Tips for Devil's Den Prehistoric Springs: A Hidden Florida Oasis

If you have never been to Devil’s Den, you are in for a real treat! This spring is truly a hidden Florida oasis and it’s natural wonder brings Florida beauty to a new level! Having transformed from a simple scuba diving site, to a world class attraction, this spring is something you do not one to miss!

This spring is underground. But the coolest part about Devil’s Den is that it is inside a dry cave! This cave has been home to many extinct fossils. Hence the name: Devil’s Den Prehistoric Springs!

The natural wonder of this location is something you do not want to miss. From scuba diving, to merely exploring this unique oasis, you won’t regret swinging by this spring.

A woman stands on the stair's platform, under the cave at Devil's Den Florida.

Why is it Called Devil’s Den Prehistoric Spring?

This question is asked often! It is first called prehistoric because of the dry cave the spring sits under. In this cave, as mentioned earlier, there are tons of extinct fossils. Some of these are even n display at the University of Florida’s Museum of Natural History.

But where does Devil’s Den come from? On colder mornings you can steam rising from the chimney opening of the spring and cave. It looks like smoke, thus, early settlers gave this spring the iconic name of Devil’s Den.

A woman in a red bathing suit floats on her back in the enclosed area of Devil's Den.

Where is Devil’s Den Prehistoric Spring?

This spring is located north of Ocala and South of Gainesville. Devil’s Den is located in the small town of Williston’s if you know where that is! But it is truly in rural Florida. Despite this, driving off the beaten track is totally worth it for this iconic spot. And this area is also home to Blue Grotto Dive Resort, which is another cave system you can explore.

Having trouble finding it or worried about getting there? Just type in 5390 NE 180th Ave Williston FL, 32696. Or type in Devil’s Den Spring in your GPS! Whether you put in the name or the exact address, you will find this place easily. Just remember, let your GPS guide you, as this is rural Florida. This is truly one of the best things to do near Gainesville.

From the chimney top perspective, a woman is seen swimming below the hole in the ground, in the blue water of Devil's Den.

How Much Does it Cost to Visit Devil’s Den?

Devil’s Den in Florida costs $15.00 a person Monday through Friday. But if you are visiting on the weekend, it is $20.00 a person! And this applies to Holidays as well. But the price also varies depending on what you want to do at the springs and its surrounding areas.

If you are snorkeling here, you can rent snorkeling gear for an additional $10.00. But if you are scuba diving, that original $15.00-$28.00 ups its price to $38.00! And if you want to rent scuba gear, it is an additional $40.00. You can save money by bringing your own equipment, of course!

A woman takes in the views at Devi's Den as she stands on the stair's platform under the vastness of the ancient cave.

Making a Reservation for Devil’s Den

Devil’s Den is not a traditional spring where you can just show up and spend the day there. Here you MUST make a reservation to visit. Reservations can be made at their website.

You need to snorkel and go diving by appointment only, so make sure to reserve a day. Each snorkeler and diver must register individually, and if you are under the age of 18, you MUST have a parent on site.

You can reserve your spot at the website: devilsden.com, or you can call at 352-528-3344!

Crowds gather at Devil's Den, getting ready to go snorkeling or scuba diving in all of their gear.

What Time does Devil’s Den Springs Open and Close?

Devil’s Den is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. On the weekends, which includes Friday through Sunday, this spring is open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. It is also important to note that the last water entry and reservation is only available 1 hour before closing. This means you cannot enter the spring after 4 p.m.!

The sign for Devil's Den is hard to miss: it features a Devil, the name of the location, and a scuba flag.

How Cold is Devil’s Den Prehistoric Springs?

The crystal clear water at this spring stays at a constant 72 degrees all year long! Being inside a cave, this water temp is pretty consistent, and the ancient rock formations help keep it a bit insulated. However, it is also important to know that these springs are deep, so it can feel a bit cooler the deeper you dive. Bring a wetsuit if you want!

A woman dives beneath the water with the help of a mask and fins at Devil's Den.

How Deep is Devil’s Den?

Obviously the depth of Devil’s Den Springs in Florida has to be deep enough to snorkel and scuba dive! But how deep is this natural wonder? This spring has a maximum depth of 54 feet.

Divers and snorkelers can enjoy fantastic views inside the crystal clear water and admire the ancient rock formations that date back 33 million years!

A swimmer approaches the surface of the water at Devin's Den: her flippers propel her forward and the rays of light catch her red bathing suit in the water.

Are there Alligators at Devil’s Den?

One question people always ask about the springs in Florida centers around our lovely population of alligators. So, are there alligators at Devil’s Den? No!

There are no alligators, sharks or any creepy critters for that matter. Here you may see a few fish and one or two turtles, but that is all. This spring is truly perfect for a calm and quiet diving experience. There is no need to worry about fellow fish or other animals swimming too close to you!

A man over-looks the chimney top of the Devil's Den Cave, observing what is below from the comfort of a wooden boardwalk that is surrounded by oaks and grass.

Crowds at Devil’s Den Florida

This spring is obviously becoming a tourist destination. So that springs the question (no pun intended), what are the crowds like at Devil’s Den? This spring is super popular now, so it can get busy!

However! Because of the reservation system it is never crazy crowded. And if you come right at opening or in the late afternoon, there is less people. This does mean that you will get a little less light rays in the water, though.

At the end of the day, making a reservation is super important and can really impact the crowds. This spring is also still ensuring that social distancing is going on, so the less people the easier this is!

The chimney perspective of Devil's Den shows crowds snorkeling, swimming, and preparing to get into the water.

Swimming at Devil’s Den

To snorkel, and scuba dive at Devil’s Den, you must be a strong swimmer. This is mainly because of the depth of the spring! And you must have a mask, fins, and snorkel on you at all times to help aid in the swimming process.

If you don’t snorkel, you can go scuba diving, of course! But it is super important to stress that you cannot stand there and hang out. You MUST be in the water, actively swimming with the use of snorkel or scuba gear. Make sure you are a strong swimmer overall. This spring will require you to fill out waivers saying that you are!

The chimney perspective once again shows a woman floating on her back at Devil's Den. The green moss that dangles from the hole frames her floating figure.

Can I Just go Down and Look at the Spring Without Swimming?

The short answer? NO! There are cameras everywhere in this spring. They are there to ensure safety. And part of those safety requirements and stipulations is the fact that visitors cannot just hangout and look at the spring.

Again, this is for safety reasons. There is only one ladder to get out of the spring, so they don’t need the platform exit getting too crowded. It can be a fire hazard! Plus, this platform and ladder gets a bit crowded as is, and Devil’s Den just wants to make sure everyone there is safe.

While in the water at Devil's Den, people swim, snorkel, and scuba dive in the blue water and they admire the ancient fossils in the cave.

Camping at Devil’s Den

You can always spend the night at these springs. The secluded accommodations are great for an overnight adventure! Devil’s Den offers 4 cabins that are available for rental. They are identical in size and sleep up to four people.

These cabins also have a kitchen which features a microwave, mini-fridge, and sink. The admission is separate from lodging fees. And the nightly rates start at $140 for one night. But if you stay for more than 3 nights, you’ll pay about $105.00 per night!

One of the rental perks at Devil's Den includes the rental of swimming equipment, but you can also purchase things if you are camping there too: some of these things like snacks and coffee are shown in this photo.

But if you don’t want to rent a cabin, you can always pitch a tent at the campgrounds. Here people gaze at the stars and enjoy nature. Some select sites feature electric and water hook ups. There is also porta-potties and bathroom/shower facilities for these sites. It is $12.00 per night, per person to camp in a tent here! And most sites are first come, first serve.

If you have an RV as well, there are 32 sites in which you can stay at. Devil’s Den offers 30/50 amp hook-ups, water, and sewer. Once again, admission to Devil’s Den is separate, but the length in stay averages between $35.00- $38.00 a night!

Please note that also four-legged friends are welcome but they must be leashed. And make sure to call ahead for any reservation. No matter where you are staying at Devil’s Den– the tent campgrounds, RV park, or cabins– they can book out fast! So call ahead!