Enjoy a 'staycation' at nearby Wekiwa Springs

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Money may be a little tight and you might not be able to afford to chill at a fancy resort, but there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy a nice “staycation” right here in Central Florida.

While tourists are packing the Atlantic and Gulf Coast beaches, they are missing out on one of Central Florida’s local best-kept secrets — Wekiwa Springs — located less than a 45-minute drive from Orlando. You can even get there by public
transit – with SunRail and the Lynx bus.

Wekiwa Springs is a popular weekend destination for locals. The spring, located at Wekiwa Springs State Park, pumps 42 million gallons every day, filling a swimming area before joining Rock Springs Run and forming the Wekiva River. 

Wekiwa Springs State Park is a full-service park and features something for everyone. Here are some of the things that make visiting Wekiwa Springs so special:

• Located just one hour from most of central Florida and its attractions, Wekiwa Springs offers visitors the opportunity to relax in a natural setting -- offering a glimpse of what Central Florida looked like when Timucuan Indians fished and hunted these lands -- or enjoy a picnic, take a swim in the cool springs. 

• The park's 13 miles of trails also provide opportunities for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding.   

• Swimming in the crystal-clear, 72-degree year-around Wekiva Springs water; 

• Renting a canoe, kayak or paddleboard for a trip down the Wekiva River -- one of two recognized National Wild & Scenic Rivers in Florida -- and Rock Springs Run. (Canoe and kayak rentals are available from the park's concessionaire);

• Camping with water and electricity (30-Amp service, 50-Amp service on sites 1-30 only) and sewer hookups on selected sites. Options for camping include a full facility campground and primitive camping areas. Note: Reservations can be made through ReserveAmerica;

• Wekiwa the park also features wonderful wildlife sightings around the park including deer, turkey, fox squirrels, shorebirds and even Florida Black Bear. Note: Bears and other wildlife can become a nuisance or even dangerous if their behavior is interrupted by humans. Be sure to enjoy the wildlife from a safe distance.

For admission fees, click here.

Plan ahead! During the summer the park can get jammed to capacity.

The park closes when it reaches capacity (250 cars) and no further vehicles, bicycles or walk-in customers are allowed to enter until space becomes available. (Registered Campers Excepted.) 


For directions on using public transit to Wekiwa, click here.

Article written for 32805OrlNews.com by Diane Glassman Kish.






Location: Orlando, FL, USA

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