Florida is home to so many springs. Residents and visitors alike love to explore the calming waters and lush green scenery. There are many to choose from in the Sunshine State, but none are quite as unique as Devil's Den Spring. Located just two hours north of Orlando in Williston, FL, this day trip to a prehistoric underground spring is definitely worth it.
Adventurous couples, keep reading for insider tips so you can have the best day together!
Looking for more romance? Check out these 12 Romantic Day Trips from Orlando! And, consider making Devil's Den part of a Romantic Weekend Getaway to Cedar Key.
Updated June 2023 by Zoë Joiner.
Devil’s Den Florida – The Basics
Devil’s Den is a spring located inside a cave. Hundreds of snorkelers and scuba divers visit this remarkable natural beauty every year.
In fact, snorkeling and scuba diving are the only ways to get access to Devil’s Den as general swimming isn't allowed.
To get to the water (that’s a cool 72 degrees year round), descend down a steep flight of stairs to get to the submerged dive platform. Be careful though, it’s slippery!
If you can get past the cooler water temperatures, you will enjoy crystal clear waters, ancient rock formations, and wildlife.
Cave Dive the Blue Grotto
Exploring the natural wonder of the water is the best part. The cave is estimated to be 10,000 years old so there’s a lot to see. You will encounter small fish and turtles while swimming around. If you’re scuba diving, it’s possible you will run into some extinct animal fossils that date as far back as 2 million years ago (please just look with your eyes).
The opening at the top of the limestone cave lets in a natural beam of light that illuminates most of the grotto, allowing you to take in its beauty while you explore.
Don’t worry if you don’t have any snorkeling gear, you can rent it there for $12. Snorkeling is currently by reservation only and there’s a 90-minute time limit to ensure everyone visiting the spring gets a chance to see it.
RV Park, Cabins & Tent Campgrounds
After such a cool experience, why pack up and leave right away? A great option for visiting Devil's Den prehistoric spring is to make a trip of it and plan on staying the night. There are 4 cabins available for rent (that sleep up to 4 people), an RV park with 32 sites, and a tent campground with bathroom and shower facilities to help you marinate in the full experience. The property even has a heated swimming pool, grills, pavilions and lawn games to enjoy.
Take a trip to Devil’s Den and experience the uniqueness of Williston, Florida. It’s definitely worth the two-hour trip.
NEED TO KNOW DETAILS
- Devil's Den is open to snorkelers and scuba divers only; it is not open for general swimming (although you can walk the grounds for a $7 park fee).
- Age restrictions: entrance is limited to guests 18+ (kids under age 6 not allowed, and those 6-18 years old must be accompanied by a parent/guardian).
- Reservations are currently required for snorkeling and can be made HERE.
- Scuba diving is first come first served, and night dives are available for reservation.
- Admission is $18/person Monday-Friday and $25 on weekends and holidays for snorkelers.
- Admission is $38/person for scuba divers.
- Rental snorkeling gear is an additional $12, and rental scuba gear is an additional $45 (air fills are $8; Nitrox not available).
- Flotation devices are not allowed.
- Scuba divers must have an Open Water certification, and must have a dive buddy.
- Hours: Monday through Thursday from 9am – 4:30pm and Friday through Sunday from 8am – 5pm.
- Last dive at 3pm on weekdays, and 4pm Friday– Sundays.
If you're wondering how the name came to be…early settlers didn’t realize what was inside the cave opening at first. They saw what appeared to be smoke coming from the cave, so they called it Devil’s Den. Little did they know that the smoke was just steam escaping through the opening on cold mornings. Had they looked a little further down, they would’ve discovered something much more heavenly.
Continue your day trip…
When you’re done swimming around the cave, extend your day trip by visiting another nearby attraction.
Right next to Devil’s Den there’s a place called Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens. It’s a beautiful Japanese-inspired botanical garden with koi fish and waterfalls. It holds hundreds of plant species, dozens of garden displays, and amazing views.
It’s a hidden gem in the town of Williston and admission is only $12. Note that they are closed on Wednesdays.
The Devil's Den website also has a helpful list of other nearby springs to visit.
All images by Natalie Monzon unless otherwise noted.
Feature image credit: Devil's Den