ROCK SPRINGSLooking for a cool way to spend a hot summer day? Then check out Rock Springs in Kelly Park, Apopka.
A popular destination for all ages, the 248-acre Orange County park is well-known for its activity of choice: tubing down the swiftly running, free-flowing natural spring. The leisurely run downstream is about a mile and takes about 25 minutes (unless you stop along the way for a swim).
Midway down the tubing course, the stream suddenly slows to a meander and a large swimming area that forms the centerpiece of the park. Here, you'll also find sunbathers soaking up rays along the shores and islands.
Plenty of exits along the way, with well-maintained boardwalks, lead back to the beginning of the run.
There are no tube rentals at the park, so take your own or rent one for $5 a day at Rock Springs Bar and Grill just before you get to the entrance of the park or down the street at Ron's Tube and Propane on Rock Springs Road for $4.50 a day.
Kelly Park also features a full-service concession, camping, pavilion rentals, bathhouses, a playground, hiking trails and volleyball areas.
Take a picnic lunch; there are plenty of tables, most with grills nearby.
The park offers camping sites for $15; $18 with electric for Orange County residents; $23 with electric for nonresidents.
- Kathy Page
Rock Springs is at 400 E. Kelly Park Road, one-quarter mile east of County Road 435, Apopka. Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the summer. Cost: $3 per vehicle up to two passengers; $5 per vehicle three to eight passengers; Information: 407-889-4179; orangecountyfl.net
BLUE SPRING STATE PARK
The venerable Blue Spring State Park in Orange City has a primeval beauty that's hard to match in Florida. It's a place where you could almost imagine some ancient creature living there, much like the one that inhabited the "Black Lagoon."
But rather than wreaking havoc, the creature would most likely be lounging in an inner tube, digging the lush flauna and enjoying the cool spring waters.
A home for manatees in the winter, it comes alive in the summer with hikers, campers, snorkelers, swimmers and those souls brave enough to endure its chilly 73 degree depths. St. Johns River Nature Cruises and guided kayak tours by park rangers are also available.
-- David W. Wersinger
Blue Spring State Park is at 2100 W. French Ave.,Orange City. Hours: 8 a.m. until sundown, all year; Cost: $5 per vehicle; Camping: $20 plus tax per night; cabin fees are $85 per night; Information: 386-775-3663; floridastateparks.org
WASHINGTON OAKS GARDENS STATE PARK
Park officials strongly discourage swimming on the beachside of Washington Oaks Gardens, and they note there is no lifeguard on duty.
But visitors will be so mesmerized by this rocky stretch of coast -- where coquina rock formations stretch out of the Atlantic and onto the beach -- that they'll be content merely to take in the view. Or perhaps visitors will want to carefully make their way to a perch on top of one of the rocks and soak their feet in the crashing waves.
With their Picasso-esque curves, the rocks are a favorite of photographers (check out the photos at the park's Web site, cited below).
-- Rick de Yampert
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is at 6400 N. Oceanshore Blvd. (A1A), Palm Coast. Cost: $4 per vehicle up to eight people; $3 motorcycles and single occupant vehicles; $1 pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers and passengers in vehicles with annual individual entrance permit holder; Hours: 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year; Information: 386-446-6780; floridastateparks.org/washingtonoaks.
DeLEON SPRINGS STATE PARK
Born and raised in DeLand, a lot of my childhood was spent at DeLeon Spring State Park.
Families would arrange picnics here and the kids would see who would brave the chilly constant-72-degree waters first. Other times, we went just for a brunch at the restaurant inside the park, Sugar Mill Restaurant (the "pancake house" to us).
It's a different kind of spring -- it was enclosed partially like a swimming pool ages ago, so there are ladders to get in and out of the spring. And it's surrounded by a concrete walkway -- a perfect environment for those who love nature, but who don't necessarily want to walk through it to get back to their beach chair.
While at the spring, you can rent canoes and paddleboats, hike the nature trail or launch your own boat into the St. Johns. But something you must do -- at least once -- is eat at the pancake house. Here, you'll gather around a table that has a griddle set into the middle where you'll cook your own pancakes (myriad toppings are available a la carte for personalized pancakes). You can order food you don't need to cook yourself, also, but there's little fun in that. Here's a tip: Go early. On the weekends and holidays, the pancake house is packed. Also, it's not air-conditioned, so mornings are when the locals know to go.
-- Amanda Cortright
DeLeon Springs State Park is at 601 Ponce DeLeon Blvd., DeLeon Springs just off U.S. 17 north of DeLand. Cost: $5 per vehicle for up to 8 people; $1 per extra passengers, bicyclists and pedestrians; Hours: 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year ; Information: 386-985-4212 or floridastateparks.org/deleonsprings. Sugar Mill Restaurant: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 386-985-5644 or planetdeland.com/sugarmill
SILVER GLEN SPRINGS
This little gem is a favorite picnic spot and snorkeling hole for thousands. It's a boater's paradise (or quagmire) for thousands more, since it's one of the most popular stops on the St. Johns River.
The spring pool is about 200 feet across. While it's only about 2 to 3 feet deep in many places, around the boil the water is about 18 feet.
There are plenty of picnics tables and hiking trails, as well as large oaks so your party can get out of the hot sun. Then you'll notice many child and adult divers in wet suits (and later wrapped in beach towels) because the water remains at a chilling 72 degrees year-round.
Take plenty of food and beverages but no alcohol. Whether by land or by water, your coolers, beach bags and other belongings will be searched -- and alcohol is strictly prohibited.
-- Karen Gallagher
Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area is in Marion County, on State Road 19, six miles north of the junction of State Roads 19 and 40 in the middle of the Ocala National Forest. Hours: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily; Cost: $4 per adult by land, free by boat off Lake George; Information: 352-685-2799
JUNIPER SPRINGS
Surround yourself with soothing scenery and crystal clear 72-degree water at Juniper Springs. Located in the Ocala National Forest, Juniper Springs is a major recreation area that offers swimming, canoeing, concessions, camping, a visitor center, museum, picnic facilities, and showers.
The springs are encircled in a breathtaking hardwood and palmetto forest along with other lush plant life. The spring pool is surrounded by a cement and rock wall, sidewalk, and picnic area. The main pool is oval-shaped and is about 10 feet deep in most areas, with a shallow area for wading and children. Easy access to the watering hole and its adjoining trails bring out many visitors year round. Heavier crowds can be seen at the springs on warm weekends; get there early.
For an additional fee you can paddle along the Juniper Creek run. The creek flows through a beautiful wilderness area of the national forest and is said to have a large alligator population. Otters, fish and herons can also be observed along the pristine run, which is about 7 miles long and takes about four hours to complete.
-- Cassie Jameson
Juniper Springs is at 26701 E. S.R. 40 in Silver Springs. Cost: $3 plus additional fees for canoeing, rentals, drop-off and pick-up; $17 for camping, other park fees may apply; Hours: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m; Information: 352-625-7470
The venerable Blue Spring State Park in Orange City has a primeval beauty that's hard to match in Florida. It's a place where you could almost imagine some ancient creature living there, much like the one that inhabited the "Black Lagoon."
But rather than wreaking havoc, the creature would most likely be lounging in an inner tube, digging the lush flauna and enjoying the cool spring waters.
A home for manatees in the winter, it comes alive in the summer with hikers, campers, snorkelers, swimmers and those souls brave enough to endure its chilly 73 degree depths. St. Johns River Nature Cruises and guided kayak tours by park rangers are also available.
-- David W. Wersinger
Blue Spring State Park is at 2100 W. French Ave.,Orange City. Hours: 8 a.m. until sundown, all year; Cost: $5 per vehicle; Camping: $20 plus tax per night; cabin fees are $85 per night; Information: 386-775-3663; floridastateparks.org
WASHINGTON OAKS GARDENS STATE PARKPark officials strongly discourage swimming on the beachside of Washington Oaks Gardens, and they note there is no lifeguard on duty.
But visitors will be so mesmerized by this rocky stretch of coast -- where coquina rock formations stretch out of the Atlantic and onto the beach -- that they'll be content merely to take in the view. Or perhaps visitors will want to carefully make their way to a perch on top of one of the rocks and soak their feet in the crashing waves.
With their Picasso-esque curves, the rocks are a favorite of photographers (check out the photos at the park's Web site, cited below).
-- Rick de Yampert
Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is at 6400 N. Oceanshore Blvd. (A1A), Palm Coast. Cost: $4 per vehicle up to eight people; $3 motorcycles and single occupant vehicles; $1 pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers and passengers in vehicles with annual individual entrance permit holder; Hours: 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year; Information: 386-446-6780; floridastateparks.org/washingtonoaks.
DeLEON SPRINGS STATE PARK
Born and raised in DeLand, a lot of my childhood was spent at DeLeon Spring State Park.
Families would arrange picnics here and the kids would see who would brave the chilly constant-72-degree waters first. Other times, we went just for a brunch at the restaurant inside the park, Sugar Mill Restaurant (the "pancake house" to us).
It's a different kind of spring -- it was enclosed partially like a swimming pool ages ago, so there are ladders to get in and out of the spring. And it's surrounded by a concrete walkway -- a perfect environment for those who love nature, but who don't necessarily want to walk through it to get back to their beach chair.
While at the spring, you can rent canoes and paddleboats, hike the nature trail or launch your own boat into the St. Johns. But something you must do -- at least once -- is eat at the pancake house. Here, you'll gather around a table that has a griddle set into the middle where you'll cook your own pancakes (myriad toppings are available a la carte for personalized pancakes). You can order food you don't need to cook yourself, also, but there's little fun in that. Here's a tip: Go early. On the weekends and holidays, the pancake house is packed. Also, it's not air-conditioned, so mornings are when the locals know to go.
-- Amanda Cortright
DeLeon Springs State Park is at 601 Ponce DeLeon Blvd., DeLeon Springs just off U.S. 17 north of DeLand. Cost: $5 per vehicle for up to 8 people; $1 per extra passengers, bicyclists and pedestrians; Hours: 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year ; Information: 386-985-4212 or floridastateparks.org/deleonsprings. Sugar Mill Restaurant: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 386-985-5644 or planetdeland.com/sugarmill
SILVER GLEN SPRINGS
This little gem is a favorite picnic spot and snorkeling hole for thousands. It's a boater's paradise (or quagmire) for thousands more, since it's one of the most popular stops on the St. Johns River.
The spring pool is about 200 feet across. While it's only about 2 to 3 feet deep in many places, around the boil the water is about 18 feet.
There are plenty of picnics tables and hiking trails, as well as large oaks so your party can get out of the hot sun. Then you'll notice many child and adult divers in wet suits (and later wrapped in beach towels) because the water remains at a chilling 72 degrees year-round.
Take plenty of food and beverages but no alcohol. Whether by land or by water, your coolers, beach bags and other belongings will be searched -- and alcohol is strictly prohibited.
-- Karen Gallagher
Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area is in Marion County, on State Road 19, six miles north of the junction of State Roads 19 and 40 in the middle of the Ocala National Forest. Hours: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily; Cost: $4 per adult by land, free by boat off Lake George; Information: 352-685-2799
JUNIPER SPRINGSSurround yourself with soothing scenery and crystal clear 72-degree water at Juniper Springs. Located in the Ocala National Forest, Juniper Springs is a major recreation area that offers swimming, canoeing, concessions, camping, a visitor center, museum, picnic facilities, and showers.
The springs are encircled in a breathtaking hardwood and palmetto forest along with other lush plant life. The spring pool is surrounded by a cement and rock wall, sidewalk, and picnic area. The main pool is oval-shaped and is about 10 feet deep in most areas, with a shallow area for wading and children. Easy access to the watering hole and its adjoining trails bring out many visitors year round. Heavier crowds can be seen at the springs on warm weekends; get there early.
For an additional fee you can paddle along the Juniper Creek run. The creek flows through a beautiful wilderness area of the national forest and is said to have a large alligator population. Otters, fish and herons can also be observed along the pristine run, which is about 7 miles long and takes about four hours to complete.
-- Cassie Jameson
Juniper Springs is at 26701 E. S.R. 40 in Silver Springs. Cost: $3 plus additional fees for canoeing, rentals, drop-off and pick-up; $17 for camping, other park fees may apply; Hours: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m; Information: 352-625-7470
Leave a comment