The Fountain of Youth

PONCE de LEON, FL - Spend the day drinking, splashing and bathing in Ponce de Leon Springs. If rumors are correct, you may be restoring years to your life. 

Ponce de Leon Springs State Park, located in the Florida Panhandle, claims that the Fountain of Youth makes its home in this park.

Location, location, location
Florida is famous for many stories throughout history, but there is no doubt that Florida definitely got some recognition – deserved or not – for its claims to this body of water sought by explorers throughout time. 

Ponce de Leon Springs State Park most definitely has a watering hole on its grounds, but is it the Fountain of Youth? Another state park in St. Augustine, Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, also claims to have a body of water with the power to heal and restore. And, these are only two parks out of many that are claiming this treasure.

The legend is born
Throughout history and literature, several claims are made that a body of water exists with the power to heal and to bring eternal youth to all that bathe or drink in its crystalline depths.

Although the first attempt to find the Fountain of Youth was not made until the 1500s, there is evidence of such a fountain that dates back to the Alexander Romance era. Countless stories of this period refer to water with healing powers. Who can blame people for wanting immortality and eternal beauty?

The Land of Bimini
One legend of the Fountain of Youth attaches it to the mythical land known as Bimini or “Beemeenee.” Bimini, according to the story told to the Spanish by the Arawaks, is an island where the inhabitants live a life of luxury where wealth and beauty have no bounds. Bimini is said to be located in the north near the Bahamas. The legend has it that Sequene, an Arawak chief from Cuba, went in search of the island with some of his tribesmen. Sequene never returned; however, rumors spread that Sequene and his men found Bimini and the Fountain of Youth.

Ponce de Leon and Florida
Legend has it that Juan Ponce de Leon was told about the Fountain of Youth during his travels in Puerto Rico. After conquering the island, he grew hungry for more money and fame and in 1513 he launched a search party to locate the fountain. He never did find the fountain. Instead, he found Florida.

Ponce de Leon did not become synonymous with the Fountain of Youth until after his death. The connection was first made in 1535 when Spanish historian Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo wrote “Historia General y Natural de las Indias.” The story claims that Ponce de Leon was searching for Bimini to find the Fountain of Youth to cure his sexual impotence. However, he was only one of many historians to claim that Ponce de Leon had once sought curative waters in either Bimini or Florida.

About the Park
Come experience eternal youth in Florida’s legendary spring! Visitors of Ponce de Leon Springs State Park can be found drinking, splashing, bathing, hiking and exploring.

Ponce de Leon Springs are relatively cool and inviting with temperatures around 68 degrees Fahrenheit year round. The main spring is a convergence of two, underground water flows, and it produces 14 million gallons of water daily.

The park, named after Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon, has two self-guided nature trails through the forest with information along the trails on local ecology and wildlife. Guided tours are also conducted seasonally.

Anglers enjoy this park for the variety of fish that make their home here, including largemouth bass, chain pickerel, panfish and catfish.

With four picnic pavilions and grills, visitors are often seen eating. The pavilions can be reserved for family gatherings and parties by calling the park.

Ponce de Leon Springs State Park
2860 Ponce de Leon Springs Road
Ponce de Leon, FL 32455
(850) 836-4281
 
Hours and admission
Open daily from 8 a.m. until sunset; $3 per vehicle and $1 for bicyclists and pedestrians