When we think about Florida, we probably picture beaches, theme parks, and busy cities with endless things to do. But Florida also has some pretty unexpected places, and Devil’s Den is definitely one of them, located in Williston.
Devil’s Den is a prehistoric underground spring inside a cave, where you can go snorkeling or scuba diving. And next door, you’ll find Cedar Lakes Woods & Gardens, a beautiful botanical garden built inside an old limestone quarry.
The best part? This a great option for a different kind of day trip from Central Florida!
Where are Devil’s Den and Cedar Lakes?
Both attractions are located in Williston, Florida, in Levy County, approximately:
- From Orlando: about 1 hour and 30 minutes and around 99 miles (159 km), depending on traffic and your route.
- From Tampa: about 1 hour and 50 minutes and approximately 118 miles (190 km).
That makes it very easy to visit them as a day trip. Although, you can also combine them with other places in North Florida. Once we visited Gainesville before Cedar Lakes, and another we went to Ocala for lunch after the gardens.
And that’s one of the things I love about this area. You can go from swimming inside a cave to strolling through gardens surrounded by waterfalls, lakes, and plants. All in one day.
Devil’s Den:
Swimming Inside a Cave
I have to admit, I had been curious about visiting Devil’s Den for many years. Like… maybe 12 to 14 years! So when we finally had the chance to go, I was definitely excited.
Devil’s Den is an underground spring located inside a cave that is about 120 feet wide. The water stays around 72°F (22°C) year-round.
And yes… the water was cold! At least for me. However, this is actually pretty common with Florida springs because they stay at a fairly constant temperature throughout the year. In this case, the only sunlight that reaches the water comes through the opening at the top of the cave. So I kept trying to stay right under that little spot of sunshine while swimming.
But still… brrr! If you are sensitive to cold water like I am, a wetsuit may be a good idea.
I really enjoyed the experience, but I honestly don’t think I’ll be getting back into that water. I tend to get sick pretty easily. Unfortunately, I ended up feeling sick with a cold after our visit. I wish it wasn’t like that :'(.
Inside the cave, you can go snorkeling or scuba diving. Certified divers have specific areas and requirements, so make sure you check the current rules before your visit.
For snorkeling, reservations are recommended, especially during busy times. Equipment rentals are available, including masks, snorkels, and fins. You can check availability, requirements, and make reservations through the official Devil’s Den website.
I brought my own mask and snorkel, so I only rented the fins. My husband rented all three pieces of equipment there. If you already have your own gear, you can bring it with you, as long as it follows the current rules.
I have to say… being inside a cave, swimming in crystal-clear water and seeing fish around us was such a cool experience.
They even told us that earlier that morning they had seen a turtle swimming around the spring. Apparently, once more people arrive, it likes to hide.
John’s Oasis: Another Reason to Come Back
One area I would love to explore on a future visit is John’s Oasis, the outdoor recreational area at Devil’s Den. This area was not ready during our visit, but it is now another option for spending more time at the property.
If you already have a reservation for the cave, access to John’s Oasis is included. If you only want to visit this outdoor area without going into the cave, the admission was $15 as of September 2026.
The property also offers camping for tents and RVs, as well as four cabins that can accommodate up to four people.
There are picnic areas, outdoor games, and a small gift shop, so you don’t necessarily have to visit only for the cave experience.
As always, I recommend checking the official website before your trip because activities, hours, prices, and availability can change. Reservations are also required.
Cedar Lakes Woods & Gardens
Just a short distance from Devil’s Den is a completely different experience: Cedar Lakes Woods & Gardens.
We have visited Cedar Lakes a couple of times, and one of the things we love most is that we can bring our dogs. For us, it’s a great option when we want to enjoy nature without leaving them alone for hours.
The garden covers about 20 acres and was created inside a more-than-century-old limestone quarry that was transformed into a botanical garden. Today, you’ll find walking paths, plants, waterfalls, lakes, viewpoints, and plenty of little spots to explore.
The visit is peaceful, and the trails are clearly marked. Walking through the entire garden takes about 90 minutes, although you can easily spend more time here if you want to slow down, sit for a while, or take lots of pictures.
And if you are visiting with your dogs, remember to keep them on a leash and follow the property’s rules.
For me, this is exactly the kind of place that works perfectly for a different weekend getaway or a fun day trip from Central Florida.
Can You Visit With Dogs?
This is actually one of the reasons Cedar Lakes became one of our favorite places in this area.
We have visited with our dogs, and we love being able to walk around and enjoy nature together.
Devil’s Den, on the other hand, is NOT a dog-friendly attraction, so if you are traveling with your pups, Cedar Lakes is the place where they can join you.
This can also help you plan your day. While one person enjoys Devil’s Den, or if you simply decide not to do the water activity, you can spend more time exploring Cedar Lakes instead.
How Much Time Do You Need?
If your goal is simply to experience both places, you can easily do them in one day.
I would set aside several hours for the full experience, especially if you plan to snorkel at Devil’s Den and then want to take your time walking through Cedar Lakes.
If you want an even more relaxed trip, you could stay overnight in the area and turn it into a little getaway.
For us, it was an easy trip from Central Florida and definitely one of those places that reminded us that there is so much more to Florida than the attractions everyone already knows.
What About Cedar Key?
Another reason I want to come back to this part of Florida is that Cedar Key is still on my list.
It is about 45 miles (72 km) from Williston, roughly a 45–50 minute drive, so I think it would make a great addition to another road trip.
I’m already imagining a trip that combines Devil’s Den, Cedar Lakes, and Cedar Key into a few days exploring this part of Florida.
Tips for Visiting Devil’s Den and Cedar Lakes
- Here are a few things I would keep in mind before your visit:
- Make your Devil’s Den reservation ahead of time, especially if you want to snorkel on a busy day.
- The water at Devil’s Den stays around 72°F (22°C) year-round, so be prepared if you are sensitive to cold water — like me! 🙂
- You can rent snorkeling equipment at Devil’s Den, or bring your own according to the current rules.
- If you plan to scuba dive, check the certification requirements and diving areas before your visit.
- Cedar Lakes is a great option if you’re traveling with dogs, as long as you follow the property’s rules.
- Bring water and comfortable shoes for walking around Cedar Lakes.
- The full Cedar Lakes walk takes about 90 minutes, but give yourself extra time if you want to stop for pictures or simply enjoy the scenery.
- Cedar Lakes is currently open daily, with the last garden admission at 4:45 p.m. Always check the official website before leaving because hours can change. Special events may also have different rules, including days when dogs are not allowed. Check the official website here.
- If you want to visit both places on the same day, I would start with Devil’s Den and visit Cedar Lakes afterward.
A Different Side of Florida
Sometimes we think we have to drive for hours to find interesting places in Florida, but Devil’s Den and Cedar Lakes Woods & Gardens are a great reminder that you can find completely different experiences without going too far from Central Florida.
One took us inside a prehistoric cave to swim in crystal-clear water surrounded by fish. The other gave us a peaceful walk through gardens, waterfalls, and nature — with our dogs by our side.
And while I probably won’t be jumping back into the cold water at Devil’s Den anytime soon, I would definitely love to return to the area, explore John’s Oasis, and eventually continue the road trip toward Cedar Key.
Watch Our Experience
If you want to see what our visit was actually like, join us in the video where we explore Devil’s Den and Cedar Lakes Woods & Gardens on our YouTube channel below. For English go to settings and then audio.
And then… who knows? Maybe our next little Florida adventure will take us toward Cedar Key.
