Just northwest of Orlando in Apopka, Kelly Park is one of Central Florida’s happiest escapes: a 380-acre Orange County park built around Rock Springs, where clear water bubbles up and stays a refreshing 68 degrees Fahrenheit all year long.
The star of the park is the spring run, a gentle, crystal-clear stream that winds through shady forest. Visitors can rent or bring a tube under 5 feet long and float the run, swim in the main basin, or simply wade and watch the fish in water so clear it feels like glass. The park also offers hiking trails, a playground, picnic pavilions, a concession stand and a campground for families who want to turn a day trip into a weekend.
For an extra adventure, nearby Camp Joy serves as the launch point for guided kayak trips down the run; launches run from 8 a.m. to noon, with all boats due back by 5 p.m. Kelly Park itself is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in summer and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in winter, and entry costs $5 per vehicle as of August 11, 2026 — a small price for a full day in one of the region’s most beautiful natural springs.
Happy City News tip: arrive early on warm weekends, because this beloved spring fills up fast, and bring water shoes for the rocky spring bottom. Few places near Orlando make it this easy to slow down, cool off and enjoy wild Florida at its clearest.
Photo: ThePinewall, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)
