Our Highways
Scenic Highways
Panhandle Region
Northern Region
Central Region
- Bradenton Beach Scenic Highway
- Courtney Campbell Scenic Highway
- Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway
- Green Mountain Scenic Byway
- Indian River Lagoon National Scenic Byway
- Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail
- Palma Sola Scenic Highway
- River of Lakes Heritage Corridor Scenic Highway
- Suncoast Scenic Parkway
- The Ridge Scenic Highway
Southern Region
River of Lakes Heritage Corridor Scenic Highway
Collectively, the 120-mile River of Lakes Heritage Corridor Scenic Highway and its resources convey the unfolding of western Volusia County’s rich cultural heritage along the magnificent and historical St. Johns River. The northern sections along US 17, CR 3 and SR 11 speak to the region’s pre-settlement and early days, preserved in natural areas, pastures, citrus groves, and ferneries upon which the first economies were based. The rural north, including towns such as Pierson, Seville, Barberville and DeLeon Springs, is complemented by historic districts that maintain commercial structures that tied the agricultural economy with the development of towns and cities.
Post World War II development spreads outward from the urban cores of DeLand, Orange City and Deltona and fills much of the southern sections of the corridor. Yet precious vistas still remain, such as Enterprise-Osteen Road, characterized by a mature tree canopy shading the road that travels along the northern shores of Lake Monroe and through Enterprise, Deltona and Osteen traverses a spectacular and rare wet prairie ecosystem that abounds with wildlife and blazes with colorful wildflowers. CR 4139 and Cassadaga Road meander though the charming historical communities of Lake Helen and Cassadaga. Dirksen Road in DeBary leads to several city and county parks and DeBary Hall Historic Site.
River of Lakes Heritage Corridor Scenic Highway
US 17 and US 17/92 from the Putman/Volusia County Line south to the Lake Monroe bridge; CR 3 from just above the Town of Pierson to DeLeon Springs; CR 4053 (Grand Avenue) from DeLeon Springs to DeLand; SR 44 (New York Avenue) from the St. Johns River Bridge to Prevatt Avenue just east of I-4; CR 4139 (Summit Avenue) from SR-44 to CR 4101 (Martin Luther King Beltway); CR 4110 (Old New York Avenue) from SR-44 to CR 4125 (Hontoon Rd.); CR 4125 to the St. Johns River; CR 4162 (Dirksen Drive) from US 17/92 east to CR 5758 (Lakeshore Dr./Enterprise-Osteen Rd.) to SR-15; SR-15 from CR 4162 to the St. Johns River; SR-11 from US 17/92 to the Volusia/Flagler County Line.
River of Lakes Heritage Corridor Scenic Highway
River of Lakes Heritage Corridor
http://www.riveroflakesheritagecorridor.com/
Volusia County Tourism
http://www.volusia.org/echotourism/
City of DeLand
http://www.deland.org/
City of DeBary
http://www.debary.org/
City of Deltona
http://www.deltonafl.gov/
DeLeon Springs State Park
http://www.floridastateparks.org/deleonsprings/
Hontoon Island State Park
http://www.floridastateparks.org/hontoonisland/default.cfm
Blue Springs State Park
http://www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring/
River of Lakes Heritage Corridor Scenic Highway
Gemini Springs Park (DeBary)
Gemini Springs Park offers many outdoor recreational activities for residents and their four-legged furry friends – including a fantastic dog park with fenced play areas, wash stations, water fountains for dogs, benches and a picnic area. Gemini Springs, near DeBary, was once a working farm located next to a bayou connecting with the St. Johns River. Part of the county’s multi-use “Spring-to-Spring” Trail meanders under the shade of ancient live oak trees providing ample opportunities to observe the many types of wildlife and vegetation while biking and hiking. Gemini Springs also has picnic pavilions, a children’s playground, fishing dock, horseback riding trail, primitive tent camping area, and canoe rentals.
Green Springs County Park (Enterprise)
The 36-acre park has one of Florida’s few green sulfur springs. Native Americans, including the Mayaca and Seminoles, considered the land sacred because they thought the sulfur water in the springs was healing. In 1841, Cornelius Taylor built a hotel on top of a once-massive shell mound at the end of the spring run where it enters Lake Monroe. The spring was the main attraction of Taylor’s “hotel for invalids” on the lakefront – one of Florida’s first health spas. By 1883, Green Springs was part of the large estate of wine importer and steamboat baron Frederick DeBary, who used it to entertain guests from DeBary Hall. Today, the park has paved and natural trails, scenic overlooks, a playground and picnic pavilions. It also is a trail head for the “Spring-to-Spring” Trail.
Seminole Rest (Oak Hill)
Seminole Rest, a pre-historical and interpretive park that is part of the Canaveral National Seashore managed by the National Park Service, is located in the City of Oak Hill off River Road and adjacent to the Mosquito Lagoon. Seminole Rest is an opportunity to step back in time and walk among prehistoric shell mounds dating from 2,000 B.C. to 1565 A.D. – providing a look into the lives of the Timucuan and Ais Indians who once inhabited this part of Florida. These shell mounds were formed as the Indians seasonally settled along the Mosquito Lagoon where they would gather and process clams, oysters, and fish as part of their food supply. Within these communities, the women and children were responsible for collecting and processing the clams, while the men fished, hunted larger animals and protected their families. The largest mound, Snyder’s Mound, is unique because few of its size remain intact today. In the late 1800s, two homes were built on the mounds to help protect them.
Blue Spring State Park (Orange City)
Three years after England acquired Florida from Spain, botanist John Bartram explored the St. Johns River to assess resources for the British Crown. His January 4, 1766 written account of his visit includes a description of Blue Spring. The Thursby House, built in 1872 atop a shell midden, still stands as a reminder of the site’s heyday as an active destination for steamboats carrying supplies and tourists. Blue Spring has been occupied for more than 2,000 years – first by the Mayaca Indians, then the Seminoles and in the 1840s, by the first white settlers. Blue Spring is now a state park of some 2,800 acres and the winter home of the endangered Florida manatee.
Equestrian & Environmental Park (Lake Helen)
Lake Helen Equestrian & Environmental Park, located in historic Lake Helen, provides full equestrian facilities including an arena, 18-stall barn, judging booth, warm-up arena, horsetrailer parking and a multi-use recreation area. The park serves as the trail head for the miles of multi-use trails developed in Lake Helen that link the West Volusia area with the Cross-Volusia Trail to New Smyrna Beach.
Hontoon Island State Park (DeLand)
Evidence of Native American habitation over thousands of years can be viewed at Hontoon Island State Park. An impressive visitor center has artifacts found on the island and a video provides details on the early inhabitants’ lifestyles and customs.
Downtown DeLand Historic District (DeLand)
The Downtown DeLand Historic District has 68 buildings of historic merit and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The physical development of the central business district began in the late 1870s, but the existing buildings were constructed after 1886, following a fire that destroyed most of the downtown structures and initiated a requirement that new buildings be built with brick. In addition to storefront properties, the district included several churches, an opera house, a theater, two hotels, the county courthouse and residences (now converted to offices) – an eclectic mix of styles of buildings constructed between 1886 and 1925. DeLand was one of the first Florida cities to participate in the Main Street program in 1985 when work began to revitalize this architectural gem. The success of the project was recognized with a Great American Main Street Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The area is a lively shopping and dining district and the center of a variety of cultural festivities.
DeLeon Springs State Park (DeLeon Springs)
The DeLeon Springs State Park was home to Native Americans for thousands of years. Two dugout canoes found in the spring are among the oldest canoes (5,000 and 6,000 years old) in America. In the 1880s, the site became a famous resort where Northerners would come during the winter to bathe in the constant temperate waters of the spring. In the 1950-60s, the resort added a campground, jungle cruises and a water circus featuring a water-skiing elephant. The State of Florida bought the property in 1982 for operation as a State Park.
Pioneer Settlement for the Creative Arts (Barberville)
History comes to life at the Pioneer Settlement for the Creative Arts. This heritage village, founded by a group of art teachers in 1976, is anchored by the Barberville Central High School and features relocated historic structures with collections of folk art: Pierson Railroad Depot (c. 1885), Astor Bridgekeeper’s House (c. 1926), Turpentine Commissary/Store (c. 1900), Turpentine Still (c. 1924), Pottery Shed (c. 1920), Lewis Log Cabin (c. 1875), Midway United Methodist Church (c. 1890), Huntington Post Office (c.1885), and the Quarters House (c. 1920). Workshops are open to the public exhibiting various historical trades and lifeways: Print Shop, Wheelwright Shop/Carriage House, Woodwright Shop, Blacksmith Shop, and Timucuan-Mayaca and Seminole Villages. The Settlement hosts numerous special events and educational lectures and is open regularly for tours.
Lake George Conservation Area (Pierson)
Lake George Conservation Area, managed by the St. Johns River Water Management District, is located on the western shore of the lake, encompasses 12,000 acres and has an 8-mile trail suitable for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Additional recreational activities include seasonal hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing and boating. The trail is surrounded by marshes, wetlands, and varying terrain. Species include the Florida black bear, Sherman’s fox squirrel and one of the region’s largest concentrations of the Southern bald eagle. Facilities include tent camping sites at the lake and recreational vehicle camping at the trailhead. Entrance to the Conservation Area is located off S.R. 40 on Lake George Road.
Seville Community Resource Center (Seville)
This community center in Seville features tours, a gym, a playground, and a large majestic Oak Tree that is the perfect picnic setting. It is also home to the Historic Seville School House, which was established in 1914.
