With emerald springs feeding the Wekiwa River and lush tropical hammocks, this unique park just minutes from Downtown Orlando is perfect for observing abundant wildlife or cooling off on a summer day.
Miles of trails beg to be explored on foot, bike or horseback, and canoes and kayaks are available on site. It’s easy to see why visitors have been flocking to beautiful Wekiwa Springs since the mid-nineteenth century.
Wekiwa Springs has a special place in the hearts of those lucky folks who grew up nearby, spending weekends exploring the spring vent and paddling canoes past the purple blooms of pickerelweed.
Orange County’s longest-running tourist attraction, the azure waters of Wekiwa Springs have been a popular leisure retreat. From the dense, almost tropical hammocks near where the springs feed into the Wekiva river, to the scenic sandhill uplands, the park is rife with opportunities to see many kinds of animals.
Experiences
Bicycling
Bicyclists of all levels can find a challenging and enjoyable ride in the park. The off-road bicycle trail is approximately 9 miles long, but bicycles are also permitted on the 8 miles of horse trails. Because these are multi-use trails, be prepared to meet the occasional hiker, horseback rider or park vehicle.
Please stay on designated trails, ride responsibly and respect the park and wildlife.
The park closes at sundown and you must exit the park at that time, so please plan your ride accordingly.
Helmets are highly recommended for all cyclists and Florida law requires helmets for cyclists age 16 and under.
The trails are located in a wilderness area.
Birding
Wekiwa Springs has a large number of birds that inhabit the sandhills, scrub, hardwood hammocks and waterways of the park. Wekiwa Springs is part of the Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail.
Camping
Slopes of gently rolling hills supporting longleaf pine among other specialty plants is the Sandhill habitat where the 60 spacious campsites are located. Each wooded site has water and electrical hook-up, a fire ring with grill and a picnic table. Some sites also have sewer hook-ups and a dump station is located at the campground. Accessible camp sites can be requested at the time of reservation. Two accessible restrooms with showers are located in the camping area. Firewood is available at the ranger station. Well behaved pets are allowed in the campground in accordance with our Pet Policy.
The Florida Black Bear is a native of Wekiwa Springs State Park that you may encounter during your stay with us. For your enjoyment of the park and safety please review our Bear Awareness or ask a Park Ranger for more information.
Recreational vehicles up to 50 feet can be accommodated. Reservation for the camping facilities can be made online at Reserve America or by calling 800-326-3521.
Camping Equestrian
Camp with your horses at Big Fork, a spacious site with easy access conveniently located off the horse trail. The site will accommodate up to 10 people. The trails to these sites are located in a wilderness area. Please take water, a compass and a map. Campers are required to be at the primitive camp site at least two hours before park closing to be permitted to camp.
Campers have no vehicle access to these sites.
Pets are permitted in accordance with our Pet Policy. Reservations and information can be obtained by calling the park at 407-553-4383.
Reservations are required and can be made no more than 60 days in advance.
Camping Primitive
Hike out to Camp Cozy (approximately 3 miles) or Big Fork (approximately 1 mile) located just off the main hiking trail and enjoy the wilderness of Wekiwa in peaceful seclusion. Each site will accommodate up to ten people. Each site has a fire pit with a grill, benches and a picnic table. Pets are permitted in accordance with our Pet Policy (horses are permitted at Big Fork).
Or canoe/kayak to one of the two campsites in Wekiwa Springs State Park that can only be accessed by water. Otter Camp and Big Buck Camp are located on beautiful Rock Springs Run. Travel to either site can begin from any livery along the Wekiva River or inside Wekiwa Springs State Park. These campsites are primitive. Both sites have fire rings and can accommodate up to ten people each.
Campers have no vehicle access to these sites. Reservations are required and can be made no more than 60 days in advance. For information and reservations contact the park at 407-553-4383. Rates are $5 per person, per night, plus tax. For your safety, campers are required to be at the primitive camp site at least two hours before park closing to be permitted to camp. Please see the travel times provided under the Paddling icon to help plan your trip.
Canoes and kayaks can be rented inside Wekiwa Springs State Park or at other liveries along Rock Springs Run and the Wekiva River. Further information on overnight canoe or kayak rentals can be obtained by calling our canoe rental stand at 407-884-4311 or by visiting their website, Nature Adventures.
Camping, Devel. Group
The youth group cabin area is used for environmental education and groups reserving the area must meet eligibility requirements. The camp accommodates up to 160 people. Thirteen youth cabins with bunk beds each accommodate 10 people. Six leader cabins will accommodate up to 30 people. The camp also includes a pavilion, recreation hall, kitchen and dining hall. The youth camp is accessible.
Make your reservations early - cabins are booked months in advance. There is a minimum nightly charge which includes the first sixty (60) people. There will be an additional charge for each additional person. A deposit is required for all reservations and will be applied to the final balance. For more information and reservations, call the park at 407-553-4383.
The Youth Camp is not available during June and July. The Florida Federation of Garden Clubs (FFGC) has a summer camp program during this time. For additional information about the FFGC program can be found on the Wekiwa Youth Camp website.
Camping, Primitive Group
Three primitive youth group camping sites each accommodate up to 20 people. Amenities include ground grill, picnic tables, a restroom and an open-air shower. Each site is limited to 5 vehicles. Pets are permitted in accordance with our Pet Policy. For information and reservations, contact the park at 407-553-4383.
Fishing
Fishing is available at Sand Lake and on the Wekiva River. All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season.
A fishing license may be required. More information is available at the Florida Wildlife Commission’s Fishing in Florida.
Geo-Seeking
Geocaching is an outdoor game using hand-held global positioning systems (GPS) devices. It's effectively an inexpensive, interactive, high-tech treasure hunt that's a great way to learn geography. Participants use location coordinates to find caches. Some caches are easy to find; others are more difficult. The biggest reward is the thrill of the search and the discovery of a place where you have never been. Geocaching should have minimal impact to the environment and conscientious land use ethics should be followed.
Operation Recreation GeoTour
Hiking
There are several trails available at Wekiwa Springs State Park, ranging in length from .8 of a mile to 13.5 miles. The shortest trail has a boardwalk that allows an opportunity to observe the beauty of a river hammock. The boardwalk portion of this trail meets ADA standards.
For those feeling more adventurous, our longest trail provides an opportunity to see several plant communities ranging from river swamp to dry sandhill. Some of the animals you may encounter while enjoying the trails include the Florida black bear, white tailed deer, bobcat, gopher tortoise, turkeys and many other bird species.
Some of our trails are designated as multi-use, so be prepared to encounter the occasional bicyclist or horseback rider. We also recommend that you take some items such as water, snacks, insect repellent, map, compass and cell phone. Please enjoy the nature trails responsibly and respect the park's visitors and wildlife. A trail map can be obtained at the park Ranger Station and at the trail heads.
Picnicking
A picnic area including picnic tables and grills is located near the spring. A playground, volleyball court and horseshoe pit are also located in this area. Picnic tables are also provided at Sand Lake.
Consumption of alcohol beverages is prohibited.
Snorkeling
Snorkel in crystal clear Wekiwa Springs where the water is a refreshing 72 degrees year-round. Children and non-swimmers should be accompanied by an adult swimmer at all times. The swimming area is open from 8 a.m. until park closing. Diving and jumping are not permitted. Snorkeling is not permitted in Wekiwa Springs Run, Rock Springs Run or the Wekiva River.
No lifeguards are on duty. Snorkelers and swimmers do so at their own risk.
Swimming
Swim in crystal clear Wekiwa Springs where the water is a refreshing 72 degrees year-round. The spring is located in a natural setting perfect for spreading a blanket and having a picnic. Individual size flotation devices are allowed in the swimming area. Children and non-swimmers should be accompanied by an adult swimmer at all times. The swimming area is open from 8 a.m. until park closing. Diving and jumping are not permitted. Swimming is not permitted in Wekiwa Springs Run, Rock Springs Run or the Wekiva River.
No lifeguards are on duty. Snorkelers and swimmers do so at their own risk.
A swim lift is now available at the water’s edge. The lift is intended to enable visitors who need assistance entering and exiting the spring water. The lift is hydraulically powered and rated for use by people weighing up to 400 pounds to use themselves or with the assistance of a companion. The seat may remain in the water until the user is ready to get out of the spring. If you would like the assistance of the swim lift to enter the water, please notify park staff as you enter the park or once you are in the park so that we may turn on the device and make it available to you.
Wildlife Viewing
Visitors may see many types of wildlife throughout the park and a good place for viewing is right along Main Park Drive. Early morning and right before sunset are typically the best times for viewing white-tail deer. Wild turkeys can be seen throughout the day in all areas of the park. The best places to see Sherman's fox squirrels are on the trails that go past the Youth Camp.
Amenities
Horse Equestrian Trail
Horseback riders will enjoy the Tram Bed Horse Trail which is named for its western portion-the bed of an old railroad line. This trail was constructed by hand about 100 years ago for use as a passenger line. Rails were never laid for the passenger line. Instead, the rail bed was used to haul pine logs on a narrow gauge line in the early 1900s. The trail is approximately eight miles long and divided into two loops. It is marked with a Green Blaze and/or Horse and Rider Emblems on wooden posts at all crossroads. Because these trails are multi-use, be prepared to meet the occasional hiker, bicyclist, or park vehicle. Horses and riders are required to stay on the designated horse trails. A corral is provided at the start of the trail for trailer parking. Water for horses only is available at one location, Camp Big Fork.
Proof of negative Coggins is required.
Please ride responsibly and respect the park's visitors and wildlife.
The park closes at sundown and you must exit the park at that time, so please plan your ride accordingly.
Accessible Amenities
Wekiwa Springs State Park is committed to providing accessible amenities to all our visitors. The amenities offered are:
Chair lift for spring entry
Ramp for spring entry
Accessible campsites (4)
Paddling
Enjoy one of the most beautiful areas of the park by canoe or kayak out on the Wekiva River or Rock Springs Run. You can begin your trip inside the park or enter the park from any launch site along the Wekiva River or Rock Springs Run. A map of the river and a list of the launch sites is available on the Wekiwa Wild & Scenic River website. If entering from outside the park an Entrance Fees of $2 per person is required.
Canoe and kayak rentals are available at our concession, Wekiwa Springs State Park Nature Adventures. For information on rentals and fees please see Nature Adventures or call 407-884-4311.
The distances provided here can be used to help plan your trip. These are approximated distances; for GPS coordinates of the various points please see the Paddle Wekiva Brochure on the Wekiva Wild & Scenic website. To approximate travel time most canoe forums say a canoe with 2 people and 25 lbs. of equipment can average 3 mph/4.8 kph on still water. Traveling with the current will be faster than against and a kayak will be slightly faster as well.
DISTANCES BETWEEN POINTS OF INTEREST
Wekiwa Springs to Wekiva Island (Wekiva River) – 1 mile/1.6 km
Wekiwa Springs to Otter Camp (Rock Spring Run) – 3 miles/4.8 km
Wekiwa Springs to Indian Mound (Rock Springs Run) – 3.5 miles/ 5.6 km
Wekiwa Springs to Buffalo Tram (Wekiva River) – 3.5 miles/ 5.6 km
Wekiwa Springs to Big Buck (Rock Springs Run) – 4 miles/6.4 km
Wekiwa Springs to Kelly Park (Rock Springs Run) – 9.5 miles/15.3 km
Wekiwa Springs to Katie’s Landing (Wekiva River) – 10 miles/16.0 km
Due to the nature of the spring it is necessary to portage your canoe or kayak a significant distance up and down slope on uneven ground.
Playground
A small playground is located in the picnic area near the pavilions.
Restroom Facilities
The day-use facilities at the headspring in Wekiwa Springs State Park contain three restrooms: one in the picnic area, one at the rear of the park's concession and one above the swimming area. The swimming area restroom contains changing rooms. All restrooms are accessible to those with disabilities that fall under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) either by sidewalk or boardwalk.
The family campground contains restroom and shower facilities in each campground loop. These are ADA accessible. Sand Lake has an ADA accessible restroom facility.