Rock Springs Run Reviews

The best natural springs in the area. Great!
Much better than Wekiva Springs. wonderful swim, my advise rent a rubber float, half a mile before the entrance.

This was a beautiful way to spend the day floating in 82 degree water lined with overhanging oaks and wildlife. Rent a tube for $5 for the day or bring your own.

Our first time visiting and we absolutely loved it! The entries into the springs, were easy to get to. The water was very clear and cool at first but after the first initial entry, it was wonderful. If you star at the very beginning, it does have some big rocks, hence the name. Not a problem if you have a tube, otherwise you need to look for them. Once you get half down the springs , you enter a very big pool-like area where one side is deep(not too deep) and then an area where little ones can jump around and have a a good time. If you want, you can continue down the springs which is my favorite part. It's just lovely going down this part of the springs. If you go during the week, it's not as crowded, maybe an occasional camp group/youth camp. You can bring your coolers, there's an area where you can bbq, you can bring you own chairs, blankets, tubes and floating devices. Try to go early if you can. If you go during the weekend, definitely go early, because it gets crowded quick and they will close it after it gets to capacity. It's worth it and we're headed back there this week----can't wait! Enjoy!

The parking lot was laid out very nicely with lots of wooded area area between lanes and lots of picnic tables with grills. Playground was wonderful! We came here for the Rock Springs Run and had a wonderful time! The tube run itself is more like a lazy river but for young children its great! No worries about currents pulling them away from you and it is mostly about 4 foot deep all the way down. Lifeguards are on duty so that is also helpful. They have a large sandy beach area for the kids to enjoy also. The head of the springs is small but very beautiful! My boys would have stayed in this area all day if we had let them. I think we paid $8 for all 4 of us to get in. So worth it! We went on a weekday and there were a lot of people. We were told that weekends are very crowded and the park usually closes the gate early because of maximum capacity. We will be back!

This is the real Florida experience. I have canoed Rock Springs many times with and without children and wanted to refute what has been said about it. Of course, if you go canoing you should be prepared to get wet! Thats half the fun. Any physical activity is work and attitude is key. Rock Springs is one of the most magical places left in Florida. It is a bird sanctuary in the winter and all manners of visiting birds can be seen. The alligators won't harm you if you respect them and it is a chance to see them in their native habitat. The current is strong and will carry you leisurely without much effort if you are not in a hurry and want to take your time. As far as branches being down , there must have been a recent storm b/c I have never seen that there. Don't miss this beautiful spot. The end of the run is Wekiva state park which has a beautiful swimming lagoon.

Our family stumbled across this gem, and I’m so glad we did! Float down pristine waters and enjoy the scenery, or snorkel and explore beneath the water. What a fantastic place! Arrive early as it fills up fast.

Oh how I love Kelly Park! It's so beautiful. You can Bring your own tubes or rent them outside the park. You start tubing at the mouth of the spring,go all the way to the end, then take a short walk and start all over again. Perfect size park for my kids ages 5-8. We did see an alligator up on the bank once between the spring and the island. But a park ranger was in the water with a walkie-talkie monitoring the situation. I'm glad they have a lightning siren and lifeguards.

It was a great family outing.

Get your tubes at the corner then go in. We didn’t know this and had to go back out.

In the warmer months this place fills up by 8am. So get there early.

It was so relaxing and clearclear Clearwater.

My son Tyler, lives in Melbourne Florida. My other son and I were visiting. This State Park is an oasis.
We rented tubes outside the park... jumped in and floated downstream.
We are from Vermont... and know what natural beauty is. This is just that. Pack a lunch and go hang out.

After my fiasco of waiting till 2 to be let in, we found the spring to be a place we would not return to. You are floating next to brush and trees over your head not sure if Gators are there as other springs just feel safer.

If you want to kayak Rock Springs Run, the best place to launch from is Kings landing, that's where we launched from and paddled up to Rock Springs.
Rock Springs Run is probably one of the most beautiful spring runs in Florida. The water is crystal clear and the vegetation was gorgeous. The water was similar to Juniper at Junipers prettiest areas, but the vegetation surrounding cannot be compared; it's like a rainforest or jungle look with the tall trees and vines. Gorgeous and a must see and experience!

I did not do the float trip; rather, my trip started at the Wekiwa Springs launch point then I paddled up the run to the first camp site. The water was a little lower than expected but still manageable. It was not hard to tell I was under the influence of a different set of springs once I turned left onto the run. The flow was swift but generally one that is manageable. I would not necessarily recommend paddling up the run for a beginner but if they paid attention and have a sense of river skills, the trip is well worth the effort. There are points where the run meanders over sand bars in and among the lilies. On the trip I saw a half dozen deer, turtles and several hundred birds. I ran out of time once I neared the camp site so I turned around and headed back to the state park. I will return.

Suggestions are to arrive early. I can see where the park would fill fast on a warm sunny weekend day.

Very cheap to enter and free parking. The natural spring head provides a great tubing experience and the water is shallow so suitable for all. You can take your own tubes or hire them just outside the park. You can take your own picnic, buy food on site or take food to grill on the BBQ's which are spread throughout the park and also free to use.

I had to check this place out since there is a lot of Instagram post about it. My first visit was a very good one. I do recommend that if your coming on weekend is to get there early as possible and bring cash only

I found that Rock springs run is an awesome place to kayak and i found the water to be crystal clear and plenty of wildlife in the 6 miles that i paddled down stream i came across 6 alligators! Lots of turtles and some very noisy squirrels! The bird life was acceptional and the surroundind area was more rainforest like than you could imagine only with out the rain! I put in at Kings landing 886-0859 and that is a canoe rental place that i found out about from a fellow named tobin at Bass proshops in orlando and he gave me great directions there! i went on a saturday and i saw about 6 people in canoes so i definetly wouldnt call that crowded and there prices a very resonable 5.00 dollars to launch your own kayak/canoe for a down and back trip and 10.00 for a oneway trip to wekiwa marina and they will bring you back to kings landing! Worth the trip and honestly made my whole trip to florida worth it!!! Don from Delaware kayak club! ...

ATTENTION TOURISTS...If you want to see what the real Florida looks like then put the address in your GPS and get over to Rock Springs. The water is spring fed at a rate of 26,000 gallons per minute at around 75 degrees or so. Canadians will swim in it all year...Floridians mostly in the summer. Either way, it is spectacular.
You can rent an inner tube for $5.00 down the street but you can also bring any floatie you want..just no paddles allowed. For the adventurous, no floatie needed...just suck in your gut and float down natures perfect lazy river.
The water is as clear as you can get and not more than 4 feet deep in most spots except at the very start. Kids older than 7 can easily swim or walk straight up in it.
Float to the end and walk back to the start as many times as you like. Concession stand (when open), restrooms and picnic areas abound.
A fantastic way to spend a warm summer day. Weekdays are best and weekends in the summer get very crowded.
30 minutes north of Orlando. Take the 429 toll road...follow gps directions the rest of the way.

Great hotel
Nice rooms with a view.
Staff very friendly
The property with walking path is beautiful.
Many activities to choose from.

We kayaked Rock Springs run on a weekday in March--floating on crystalline water over an underwater garden growing on pure white sand, and surrounded by subtropical gardens, both floating and on shore. Words can't describe it. Magical!

It bears mentioning that, though other reviewers report crowds, most of the time we had the river to ourselves, on a chilly, but beautiful, weekday.

The current varies, accelerating as it approaches the Wekiva River--near the end we saw people paddling upstream, but clearly laboring. We launched at King's Landing, and the whole leisurely trip took us about five hours, including a relaxed lunch stop at a campsite. Speaking of that: keep in mind that there are not many places--which are marked on the map--to get out of the boat. :) Although the river winds plenty, we had no difficulty navigating in our 17 1/2 foot tandem. We took out at the Wekiva Island Marina, and appreciated the restrooms and beer there.

We loved this magical trip, and will definitely do it again!

Rock Springs is a wonderful place to spend a leisure day with your family. Swimming, picnic areas and gliding down the run on a tube, it's all available. The water is crystal clear, but cold. Of course on a hot afternoon it can certainly be a welcome relief from the Florida heat. Rocks at the head of the run and some along the way can be slippery and hard to navigate, so rubber sole beach shoes are suggested. Picnic areas are first come, first serve, but you can always stake out a piece of turf with a picnic blanket. Arrive early if you can, since it tends to get crowded, especially on holidays and weekends.

My husband and I recently visited Rock Springs. Since we’ve lived in Florida for over 15 years we’ve visited a number of Springs and in my opinion Rock Springs is the most beautiful and exotic so far. However, at the head of the Springs there were two photography sessions taking place which inhibited us from viewing two areas of the Spring and at the swimming area there was a party playing a very large boom box which took away from the peaceful surroundings. Other than that we plan to return. If you go, make sure to ask for a map if one is not offered.

The park rangers keep this place up and clean. I remember coming here a lot as a kid and I loved it and I still love it to this day.

The fees are fair and reasonable considering they keep it clean. I think the hardest part is finding out the days they are open cause the Florida site says only the office hours. So I will be sure to add it here.

This park CAN get crowded on weekends. PLENTY of space to have a cookout, alcohol is prohibited obviously. It's a state park think about it. During the winter its not so crowded but still I go here.

I recommend this park for relaxing, gathering, young adult events, even just to get out of the house and have some fun. There is hiking, camping, canoeing all kinds of things.

We had such a fun day here, there were 3 adults and 4 kids in our group. You can't find a more economical day trip anywhere else. So worth it and can't wait to go back. Rent tubes outside the park and pay by the car load. The water is crystal clear, cold and refreshing. Tubing down the springs was so much fun, relaxing and entertaining! Great people watching and just perfectly beautiful natural surroundings. Love this place!

Very nice part of river with shallow waterway, lots of lilies, and river bends. Very nice. We rented a clear kayak group tour. very nice

I am from Apopka, and some of my greatest memories was of this spring. I live in Texas now and nothing compares to this 68 degrees spribg. Oh how I miss it.
Knee /leg Scratches and all!

My wife and I experience an awesome time camping at this park. Two and a half days, snorkeling, tubing, hiking, fishing, and being one with nature.

Wonderful scenery, great facilities, and good fun to float in a tube (rent from the concession about a half-mile before you get to the park) from the rock springs ... which are fascinating.

Basic conclusion: it's NOT an easy trip.Don't attempt this unless you have some canoeing experience: and CERTAINLY not with young children.The Rock Springs run is a one-way downstream trip; you put in at one place near Rock Springs park and end up at Wekiwa Marina downstream. They ferry you between the two points by van. I liked the notion of the one-way aspect: if we did the usual rental on the rivers where you go downstream & then have to come back, I could see only too clearly what would happen: “just a bit further, just a bit further” on the downstream leg, and then busting an aorta fighting back up against the current…So anyway, the Rock Springs run is billed as an easy, tranquil downstream trip past stunning scenery and interesting wildlife. All the glowing reports on the Internet agree! Hah!So, we started out, my older daughter & I in one canoe and my wife & younger daughter in the other. First mishap: about 100 yards from starting, we got stuck in the remains of some old dock. No problem, says my daughter, I’ll just hop out and push us off. Unfortunately, she didn’t have an appreciation yet of just how unstable canoes are. Of course, it tipped over, dumping me into the water. I was dressed in street clothes; I wasn’t expecting to get severely wet… all my credit cards, keys, money etc got saturated. The camera went in too; we don’t know yet if it survived, we’re letting it dry out for a day before we try to turn it on.Well, there was no place to beach the canoe and turn it over to empty it, so we had to do the best we could just standing in the water. Which left us with about three inches of water in the bottom. So there I was, in saturated clothes for the rest of the trip with my shoes sloshing in three inches of water. If we’d known what was to come, we would have aborted then and there. The next three miles or so are heavily wooded, and every hundred feet or so there would be a fallen tree branch or trunk across the waterway, constituting an obstacle ranging from difficult to impossible. In the worst case, there was nothing for it but for me to get out of the canoe into chest-deep water, and, struggling for purchase in two feet of mud, manhandle the damn canoe over the trunk. Easy downstream trip, my ***!After a short while of this we were wishing we had never embarked on the venture: but there are no intermediate take-out points. Once you start, you have no choice but to go the whole 8 miles down to the marina.Well, after battling branches for three miles or so, we came to a different stretch where the trees receded and the run turns into a channel (often very narrow) between beds of water plants. My older daughter & I managed to navigate this section without too much difficulty, but my wife had a lot of trouble. Our youngest really isn’t strong or experienced enough to help a lot with guiding the canoe, and every minute or so they would get turned broadside, with both ends of the canoe stuck in the weeds. At which point the young daughter would be crying or screaming, with my wife swearing as she struggled to extricate them from the situation. I tried to help where we could, but there usually wasn’t anywhere we could secure our canoe so someone could get back to them.My wife said this section was the worst part of it for her!What with all the problems, it took us five and a half hours (instead of the supposed four) to get to the take-out point. At which point we were knackered, shot, gaffed, DONE. I haven’t been so bone-weary and stiff in a long time.And, well, I guess the scenery WAS stunning, and we DID see a lot of wildlife. (Apparently everyone else saw three alligators, but I didn’t manage to spot a one of them, dammit.)But frankly we were mostly just too frazzled to appreciate any of it….

Kings Landing (aka Rock Springs Run) is a great place to rent a canoe or kayak and paddle down river to the Wekiva Island site. It's a very leisurely run as you're going down river the whole time, a trip that averages 3.5-4.0 hours depending on whether you stop for lunch or not. Now (fall) is a great time as you start out a little cool and then the weather warms up as you near the end of your trip. The Kings Landing office has been renovated and now shows alot of stuffed alligators and such. The cost is either $30 to rent one of their canoes which they will then pick up and return you back to Kings Landing (check with office as to when pickup times are scheduled as you can end up waiting awhile if you're the first to arrive) or you can launch your own canoe for $10. We did the latter, leaving one car at Wekiva Island so as not to have to wait for their van, rather returning on our own schedule. The car ride from Wekiva Island to Kings Landing is about 15 minutes. We picked up cans, bottles and trash along the way which lengthened our trip to about 4.5 hours. Although normally not a problem in the past, the mosquitoes were everywhere and we didn't have any bug spray ... so remember to bring bug spray just in case. We were lucky enough to see an otter, a rarety but always fun to watch when you do get to see one as they are generally very playful. No alligators, but lots of birds, fish, and turtles. As of the date of this post, there were 2 downed trees blocking passage on the river (unknown as to when the State will clear them out), one of which we were able to get past through a curve in the tree, the other we had to port the canoe over the tree, although it was shallow so fairly easy to do (mind you the dog wasn't too thrilled with what was going on!). Unless you get an early start right when they open (8am), you're much better served bringing some food and stopping along the way for lunch. We started out around 9:20am and didn't run in to another canoe until we were within about 30 minutes from Wekiva Island and then we started seeing canoes that were heading up river (although generally folks don't get very far going in that direction before turning around and heading back to either the State Park or Wekiva Island, both places at which you can also rent canoes and kayaks).

This is an outstanding and excellent way to spend a day. Rent a canoe and paddle out on Rock Springs Run then paddle back to Kings Landing.

Rent a kayak and paddle 8 miles to Wekiva Marina. That is a 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 hour paddle. Taking your time and stopping to view or picnic makes it 5 1/2. Shuttle picks you up and returns you to Kings Landing to pick up your car.

Make your reservation EARLY if you want a Friday, Saturday or Sunday trip. Reservations at kingslandingfl.com. Do not miss this experience.

It doesn’t get any more beautiful or relaxing than this. Pro tips: get there early, like before the gates open! We barely got in arriving at 8:30 on a weekday. There’s only one place in town (on the way) that rents tubes and they sell out quick. But you can always bring your own - just remember to bring a portable inflator. The run down the river lasts about 20 minutes. It’s a quick walk back up to the beginning. There are many places along the run where small children can stand and play in the water. I can’t recommend this spring enough for its beauty, accommodations and affordability. Also, it has lifeguards!

This spring fed river is low volume, typically 20-30 feet wide, winding, with clear, cool water of typical depth 4-5 feet. Much of it is under a tree canopy and there are very few obstructions. We've seen gators, snakes, turtles, fish, birds, deer, and even a mother bear with two cubs while we were eating lunch at the Indian Mound pull-out a couple of years ago. This may be about the best canoe trip in the state and we've done many. Shhhhh. Tell only your best friends about this jewel lest it get too popular.

After paying over $400 for a kayak experience for our family it came to our attention that the tour guides at Get Up & Go are unpaid. You will be encouraged to tip the tour guides as they are volunteering. Additionally, we did not appreciate the marketing campaign encouraging us to buy merchandise promoting Get Up & Go Kayaking. There is an alternative kayak company at Kings Landing which provided our family of 4 with kayaks for $150 and I will recommend that company moving forward.

This place is awesome!! It’s probably more of a locally known place, there weren’t many tourists there.
The best advice is can give u, is that there is a bar that u get to about 2 mins before u get to the park that advertises tube rentals for $5. GET ONE!! U just have to leave a drivers license there and each tube is $5 for the day. There is a huge cage full of them and u can go and pick ur own (ie smaller ones for kids) throw them on the roof of ur car and off u go! Some ppl go with their own tubes too. U can also take a cooler with snacks etc in there. At the bottom of where the run ends, there’s a big shallow natural pool with a grass area where everyone sets up their stuff. I was initially worried about leaving everything there but we just threw phones/wallets etc in the car and left food/drinks in the cooler and everyone else did the same!
The water is crystal clear so make sure u take a snorkel! It’s also ice cold!!!
Do not jump in the beginning with glasses on - u will lose them in the fast moving stream! (Trust me)
Also, the rocks are quite slippy so river shoes are recommended if that freaks u out!
It is a 5min Walk up a path from the end of the river run back up to the beginning. We didn’t have shoes on and kind of wished we did 😂 but no drama really. It may be a little too much walking for older people, and there was lots of twigs etc on the path and it was v hot in some places!
My last piece of advice would be to call before u go and go early. They stop letting people in after a certain number are there to avoid it getting stupidly busy. They also send the rangers out first thing and check for gators (it is a naturally spring after all) and if they spot one, they do not open to the public, so make sure you call ahead and check they are open before you leave.

There’s tons to do in Orlando even if you’re not looking for Disney entertainment. In search of something unique to Florida, we took a drive to Kelly Park and tubed down their springs. The 50 minute drive from our hotel felt a lot longer thanks to our squabbling toddlers but the clear fresh water springs made it all worth it. We paid $5 for our vehicle and 5 passengers to enter the state park then drove to the area of the park that offers camping, a concession stand, playground and access to the springs. You cannot rent tubes to float down Rock Springs Run inside the park so we secured ours before arriving from a Bar and Grill just up the road, rentals were $5/day. (It was interesting getting these in our car for the short drive to park entrance). The park has a lot of hiking trails but the highlight for us was definitely the springs.

The head of the springs is a 5 minute walk from where you leave your towels, we left ours on a sandy beach area at the end of the spring run. We headed up the path with our tubes and toddlers, ready to see what this was all about. It was absolutely stunning with vibrant turquoise water so clear you could easily see fish and the bottom of the spring. The water was cold, but it was refreshing from the Florida heat. The current runs fast so we helped each other get in the tubes with our toddlers on our laps. There are a lot of rocks, getting in wasn’t exactly easy. But it was well worth it. Floating down and seeing the heavily wooded trees lining the side of the spring with interesting rock formations and stunning colors made a very memorable experience. It took about 15 minutes to float back down to the sandy beach. We did this several times.

We had the unfortunate experience of having our tubes stolen. My cave man instincts kicked in and I ‘borrowed’ some back. Only to have them stolen again. This happened throughout our stay. We were fortunate to leave with tubes and able to return them and retrieve our security deposit. So beware of this and keep any valuables locked in your car.

$3 per vehicle for 1-2 people; $5 per vehicle for 3-8 people; and $1 for additional person/walk-ins/motorcycles/bikes.

Tips for Kelly Park - Rock Springs Run

The park fills up quickly on summer weekends and closes when it reaches maximum capacity, so plan to arrive early or there is a chance you'll be denied entrance.
Bring cash for the concession stand, it was cash only when we visited.
You can borrow a life jacket from the life guard station if you need one.
Bring your own towels.
Leave valuables locked in the car.
No tubes over 5 feet in length are allowed in the springs.
Tube rentals are only available from vendors outside the park.
Beware of tube thieves.

We are old so it was a bit of a work out. Coming back was easier but we kept running into the banks. At any point you can get out and stand. Completely safe. 69 for a double kayak. Very friendly and helpful staf

See Kelly Park for reviews. This is not its real name.

Great park, large area for relaxing near the water and lot of room to swim. The tubing is great and easy to access. The run is kind of short, but easy to do again and again and great for kids. We saw deer and some fish. No alligators or snakes, but there are signs posted to beware (like every park in Florida). Great concession area with a variety of food and drinks. No alcohol in the park. Lots of picnic tables and shade. Great for families, couples, groups. All around nice park to spend the day.

I probably should have reviewed here for the review I just finished under Kelly Park, so check that out as well.

This spring float is awesome! About 25 minutes for the entire float with a swimming hole at the midpoint as a central location to keep your stuff fo meet up with friends.

I have always done longer springs floats (like Itchetucknee) and wasn’t sure how I would feel about this shorter float but it was great. We did three runs of the spring and loved every minute of it. Plus we had a spot to leave our towels and sunscreen and snacks in between runs.

Since it is so contained it seems like a great place for a family function with older kids who would be allowed to float the springs on their own and check in back at the swimming hole. Lots of lifeguards!

My tips: get there early, bring your own high quality tube, wear water shoes, be patient that lots of families are going to be there.

$3 admission for one person into the park. Tons of parking on a weekday and just a short walk to the "beach." The area has benches and plenty of grass for you to spread out. A few people were suntanning with towels.

The head of the springs is a 5 minute walk from where you leave your belongings and you don't necessarily need to bring tubes. Current is very fast and there are a my of rocks so be very careful if you're stepping in sans tube. Gorgeous spring and of course very cool!

Went out on a kayak tour with Justin from Get Up And Go Kayak. He has see through clear kayaks. This place is beautiful. I loved every moment and every turn. I def want to go back again. If you want a tour look him and his company up i highly recommend it!!!! He is very cool u wo t be disappointed!

This is just a wonderful day for all. We rented tubes on the way there, cost to get in is dirt cheep. Kelly park has a nice picnic area. The walk back to the beginning is nice also it all sidewalk walking area very well kept park

This springs are a wonderful place to spend the weekend with the family. The springs are ideal for small children and those who do not wish to swim at the other springs which are deeper. Most of the springs are only waist deep. Kelly Park, were the springs are located also features nature trails, camping area, picnic areas, and a wooden board walk parallel to the springs. Excellent for the whole Family.

It is a great place for a hot day. Float down the springs and then start over.

We just went here Saturday, got there early only to find that the water was closed because they saw an alligator. REALLY, in Florida I would be surprised NOT to see one. You could walk all around the water but not get in, gators come onto land too. The place is really nice, but I think it should be the visitors choice if they want to swim regardless of the sighting. We never saw it, and even if it was around once all the people start moving around it would leave, they really don't like people.

This park is beautiful. The water is crystal clear. They have a concession stand with food and drinks. The park reaches capacity very quick so its worth showing up early to have the day there. If you want to float down the lazy river in peace before all the people and loud kids show up be there early and go immediately to the water, you should get at least two passes in the river before the crowd get bad. It well worth the trip at least once to experience the river!

We enjoyed the scenery. It's more natural and quiet than most parks. It was easy to get around and had plenty of shade.

Amazing to find such a beautiful natural treasure in the midst of a huge population
area. My wife and I rented a canoe from King's Landing. They offer a very convenient way to take the trip by picking you up at 4 pm. Before you embark be sure to take
advantage of the cooler they have labeled "Free beer/water." (good for a chuckle).

Saw lots of alligators along the way along with gorgeous vegetation and overhanging
trees. I would strongly recommend that you take this trip in the week and NOT on the
weekend. We took the trip on a Thursday. We did come across a few folks who were ill-prepared for the long paddle. One guy was actually trying to take a john boat with an electric motor on the back. This stream is for paddling a canoe or kayak, NOT a john boat!
The only negative I would add is we were sorry to see the big development that has occurred at the takeout at King's Landing. The last time we did this float several years ago there was an old country seafood restaurant here where you could enjoy your meal in the evening and observe wildlife out from the deck, especially raccoons. Now the place is a party place called "Wekiva Island" Oh well, at least the float was through the "natural" side of FLorida even if the takeout no longer is.

My daughter (22), and I went for the day and had a ball! We played in the springs, ate lunch, brought snacks, rented a kayak, saw alligators, turtles, friendly humans to wave to, tons of fish, diverse crowd, fun snack/souvenir shop. Bring goggles for everyone! Do not forget. It is so much fun to keep your head in the water and to have your own pair of goggles. If you forget, they sell them in the gift shop ($15/pair). They do sell food, reasonable priced, however, you can bring a cooler into the park...leave it and go back and forth to your car, or bring it down with you. We brought lots of water and flavored soda water (stay hydrated!), sandwiches, fruit and chips. Worked out great. Saw lots of folks eating at the snack shop (burgers, hotdogs, fries, chicken tenders), so the food must be at least ok. They do have bathrooms, with toilet paper. We brought two boogie boards to float on in the 'deeper' water. Others had little tube floats. We did not wear water shoes, those lots of folks did have them. Our feet were fine. Bring sunscreen! It comes off and cloudy or not, you will get a boatload of sun! We rented a kayak ($30 bucks for a double), and we went down the river. Hour down to the bridge, hour back. Pretty easy to paddle up creek. Saw some alligators on tree stumps (biggest was about 4.5 feet), lots of turtles, beavers, abundance of fish. Lots of birds. Would recommend the kayaking.It was a nice break from swimming & playing in the spring, and then we ate after. It was cloudy, rainy and had a few thunderstorms pass over; parking lot was about 1/3 full, and that was plenty of people. I could not imagine the place full.I think it was $6. to get in.
Not to forget: goggles; water; sunscreen; snacks. They do sell all of that in the gift shop, but you'll pay for it. Enjoy! We definitely did and will go back again!

Rent an inner tube before going into Rock Springs. Very relaxing to take a picnic and then ride the slow current down the Springs in the tube. Pretty and scenic.

Been going to Rock Springs for fifty years and it is just as wonderful today as it was the first time I went there. While one of the smaller springs in Florida, in my opinion one of the best. At one point I had a job that started at 12 noon. Went to rock spring every morning during the week and had the whole place to myself.

In the early sixties I found a fossil mastodon tooth there. I still have it. While pretty much depleted of fossils now you can still find the occasional shark tooth

For the most part the water is very shallow. In many places only a couple of feet; very few places where it will be over your head.There use to be a diving board in the main swimming area; but it was removed decades ago. To shallow for safe diving.

If you want to swim down the stream from the cave to the main swimming hole you will want a mask and snorkel. The water is very shallow there and the place is called Rock Springs for a reason. I also recommend wearing some old tennis shoes in that area.

Last time I was there some small springs coming from the floor of a small pond we called 'The Bubbles' has been blocked off. That was a disappointment.

One word of warning. Rock springs is unique as far as I know in Florida in that the water comes out of a cave in a cliff. The cave is blocked off. Do NOT try to bypass the barrier. Over the decades a number of people have died in there.

If you are looking for a good time for the whole for the whole family it is hard to beat Rock Springs. At $5 for a carload of people; it will not put you into the national debt like the snowbird traps.

This place is one of the most beautiful places where I’ve been in Florida.
Unfortunately even with the closure of the Park after a certain amount of people , it is still busy with lots of kids.The park is well maintained, clean, lifeguards on every corner, the parking lot is shaded and huge and so many benches are all over in the park to find your own spot for picnic . The concession area is nice also and their prices are good too ( hot dog $3 ; cheeseburger $5 ; ice cream $3 , etc.)
The entrance fee is low, but prepare there’s no reentry! So if you forgot something at your hotel, you’d better not going out because you might not be able to get back ( I believe they close the park after 200 car) . I’m severely allergic for insect bites, so I sprayed myself a couple of times with bug spray. It wasn’t bad at all, but I still got bitten. ..and reflecting for the scary stories: we have not seen any alligators. 😊

The water here is cold but crystal clear, since it is spring fed. You can rent an inner tube just up the road from the park, and it is just a few dollars to get in for a car full of people. You can bring your own float, but it has to be less than 5' (I think that is the size anyway). Bring a picnic and stay, or get food at the concession. There is covered eating, bathrooms, showers, a beach, etc. We definitely could have stayed longer than we did.

A great local park to spend the afternoon. U must get here early because it fills up quickly! Rock Springs has always been well maintained beautiful park, good for a family gathering or to celebrate someone’s birthday. Always a fun time! Yes the water is cold....just jump in and beat the Florida summer heat

One of my favorite things to do that doesn't involve salt water. The water is cool, clear, and very refreshing on a summer day. I've floated down the run and snorkeled it, but the most relaxing way is in an inner tube. All natural, lazy river. It's really fun in a group of family or friends. Kelly Park is part of Rock Springs and a great place for a picnic. Nice, clean facilities and a store. If you're in the area it's definitely worth a visit.

We were kayaking and went into Rock Springs that way. There were a ton of people. It was beautiful- glad we didn’t go all the way into the swimming area.

After spending most of our day at Weikiwa Springs we found out Kelly Rock was right down the street so we went to explore the park. It was a very nice area. The water is beautiful and the springs are very well kept. My husband and I love to do the springs and our kids love it so we will definitely be back when we have more time to spend there! This is a must see!

We had not visited Rock Springs for 20 years but thought it would be a great experience for our 8 year old twin granddaughters to experience. The $5 gate admission, which included parking, was a great relief after 'theme park gouging"!
The spring was as clear and clean as 20 years ago. The ride down the run In the inner tube was as refreshing as in the past. One negative was the lack of the guests to abide by the no not dig signs. There were adequate life guards positioned strategically. This low cost, family friendly activities is a must to do in Central Florida and our granddaughters were able to experience a natural "adventure" ride.

This is a beautiful spring in Apopka which offers a tremendous family value in an incredibly gorgeous natural setting . There is a lot of wildlife and we had an Autre accompanying us while we were floating while we were floating down the spring. It is advisable to wear some type of water shoe as the bottom is a mix of sand small rocks with groups of larger rocks. You can also rent inner tubes just outside the park for five dollars a piece.

We have visited many of the Florida springs and this was a great experience. The spring run is short which allows for multiple trips. It's a short walk from the spring basin back to the drop point. You can rent tubes at Rock Springs Bar and Grill, a short distance from the park entrance. Very clean park with lots of parking. Highly recommend.

We visited the Rock Springs in early June during a wet period. Even though it was raining when we arrived, as usual in Florida, the rain stopped shortly after arrival and we had a great time. The weather was in the low to mid 80s most of the time we were there and the water felt great. When we got in it didn't take long to get accustomed to the temperature. The water was very clear and the current gently pulled us along. We brought inflatable tubes with us and spent most of the time floating along. Swimming is only tough when trying to avoid the shallow rocky areas, otherwise it is easy. The deepest part is at the beginning of the springs, the rest is fairly shallow. I recommend stopping by here if you are in the Apopka area.

This spot is perfect for day hiking and swimming in the springs. Clean and well kept. If you want to get away from all of the crazy of Orlando, this state park is just a short drive and well worth it.

We went here for Mother's Day and had a great time tubing and hanging out in nature. It was kinda crowded but it never bothered us. No bugs other than a random horsefly.

I have hiked this state park (reserve) with my husband and found some sections to be difficult due to soft, sandy conditions. Do not confuse it with Kelly Park as others have done when reviewing it. They are VERY different. There is no easily assessable spring or tube rentals here. It is quite isolated and I have rarely seen a park ranger. There are separate trails for horseback riding and mountain bikers would enjoy it as well.

We came across an interesting old cemetery on one hike and were fascinated to consider that some early Florida settlers had lived and probably ranched in the area.

I happen to live in the area so I've been multiple times. I always love going to the springs. I like the fact that there's a leisurely area and an area with a faster current. It's a very fun thing to do with your family and kids usually love. Just be ready for very cold water, and it is a natural spring, so there are animals on occasion. Over all, though, the place is pretty much amazing and very fun. I do recommend investing in water shoes.

We visited on a Wednesday morning so it was quiet and not very crowded. It was awesome because we almost had the whole river to ourselves. You have to walk all the way to the very head of the river, and then get in your tube or I would recommend snorkeling as well. As we floated I saw two different types of cranes and TONS of fish through the crystal clear water. We went back and did it a second time but swam while snorkeling and it was an amazing experience. We spent a good two hours here without even realizing it but could have probably stayed all day. Definitely don't miss this one, and go during the middle of the week for an awesome and peaceful experience.

This is really the most beautiful place to swim in Florida spring water we have found so far during our travels through Florida. We have visited many other springs north of Orlando but this is the most beautiful one.

It is also a good place for children as you have a clean area with a good overview to monitor your kids when in waters and the water depth is just around 2-3 feet only.

Outisde the pool in the spring run the water depth is just around one foot. It is a very shallow spring run. This is why you can rent a tube outisde the park area as swimming is not really possible in such shallow waters but tubing works great.

In the afternoon avoid the sunny spot areas with plenty of the Florida mosquitoes (also called "no seens"). In minutes you are covered by tens of bites!!

The place is nice but the people that go to this park are disgusting. It's like hanging out at a beautiful place with the people of Walmart...

Wow! I had forgotten how much I love this paddle. It is 8 1/2 miles to Wekiva Island Marina from King's Landing in Apopka. Great way to spend the day enjoying natural Florida.

Very awesome place to take the kids. Might want to try going down in a tube though- certain areas of the spring are very rocky and shallow and if you're not careful you can really bruise yourself. Wear water shoes if you have them. Water is crystal clear. Feels like the fountain of youth!

The park offers a breath of fresh air, quite literally. The natural surroundings are well-preserved and provide a serene environment that's perfect for a day out with family or friends.

One of the highlights of my visit was the fun tubes available for families. They added an element of fun and adventure to the experience, making it a memorable one for both kids and adults.

The park also offers a nice hike, which I found to be a great way to explore the area and take in the beautiful scenery. The trails are well-maintained and offer a good mix of easy and challenging sections.
Rock Springs Run is a great place to visit if you're looking for a fun and refreshing outdoor experience. The park is clean, the facilities are excellent, and the natural beauty is truly breathtaking. I highly recommend it!

A great place to visit if you can get there very early. The park unfortunately only lets a certain amount of people into the park. If you do happen to get in, the park is great. Take an inner tube and float down a crystal clear, cold spring. Great for kids and adults. I suggest camping at the park nearby as you can walk right into the park and not have to worry about overcrowding.

A great place for swimming, snorkeling and tubing. The water is spring water, so it is always around 72 but when its hot that feels real good. Can get really crowded on school holidays and weekends.

Kelly Rock/Rock Springs offers one of the prettiest springs in Florida. I did not want leave. At the rock where the water spurs out it is so pour we were drinking it! Water was nice and cool, very refreshing. Entire area was clean and nice. Went in September, better to go during the summer. I bought my own tube. Saw a turtle (that a kid step on by accident) and a bunch of fish.

This is a great place to visit for tourists and locals alike. There is canoeing and tubing(which is rented outside of the park and you must bring it in yourself) take a short hike or walk along the boardwalk or just lazing around downstream. The water is a steady 72 degrees so it's best to go in the summer and not on the weekends as it tends to get crowded.
Bring a lunch and have a picnic. IT will be a wonderful day:)

This is a great place to enjoy with family and friends... Make sure to get there early during weekends and holidays.

Beautiful weather on a peaceful Wednesday afternoon. Hardly anyone here today. The water is amazingly clean and clear. A gentle float was just what we needed. Beautiful area with many picnic spots. Don't miss this when you're in the area.

Well, I can't really give a fair review today. We showed up for a day of relaxation, BBQ, and some tubing/swimming only to be turned away at the gate by the attendant. The park was closed. We drove and a little over an hour to make sure we were there for 8 am when they opened. Which there web site would have been updated or made clear the park was closed. HOWEVER, there was a great reason why it was closed. RECENT ALLIGATOR ACTIVITY!!!! Rumor has it that it's matting season!! So luckily, we were able to go down the road about 7 miles to Wekiwa Springs and had a gerat day their instead. So we thank the park staff for keeping us and everyone else safe! Thank you for all you do!

Had a great time at this spot. Cheap family fun. Recommend this if you are in the area! Tubes are less than $10 each if you rent out of the park. Bring your own, water isn't deep in most parts so nothing extravagant is required. We snorkeled down and it was beautiful. Small beach area, bugs were bad. Bring bug spray.

I really fell in love with this place. The water is so refreshing and clean. Felt like we were in another country because it was so unique.
The paths were nicely done and easy access to all the different parts. This was an amazing way to spend the day with my honey.
I look forward to bringing the kids here.

My wife and I wanted to check out this spring after numerous friends had talked of its photo opportunities.

We were not disappointed!

The swimming part down by the park looks fun for kids or families, but the spring run from the head waters is a blast! Just be sure and bring a snorkel and mask

Everyone else was just floating down on tubes, but they were missing the beautiful scenery below the surface

You don't even have to swim, the current is so strong, you basically just ride it all the way down. My wife and I rode it at least 3 times in an hour

If you're going to do the Rock Springs Run, stopping at one of the innertube rental places just outside the park is a MUST. Trust me, that's $5 well spent! A nice, relaxing ride in crystal clear (and cool) spring water, nothing beats it on one of the many hot Florida afternoons! But if you're going on a weekend or holiday, get there early because the park fills up fast!

This spring is one of my favorites in all of Florida. We went early to make sure that we were able to get in, and we did. The lazy river is a lot of fun and lasted from start to finish about 25 minutes. The walk back to the start is shaded and and paved making access very easy for all ages. The park itself has picnic tables all over, by the parking and all around the spring. There is a concession area with picnic tables with plenty of shade for hot days. The park was very clean and well managed by plenty of life guards. Cant wait to go back with the family!

This is a spring run that is part of a County Park called Kelly Park. The advantage to parks belonging to the County vs State is that:
a) there are way way way more parking spots in County parks
b) there are life guards
c) there are tons of picnic facilities
d) there is a nice campground that you can actually get into (unlike the State parks now that the Baby Boomers are retiring and clogging up our State Park campsites - grrrrrrr)
e) the cost of admission is about $5 a carload
f) it's a beautiful place to enjoy nature and experience the real Florida

The spring comes out of a cave. You can swim near the mouth and hang out on rocks near the swirling ice cold crystal clear water. When you get ready to tube down the 10 minute run, you can walk it - since the water is usually between 2-4 feet deep, or tube it. Tubing saves your shins from all the rocks in the water. The reason they call it ROCK Springs, is they didn't want to call it 'Ouch! Bleep! I hit my knee!' Springs. Wear swim shoes in the water due to the pebbles etc.

The first tub run dumps into a is a delightful swimming area that is huge. They have nice shade trees everywhere, lots of lifeguards, a small white sand beach for children, 3 full size picnic pavilions for rental, and a 2nd tube run that is mostly clear of the rocks.

Enjoy a day of family fun that is guaranteed. You can't get into the State springs during holidays or weekends due to crowding, and this place is bigger and in my opinion more fun. They have volley ball pits, trails, a playground, and lots more of outdoor Florida.

the things to know is if you start at one end or the other it is 8.5 miles or a little more. There are 3 safe places to stop about half way, campgrounds and they are marked.The rest of it is park land and old Florida forest & swamp. Beautiful but not the safest place to get out of your kayak.
We launched from Kings Landing- a rental outfit that was pretty good. They rent sit in kayaks, canoes and paddle boards. Will also for only $20 haul you and your own boat back from the take out at 8.5 miles downstream. Not bad.
Next time I will either start sooner we left at about 10:30 am and had to hustle at the end to make the 4pm pick up time, OR start the take out and paddle upstream, then float back with no timetable. And there will be a next time. this is worth doing more than once for sure.
I have done Rainbow Springs and Homosassa Springs and River. Rock Springs is between the two in away. It is very rural, the quiet is astounding. We did not see much in the way of long legged birds, a few, and they are very, very unconcerned about you being near them. We got within 4 ft of some speckled bird with a decurved bill that I had not seen before. Likely a juvenile of something. And quite close to a huge blue heron. So close up pictures if you are into that.
Also gators. WE heard more than we saw, but saw at least 12, nothing bigger than about 6 ft, but saw babies, still multicolor and that means Mom is close somewhere.
Saw interesting flora too, what looked like wild begonias, several sorts of lily, pickerel and more. Really a beautiful river and experience.

Remember that natural springs are cold! Can be very chilly. Great tubing run. Can rent tubes at entrance for bring your own. Pack a picnic!

Family-friendly, this is a unique experience that eveyone can enjoy. It is "old Florida" in the best sense....natural beauty and seemingly remote, although only a short drive from Orlando and the typical attractions. It can be super crowded in the summer heat, but on this warm December weekday, there were only a few dozen people.

We've just swam along side otters, fish and turtles. We found a cheeky raccoon on a walk, came trotting up the path towards us.
I would suggest swim shoes if you're a bit squeamish about things under your feet (I am so kept my flip flops on).
Don't forget you have to hire your ring outside park.
Kids (16 & 13) highly recommended it.
A real gem away from the lights and crowds of Universal / Disney.
Cheap as well $5 dollar entrance fee for 4!

Orange County managed In conjunction with a concessionaire offering lifeguards, food, and refreshments.

Things to know
There are showers at the bathrooms

Lots of parking but always try to arrive early because it can reach maximum capacity on the weekends.

Tube rentals are up the street before the entrance, they aren’t required and it’s a short runs.

You can purchase tubes at Walmart for a $10 and use in the spring

There are lifeguards

There are trails, grills, and a playground

The depth of the middle of the spring bowl is maybe 8ft in a few portions but mostly 42 inches in depth. Some areas low as 12 inches

The spring run is a bit rocky, recommend to where water shoes

Have fun

There are some teenagers or young adults with those nasty vape pens smoking CBD, stay away from that area if you have kids

My favorite place to kayak! This paddle is great because there are several places to stop and enjoy the water. The scenery is beautiful, i saw a few river otters, several types of fish and birds the last time i kayaker here. They do rent canoes at the front of the park, there is also a company that rents glass bottom kayaks. The paddle is a bit tough for beginners as you will start out up stream, but you will coast back going down stream on the way back. Get there early as this place is getting popular, try to avoid weekends if possible.

We did the trails here. The water is beautiful and the whole area very scenic. We talked to a couple guys there that go there often and they usually see deer but we didn't that day. We saw otters, turtles, lizards, birds and fish. We got there early at 8:30 and there were only two other people there but it got busier. We will be going back and heading a little farther down the road to Kings Landing to launch our kajak and head down the 8+ run in the springs. They do a pick up for $20 at the end. Good deal.

I have been coming to this spring my entire life, and i took for granted just how beautiful it is until i started exploring other natural springs. Rock Springs Park and Wekiva Park are special gems for central Floridians! Great for family picnics, and beautiful swimming area.

We drove from south Florida to experience the cool springs and when we got there this place was closed. No explanation. I wish I could have seen more so i could have written a review, but we had to turn around and leave. Very disappointing.

Let me begin by explaining just what the Rock Springs Run is. This may sound confusing but it is really not. In Orange County there is a park called Kelly Park or Rock Springs. This is a county park and inside of the park is a spring, Rock Springs, which is the headwater and source of the Rock Springs Run. The Rock Springs run is a small river that runs about 8.5 miles and then joins the Wekiwa River. The Rock Springs run is one of the most scenic and beautiful rivers in Florida and is a great river to canoe or kayak. There are no motor boats allowed and only 3 homes on the river. You cannot launch a canoe or kayak from Kelly Park, so how do get access to the run?? There is only one location open to the public that rents canoes, kayaks and provides access to the river, Kings Landing. Kings Landing is located just down the road from the entrance to Kelly Park and is a well run and clean place to rent or launch your canoe. At present the daily cost to rent a canoe, take a trip downriver to Wekiwa Island and have them pick you up and return you to your car is $25 per boat. This is a good deal and you will have the adventure of your life traveling the 8 mile trip. A WORD OF CAUTION: I have seen several reviews of the Rock Springs run and Kings Landing complaining of the obstructions in the river, tipping over,ect. Be aware this is a wild Florida river and from time to time trees fall and create an obstacle. Also be aware that this is all downstream but this is a twisting river that does require an amount of skill and patience to navigate. This may not be a good trip for a family with young children if you have not paddled a canoe before. If you can paddle a canoe then this is probably the best trip in Florida to view wildlife and a river that is like that of old Florida. Be safe and have fun !

Word of warning, Florida does not have hot springs. We have ice cold breathtaking springs. This is no exception. It is cold! However, it is also beautiful. Surrounded by fabulously natural Florida. This is so much better than a them park. At the head of the run, where the boil is, you can frequently find sharks teeth (you have to sift through the sand near the rocks). The current is enough to carry you along but not enough to feel like your white water rafting. I prefer to go without a tube because I like being in the water. But if you want a tube there are plenty of places outside the park gates where you can rent them, or you can bring your own.

This is nature. There are bugs, snacks, turtles, otters, maybe an alligator (I don't think I've ever seen one). Wear sunblock and reapply frequently :)

Very good place to SUP or kayak that's only 35-45 minutes away from Orlando. Clean water & good wildlife watching. Easy Orlando day trip & you can launch your own canoe or paddle board from the Kings Landing point for $20 or there are many rental places that rent gear at the same point. Just wish there were no so many fallen trees in the water, but that's nature!

The park opens @ 8am, however, ya really want to do your best to get in line as early as 7:00am if you can, especially on summer holiday weekends as the park fills up fast and you will actually be turned away when they are at capacity. Admission charge is $3 for a carload of up to 8. Coolers are welcome, however alcohol is strictly prohibited and the rule is strongly enforced. Don't be surprised if you find one of the rangers poking around in your cooler as you float in the water which is a constant, glorious 72 degrees year round. You can bring your own tube or rent one down the street for cheap. Water shoes are recommended to protect your feet and provide more stability on the slippery rocks that line the run. Pavilions and bbq grills are scattered throughout the park. The steps getting in and out of the main pool needs more maintenance...that bottom step is a total hazard and needs to be fixed. Bathroom facilities are clean. We always cap off our visit with lunch at Pastavino's, a local restaurant that offers the best subs and homemade desserts.

Went to Kelly park. Great place! Make sure you avoid lovebugs season.. Great tubing down the stream, having a picnic and just enjoy nature.

I mean really really early. In the summer the place is packed!!! We tried twice this summer. This week we arrived at 9am and it was already full :(

Very long wait to enter park and not enough parking. The large crowd makes it very unpleasant. Limited space for picnics Not a good day.

Rock Springs run is a little confusing to enter, even to locals. Rock Springs Run’s springhead can only be accessed via Kelly Park, which is a county park, and no boats are allowed. The run itself can be accessed via King’s Landing or via Wekiwa Springs State Park.

Rock Springs Run via Kelly Park is a tradition locals and tourists alike enjoy. Bring your own float or rent tubes at local establishments for a nominal fee. If you have mask, snorkel and fins it's a special treat to bring them for navigating the run. You can walk up to the springhead and hop in, snorkeling, tubing or just floating down with the swift current in mid-70 degree water that warms slightly as you get farther from the springhead.

The run opens to a large natural pool area with lifeguards and you may get out and walk back to the springhead to do the run over and over. You may continue to swim down the run past the main natural pool area but there is a barrier that does not allow anyone to continue down the run, and a walking path takes you back to the main park area or the springhead.

To access the next section of the Run, head to King’s Landing. You may paddle that section of the run via their rentals, your own kayak/canoe or via Central Florida Nature Adventures for a guided day trip with an excellent company that will handle the details of your trip from start to finish (if you’re new to the run CFNA is your best and safest choice, they are excellent guides, great to work with and reasonably priced for an unforgettable day.) Via King’s (unguided) or CFNA (guided), you can paddle 8 miles down the run (takes about 4 hours) and get transportation back, making it an exciting downstream adventure without the hard upstream paddle back.

The other way to experience Rock Springs Run is via Wekiwa Springs State Park. Pay attention to the few park signs along the run or you will get confused and miss the entrance back to WSSP. Not a good way to enjoy the run unless you know the area well and enjoy paddling upstream one way of your trip.

Spending time with the family here was amazing. We rented inner tubes and float down the river taking in the beautiful sights. Bring a basket of good food, a blanket to lay down on a nice shaded area and relax.

My kids love going to this park. It has a lazy river you can ride tubes down, if you dont have your own tubes you can rent them at places outside the park but make sure you have a vehicle large enough to care fully blow up tubes. There is a nice camping area, small play grounds and enough BBQ grills for all. The main part of the spring has a place shallow enough for small kids, but there is not a rope around this area, so if they can not swim well you will need to be out in the water with them. There are a couple of place you can reserve for big parties as well.

I love this place! My family has been going to Rock Springs for generations. My grandmother took my mom, I took my children, and my son took my granddaughter. Taking a canoe down the run to Wekiva is a treat for the soul. There are a few places to take a canoe out and have a picnic under the trees in the peace and quiet of nature. (Don't forget to take your trash and containers back with you!)

It is hard for me to believe that this place is within 30 minutes of Orlando. The springhead is one of the prettiest I've ever seen. The run is just beautiful. Do yourself a favor: leave the park and go just up the road to Kings Landing. Rent a canoe and spend the day on the REAL Rock Springs Run, away from the crowds at the park. The park is WONDERFUL but the run is a whole 'nother world. I hope you will go, and I hope you will love it!

Our group of 14 had a great experience here. We ranged in age from 2 -52. The run was beautiful and relaxing. The trail back to the start of the springs was well-kept. We tubed down the run over and over again. Our trip was mid-week, there was hardly anyone at the park.

We found this place on Facebook of all places. We are glad we did! We had a party of 6 and it cost us $5 to get it, total. We had to rent tubes down the street for $7 a piece but you can bring your own. There is tons of parking and picnic areas. No pets are allowed. The float down takes about 25 minutes and the walk back to start again is about 5 minutes. We will go again next time we are in the area

Gthe park is ok and the trails are more of sand roads. If you are in the area some of the other parks have much nicer trails for hiking. Try Wekiwa Springs or Lower Wekiva instead.

Do not go here if you have a dog/dogs. There are no signs saying that leading into the park. We had our 2 Pomeranians in the back seat and when we got to the toll station to pay our $5 entrance we were told no dogs allowed, even if they stayed in the car. Take them back home and return. We live over an hour away and that was not an option. The best option is never to return. The toll taker was rude and acted like we were supposed to know that. Wekiva springs is much nicer-- and dog friendly!

We arrived around 11:00 and the park was full so we were issued a ticket to come back at 1:00. Promptly at 1:00 they started letting visitors in the park. To our suprise, the park was not overly crowded. It was a bit confusing as to where to enter the water. We ended up entering in the large "lake like" area and floated down from there. Come to find out, we should have taken a path up some wooden stairs. This place is awesome. Fun had by all, including our 17 & 19 year old kids.

My wife and I went and we both loved it! Rent a tube near the entrance of this beautiful park BEFORE you go in. The location is spectacular and the lazy natural spring fed & crystal clear river which flows down volcanic rock formations is simply stunning. The water temp is also very pleasant. The setting looks kinda Jurrasic Park-ish. There was also a 3' gator in with us at one point, and a turtle. We learned that if you don't bother them, they won't bother you! Having these creatures in with us enhanced our visit there tremendously. This VERY popular location can be SUPER crowded on wknds, so it's best go during a weekday like we did. The park Canteen & Grill has some delicious cheeseburgers & other assorted fair all at very reasonable prices, so try them out. We did and we were very happy with the food & kindly, and speedy service by the gentleman who runs it. There are nice clean washrooms too at this very well kept location. It is within a State Park, so it is kept up very well. After the hustle and bustle of over-crowded theme parks, what an oasis this place is. Go and enjoy like we did, you won't regret it! Oh and btw, if you are worried about gators...fear not, because a local guy who I spoke with about them told me in the 50 years that he has been going to this park, only one guy was bitten (that he knew of), and that was because he messed with the gator, and the one we saw had no interest in us whatsoever....but we sure were interested in him lol. Just don't get too close if you are lucky enough to see one.

Wonderful crystal clear water. sandy beach area, grassy edges, safe for all ages. Rent a tube outside the park or bring one. walk up the path to the spring, hop on your tube and let the river take you down to the swimming area. Then do it again. When you get hungry go back to the Rocks Spring Bar and Grill(where they rent tubes) and have some lunch out on their porch. I had a two-fisted burger with hot peppers, cheese, sauteed onions, lettuce, tomato and bacon on an onion roll that I'm still daydreaming about.

Spent an entire day with my 12yr old and my 10 yr old and they still talking about the park and the water.
Great to see always staff and rangers around. It was busy but it felt ok, not super crowded.
Great Place to visit!! Would recommend to anyone.

We rented a canoe for the three of us. We are all inexperienced and had a difficult time navigating. A fairly large alligator swam just in front of our canoe and shortly after we lost control of the canoe and capsized. Recovered most of our items, but lost one shoe and a pair of shorts. Had a difficult time turning the canoe over, but finally got some help from a pair of extremely helpful canoeists. The 4 hr. trip took us 6 hrs. We were traumatized at the time, but now consider it an exciting wild adventure. One that we will never repeat.

Beautifully kept park very clean, has lot of different areas to access the water including a small area with sand by the water. The river has a gentle current and it is crystal clear! The water is no more that 4’ deep at any spot along the step access areas. Tubing is fantastic. 10/10 recommend a must visit place!

This is a wonderful state park with a spring for swimming and trails for hiking. they have areas for you to have a bring your own meal. This is nature at her best. ENJOY IT!!!

We went on a Monday after school was back in in Central Florida so there was really no crowd to mention. The facilities (parking, bathrooms and the concessions are solid). The springs themselves are beautiful. Beware that the water is chilly when you first get in, but it is easy to get used to. I'm a bit adventurous and wish they would extend the access downstream a bit further.
We rented tubes up the road ($4/piece). Next time I wouldn't even bother, unless for my child.
Hours of Operation Summer 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.; Winter 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Park Fees are just Per vehicle: $3 (1-2 people) or $5 (3-8 people)

We had a great float down the river and rented sit on top kayaks here. We went for the full meal deal and paddled all the way to the shuttle pick up spot. The river is very easy to handle, and the wildlife was great. We saw little blue herons, regular blue herons, gators, turtles - includng a large snapper, and were spied on by a trio of curious young racoons. It was a bit lengthy, but enjoyable trip. Many photos were taken. Staff are friendly and helpful.

We were visiting my sister who lives in Floirida and she had been told about the springs. It's a fabulous and not very costly day out. Be sure to pick up ur tyres for floating at one of the places at the side of the road before you get to the springs themselves .make sure you can transport them down the road once you get them. Crystal clear water and a lovely relaxing day! Nice depth in the springs too for younger children

This has a very good atmosphere and clean place to visit more often as it has been kept in good condition overall.

My husband and I visited this park last Monday with his parents while vacationing in Florida. We rented tubes from the small restaurant nearby. After chatting with the restaurant workers and a few other Floridians, we were pleased to hear that it is quite rare to see an alligator at Rock Springs. While floating down the lazy river a second time, we did in fact see an alligator fully submerged in the water, swimming along with the current of the river. There were what seemed like hundreds of people in the river as it was a very hot day. We immediately turned around and started swimming up the river against the current, advising others to do the same. They ended up closing the springs until they found the alligator. It wasn’t a fairly small gator, around 5 feet long- however that was big enough for me!
I would just always assume that there could be an alligator in the water. There is a lot of vegetation and mangrove trees along the spring and it gets pretty narrow at some points. I wouldn’t do this if you have young children or a fear of alligators!

this is a welcome break away from the parks. where you and you're family can relax. entry is only $3 per car. you can rent a tube for $5 each.to float down the lazy river

I used to go here as a kid and had very found memories. It was a little crowded in the park but my kids didn't mind. I rented tubes for about $7 a piece and my kids didn't want to use them. The park only cost $5 for my car full. You should bring goggles.

I really love Kelly Rock. It is so beautifull and yet so close to Kissimee. It offers a wonderfull place to relax from those busy themapark days. I could fill my entire vacation with parks like this. The water is cristal clear, it's really clean (so is the entire park). There is loads of wildlife from turtles to racoons, birds, ... And it is really cheap. It can be busy though. We went there 2 years ago and there was hardly anyone in september and this year, also september but in the weekend is was pretty busy. It didn't bother me that much though, there was still plenty of space in and outside the water.

My family and I have been to a lot of springs in Florida. This is one of the prettiest, although very crowded. We went on a Monday and arrived 15 minutes before park opened because we had heard it fills up. We did wait in line. We bought tubes at Walmart for $9 each plus a $15 pump. Definitely worth it, since we will use them again. The walk to the start of the tubing run is short and easy. The tubing run is only about 15-20 minutes long and is very pretty. Make sure to do the second half after you pass the swimming hole. We will try to camp with our RV next time so we can enjoy the spring early and later in the day. Campers can use the spring even if it’s at capacity.

Please see review under Rainbow Springs...Rock Springs is beautiful and relaxing! But this month we do have a trip scheduled for Rainbow Springs which I have heard some amazing things about it. We can’t wait to go!!

It was very relaxing and cool for a hot summer day. Water very clear and beautiful. There was many nature and wildlife to see. Concessions were available and everything very well priced. The "lazy river" however does not circle around like we thought. You float down a ways and then you have to walk back on a path to start again.

Very fun time. Raft ride was about 1/2 long, give or take. Water was crystal clear and not to cold. Great place for family fun!!

Shorter run then ginnie or blue springs, it's about 30 minutes down, then you can walk back up and go again. Only fee is to get into the park, $3 for 1 or 2 people, $5 for up to 8 people. You can bring your own tubes or rent some down the road for $7, I just bought some on Amazon for $12. We went on a Friday during the summer, got there at about 9:30am and they were not yet at capacity, there were about 8 cars ahead of us, but by the time we left, they were full and not allowing anyone else in. They do not allow dogs. You cannot attach your tubes either.

we rented a kayak nearby. Its a beautiful area with many birds and warm blue water, cant be missed. Now this is the real Florida. There's a few rentals near by that are reasonably priced and the entry fee to the park is only a few dollars...$3 bucks I think. you can easily make a day of the area hiking, swimming or boating.

A wonderful place to float on crystal clear water. We saw lots of fish and turtles along the way. Very relaxing and fun for the whole family.

Really nice spring run. The water is certainly chilly, around 70 degrees. I like really warm water, so this was very cold to me. Plenty of picnic tables and grills. Rangers and staff around all the time checking on you. Certainly worth the trip.

My 12 year old son and myself had a great time kayaking through the springs. We took a cooler with water with some snacks and stopped at different areas along the way. We saw so much wildlife, including a gator at the end of the run! I can't wait to go back.

The springs are beautiful and plenty of areas to sit and relax. They dont allow large tents or umbrellas so prepare to find shade.The water is not deep and you have to bring your own tubes. They have charging points to inflate and the spring is pretty clear. The concession stand serves good choices and bathrooms are right next to it.

In the mood for some outdoor activity, then you must check out Kelly Park, Rock Springs located in Apopka, FL. Feel free to take a dip in the free-flowing natural spring, or, set up for camping, or go for a long hike on their 245-acre property. The park has plenty of recreational activities that will keep you busy all day long, both wet and dry. Admission is only $3 per vehicle of 1-2 people; $5 per vehicle of 3-8 people.

Rock Springs Run has become one of my new favorite things to do in Florida. Forget Disney and all the parks, this is where it's at. It was $5 for a car of adults and kids, and there are some really nice trails and obviously its a fantastic swimming hole. I definitely advise heading up to the Spring Head with your favorite floatation device and enjoy the lazy float down the crystal clear water. There were some gnats that did bite us, but overall we had a pretty obstacle free time. We saw a few turtles...no alligators, and the water while a little chilly, we acclimated quickly and enjoyed it, in the 82 degree Florida sun. The water is deep enough near the spring head to just jump right in. I definitely want to come back and drop the kayaks in for a float on our next trip.

We took a walk early this week at Rock Springs Run and it was a lot easier to enter. We saw a very long line over the weekend when we passed by and that was at 8:00 in the morning so plan on lines if you are running late. I think they probably turned some cars away on that day.
The park is a County run park and is well cared for and has a great little concession stand as well. And the prices are not too bad. Grills are available but you might need to share or get it early. You can reserved a pavilion also.

It was pretty warm on our walk and I did find a tick on me later so make sure you use spray and check the little ones when you get home.
The water was so refreshing....dropped my feet over the bank after our walk so enjoy.

I loved it and it’s wasn’t my first time going I’d definitely go again just high demand to get in and definitely bring a floaty so you don’t get beat up by all the rocks since it’s like a natural lazy river

This was a great canoe run. NOT FOR BEGINNERS. I was pretty freaked out the whole time since we were beginners, but we had a blast. We did get to see a baby gator in the wild and couldnt help wonder where momma was! Of course this was Florida at it's best beautiful, wild self. The water was peaceful and there was all kinds of wild life. The canoe rental place was just average but the experience was worth it.

This is so nice for a family outing. I brought family from out of state as we first saw this on Facebook. It looked great but I was worried that the kids would be bored since it is not Disney. They loved it. The beautiful natural surroundings with crystal clear water floating peacefully down the river was so nice. Get your tubes outside the park first. Bring rope to tie the tubes on top or just hold your tube outside the window and drive slow. They are $7 at the bar and grill before the park entrance or bring your own as long as it is less than 5 feet. The park does fill so get there early. The bathrooms were in good shape to change in and there is a concession stand that takes cash only. There are a lot of picnic tables and grills. The float trip takes about 25 minutes and a 5 minute walk on a paved sidewalk gets you back to the start. The deepest part is about 5 feet and is much shallower in many places. I think the kids liked the peacefulness of it and the lack of lines. The water is 68 degrees year round. Wear sunscreen! Even though much of the area is shaded protect your skin.

Place is beautiful... went early at morning after all the reviews about not going able to get in. Was worth it. Furthermore, My husband had to make a huge line for nachos and soda, which supposed was coke products. They all were awful. Nachos were really old, they put cheese in just 2 of the chips and soda were without any carbonated, really sweet and nasty. For a place like that I think they could have a better quality of products.

The run is in Kelly Park and you can rent a tube at a place about half a mile before entrance to park or take your own.
Crystal clear refreshing water and a good run though not long which ends in pool area where you can swim. Great for kids.
Plenty of room for picnics or just relaxing although it's no wonder it gets very busy at weekends and can be subject to closure due to numbers.
$3 to enter per car inc 2 people (think it's $5 for more)
Some good easy treks too, ask for map at entrance.

Florida boasts some of the most beautiful natural springs in the nation with sparkling cool water as crystal clear as anything you've seen in Television commercials.

This location is off the beaten path - out of the way from normal tourist destinations; but it is worth your time.

The venue is a county park with a modest cost of $1 a person or a fixed amount per car load (whichever is cheaper).
You may bring a float, inner tube, raft or other thing to float down the water way, but it's shallow enough that an adult won't have to. (The park does NOT provide floats, but rental places are all along the drive towards the entrance - it's cheaper to bring your own).
The average depth is just 3 feet with shallow areas of about 1 & 1/2. At the beginning of the run, there is a deep pool that's about 8 feet deep.
This is a spring fed river, so the current will push you down river (whether you like it or not) and you'll see the beautiful shorelines covered with natural Florida foliage. If you like to snorkel, you can easily float the river run without a raft and see the different limestone formations and rock collections along the river bottom (..look for sharks teeth..).

There are two collective swimming "holes" with beaches and chair spots along the run. Those can get pretty crowded during the summer so get there early.
The park closes when it gets to capacity for the crowd (lifeguard and park staff limit), so planning your visit early is, again, important.

Here's the thing, this is a Florida spring, so the water temperature is a constant 70 to 75 degrees. That means in the winter, when the outdoor temperatures are in the 50's and 60's, the water is WARM... and there's no competition for the waterway (I've been at the park with my kids with NO other visitors at all).

This park does have a full service restrooms with showers and changing areas.
There is a snack bar with limited food to order on their menu.
If you pack your own lunch, be careful where you leave it. The raccoons are industrious and will steal anything not secured in a cooler or other container.

Wildlife that we've seen at this park:

In the water: Fish.. all sorts of fresh water types. Turtles - big and small. Otters (they will only be there if the park is NOT crowded). I've never seen a snake or an alligator in multiple visits to this park.

Out of the water: Raccoons... see the above comment (they'll steal food). Deer - like the otters, these will only be there without a crowd around. Tortoises and other Florida forest animals.

If you love the water and the natural beauty of a Florida Spring, but want to be close to some civilization, this is a great place to visit.

Beautiful park and nice hiking trail. We visited during a cold week in December so we just hiked on one trail. There were a few people tubing and the water felt warm, but the air was only in the 60’s. This is a beautiful park to visit for a hike, tubing, or kayaking.

Hire a tube for a few dollars just outside the park and take them down the run. It's a gentle running stream that takes you from the top of the run back down to Kelly Park Springs, in the main pool. Loads of fun, especially for kids!

Far from the tourist area, floating down a lazy crystal clear shallow river is something you will always remember. It's the best inexpensive thing you can do if you want pure pleasure in a peaceful setting. Our guests love going there.

My family of three, including a 6 year old, went on a 4.5 hour kayaking tour of Rock Springs Run. We booked our tour with Central Florida Kayak Tours (http://www.centralfloridakayaktours.com/) a few weeks before arriving. Jenny and Kenny were wonderful and easy to work with and the prices more than reasonable. We joined 4 other people in addition to our guides Kenny and Wayne and set out in the morning. The guides were prepared, professional, and very knowledgeable. Our 6 year old son shared a 2-man kayak with Wayne. Rock Springs Run was dead gorgeous - the water was crystal clear and was usually very shallow, the flora incredible, and we saw alligators, river otters, turtles, numerous birds and loads of fish. Half way in we stopped in a shady spot and had a snack. It was so beautiful and so peaceful. At the end of the tour we finished at an incredible swimming spot on the run - our son was in heaven! When we return to Florida, we will definitely be giving Jenny and Kenny a call to arrange for another tour. It was the highlight of our stay.

This place is awesome. But go early. Limited cars allowed. Rent a float as water is shallow and you will scrape your booty without one.

Fun Fun Fun Tubing down a lazy river for 30 minutes. 10 minute walk back to the beginning. Repeat Repeat and Repeat again. So much fun. Sandy beach area. Plenty of picnic tables, grills and open space to play. Bring your own inner tubes, floats, noodles or just drift, walk or swim down stream.

Tubing and splashing in the cool crystal clear water of Rock Springs Run is the perfect way to spend a steamy summer day.

We always love coming here. It is a fun little river/spring run for the entire family and friends. It does get crowded in the Summers so get there early.

Grown men sexually harass children and the park does nothing. My kids told the men they were teenagers and they still kept harassing them. I'll Never go again!

Refreshing, relaxing & amazing. Been here 2 times and loved it......will be back again soon. Up to 8 in car admission only $5 and tube rental at Ron's is $3 per tube for day. VERY AFFORDABLE!

I have come here a number of times, and being European I am happy going in the winter when it is 'cooler' - this is great because it means it is quiet, the summer is totally manic!

You can hire giant tyres to sit in and float down the run, or you can swim, or snorkle and just enjoy the natural beauty of the place.
You can see fish and turtles, which is really nice as it adds to the beauty of the place.

You need to pay to enter the park, and then there is plenty of parking, toilets, showers and a place to eat on site.

This is a clear spring that you drift down for about a quarter of a mile. The beginning of the spring is a little deeper with a few rocks, but most of the spring is waist deep with a swimming area about halfway through.When we were there we saw fish, turtles, and even a deer grazing on the side of the spring. I would definitely suggest this spring for anyone with young children.

Exceptional trail riding and the guides were awesome. We will definitely plan to ride again when we are back in the area.

Rock springs at Kelly park was a blast! Brought my 2 young daughters and met a few friends out there. Put the babies in tubes and tied everyone together and down the river we went! It was a lot faster than I would've expected! You can walk the entire run as the water doesn't go higher than 5 feet. Crystal clear water, just remember to bring your swim shoes, plenty of rocks and roots to get caught on.

Beautiful place to visit~so peaceful and tranquil. Shaded, shallow places to wade or swim in the spring as well as a huge natural bottom pool area with lots of fish. Great for all ages. Perfect place for a stroll, photo opportunities, or a picnic.