Sandy beach
Yes
Cliff jumping
No
Hike-in Required
No
Sensitive Habitat
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Kelly Park in Apopka, Florida, hosts the beautiful Rock Spring, a second-magnitude freshwater spring that pours thousands of gallons of freshwater from the face of a dramatic limestone formation. Visitors are encouraged to bring (or rent) inflatable tubes for a relaxing, scenic meander through wild Florida. Often otter can be spied playing among the large, flat rocks that the spring was named for, and white-tailed deer peer out from the woods as swimmers and tubers float by.

The part of the run that is accessible to the public is approximately three-quarters of a mile long, flowing toward the nationally designated Wild and Scenic Wekiva River. At the midway point, the run opens up into a wide pool that is surrounded by a sandy beach and picnic area. This spot is also accessible by foot from the parking area, and it features a concessionaire as well as public restrooms. Determined tubers and swimmers may choose to float on past the point for another view of the run as it winds its way toward the river before exiting at a small footbridge farther downstream.

Nearby this beautiful waterway lies the Kelly Park Loop Trail with 2.4 miles of easy hiking and a multitude of opportunities for wildlife viewing. Fox squirrel, deer, Luna moths and even black bears have been spotted along this trail, so visitors are encouraged to keep their eyes open. Besides offering a spectacular view of the spring itself, the Kelly Park Loop also winds through an upland hammock filled with oaks, pines and a floor of ferns. Since this is spring country, the trail also has a few enjoyable ups and downs, thanks to the geological formations of the aquifer beneath the surface.

When visiting Kelly Park, it is important to remember that this popular spot is frequently filled to capacity by mid-morning, so arriving early is strongly advised. The campground is also a popular location, offering both tent and RV sites, so make reservations in advance.

Logistics + Planning

Parking Pass

General Day Use Fee

Pros

Convenient amenities. Pristine views. Wildlife viewing. Swimming opportunities.

Cons

Crowded on weekends.

Location

Comments

05/17/2017
Beautiful park! We spent the whole day swimming and floating down the spring WITH OTTERS!!! Lots of grass with shade and space to rest out of the spring. Biggest tip - BRING YOUR OWN INNER TUBE! The ones available for rent are expensive and they are made of black rubber. The sun makes the black rubber so hot that it burns to sit on them, and they get hot QUICKLY. We loved our time at Kelly Park and will definitely be back!
Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment?
Sign In and share them.