Wekiwa Springs State Park is one of the best ways to cool off outside of a theme park water ride, a 71-degree spring pumping out millions of gallons a day into a clear, swimmable spring run surrounded by sand pine scrub and hardwood hammock. It’s a favorite for guests staying with us who want one day of their Orlando trip spent in nature instead of in line.
The swimming area right at the spring is the main draw, shallow enough near the edges for younger kids and deep enough further out for older ones to jump and swim, with a grassy lawn for spreading out towels nearby. Beyond the spring, the park has more than 13 miles of hiking trails through pine flatwoods and along the Wekiva River, plus canoe and kayak rentals if you want to paddle the spring run itself. Mornings are the best time to arrive, both for cooler water temperatures before the crowds build and because summer weekends fill up fast.
Day-use entry now requires a reservation booked in advance through the Florida State Parks system, so plan ahead rather than showing up on a whim, especially on weekends. There’s a modest per-vehicle entry fee, and the park is open from 8am until sundown year-round. It’s roughly a 30 to 40 minute drive from most of our Orlando-area properties, an easy way to spend a full day swimming, paddling, or hiking without ever setting foot in a park.
