Should you go?
Rock Springs pours out of a rock face at the top of Kelly Park and runs a gentle three-quarter-mile lazy river perfect for cheap tubes and kids — the closest genuinely great spring run to Orlando, 30 minutes from downtown.
Because it is close, cheap, and beloved, it also fills faster than almost any spring in Florida: summer capacity closures before 10am are routine.
Visiting
Admission is $3/vehicle with 1-2 people, $5 with 3-8 people (verified). Kelly Park is Orange County's second-oldest park, and Rock Springs itself pumps out roughly 26,000 gallons of crystal-clear water a minute — the source of that famously cold, fast-flowing lazy river everyone comes for. It's genuinely one of the coldest-feeling springs on this list, worth knowing if anyone in your group runs cold. There's no food service inside the park at all, so pack a picnic — this catches first-timers off guard more than almost anything else here. Tubes aren't rented in the park either; the go-to spot is Rock Springs Bar & Grill just up the road at 4939 Rock Springs Road, $7 for the day, and they'll hold your driver's license as collateral until you return it. The run itself is short — about a 20-30 minute float depending on how much you paddle versus drift — which is actually a feature for families with younger kids, since it's easy to do it two or three times in a morning without anyone getting worn out. You take the tube out at the end and either walk back up or take the shuttle, depending on which section you started from. One thing worth knowing before you commit to a summer weekend: the park does close for the day once it hits capacity, sometimes as early as 9am, and this happens often enough that the county posts real-time closure notices online — check before you leave home. If you do get turned away, the first 50 cars in the overflow queue get vouchers for re-entry at 1pm, which is worth knowing rather than just giving up and driving home. A wheelchair-accessible pool lift is available for anyone who needs it. In the interest of honest expectations: reviews are genuinely split. Most families love it, but a few describe peak summer weekends as crowded enough that the water gets stirred up and murky by afternoon, with long lines and limited parking. The gap between an early weekday morning and a packed Saturday afternoon here is bigger than at almost any other spring on this list.
When to go
Weekday mornings, hands down — this is one of the most capacity-constrained springs on the list, and summer weekends routinely see cars lined up before the gate opens. If a weekend is your only option, arrive right at opening.
Local tips
Get there early, genuinely early — multiple families describe lining up outside the gate before opening on summer weekends, and the park reaches capacity fast once it does open. There's a capacity hotline you can call ahead to check current status before making the drive, which is worth doing if you're coming any real distance. Water shoes aren't optional here — the spring floor is rocky, and more than a few reviewers learned that the hard way. Bring a waterproof bag for phones and snacks if you're floating the run, and bug spray if you plan to walk any of the nature trails afterward. One small joy worth mentioning: deer sometimes come down to drink at the water's edge while people float by, close enough that kids get genuinely excited about it.
Rules & restrictions
No alcohol, no glass. No tube rentals inside the park — bring your own or rent from a vendor before you arrive. Pets are not permitted in the water. No pets except ADA service animals — this is strictly enforced, no exceptions for regular pets.
Good to know
Dogs: No pets. Season: Year-round.
Facilities
Restrooms, showers, picnic pavilions (bring your own food — there's no concession inside), and a campground. Nature trails wind through the surrounding 355 acres if you want to stretch the day beyond the water. For food, you're close enough to Apopka proper that a wider range of options is just a short drive away if the picnic plan falls through — but most families report packing lunch and making a full day of it without leaving. The campground has 26 sites plus 2 group sites, established on land donated by Dr. Howard A. Kelly back in 1927 for use as a public park and wildlife preserve. For food and supplies, Rock Springs Bar & Grill, a Publix, and an Ace Hardware are all close by in Apopka. A group or bus rate exists too: $10 plus $1 per person, useful for anyone organizing a larger outing.
Wildlife you may see
Deer are a genuine possibility right at the water's edge, along with turtles, fish, and birds visible from the tube run itself — several families specifically mention this as a highlight for kids.
History & background
Kelly Park has been an Orange County institution since the 1920s, making it the second-oldest park in the county, and generations of Central Florida families have grown up floating this same run.
Map & directions
FAQs
How early does Kelly Park fill up?
On summer weekends the park routinely reaches vehicle capacity within one to two hours of the 8am opening u2014 sometimes faster. Arrive before the gate opens.
Is Rock Springs good for young kids?
Yes u2014 the tube run is shallow, slow, and short, making it one of the best first spring runs for small children.
How much is Kelly Park?
$5 per vehicle (up to 8 people) as an Orange County park; tube rentals outside the gate are inexpensive. Verify current county rates before visiting.
Does Kelly Park rent tubes?
No, not inside the park. Rock Springs Bar & Grill at 4939 Rock Springs Road, just up the street, rents them for $7/day and holds your driver's license as collateral.
Is there food at Kelly Park?
No concession inside the park u2014 bring a picnic. This surprises a lot of first-time visitors, so plan ahead.
How cold is the water at Rock Springs?
Notably cold even by Florida spring standards u2014 it's one of the chilliest on this list, which is exactly why it's such a popular summer escape.
What happens if Kelly Park is at capacity when you arrive?
The park closes for the day once capacity is reached, sometimes by 9am on summer weekends. The first 50 cars in the overflow queue receive vouchers for re-entry at 1pm, so it's worth checking with the park's info line before giving up entirely.
Is there a wheelchair-accessible way into the water at Kelly Park?
Yes, a pool lift is available for visitors who need it.
Is Kelly Park always crowded?
Not always u2014 weekday mornings and off-season visits are genuinely calm. But summer weekends are a different story, and reviews describe long lines and water that gets stirred up and less clear by afternoon on the busiest days.
Visitor photos
See this week’s shots: Instagram #rocksprings · TikTok #kellypark
Great for: Camping · Family-Friendly · Snorkeling · Swimming · Tubing
