Vortex Spring Adventures
Ponce de Leon, Florida
75 RV Sites, 3 Cabins, 14 Motel Rooms, 1 House, 6 Apartments
Vortex Spring Adventures in Ponce de Leon, Florida, offers 75 RV sites with electric service alongside 24 apartment, cabin, house, and motel-room accommodations at one of the most celebrated freshwater diving destinations in the continental United States. A water park, boat rentals, and a snack bar serve the dive community and family swimmers at a first-magnitude spring.
Seventy-five back-in RV sites carry electric service — note there are no water or sewer hookups at the sites, though a dump station is on site, so plan tank capacity accordingly. Twenty-four apartments, cabins, houses, and motel rooms provide enclosed lodging, which suits divers arriving without equipment. A general store, restrooms, and a snack bar handle the practical side. One booking note: campers entering the park before 4:00pm are charged for the previous night's camping.
The spring is the entire reason to come. Crystal-clear 68-degree water surges year-round from a 30-foot-wide vent into a natural swimming basin, with visibility conditions that make this a training and certification destination for thousands of scuba divers annually. The cavern entrance sits 58 feet deep, and a wetsuit is recommended for diving even in summer given the constant water temperature. Snorkeling, swimming, paddle boarding, and boating round out the water recreation, with boat rentals, a water park, recreation center, and playground for the family market. Pets are welcome.
Ponce de Leon sits in Holmes County in the Florida Panhandle, where the spring system draws divers from across the Southeast.
The spring runs 68 degrees year-round, which makes this a genuinely four-season destination — though summer family traffic is the peak. Reserve ahead for warm-weather weekends.
75 RV Sites, 3 Cabins, 14 Motel Rooms, 1 House, 6 Apartments
Amenities & Activities
- Bathrooms
- Boat Rentals
- Boating
- Cabins
- Dump Station
- General Store
- Paddle Boarding
- Pet Friendly
- Playground
- Recreation Center
- River/Stream/Creek
- Scuba Diving
- Snack Bar
- Snorkeling
- Swimming
- Water Park
Select your site to book online
Location
Vortex Spring, 1517 Vortex Springs Ln, Ponce De Leon, FL 32455, USA
Things to know
Check-in: 4:00 PM
Check-out: 10:00 AM
Need to know
Reminder
- Campers entering the park before 4:00 PM will be charged for the previous night's camping.
How cold is the water at Vortex Springs?
- 68 degrees year-round.
- We recommend a wetsuit for diving!
How deep is the gate at Vortex Springs?
- The cavern entrance is 58 feet deep.
- Divers are not allowed to enter the cave without proper certification, however, the caverns can be explored with an Open Water Certification.
Do you have to pay to get into Vortex Springs?
- We have daily park admission passes for swimmers and access to all facilities.
- Daily diving passes are specifically for divers and include all amenities in the daily park admission pass.
- Lodging and camping come with two passes included for each day of their reservation.
Can I scuba dive without a certification?
- No, not unless you're enrolled in one of our diver certification courses with proper instructor supervision.
Are pets allowed at vortex spring?
- Yes! They're allowed.
Is alcohol allowed at Vortex Spring?
- Yes.
- Alcohol is allowed for persons 21 years of age and older.
- We ID at the time of admission and you will be given a wristband if you plan to consume alcohol.
- Anyone caught consuming alcohol under the legal age will be expelled with no refund.
- No beer bonds, funnels, or kegs are permitted.
- We highly encourage responsible drinking.
What time is check-in for camping and lodging?
- Check-in time begins at 4:00 PM and check-out time is at 10:00 AM.
- Early check-in for RV and primitive camping may be allowed at additional fees.
Are there grills in the campground?
- Yes, you will find grills and picnic tables in the campground, outside the lodges, and in the grassy area near the spring.
Are campfires allowed?
- Yes, campfires are allowed only in the provided campfire pits.
- Sometimes a local fire ban may prevent your ability to have a campfire.
- We will inform you upon check-in if a ban is currently in effect.
Are there lifeguards on duty?
- No, we do not have lifeguards on duty.
- Swimming is at your own risk.
Is there a restaurant on-site?
- No, we do not have a restaurant on-site, however, we have a dive shop with a large selection of snacks and beverages as well as camping supplies you may have forgotten.
Rules
Registration and Arrival
Check-In Procedure
- Check-in Time begins at 4:00 PM
- Check-out time is at 10:00 AM on the day of departure.
- Lodging check-in time begins at 4:00 PM and check-out time is at 10:00 AM.
- Early check-in for RV and primitive camping may be allowed at additional fees.
- Campers entering the park before 4:00 PM will be charged for the previous night's camping.
- Pass validation will be checked at the gate when leaving and entering the park.
- While each park attempts to accommodate your exact spot request, the on-site manager has the ultimate decision for spot placement.
General Admission
- All general admission guests must register at the Dive Shop or Port Of Entry, pay applicable fees, and sign a waiver/release form, minors included.
- General admission passes expire at sundown.
- Only overnight guests may enter the resort 24 hours a day.
- General and Diving pass holders may leave the resort and re-enter as long as their passes are valid.
- Two admission passes are included per site.
Additional Charges
- 5% Service Fee will be added per site reservation.
- Each additional guest will be subject to an additional charge of $15 per person, per night for admission to the park.
Children Policy
- Children 12 years and under require adult supervision at all times.
Swimming Policy
- Swim at your own risk, No lifeguards on duty.
- No diving or jumping from docks, bridges, or trees.
- All swim shop rental gear is due one hour before closing.
Alcohol Policy
- We ID at the time of admission.
- A 21 and older wristband will be placed on you if you plan to consume alcohol.
- If you are caught without such a wristband and you are consuming, you will be expelled with no refund.
- No beer bongs, funnels, or kegs are permitted.
- No excessive alcohol consumption.
- No glass containers allowed on the property.
Firearms
- Firearms are prohibited.
- No foul or abusive language, fighting, or any other behavior that may be offensive to families will be permitted.
Quiet Hours
- Quiet Hours are 10:00 pm until 8:00 am.
- No excessive noise is allowed at any time.
- For noise complaints please get in touch with the Holmes County Sheriff at 850-547-3681.
- No foul or abusive language, music, fighting, or any other behavior that may be offensive to other guests will be permitted.
Speed Limit
- A 5 mph speed limit must be observed throughout the property.
Vehicle Policy
- No ATVs of any type are allowed on the property.
- No motor-propelled watercraft.
- No riding on exteriors of vehicles.
- If you have a rig older than 10 years, please email or call the front desk!
Fishing or Hunting
- No fishing or hunting is allowed on the property at any time.
Commercial Filming
- No commercial filming is permitted without prior written permission.
Prices
- Prices are subject to change.
- Taxes not included.
Camping Rules
- All campers must be 18 years old to camp without being accompanied by their parent or legal guardian.
- Proof of legal guardianship is required. (We I.D.)
- Campsites must be clean and orderly at all times.
- No camping on the grassy areas surrounding Spring or the Spring run.
- All other regular park rules apply.
Camping Prices
- Camping prices are per night.
- Prices may be higher on major holidays/holiday weekends.
- Prices are subject to change without notice.
- Scuba diving fees are not included.
Camping Site Quiet Hours
- Quiet hours are from 12:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.
- No excessive noise is permitted at any time.
Trees
- Lanterns should be hung from ropes suspended between trees.
- Lanterns should not attach directly to trees, heat from lanterns will kill our trees.
- No chainsaws allowed.
- Do not cut or nail anything to trees or vegetation.
Lodging Rules
- A deposit is required for each reservation.
- The amount of your first night's rate for each reservation is required in advance.
- Prices may be higher and a minimum night stay may imposed over holiday weekends or during special events.
- You must be at least 21 to make a reservation or stay in our accommodations without a parent or legal guardian.
- If there are any items removed from your room or any damage done to the property, your credit card will be charged a minimum of $150.00.
Scuba Diving Rules
- All diving guests must register at the dive shop, pay applicable pass fees, and sign a waiver/release form.
- Minors require the signature of a custodial, parent or legal guardian.
- Diving passes expire at 11 pm.
- All scuba rental gear is a 24-hour rental.
- If you plan to return your gear after hours please contact a staff member for instructions.
- The minimum age for scuba diving is 10, regardless of supervision or certification.
- All minors must dive with a certified adult, regardless of whether the minor is certified.
- Diver must be able to show proof of certification from a recognized agency or be under instructor supervision.
- Divers must be able to read and abide by all posted diving rules.
- Divers must follow all generally accepted safe diving practices.
- Divers must not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Divers must dive within their limits of certification.
- Divers must not enter the cavern or cave system without such certifications.
Cancellation Policy
MODERATE
If the guest cancels at least 1 week before your check-in day and time, they will receive a full refund (minus Spot2Nite convenience or resort fees). If the guest cancels within the 1 week before check-in, there will be no refund.