Kelly Park and Rock Springs: Terrific Tubing and Carefree Camping for the Whole Family
Just a 40-minute drive outside of Orlando, you’ll find the perfect spot for tubing and camping (whether you prefer tent camping or RV camping). Kelly Park is home to the pristine Rock Springs, a picturesque natural spring that creates a natural lazy river perfect for wading and tubing. Kelly Park is also the ideal destination if you want to plan a full-on camping adventure.
But even more than that, you’ll find yourself right in the middle of the gorgeous natural beauty that Central Florida is so famous for. You might even be lucky enough to spot some wild whitetail deer or playful otters on your visit! It’s no wonder Kelly Park won the Traveler’s Choice 2020 award on TripAdvisor.
Even better, admission is super cheap. The entry price is based on per vehicle, meaning you could possibly get groups of up to 8 into the park for $5 or less, depending on the size of your vehicle. And if you bike or walk in, you’ll only pay $1 per person. When compared to other parks around the state and the country, Kelly Park is a terrific bargain, for that matter!
Tubing on Rock Springs
Rock Springs is a free-flowing natural spring that stays a constant, comfortable 68 degrees year-round. The water bubbles up from underground rivers and creates a cluster of swimming holes perfect for swimming, wading, tubing, and just relaxing during a fun, laidback day with family or friends. The Park itself doesn’t rent equipment, but there are plenty of vendors outside the park where you can rent inner tubes. You can also bring your pool toys, pool noodles, or floats. The current of the river makes for a lovely, leisurely trip.
Parents of young children can rest easy. The water is very safe for little ones to swim in. Just be advised, the park doesn’t have lifeguards year-round, so make sure to keep an eye on them. If you want to take an extra precaution, just ask a staff member for a life jacket so you can enjoy your day on the water with a little extra peace of mind. The park even has rentable lockers to keep your wallet and valuables safe while you’re out having fun.
Other Activities Near the Water
Close by the Springs, you will also find ample other opportunities to enjoy your day. Take a break from the water at the full-service, cash-only concession stand (which stays open from spring break until early October). There, you can pick up hot food and snacks like chips, hot dogs, hamburgers, snow cones, or funnel cakes, as well as supplies like charcoal, condiments, and bug spray (you can never have too much bug spray in Florida!). You can eat right by the river or head to the pavilion to spread out and enjoy your meal.
When you’re done, let the kiddos burn some energy at the adorable playground. There’s even a designated drone take-off and landing area. Great for the grown-up big kids! So if you want to snap some cool drone pictures for Instagram or just take it for a spin, you can bring it along too!
Planning Ahead
Before you leave for the park, be sure to check the forecast. If there’s a thunderstorm, the swimming area has to be closed. Choose a day with temperate weather and crystal-clear skies, so you don’t risk getting stormed out.
Pro-tip: planning a morning to mid-day trip can be a good idea due to the frequent afternoon showers during Florida’s rainy season (May through October).
Camping
Kelly Park is also home to 26 shaded campsites tucked deep into pine and hardwood forest. Each individual campsite is about 35 to 70 feet deep, so you have a decent amount of space to move around, and the tree cover offers privacy from the other campers. Grills are allowed at the campsites, so you can bring one along and cook up some fantastic grub in the great outdoors. There’s nothing quite like some plump juicy hot dogs or Pa Pa’s smoky grilled burgers hot off the grill while surrounded by the beauty of Natural Florida!
Reserve your campsite online to snag your spot early. The park also has group campsites and pavilions available for even larger groups, perfect for family reunions or big group outings.
Gorgeous Scenery
There are plenty of activities to enjoy at Kelly Park, but one of the best parts of your visit will involve simply enjoying the luscious greenery all around you. No matter where you turn, you’ll find tons of natural beauty to admire. The river from Rock Springs is sarin and clear, with green, sometimes bright blue hues throughout. You’ll want to snap a selfie when you reach the picturesque spot where the river runs under a footbridge.
And don’t forget to keep your eyes open for wildlife! Visitors sometimes encounter alligators, cottonmouth snakes, and bears. If you run across any of those, keep a respectful distance for your safety. But most of the wildlife is no threat to visitors and is delightful to see. Wild turkeys, river otters, raccoons, deer, and various birds (like woodpeckers, egrets, and waterfowl) make the park their home. You’ll want to keep a camera close at hand to memorialize any close encounters.
Other Activities
Rock Springs Bar & Grill
After working up an appetite from your day’s adventures, stop by the Rock Springs Bar & Grill for a hot, fresh meal and ice-cold drinks. Burgers, Steaks, and Fresh Grouper are just a few of the menu items you will find here.
More Water Adventures
Near the Springs, Camp Joy has launch areas for canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. If your goal for the day is to fill up on water sports, look no further, Camp Joy has you covered.
Hiking
Kelly Park has over 7 miles of hiking trails. Lace-up your hiking boots, pack your favorite trail mix, explore the paths! You never know what you might find. Again, please remember to keep a safe distance from wildlife such as bears, cottonmouth snakes, or coyotes should you make any encounters along the way!
Pavilion Rentals for Special Occasions or Big Groups
If you’re planning a big event or are coordinating a large group, you can rent a whole pavilion to have your own home base for the day. Each pavilion comes equipped with electricity, water, a horseshoe pit (you can grab horseshoes at the gatehouse nearby), and two grills, so you have everything you need to plan a full day in this enchanting park.
Snagging Your Spot
Kelly Park is a top-rated stop for locals, especially during the summer. The park opens at 8 am, and the line usually starts before then. During the busy season, sometimes the park reaches capacity as early as 9 am. And if you arrive after the park’s at capacity, you won’t be able to get in.
That’s why we recommend planning for an early arrival time for your Kelly Park trip. Luckily, there’s plenty to do there, so it’s the perfect excuse to spend an entire day on the river or get an early start on your camping trip.
Make sure to take along some rain gear, though, just in case you encounter an afternoon storm. The good news, should it rain, is that many times it just be a passing shower that may only last an hour or less.
What’s your favorite way to spend a day in Florida’s great outdoors? Are you a water-sports thrill-junky? Swimmer or sunbather? Are you eager to hit the hiking trails? Or are you content to float down the river with a cold Diet Pepsi and a hot dog in each hand? Chime in below!
Cover Image
Photo: Rain0975 via Flickr
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