Things to do nearWekiwa Springs State Park

Wekiwa Springs State Park sits on roughly 7,000 acres in Apopka, Florida, protecting one of the largest undeveloped natural areas in the greater Orlando region. The spring itself is a first-magnitude spring, pumping millions of gallons of groundwater daily at a constant temperature, a geological feature that Indigenous peoples used for centuries before European contact.

Hikers and trail runners have access to more than 13 miles of marked paths that wind through distinct ecosystems. The Sand Lake Trail crosses open scrub, while routes closer to the river dip into shaded floodplain. Cyclists are welcome on designated multi-use trails, and equestrians can explore a separate network on the park's eastern side. For paddlers, launching onto Rock Springs Run from the park is one of the most rewarding ways to experience the landscape, drifting beneath a canopy of water oaks and tupelo.

The spring swimming area is the social heart of the park, a wide natural pool enclosed by a low fence with a sandy beach alongside. Families spread towels in the shade of tall pines while swimmers float in the turquoise water. Nearby, the Wekiva River carries the spring's flow northward through protected corridor land.

Wekiwa Springs State Park rewards visitors who come for more than a quick swim, offering a rare chance to experience genuine Florida wilderness within half an hour of downtown Orlando.