benches every half-mile, but no water or restrooms. You can get a drink of water at the Blue Springs State Park entrance, but the rest of the park amenities are a mile into the park. It is is $2 per biker to get in and well worth it. It is a great 2,600-acre tract, with swimming areas, the spring "boil", gift shop, snack bar, boat tours, canoe/kayak rentals, camping, cabins, and lots of shaded seating. If the season is right, the spring is jammed with manatees. A few tips for accessing the Rail-to-Trail segment at the northern end: In Beresford Park, you have to go under an overpass to get to the Rail-to-Trail. (The trail prior to the underpass is the 1.8-mile park loop trail.) We went left after the overpass to head to Blue Springs. If you head right, the trail dead ends in about a half mile. You also can access the park loop trail from a small parking lot on Fatio Rd. just north of the main Beresford Park entrance. Ride left on the trail, then right at the main entrance of Beresford Park to access the Rail-to-Trail. This lot is a great spot to get to the non-paved trials as well (non-biking), and avoid any crowds in the main lot. However, it is remote and your car might not be as safe, but we had no problems. All in all, a great trail segment linking two great parks!
Dawdle in Debary
By bsaun in November, 2011
The southern part of this Trail is a beautiful 4 mile walk back in time in Central Florida.
I like to start at Lake Monroe Park (http://volusia.org/parks/LkMonroe.htm) where there is always people fishing, picnicking in the pavilions and playing on the playground. I enjoy watching the excitement around the boat ramps as I pass through the Park to get to the trailhead. The trail begins there with a newly constructed boardwalk thru a Cypress Swamp and then meanders thru an old Florida hammock habitat with massive oaks overhead to provide plenty of shade. Last week, I saw a large Doe feeding near the trail and often see turkeys in this area. A mile later, the trail opens to a prairie surronded by pines and other trees, a bird watchers paradise! I always see hawks and jays but look for the family of eagles that nest there. Once I saw hundreds of robins resting in the trees before migrating north. After a brief pass into a lush tropical wooded area (where I was greeted by an alligator last March!), you will enter another open prairie. Watch for scenic walking trails to marshy areas in both of these prairies for additional enjoyment. The trail then follows Dirksen drive past Gemini Springs Park (http://volusia.org/parks/gemini.htm) and this length of the trail is a mile of beautiful oaks with Spanish moss, palm tress and palmettos as ground cover. I have often walked this stretch after a long day at work. Relax in the park and watch for the family of deer that calls the springs their home before ending at historic Debary Hall, (http://debaryhall.com/) where you can learn all about the history of Debary.
This trail is excellent for walkers, bikers, history buffs and nature lovers!
Browse Trails by Activity: