The best camping near Kelly Park Rock Springs

While you might enjoy tubing a lazy river at a waterpark, the experience simply can’t compare to tubing in the crystal clear waters of one of Mother Nature’s natural lazy rivers. The highlight of Kelly Park is a 68-degree, free-flowing spring that creates a meandering stream. The clear aquamarine waters pass through a lush green landscape, offering a tropical paradise for swimming, floating, paddling, snorkeling, and hiking. This popular Orange County park, located near Apopka, Florida, often fills within an hour of opening for visitors seeking day passes, but camping onsite means you’ll have direct access to the bounties of nature without the lines.

Photo of Rock Springs used with permission from The Florida Guidebook.

• Best for onsite camping: Kelly Park Round Spring Campground offers water and electric hookups for tent and RV camping.
• Best for state park camping: Wekiwa Springs State Park Campground has full hookups and another beautiful natural landscape to explore, just 15 minutes to Kelly Park.
• Best national forest campground: Clearwater Lake Recreation Area and Campground offers dry camping with onsite amenities.

1. Reservations for the Kelly Park Round Spring Campground are only accepted online on the Orange County Parks website. 
2. Entrance fees for the swimming area and tubing run are included in your reservation.
3. Pets are not allowed in the campground or park.
4. Campers must arrive before the park’s daily closing time, which varies by season.
5. The park offers 30-amp and 50-amp electric hookups, with water spigots at the sites. 
6. Sewer hookups are not available. There is an onsite dump station.

Central Florida’s summers tend to be hot and humid, with frequent rains and thunderstorms. The park’s waters close when lightning is nearby. Expect daily high temperatures to top 90 degrees, but the natural spring waters stay a refreshing 68-degrees year round. Fall and spring tend to see high temperatures in the 70s to 80s, which may still allow for swimming, and these shoulder seasons have fewer rainy days. Winters are perfect for those seeking year-round sun, with highs in the 70s and lows in the 40s. You won’t encounter freezing temperatures or snow here.

• Tube rentals are available at vendors outside the park, or you may bring your own floats, pool noodles, and rafts, as long as they are less than five feet in length.
• Kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals are also available outside the park in locations like Kings Landing and Camp Joy; some offer shuttles back to your departure point.
• Alcohol is not permitted.
• Rock Springs Kelly Park is located 35 miles north of Orlando, providing easy access to many popular theme parks.
• Picnic pavilions, restrooms, showers, and a concession stand are available.
• Alligators are not found as commonly in spring waters, but they are prevalent in the region and may be found in Kelly Park.
• While many Florida springs attract manatees, this park does not. Instead, you may see otters, turkeys, turtles, and more.