Kelly Park Rock Springs: Off-The-Beaten-Path Central Florida Attraction

Lifestyle

January 26, 2022

Central Florida has it all: wildlife, sunshine, and even natural springs like Kelly Park Rock Springs! These natural springs are Florida’s best-kept secret for an off-the-beaten-path experience. Imagine spending a sunrise with your family or friends in pristine blue-ish teal water while watching the steam glisten in the light…truly an unforgettable experience! In this article, we’ll discuss Kelly Park Rock Springs in detail so you can make the most out of your visit next time you’re in central Florida! 

*Pro Tip: This park is only 10 minutes up the road from King’s Landing which is a kayak lover’s dream!

  • photo of a woman sitting on a rock at kelly park rock springs. in the photo, the woman has her feet near the teal blue water at rock springs. there is tons of greenery like palm trees in the background.
  • photo of a woman sitting on a rock at kelly park rock springs. in the photo, the woman has her feet near the teal blue water at rock springs. there is tons of greenery like palm trees in the background.

Reasons to visit Kelly Park Rock Springs

Get away from the hustle-bustle and long lines at typical central Florida attractions! There are tons of reasons to visit the Florida springs like Kelly Park Rock Springs, but these top 5 reasons will get you excited to experience this off-the-beaten-path central Florida attraction: 

  • More affordable than most central Florida attractions
  • Immerse yourself in a peaceful, natural setting away from the city
  • Enjoy refreshing water to cool off in the summer when it’s scorching hot
  • Scout for wildlife like birds, turtles, and fish 
  • Snorkel in some of Florida’s clearest waters 
  • photo of a man and a woman sitting on a rock at kelly park rock springs in apopka, FL. in the photo, the man and woman are sitting near the blue spring and facing the sunrise. The sun is beaming through the trees and illuminating the steam coming off the spring on a cold winter morning. in the background of the photo there are tons of palm trees and oak trees.
  • photo of a man and a woman standing on a rock at kelly park rock springs in apopka, FL. in the photo, the man and woman are standing near the blue spring and facing the sunrise. The sun is beaming through the trees and illuminating the steam coming off the spring on a cold winter morning. in the background of the photo there are tons of palm trees and oak trees.

Leave No Trace

Before getting into this article about Kelly Park Rock Springs, this is your reminder to LEAVE NO TRACE when you visit! Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures! 

Where is Kelly Park Rock Springs?

Kelly Park Rock Springs is located in Apopka, FL which is 40 minutes northwest of Orlando.

  • photo of a man and a woman standing on a rock at kelly park rock springs in apopka, FL. in the photo, the man and woman are standing near the blue spring and facing the sunrise. The sun is beaming through the trees and illuminating the steam coming off the spring on a cold winter morning. in the background of the photo there are tons of palm trees and oak trees.
  • photo of a man and a woman hugging each other on a rock at kelly park rock springs in apopka, FL. in the photo, the man and woman are standing near the blue spring and facing the sunrise. The sun is beaming through the trees and illuminating the steam coming off the spring on a cold winter morning. in the background of the photo there are tons of palm trees and oak trees.

Getting to Kelly Park Rock Springs

Getting to Kelly Park Rock Springs is easiest by car. We don’t recommend using a ride-share app like Uber or Lyft because the park is far from major towns and will have limited ride-share drivers near you.

From Orlando International Airport

Kelly Park Rock Springs is 45 minutes from Orlando international airport. You can take FL-429 S and Florida’s Turnpike to get to Rock Springs by car and it will take you about 45 minutes.

From Downtown Orlando

Kelly Park Rock Springs is 40 minutes from Downtown Orlando. You can take FL-429 S and FL-408 E to get to Rock Springs by car and it will take you about 40 minutes. 

From Disney Springs

Kelly Park Rock Springs is 50 minutes from Disney Springs. You can take FL-429 and I4 to get to rock springs by car and it will take you about 50 minutes. 

Best time of year to visit Kelly Park Rock Springs

Central Florida can be sunny most of the year, but we recommend visiting in fall or winter so you can experience the fog rolling off the top of Rock Springs! Also, there are a lot fewer bugs in the fall and wintertime which is worth considering if you hate getting itchy when you go out in nature! 

If you are more interested in visiting Rock Springs to go swimming or snorkeling, then summer is the most refreshing time to visit! Summer can be busy so make sure to get to Kelly Park Rock Springs as soon as they open!

  • photo of a man and a woman walking towards the water on a rock at kelly park rock springs in apopka, FL. in the photo, the man and woman are standing near the blue spring with the sunrise behind them. The sun is beaming through the trees and illuminating the steam coming off the spring on a cold winter morning. in the background of the photo there are tons of palm trees and oak trees.
  • photo of a man looking at a palm tree at kelly park rock springs. in the photo, the man is wearing a tan hoodie and black pants. The sunrise is illuminating through the trees and revealing the steam coming off the spring at rock springs on a cold winter morning.

Wha to Pack

You want to arrive prepared, especially when exposed to the elements, hot temperatures, and wildlife! To make the most out of your experience, plan to bring some of these items:

  • Camera & dry bag
  • Bathing suit & towel
  • Bug spray & sunscreen
  • Phone or GPS so you don’t get lost
  • Water & snacks
  • A hammock or blanket to relax
  • Water shoes if you plan on swimming so you don’t stub your toe on the slippery rocks

Arriving at Kelly Park Rock Springs

Driving into Rock Springs is an experience in itself: you are greeted by friendly staff, beautiful oak trees, Florida Wildlife, and plenty of convenient parking! There are tons of bathrooms close to the parking lot which is a short 2-minute walk from the swimming area and trailheads. 

Make sure to ask the park rangers for a park map because you don’t want to end up 1-2 miles on the wrong trailhead! 

  • photo of a man and a woman hugging each other on a rock at kelly park rock springs in apopka, FL. in the photo, the man and woman are standing near the blue spring and facing the sunrise. The sun is beaming through the trees and illuminating the steam coming off the spring on a cold winter morning. in the background of the photo there are tons of palm trees and oak trees.
  • photo of a woman sitting on a rock at kelly park rock springs

Best Florida Springs to Visit

If you love Florida Springs like Kelly Park Rock Springs, make sure to drive 10 minutes down the road to King’s Landing to rent a kayak or check out one of these 10+ natural springs:

  • Kelly Rock Springs, Apopka
  • Blue Springs, High Springs
  • Ginnie Springs, High Springs
  • Ichetucknee Springs, Fort White
  • Silver Glen Springs, Silver Springs
  • Three Sisters Springs, Crystal River
  • Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee
  • Rainbow Springs, Dunnellon
  • Devil’s Den Spring, Williston
  • Ponce de Leon Springs, Ponce de Leon
  • photo of a woman standing on a rock at kelly park rock springs. in the photo, the sun is shining through the trees and illuminating the person in the photo.
  • photo of a woman sitting on a rock at kelly park rock springs. in the photo, the sun is shining through the trees and illuminating the person in the photo.

Bree + Stephen are adventurous entrepreneurs based in Salt Lake City, Utah! They’re pioneers of the NO BS Podcast and hosts of their YouTube channel where they share travel videos, business tutorials, and lifestyle content! They live with their German Shepherd, Sequoia, and are usually chugging coffee while on their way to a hike! Please contact us for business inquiries or questions about this article!

picture of a man and woman standing on a rock at kelly park rock springs in apopka, FL. in the photo, the man is wearing a tan hoodie, black pants, and white shoes. The woman is wearing a while sweater and black leggings. there is a rey of sunshine shining from the top right. the springs at rock springs are teal blue which makes the photo pop.
  1. Kings Landing Florida: Kayaking Florida Attractions in Orlando says:
    January 27, 2022 at 9:12 pm

    […] tip: this kayaking experience is located 5 minutes up the road from Kelly Park Rock Springs, make sure to check that Florida spring out when you’re visiting King’s Landing so you […]

    Reply

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