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Rock Springs Run, Apopka and Longwood, north of Orlando, FL
This page Copyright 1999 Alfonso Vazquez-Cuervo - See Terms of Use

Our Route Summary

  • Submitted by: Al Vazquez
  • Date Submitted: 9/99
  • Email: alvazquez@kayakguide.com
  • Location: North of Orlando, FL
  • Class: Typically flat water with a slight current
  • Distance Paddled: 6 miles
  • Water: fresh spring water
  • Wildlife: Many types of birds (Egrets, Herons, Ospreys, Ibis), hardwood hammocks, deer

Entry

  • Directions: 441 or 436 to Apopka, north on Route 435 (Park Avenue) and proceed about 6-miles until it ends. Then turn right onto Kelly Park Road and proceed about 1/8 mile. Turn left onto Baptist Camp Road and travel 1 mile to the end. The entrance to King's Landing is on the right.
  • Phone: 407-886-0859 for launch times and current fees
  • GPS: N 28 deg 46.026' W 081 deg 30.043'
  • Fee: $3 per kayak to use landing and $10 to transport the driver back from the Wekiva Marina exit
  • Description: unpaved boat ramp with wood docks
  • Parking: Adjacent, unpaved
  • Facilities: restroom, boat rentals, concession booth for shuttle service

Exit

  • Directions: Wekiva Marina, 1014 Miami Springs Road, Longwood FL 32779
    -From the put in at Kings Landing, head back Baptist Camp Road. Turn west (right) onto Kelly Park Road. Turn south (left) onto 435 south. About 3.5 miles, turn east (left) onto Welch Road. About 2.4 miles, where it ends, turn north (left) onto Wekiva Springs Road, which will curve to the right. About 1 mile later, turn north again (left) at Miami Springs Road to the marina.
    -From Interstate 4, Exit onto Route 434 west. After about 1 mile, turn north (right) onto Wekiva Springs Road and proceed about 3 miles. Turn north (right) onto Miami Springs Road to the marina.
  • From the water, the takeout is shortly after Rock Springs Run joins the Wekiva River. You'll pass under an old bridge and King's Landing will be on your right. A canal on the right just downstream of the parking area is the takeout point where you can catch the shuttle to the entry point.
  • Fee: $3 per kayak to use landing
  • Description: carpeted canoe deck shown at right and paved boat ramps just beyond (CAREFUL- these ramps are very, very slippery)
  • Parking: Adjacent, paved
  • Facilities: Restrooms

What We Saw

Rock Springs Run in the fall was stunning. Crystal clear water floated our kayaks through water lilies. Hardwood trees with fall colors reflected on the water. Abundant turtles flashed their yellow bellies as they warmed themselves on logs.

And all this minutes from a major metropolitan area, Orlando.

Rock Springs Run is one of the most southernmost spring fed streams supplied by Florida's artesian aquifer that extends to the north through the Ocala National Forest and west to the Gulf of Mexico and the panhandle. The artesian water emerges at a constant 72 degrees year round.
We stopped for lunch at a designated picnic area in the preserve. There were a couple of benches and a rope swing hanging over the stream.

GPS: N 28 deg 44.422' W 081 deg 28.021'

The run ends at its intersection with the Wekiva River where you'll turn left (downstream) and take out at Kings Landing nearby.