Accessibility
Florida State Parks are in various stages of accessibility, and are working to improve access to services and facilities. Should you need assistance to enable your full participation, please contact the individual park office as soon as possible. Sometimes as many as ten days may be needed to schedule a particular accommodation.


Management & Protection
Florida State Parks are managed as natural systems. All plant and animal life is protected in state parks. Hunting, livestock grazing and timber removal are not permitted. Do not remove, deface, mutilate or molest any natural resources. For your safety, do not feed any animals. Intoxicants and firearms are prohibited.


Hours of Operation
Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.




Pets
Pets are not allowed in camping areas, on bathing beaches, in concession areas and may be restricted in other designated areas of the park. Where pets are allowed, they must be kept on a six-foot, hand-held leash and well-behaved at all times. Service dogs are welcome in all areas of the parks.


State Park Guide
To discover and experience all of the Real Florida at Florida's 145 state parks, ask a Park Ranger where you can pick up a copy of the Florida State Park Guide, or call 850/488-9872.



TRAILS
Hiking Trails
The 13.5-mile hiking trail was developed and is maintained through the assistance of the Florida Trail Association. Trails are marked with white, blue and yellow blazes. Double blazes represent a sharp change in trail direction. Trail maps may be obtained when entering the park. Day hikers must exit the park by sunset. The 5.3-mile Volksmarch trail is marked with orange diamonds. Please stop at the Ranger Station for check-in materials.

Bicycle Trails
Bicyclists are free to use any of the ’spark service roads. Bicycles are not allowed on the hiking trails. You are also permitted to use the horse trail.

Horse Trails
Tram Bed Horse trail is approximately 8 miles long and is divided into two loops. The trail is marked with horse shoe emblems on wooden posts at all crossroads. It is largely along scenic back-country roads. These roads are used by park staff and visitors, so be prepared to meet an occasional park vehicle or hiker. Off-trail riding is prohibited. Trailers may be parked at the corral. Horse water is available at Camp Big Fork.





Accessibility
Florida State Parks are in various stages of accessibility, and are working to improve access to services and facilities. Should you need assistance to enable your full participation, please contact the individual park office as soon as possible. Sometimes as many as ten days may be needed to schedule a particular accommodation.




Management & Protection
Florida State Parks are managed as natural systems. All plant and animal life is protected in state parks. Hunting, livestock grazing and timber removal are not permitted. Do not remove, deface, mutilate or molest any natural resources. For your safety, do not feed any animals. Intoxicants and firearms are prohibited.

Hours of Operation
Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.

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Reservations for
Florida State
Parks are now
made through
Reserve America,

toll free, at
1-800-326-3521


PET
FRIENDLY
PARK

see policy

 

WEKIWA SPRINGS STATE PARK

Wekiwa Springs State Park comprises approximately 7,000 acres of wild scenery that offers an opportunity to see how areas of central Florida looked when the Timucuan Indians speared fish in the spring-fed creeks and stalked the uplands. They left a number of mounds that are still visible today. The main spring pumps approximately 42 million gallons of water each day. Wekiwa Springs State Park opened to the public in 1970.



GEOGRAPHY

Wekiwa Springs, for which the park is named, is one of the region's familiar and popular geologic features. The spring's name is derived from the Creek Indian word "Wekiwa" meaning "spring of water" or "bubbling water." Wekiwa Springs is the headwaters for the Wekiva River. "Wekiva" means "flowing water." Springs commonly occur along each side of Florida central ridge. The streams created by two such springs form the northern and eastern park boundaries. Rock Springs Run and Wekiwa Springs Run merge to form the Wekiva River, which flows into the St. Johns River fifteen miles to the northeast. Witherington Springs, located near the center of the park, forms Mill Creek, which flows into the swamp bordering Rock Springs Run.

WILDLIFE
The wide diversity of plant communities found in Wekiwa Springs State Park provides year-round food and protective cover for equally diverse and abundant animal populations. Each plant community provides food in the form of seeds, nuts, berries and foliage during different seasons. Deer range from the high sandhills and scrub down through the flatwoods to the hammocks and swamps. Gray fox, bobcat, raccoon, opossum and black bear range across the entire park and are not restricted to any one habitat. Not only is “variety the spice of life, it is also the key to attracting and supporting a greater variety of life.

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
During the summer the popular choices are swimming and canoeing in the cool, clear waters of Wekiwa Springs, as well as camping, fishing and hiking. Canoe rentals are available, and a concession stand provides refreshments. Canoe rates and information are available by calling 407/880-4110. Picnic areas and shelters are provided in the spring and Sand Lake areas. A playground is located in the spring picnic area, along with a volleyball and horseshoe pit. A museum and visitor center houses exhibits on natural and cultural history. These Places are perfect for a costume party

CAMPING
Family Camping
Wekiwa Springs State Park has sixty (60) campsites. Each campsite has water, electricity, in-ground fire circle with a grill and a picnic table. There are hot showers and restrooms for your use. None of the sites have sewer hook-ups but there is a dump station located at the campground. Reservations are taken for one hundred percent (100%) of our campsites. These reservations can be made up to eleven (11) months in advance of the day you wish to arrive. All reservations for campsites, pavilion rentals, etc., must be made with a MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. Checks will be accepted if received within 5 to 7 days from the day you make your reservation.

Backpacking Camping
There are two (2) backpacking campsites located along our 13-mile hiking trail. Maximum site occupancy is ten (10) people. You must pack in all water, food, and firewood and pack out all trash. Fires are allowed only within the provided ground grills. Tents must be pitched at designated campsites only. Reservations are not taken for these campsites; it is first-come first-served only. All regular park camping rules and regulations apply to these campsites. At least one member of the camping party must be 18 years of age or older.

Canoe Camping
Along the Wekiva River and Rock Springs Run are five (5) designated canoe campsites. Maximum site occupancy is ten (10) people. You must pack in all water, food and firewood and pack out all trash. Fires are allowed only within the provided ground grills. Tents must be pitched at designated campsites only. At least one member of the camping party must be 18 years of age or older. All regular park camping rules and regulations apply to these campsites. No rest room facilities or potable water are available. Reservations can be accepted up to sixty (60) days in advance. All reservations must be made with a MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. Checks will be accepted if received within 5 to 7 days from the day you make your reservation.

Horse Camping
Tram Bed Horse trail is approximately 8 miles long and divided into two loops. The trail is marked with horse shoe emblems on wooden posts at all crossroads. It is largely along scenic back-country roads. These roads are used by park staff and visitors, so be prepared to meet an occasional park vehicle or hiker. Off-trail riding is prohibited. Trailers may be parked at the corral. Horse water is available at Camp Big Fork. Horse camping is allowed at Camp Big Fork. Only one (1) riding group with a five (5) horse maximum may camp. Dogs are not allowed on the trail. All regular park camping rules and regulations apply to these campsites. Reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance. At least one member of the camping party must be 18 years of age or older. Reservations can be accepted up to sixty (60) days in advance. All reservations must be made with a MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. Checks will be accepted if received within 5 to 7 days from the day you make your reservation.

No restroom facilities or potable water are available. Proof of negative Coggins test are required for all horses entering the park. Day riders must exit by sunset. To obtain further information on any of our camping facilities or to make reservations please call 407/884-2008.

Youth Camping
Wekiwa Springs State Park has a primitive youth camping area as well as a Youth Camp facility with cabins.

The Primitive Youth Camp is only open to organized youth groups (ex. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, church youth groups, etc.). The organized groups must be non-profit associations. Chaperones must be at least 21 years of age. Reservations for this area can be made up to sixty days in advance. There are three sites in this area. The maximum number of people in each site is twenty. Each site has a fire circle, benches and a picnic table. There are two restrooms and cold showers. Parking is limited to five vehicles per site. Adults and groups other than organized youth groups can reserve the primitive youth camp area if not already reserved by an organized youth group but can do so no more than 30 days in advance. Campers must make arrangements to arrive and be checked into the site no later than 3:00 pm. Groups arriving later than this will not be permitted to camp. All campers must be in camp and quiet by 11:00 pm. Sites must be clean and orderly before leaving. All regular park camping rules and regulations apply to these campsites. To obtain further information please call (407) 884-2008.The Youth Camp facilities are available to all organized groups using the camp to teach nature appreciation, conservation, and preservation. Programs are required to encompass these subjects by at least fifty percent (50%). The Youth Camp accommodates up to 166 people and must be rented as a whole. There are 20 cabins, a recreation hall, a dining hall, a swimming pool, an amphitheater, a pavilion, and a baseball field. The minimum nightly charge is $400.00, and includes the first sixty (60) people. Each additional person is $5.00 per person, per night up to the maximum capacity of 166. A deposit of $400.00 is required for all reservations and will be applied to the final balance. For further information, please contact 407-884-2006.

The Youth Camp is not available in the months of June and July.

 



PICNICKING
Picnic areas and shelters are provided in the spring area and the Sand Lake area. A playground is located in the ’sspring picnic area along with a volleyball court and horseshoe pit. There are picnic tables and grills located in the picnic area.

There are two pavilions that are available for groups, such as family outings and company picnics. Each pavilion holds up to 100 people. There is electricity, water and a double grill in each pavilion. Reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance. Each pavilion rents for $60.00 per day. This fee does not include the entrance fee into the park. The park does close on busy days due to the lack of parking spaces. Reserving a pavilion does not guarantee your ’sparty entrance into the park if we close. The park will reopen throughout the day as people exit. Park closings usually occur between Memorial Day and Labor Day. For further information or to make reservations please call 407/884-2008.



FISHING

To increase youth fishing opportunities the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission and Wekiwa Springs State Park have cooperatively worked to improve fishing at Sand Lake. The lake was recently stocked with catfish, and the park maintains fish feeders which are located within casting distance from the bank. Regulations are posted at the lake. For more information contact 407/884-2008.


To contact Wekiwa Springs State Park please call 407/884-2008 or write to:


Wekiwa Springs State Park is easily located off Interstate 4 at exit 49. Take State Road 434 West to Wekiwa Springs Road or State Road 436 to Wekiwa Springs Road near Apopka.

Wekiwa Springs State Park
1800 Wekiwa Circle
Apopka, Florida 32712.


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