FLOAT A NATURAL LAZY RIVER AT ROCK SPRINGS

By Staff Reports
Photo: Tubing the spring run at Kelly Park (AttractionTickets.com)
APOPKA — Theme parks build lazy rivers with concrete and chlorine. Florida built the original with a spring.
At Kelly Park in Apopka, Rock Springs pushes out clear, 68-degree water that forms a natural river you can float, tube, swim, and snorkel — drifting under a canopy of real Florida forest for about a mile of pure, cold bliss. The spring head bubbles up out of a rock grotto that looks like a movie set, except nobody built it.
This is one of Central Florida’s worst-kept secrets, which means one thing: arrive early. On warm weekends the park hits capacity and the gate closes, sometimes before mid-morning. Weekdays and early arrivals get the river at its quietest.
Bring a tube (rentals are available near the park), a picnic, and a whole day. Orlando’s best water ride doesn’t have a line — it has a current.
Join the conversation: Team tube, team kayak, or team swim? Tell us in the comments.
Sources: Orange County Parks, Kelly Park