Ponce de Leon Springs State Park

Ponce de Leon Springs State Park is a clear, spring-fed swimming hole just off I-10 in Holmes County, about 20 minutes east of DeFuniak Springs. The water stays 68 degrees all year, which makes it a cold plunge in August and a surprisingly pleasant swim in spring and fall.

The spring

This second-magnitude spring puts out about 14 million gallons of water a day into a sandy-bottomed spring run. Swimming is allowed, and snorkeling is allowed in designated areas. The park is named for Juan Ponce de León, who led the first Spanish expedition to Florida in 1513.

Trails and picnics

Two short, self-guided trails, the Spring Run and Sandy Creek trails, loop through shady hardwood forest. Four picnic pavilions are available first come, first served in summer, and you can bring your own grill.

Good to know

• Entry: $4 per vehicle.
• Hours: 8 a.m. to sunset every day. The park often reaches capacity on summer weekends and may close to new cars for a while.
• Alcohol: not allowed anywhere in the park.
• Dogs: allowed in designated areas on a leash, but not in the swimming area.

Nearby: Morrison Springs is about 15 minutes south, and DeFuniak Springs makes an easy day trip.