Located only a short drive from downtown Orlando, Florida, Wekiwa Springs State Park is a haven for those who love the outdoors. The park is the perfect getaway destination for any RV camper who wants to adventure or chill out in the Sunshine State. Known as the area's longest-running tourist attraction, the park is most well known for its beautiful crystal springs that flow right into the Wekiva River. This area was initially named Clay Springs until 1906 when it was permanently changed to Wekiwa Springs. The Apopka Sportsman Club originally bought the land in 1941, then sold the land to the state of Florida, which later turned it into the state park that we all know and love today. Now visitors from all over can come here and enjoy a wide array of activities from hiking, biking, and horseback riding to swimming, snorkeling, and picnicking. The summers here are hot and humid, making all water activities all the more enjoyable. The even better news is that when you visit during the off-season, you can still do many of the same things, such as hiking, but without as much sweat, crowds, and bugs. Bringing your RV to Wekiwa Springs State Park is a great idea, especially if you are looking fora place to stay. There is one campground available for you to use within the park that has a total of 60 sites, some of which have full hookups. No matter what time you visit, Wekiwa Springs State Park is well worth your time, so pack your RV and check it out!
Since Wekiwa Springs State Park is located very close to Orlando, you should have no problems finding its location. There are two main entrances to the park on the south and southwest end that will allow you to access its services and amenities. Should you need any supplies for your trip, you can pick them up at any of the outer suburbs of Orlando that are near the park.
When you visit this park, you should not run into any problems on the road, even if you drive a large RV. Navigating to the park as well as inside the park is very easy, so you should have nothing to worry about when driving at Wekiwa Springs State Park.
Wekiwa Springs is a very popular attraction, so parking is always fairly limited, regardless of what kind of vehicle you take. The park has a 250-car capacity, and once they reach that number, the park temporarily shuts down. It would be smart to set up your RV at a campsite, then head out with your smaller vehicle to avoid running into further problems.
There’s a place where you can find fun, sun, and relaxation amid the hustle and bustle of busy Orlando, and that place is the Orlando SE / Lake Whippoorwill KOA. The campground is spread out over more than 350 acres and is home to the lovely Lake Whippoorwill, which is the perfect place for fishing and boating. Along with being a well-maintained campground, the park is also close to some of the main tourist destinations of Orlando. Some camp amenities include a private boat ramp, pool, hot tub, and recreation hall. Canoe rentals are also available on-site. The campground offers Wi-Fi and cable TV, and sites offer 50-amp service. There’s also a convenient Kamping Kitchen on the grounds, and firewood and propane are available on-site for purchase.
If you want to avoid the hassle of traffic and have a relaxing stay in the heart of Florida, then the Orlando NW / Orange Blossom KOA is the campground you’ve been looking for. It’s only minutes from most of central Florida’s most popular attractions, and it is also close to the great shopping, restaurants, and entertainment venues of Mount Dora. The Orlando NW / Orange Blossom KOA has everything you need for a fun-filled holiday, including a playground, dog park, shuffleboard courts, a large swimming pool, and more. Plus, all RV sites include patios and full hookups.
As long as your RV is under 50 feet in length, you will be welcome to stay at the campground located here at this beautiful state park. There are 60 campsites total, each one providing lots of space and natural scenery for you to enjoy. You’ll also have a picnic table and fire ring with a grill, no matter which site you choose. Along with these site-specific amenities, there are also electrical and water hookups on all sites, with some even coming with sewer hookups. One thing to be aware of is that black bears are native to the park, so remember to keep your food secured. Nearby, you’ll find a dump station, as well as restroom and shower facilities. If you require an accessible site, they are available here and can be requested upon making reservations. Reservations can be made online before your visit, and if you have a pet, you can also bring it along with you during your stay.
Geocaching can be a lot of fun. This modern-day version of a treasure hunt will have you and the whole family excited about learning the geography of the park and finding as many geocaches as you all can. This game of using GPS coordinates to find geocaches is a great way to get out and explore different parts of the park. The Operation Recreation geocaching game, which is a feature of many Flordia State Parks, is also available at Wekiwa Springs State Park. Designed for kids, the game involves finding geocaches and tracking them to see them all. For more information on geocaching in the park, have a chat with the park staff.
A great way to spend some time during your visit to the park is to pack a relaxing picnic. Two places in the park are just perfect for a family picnic. One is near the spring itself and has a horseshoe pit, volleyball court, and a playground nearby for fun family entertainment. The other picnic area is at Sand Lake, where you can enjoy all the lake activities. For those with a large group, we advise that you book one of the two picnic pavilions that can hold up to 100 people. Reservations for the pavilions can be made online up to 11 months in advance.
If you are a regular horseback rider, you will be happy to hear that there is a trail just for equestrians within the park. Tram Bed Horse Trail is about eight miles total and is split up into two loops. This trail holds a lot of history and has been around for a long time. It was hand-constructed a hundred years ago and was supposed to be a railroad, but was never finished, so now you and your horse can enjoy it as a simple trail.
Here at the park, there are biking trails for people of all skill levels, so make sure you bring your bike in your RV. There is one off-road biking trail that totals nine miles and is perfect if you crave a long road full of natural scenery. There are also other trails you can take the bike on, but keep in mind that you’ll be sharing the way with horseback riders and hikers, so be prepared for any traffic that you may encounter during your ride.
If you’re looking for something a bit different than your typical RV camping trip, and you really want to dive deep into nature, you can go primitive camping. In order to do this, you’ll need to hike about three miles away from the main hiking trail to reach Camp Cozy. The campsites that you’ll find here are pretty spacious, accommodating up to 10 people per site. You’ll have a picnic table, a grill, and a fire pit. If you’ve brought a canoe or kayak, you can also go across the water to get to Otter Camp and Big Buck Camp. Wherever you decide to go camping, you’ll need to make reservations. You can do this up to 60 days in advance of your trip to Wekiwa Springs State Park.
If you’ve brought your horses along with you on this trip, you’ll want to stay at Big Fork—a large campsite that is made to accommodate up to 10 people; Big Fork also allows horses. It is situated conveniently right next to the horse trail, so you won’t have to go very far to reach the trail where you can ride your horse. However, it's important to note that these sites are located in a wilderness area of the park. You must walk to these sites as there is no vehicle access. It's recommended that you bring water, a compass, and a map before you hike out to these campsites.
There are lots of opportunities for hiking adventures within Wekiwa Springs State Park that are suitable for explorers of any age. You’ll be sure to find that perfect trail for everyone, as these trails vary significantly in difficulty level and length. The shortest trail is less than a mile long, while the longest one is 13.5 miles. There is so much to explore, so it makes sense to take your time and make the most of the vast hiking options.
For those who love to fish, you will be pleased to know that there are two spots within the park that you can throw in a line. Along with the most well-known Wekiva River, there is also a spot called Sand Lake that is great for largemouth bass, crappie, and smallmouth bass. Before fishing, be sure to check regulations for fishing licenses and the number, type, and size of fish that you’re allowed to catch and keep.
Wekiva River and Rocks Springs Run are two great places to take your canoe or kayak out for some paddling for those who enjoy being out on the water. If you don't feel like toting your boat in your rig, or if you don't have a boat, you can rent a canoe or kayak at the concession stand. We recommend that you pick up a map of the river, which includes the locations of the launch sites before heading out.
There are so many different animals and wildlife here at Wekiwa Springs—probably because they like the environment as much as you do. The best place and time to see deer is on Main Park Drive in the early mornings and right as the sun is setting in the evenings. Wild turkeys and squirrels are also pretty common throughout the park, as well as all kinds of different species of birds, including bald eagles and northern bobwhites. If you like water animals, be sure to keep a lookout for river otters or alligators near the waterways.
There is no better way to kick back and relax during the warmer months at Wekiwa Springs State Park than by going for a swim in the beautiful waters. The designated swimming area is the place to be if you want to take a dip, and it is open from 8 AM until the close of the park each day. Flotation devices are allowed in the swimming area, and the spring is also surrounded by areas that are perfect for having a picnic or laying out on a blanket.
When you visit Wekiwa Springs State Park, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy an activity that is not usually found in many parks. Snorkeling is a popular activity thanks to the crystal clear waters of Wekiwa Springs, and it is enjoyed by many during the spring. If you plan on going snorkeling, make sure that you are confident in your swimming abilities and that you stick to the designated swimming area. We also recommend that you pack your snorkeling gear before you leave on your trip.
