Kelly Springs / Rock Springs Run

Nature's lazy river. No wristband required.

Rock Springs Run is exactly what everyone is looking for when they say they want a 'natural lazy river' — except this one is the real thing. Crystal clear spring water, ancient cypress trees forming a canopy overhead, turtles stacked on logs, and a current that moves you along at the perfect pace. Three-quarter mile float. Zero effort. Maximum results.

Kelly Park is the Orange County facility that manages access, and it's been packing out since before theme park Florida existed. Locals know this is the move. The water comes out at 68 degrees year-round from the Rock Springs vent, which means in July when everything else in Central Florida is genuinely trying to kill you, this water feels like the best decision you have ever made.

The simplicity is the point. You float. You look up at cypress knees and Spanish moss. You let go of whatever you were thinking about. You float back and do it again. That's it. That's the whole thing. It's enough.

AT A GLANCE

Location

Apopka, FL (Orange County)

Water Temp

68°F year-round

Best For

Tubing, floating, swimming, wildlife watching

Entry Fee

$3/vehicle (Orange County residents); $5 non-resident

Hours

8am–8pm (closes when full — often by 10am on summer weekends)

Vibe Rating

9/10 Effortless Classic, Zero Pretension


Unpretentious, beautiful, and always there for you. Kelly Park doesn't charge extra, doesn't have a gift shop, doesn't need to. She's just a perfect spring run 45 minutes from Disney World and she has been doing just fine without the exposure, thank you.

WHAT TO BRING

  • Your own tube — rentals are not available at the park

  • Bungee cord or rope to connect tubes if you're in a group

  • Water shoes — the entry is rocky

  • Shade setup for the picnic area if you're making a day of it

  • The patience to arrive by 9am or the flexibility to wait for re-entry

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Weekday mornings May through September. The park fills fast on summer weekends and once the parking lot is full, the gate closes. Arrive early or go home.

INSIDER TIPS

  • The float takes about 20-30 minutes. Walk back upstream through the park and go again.

  • There is a rope swing at one point. You will use it.

  • Wekiva Springs State Park is nearby — pair them for a full North Orlando springs day.

  • This spring is 45 minutes from Walt Disney World. If you are at Disney and do not come here, that is a choice you will regret.

CONSERVATION NOTE

LEAVE HER BETTER THAN YOU FOUND HER  //  Rock Springs Run is a designated Outstanding Florida Water and part of the Wekiva River system. The aquifer that feeds this spring is directly affected by development and impervious surface around Apopka. Reef-safe sunscreen, pack out trash, and stay out of the vegetation on the banks. This spring is genuinely in a more populated, pressured area — her condition depends more on visitor behavior than almost any other spring on this list.


Ready to add her to the list? Download the Florida Springs Bucket List — free, no excuses.