Picture of the St. Francis Hotel that once stood on the banks of the St.John's River, west of DeLand.
After several minutes of wandering down the trail off CR 42, east of DeLand on the Lake County side of the river, the cars that can be heard fade into the distance. Slowly, another world begins to emerge. This world of Old Florida was lost in time due to the advances of society, but traces remain of what was once a bustling society.
The community of St. Francis was a thriving river port in the late 1800s, as steamboats worked their way from Jacksonville upriver along the St. Johns to Sanford. Here, they'd stop to exchange household goods for citrus and timber. As Henry Flagler made Florida more accessible to the tourist masses due to his railroad and the rail lines that followed made it commerce easier, river traffic vanished and so did towns like St. Francis.
Fortunately, you can get a glimpse of what used to be thanks to the St. Francis Trail. Bounded on the north by the Alexander Springs Wilderness and on the east by the mighty floodplains of the St. Johns, the St. Francis Trail is a very enjoyable hike.
Fortunately, you can get a glimpse of what used to be thanks to the St. Francis Trail. Bounded on the north by the Alexander Springs Wilderness and on the east by the mighty floodplains of the St. Johns, the St. Francis Trail is a very enjoyable hike.
Directions to St. Francis:
From Deland, drive north on SR 15 or US 17 to intersect with SR 44. Head west on SR 44 (New York Avenue) for 4.2 miles from SR 15, crossing the Whitehair Bridge over the St. Johns River.
Turn right onto SR 42 at the light after the bridge. Watch for the sign on the right -- it comes up fast. Turn right at River Forest and drive past the group camp to the trailhead at the end of this short unpaved road.
Starting from the trailhead kiosk -- which is where you’ll learn about St. Francis’ agricultural past -- follow the orange blazes (painted over the former blue blazes) into an upland hammock of oaks. The path is easy to follow and well shaded.
Some of the sights you'll see include foot bridges, old citrus trees, a well, and various other signs that show this was once a thriving community.
This is the perfect time of you to explore the St. Francis Trail, before it gets too hot. Make sure you bring plenty of water and bug spray.
Overview
Location: Deland
Length: 7.9 mile loop
Trailhead: 29.012710, -81.392275
Fees / Permits: Free
Restroom: None. Try nearby River Forest campground.
Turn right onto SR 42 at the light after the bridge. Watch for the sign on the right -- it comes up fast. Turn right at River Forest and drive past the group camp to the trailhead at the end of this short unpaved road.
Starting from the trailhead kiosk -- which is where you’ll learn about St. Francis’ agricultural past -- follow the orange blazes (painted over the former blue blazes) into an upland hammock of oaks. The path is easy to follow and well shaded.
Some of the sights you'll see include foot bridges, old citrus trees, a well, and various other signs that show this was once a thriving community.
This is the perfect time of you to explore the St. Francis Trail, before it gets too hot. Make sure you bring plenty of water and bug spray.
Overview
Location: Deland
Length: 7.9 mile loop
Trailhead: 29.012710, -81.392275
Fees / Permits: Free
Restroom: None. Try nearby River Forest campground.