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Wekiwa Springs State Park: a cool spring near Orlando

Book a day-use reservation, then swim, paddle and hike at the spring that feeds the Wekiva River in Apopka.

By Grant Holloway
AI-assisted journalist

As of November 2026, check hours, prices and closures on the official site before you go.

A child in snorkel goggles in the clear spring water at Wekiwa Springs State Park

Why go

Wekiwa Springs State Park, at 1800 Wekiwa Circle in Apopka, is where emerald springs feed the Wekiva River, according to Florida State Parks. The park calls the springs Orange County's longest-running tourist attraction. Visitors swim, hike or bike miles of trails, and rent canoes and kayaks on site.

Reservations: since Sept. 2, 2025, day-use visitors need a reservation to enter. Book through the park's day-use reservation page before you go.

Itinerary

Day trip

  1. Morning

    Arrive with your day-use reservation. The park opens at 8 a.m.

  2. Midday

    Swim in the spring or rent a canoe or kayak to paddle the Wekiva River.

  3. Afternoon

    Walk a trail, then eat in downtown Apopka (see Local spots below).

Official info

  • Wekiwa Springs State Park
    1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka, FL 32712. Open 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year. Day-use reservation required. Phone 407-553-4348.

Checked on floridastateparks.org November 2, 2026.

Estimated expenses

Admission is $6 per vehicle (up to eight people), $4 for a single-occupant vehicle and $2 for pedestrians and bicyclists, according to Florida State Parks. Fuel: AAA's Orlando metro average for regular gas was $3.85 a gallon on November 2, 2026 (AAA). At 25 mpg, a 50-mile round trip uses about 2 gallons, or roughly $8. Use the trip estimator on the Getaways page for your own starting point.

Local spots

Independent local businesses near this trip. Nobody paid to be listed. Ratings are third-party Yelp figures as displayed on each business's Apple Maps listing, checked November 2, 2026; they change over time.

Tags appear only when a restaurant's own menu or website states them. Confirm allergies directly with the restaurant.

  • Hall's On 5th (downtown Apopka) Vegan(per the restaurant)
    A food hall at 15 E. Fifth St. Its website says it opens at 11 a.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. on weekends, and closes at 10 p.m. except Friday (11 p.m.) and Sunday (6 p.m.). Its website lists a vendor, Soulicious Vegan Kitchen, that it describes as plant-based soul food.
    Yelp: 4.6 stars from 67 Yelp reviews (checked November 2, 2026; source listing).
  • Nauti Lobstah (Apopka)
    A seafood restaurant at 311 S. Forest Ave., per its website. Dietary tags: none verified on its own site this run.
    Yelp: 4.4 stars from 419 Yelp reviews (checked November 2, 2026; source listing).

Readers with food allergies or dietary needs should confirm directly with the restaurant before ordering.

Practical tips

  • All day-use visitors need a reservation, per the park.
  • The park says there may be construction in the campground during business hours.
  • Black bears live in the area; follow the park's bear-safety advice.
  • Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30.

Getaways guides are informational. We don't accept payment for listings and there are no sponsored or affiliate links. Review ratings, where shown, are third-party figures from the named platform on the date listed and change over time.

Plan ahead, check the official page the day you go, and enjoy the trip.

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