Visiting Hontoon Island State Park — Ferry, Trail & Cabins
Quick answer: Hontoon Island State Park is a St. Johns River island accessed by a free passenger ferry from 2309 River Ridge Rd, DeLand, FL 32720 — 15 minutes west of Downtown. Hours: 8 a.m.–sundown mainland; ferry typically 9a–5p. Free admission. Allow 4–6 hours. Bring water, bug spray, and pack in/pack out.
Getting there
Mainland ferry landing: 2309 River Ridge Rd, DeLand, FL 32720Get directions on Google Maps
Plan your visit
The free ferry
Park your car at the mainland lot (2309 River Ridge Rd). The free passenger ferry runs roughly 9 a.m.–5 p.m. on demand — press the summoning bell if no boat is at the dock and the pilot will come across. No vehicles cross; just you and your gear. Confirm last-boat time before heading out — missing it means a night on the island.
What to bring
Water (lots — 1L per person per 2 hours on hot days), bug spray, sunscreen, hiking shoes, hat. No concession on the island — pack your lunch. Pack all trash out.
Hammock Hiking Trail
3.3-mile loop through live oak hammock and swamp forest. The trail passes the Indigenous shell midden and the Mayaca owl-totem replica. Expect roots and muddy sections after rain; allow 2–3 hours.
Primitive cabins
Rustic rental cabins on the island book via reserveamerica.com. You ferry your gear across; there's a shared bath house on the island. It's quiet — perfect for a stargazing weekend.
Accessibility
The mainland lot, ferry dock, and the island ranger area are accessible. Island trails are natural surface and not reliably ADA; confirm specific accommodations with rangers before planning.
What you'll see
Hontoon Island sits on the St. Johns River — an island of 1,648 acres covered in live-oak hammock and cypress swamp, home to deer, wild turkey, alligators, and an astonishing variety of wading birds. The island has been inhabited for thousands of years by the Mayaca and earlier Indigenous peoples.
The signature archaeological feature is a replica of an owl totem pole — the original estimated 700–800 years old, carved by Mayaca artisans and recovered from the island in 1955. The original totem is in the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville; the island displays a full-size replica in context.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Hontoon Island State Park?
- 2309 River Ridge Rd, DeLand, FL 32720 — the mainland entrance and ferry landing are 15 minutes west of Downtown DeLand.
- How do I get to the island?
- A free passenger ferry runs from the mainland landing to the island, typically 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (verify current hours at floridastateparks.org). No vehicles on the island; leave your car at the mainland lot.
- What are the park hours?
- Mainland 8 a.m. to sundown daily. Ferry operates within that window — confirm last boat time before you go.
- Is there an admission fee?
- Free — state park and ferry both no-cost.
- What's on the island?
- A ranger station, picnic shelters, primitive rental cabins, the 3.3-mile Hammock Hiking Nature Trail, an Indigenous shell midden, and a replica of a 700–800-year-old Mayaca owl totem.
- Can I camp on Hontoon Island?
- Yes — primitive cabins and tent sites book via reserveamerica.com. You carry your gear across on the ferry.
- Is the island wheelchair accessible?
- The ferry dock and ranger area are accessible. Island trails are natural surface and not reliably ADA. Confirm with park rangers before planning.
- What should I bring?
- Water (lots of it), bug spray, sun protection, hiking shoes. No food/drink concession on the island — pack in, pack out.
Sources
Visitor information last verified April 2026. Ferry hours are weather- and seasonally-dependent — confirm at floridastateparks.org.