Rock Springs Run
Rock Springs Run
4.5
About
This natural reserve in central Florida is a great spot for a refreshing and relaxing day trip. Here, you can go horseback riding, hike, or bike across 17 miles of trails. Water activities are Rock Springs Run's crown jewel. Rent a tube to enjoy a lazy float down the pristine waters of the Wekiva River as you spot bears, cranes, and tortoises if you're lucky. You can also rent a kayak or paddleboard outside the tubing area. To the south of the reserve is the Wekiwa Springs State Park, where you can camp overnight to enjoy the area to the fullest. – Tripadvisor
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4.5
163 reviews
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Hotel inspector
Jacksonville, FL23 contributions
Jul 2020 • Solo
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.
Written July 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joseph Robba
Charlotte, NC2,281 contributions
Feb 2022
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.
Written February 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Christie59884
Fond du Lac, WI41 contributions
Dec 2022 • Family
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.
Written December 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jan M
Mount Dora, FL78 contributions
Dec 2021 • Family
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.
Written December 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Easy Rider
Ocala, FL24 contributions
May 2021
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.
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.
Written May 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FLPetPalace
St. Augustine, FL28 contributions
Apr 2018 • Family
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.
Written April 17, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FloridaTraveller1234
Truro, Canada1 contribution
Jul 2018 • Couples
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!
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!
Written July 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Americanflygirl
Temple Terrace, FL344 contributions
Apr 2018 • Family
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.
Written April 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
billmc33
Orlando, FL47 contributions
Sept 2013 • Family
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 !
Written September 12, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DutchLewes
Brighton, UK33 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
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!
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!
Written July 13, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you use a pool noodle instead of an inner tube?
Written April 7, 2024
Can you bring your own float and float down the River for free with paid admission
Written March 15, 2022
Can you get a taxi to this place. We don't drive when we are on holiday here.
Thanks
Written February 11, 2022
Well, honestly, your in Florida. Any body of water in Florida DOES have alligators. Gators are wildlife and when your in any body of water, your in their environment. So of course you always have to be cautious. There have been alligators at Rock Springs. They were found towards the top where you enter the water to start tubing. When gators are found, they usually are removed and the springs are closed until that happens. There are also guards on duty just "incase" for everyone's safety. Rule of thumb though, if you are in water in Florida, there's an excellent chance there is a gator nearby.
Written August 5, 2019
We actually rented the tubes outside the park (you pass this place driving towards the park, has black inner tubes all over the parking lot). I think it was $7.00 per tube, all day, and they hold onto your license until you return the tube. The have a few different sized tubes, and you pick your own out (toss in the back of your car or hold in your lap or hold out your window as you drive into the park - place is right around the corner). Really nice folks. This is for the Kelly Park part of Rock Springs Park (the springs 'run,' not the 'big pool' springs; I hope this makes sense). Enjoy! We had a BLAST!!
Written July 23, 2019
Yes, you can fish. But not in the head spring or river run. Lot fish down river on kayaks and Jon boats
Written June 29, 2019
Is the tubing area some how sectioned off so you need not worry about alligators?
Written May 25, 2019
The tubing area is NOT roped off at all. You pretty much tube at your own risk. There are lifeguards throughout the entire run keeping people as safe as they can. But, we are in Florida. We have to be cautious that wherever there is anywater, there could possibly be a gator there as well. The park staff do a great job with keeping an eye out for wildlife. It's a beautiful park and the tubing is great!
Written May 28, 2019
Lots of people mention getting there early. If you arrive after it’s full, will they let you in as people leave? Or is it just closed the rest of the day? I ask because we wanted to visit on our way from South Carolina to south Florida.
Written July 22, 2018
This is a County Park, when it closes due to capacity, they put sheriff'f's deputies at the front to turn cars away.
They will allow people to enter as others leave, but the chances of being there when someone leaves are small. There's no waiting area to linger in while others are in the park.
Plan to be there before 8am - do your waiting in the line to enter the park the 1st time.
Written August 13, 2018
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