Discover the Beauty of Florida’s Wekiwa Springs State Park

Take a break for the weekend and discover what makes Florida’s Wekiwa Springs State Park such a popular spot. The natural springs and beautiful surroundings will lure you away from your worries as you relax and recharge.

Wekiwa Springs

Wekiwa Springs State Park is the location of the headwaters of the Wekiva River. The park is located on the outskirts of Apopka, Florida, just north of the city of Orlando.

The springs became one of central Florida’s first tourist attractions in the 1890’s. The clear waters drew visitors from all around and became a popular spot for those seeking relief from pain or just to relax in the waters. A hotel and bathhouse were built, but no longer exist today.

The Apopka Sportman Club took over the procession of the land in 1941 and later sold the land in 1969 to the state of Florida to form Wekiwa Springs State Park.

Camping

We scored a great campsite, #46 at Wekiwa State Park. This is a popular campground, especially in the summer. Which is probably why we were able to reserve a site in the winter month of January.

Our site had a picnic table, fire ring with grill, posts for hammocks and full hookups. Full hookups, which include water, electric and sewer, are rare in Florida State Parks. Sewer is seldom available, we were so happy to see that our site had it. There is a dump station on site if you are unlucky to get a site without sewer hookups. A bathhouse is also centrally located.

This was a roomy, well kept, campsite. We had plenty of space between our neighbors and didn’t feel like we were camping on top of each other. There was plenty of space for us to cook, stretch out and just relax.

Be bear aware when camping. There are active bears near and around the state park. Do not leave food out and make use of the bear proof trashcans.

To make camping reservations visit here. I believe this is a new camping reservation system, and it looks so much easier to use. Keep in mind that summer months are going to be in high demand, so trying for a weekday reservation might be a good option. But if you are like us, and only have certain weekends that you can getaway, maybe try in the off season.

Canoeing and Kayaking

Be sure to explore the start of the Wekiva River by canoe or kayak. Rentals can be made at the concession stand if you didn’t bring your own.

This is an easy river to drift down on, coming back was a bit harder. It was a chilly, clear day when we headed out on the water. There were other boaters out on the water, but it was not crowded. It can get congested in the warmer months and days.

A popular place on the river is Wekiva Island. This is a place to grab a drink, relax and refuel.

Be sure to take in your surroundings while navigating the river. We saw a variety of wildlife from our canoe.

Snorkeling

My youngest son is learning to snorkel for an upcoming trip to Key West. This was a great opportunity for him to practice and gain his confidence. He caught on quickly and didn’t want to leave.

While it was a bit chilly outside, the spring stays at a constant temperature around 72º. My son did fantastic in his wet suit.

Before You Go

For more information on on Wekiwa Springs State Park visit their website here. This is a great resource for planning your trip. Also check out my other blog posts on Florida Springs here. Get out there and explore Florida’s natural beauty. Happy Camping!

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