Kelly Park, located in central Florida, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and recreational activities. From its crystal-clear spring waters to its lush, green palm forests, this park is a haven for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. This article delves into the various aspects of Kelly Park, providing a detailed review of its swimming areas, tubing adventures, and nearby attractions.
As an inexpensive, low key alternative to Orlandoâs theme parks, itâs easy to understand why Kelly Park is so popular.
Swimming in the Pristine Waters of Kelly Park
No doubt about it, Kelly Park was made for swimming! The water here is fed by a natural spring. At 68 degrees Fahrenheit year round, the water at Kelly Park was like heaven to us Pacific Northwesterners. Itâs clear, clean, and generally perfect for swimming. The water in the childrenâs pool is especially shallow, and ideal for the littlest swimmers. As always, stay safe and keep a close eye on young children.If this sounds unappealing to you, not to worry â the river bottom is natural, not concrete, and the banks of the Rock Springs Run remain in their natural state.
Perhaps this is less of a concern in summer, but during our February visit, there was a lot of algae in the two main pools, which featured a large amount of feathery green fluff. Unsurprisingly, no one was swimming there. Thankfully, the algae clears up once you leave the stagnant water of the pools behind. Rock Springs Run is pristine, and there is ample space to swim in the area where the spring run passes by the pools. Here, the moving water effectively limits algae growth. The other thing to note is the shallowness of the water. Itâs generally deep enough for swimming, but not for diving or jumping.
Tubing Down Rock Springs Run: A Lazy River Adventure
Tubing down the Rock Springs Run is definitely a highlight of visiting Kelly Park. Rental tubes are available at Rock Springs Bar & Grill, located a quarter mile outside the entrance to Kelly Park. The cost is $7 per tube per day.
Read also: NY Snow Tubing Guide
Rock Springs Run is truly a lazy river, and as you float gently down the run, you may find you need a little push from time to time to keep going. When all else fails, use your hands and paddle like mad! You canât get lost. Thereâs just one run, and the terminus is blocked by a wooden bridge. Past that point, the spring is open to kayakers and paddlers making their way down from Kingâs Landing, and tubes are not allowed.
The natural lazy river at Rock Springs Run is flat-out gorgeous. Itâs a dream to float down the crystal clear water, surrounded by lush, green palm forest.
Soon, we were floating freely down Rock Springs Run, passing under the bridge and into a wider channel. Small ârapidsâ occasionally gave us an extra push, while at other times we had to use our hands to get moving again, or to avoid colliding with another tuber.
It is possible to dismount here by the main day use area, and many do just that. But in my opinion, the best part of the run is yet to come.
Kelly Park's Family-Friendly Tubing Extravaganza at Rock Springs!
Read also: Thrilling Snow Tubing Adventure
Planning Your Visit to Kelly Park: Essential Information
To visit Kelly Park, there is an entry fee of $3 per vehicle for 1 to 2 people, $5 per vehicle for 3 to 8 people, and $1 for each additional person. Pets and alcohol are not allowed. The park is open from 8am to 8pm in summer, and 8am to 6pm in winter.
Kelly Park has a large parking lot, but on busy summer days it can fill to capacity. When visiting in summer, itâs best to bring everything you need with you into the park, as you may not be able to get back in once you leave. This wasnât an issue for us in February; we were able to easily leave to pick up rental tubes and food, then show our parking receipt to reenter the park.
There are numerous picnic tables scattered across the grounds, as well as several picnic shelters. Restrooms are available at the main building near the parking lot. In summer, this building also hosts a concessions stand. This was closed during our February visit, so be sure to bring your own food and water when visiting in winter.
Many paths at Kelly Park are accessible. One big exception is the stairs leading down to the start of Rock Springs Run. However, itâs also possible to reach the run by crossing the bridge at the main swimming area, then turning right and following the flat trail through the forest to the headspring.
Kelly Park features beautiful nature trails, and you can hike further to other points within Wekiwa Springs State Park as well.
Read also: Thrilling Snow Tubing Experience
Tips for Visiting Kelly Park
- Arrive early, especially during the summer months, to secure a parking spot.
- Bring your own food and water, especially if visiting in winter when the concessions stand is closed.
- Consider renting tubes from Rock Springs Bar & Grill for a fun tubing experience.
- Wear appropriate footwear for navigating the rocky areas around the headspring.
- Be prepared for shallow water and avoid diving or jumping.
Kayaking and Paddling Opportunities Near Kelly Park
Looking to kayak or paddle during your visit? The Rock Springs Run at Kelly Park is set aside for swimmer and tubers (the human kind, not the roots), but fortunately paddling opportunities are close at hand. Head up the road to Kingâs Landing, where you can rent kayaks or canoes, or launch your own non-motorized watercraft.
Exploring Nearby Attractions
Want more time at Kelly Park? You can camp here! In addition to the Rock Springs Run, youâre close to Kingâs Landing, where you can rent kayaks or canoes, or launch your own vessel. Itâs also easy to reach Wekiwa Springs State Park, located a short drive south of Kelly Park. Further afield, there are so many other outdoor places to explore in central Florida. We loved visiting Blue Spring State Park, where we saw manatees, alligators, and more.
Seasonal Considerations: When to Visit
With that said, Kelly Park is clearly no secret. From what Iâve read, arriving early in the summer is essential to ensure you get into the park. Fortunately, visiting in winter offers a respite from heavy crowds. True, we were far from alone during our visit. It was a beautiful sunny Sunday, and many families came to enjoy picnics and time in the water. And yes, there was music playing near the swimming area (although, surprisingly, I didnât find it too obtrusive). Ultimately, itâs wonderful to see so many people out enjoying the beauty of this place and having easy access to the outdoors.
Although this was a nice February day, it wasnât hot by Florida standards, so I assumed weâd have no trouble getting in. Sure enough, there were plenty of open spots in the lot.
On a cool winter day, you may even luck out and have the place to yourself (although it would likely be too cold for tubing).
Kelly Park: A Family-Friendly Destination
Kelly Park was way more fun than hiking (at least, thatâs what my kids think)! My older son started to feel a little chilly after a couple runs down Rock Springs, but my younger son could have kept swimming for days. The sandy beach near the shallow pool is perfect for little ones, and the playground was also a hit.
Kelly Park Information Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee | $3 per vehicle (1-2 people), $5 per vehicle (3-8 people), $1 per additional person |
| Tube Rental | $7 per tube per day at Rock Springs Bar & Grill |
| Park Hours (Summer) | 8am - 8pm |
| Park Hours (Winter) | 8am - 6pm |
| Restrictions | No pets, no alcohol |
| Activities | Swimming, tubing, hiking, picnicking |