Clear, 72-degree spring water is one of Florida's great natural experiences. Three of the best springs are within about 40 to 50 miles of Lake Nona.
Wekiwa Springs State Park, Kelly Park at Rock Springs and Blue Spring State Park are about 39, 44 and 50 driving miles from Lake Nona Town Center. Florida's springs stay close to 72 degrees year-round, which makes them cool in summer and comparatively warm in winter. Wekiwa Springs is known for swimming and kayaking, and Kelly Park for tubing down Rock Springs Run. Blue Spring State Park is a winter refuge for manatees, and swimming there is closed during manatee season from mid-November through March. All three parks often reach capacity on warm weekends and close their gates until space opens up.
Florida has more freshwater springs than almost anywhere in the world, and swimming in one is an experience the theme parks can't match: water so clear you can see the bottom many feet down, at about 72 degrees all year. Three of the best-known springs are an easy day trip from Lake Nona.
This guide is written for people weighing a move to Lake Nona. It covers how far the springs are, how they differ and how to beat the crowds.
How far are Central Florida's springs from Lake Nona?
Wekiwa Springs is about 39 driving miles from Lake Nona Town Center, Kelly Park at Rock Springs about 44 miles and Blue Spring about 50 miles.
All three are north of Orlando. Routes from Lake Nona use SR 417 and other toll roads for much of the way. Leave early on warm weekends, because the parks often fill up by mid-morning.
| Wekiwa Springs State Park (Apopka) | About 39 miles; swimming, kayaking, trails |
|---|---|
| Kelly Park at Rock Springs (Apopka) | About 44 miles; tubing, swimming |
| Blue Spring State Park (Orange City) | About 50 miles; winter manatees, summer swimming |
| Water temperature | About 72 degrees year-round |
What is Wekiwa Springs State Park like?
Wekiwa Springs is a state park with a large swimming area at the head of the spring, kayak and canoe rentals, hiking trails and camping.
The swimming area is a wide, shallow bowl of clear spring water, popular with families. Paddling down the Wekiwa Springs Run into the Wekiva River, one of Florida's federally designated Wild and Scenic Rivers, is one of the best paddling trips in Central Florida. The park often reaches capacity on warm weekends.
What is Kelly Park at Rock Springs like?
Kelly Park is an Orange County park known for tubing: you float down a shallow, clear spring run on an inner tube.
The water stays between about 68 and 72 degrees, and the tubing run is shallow enough for families. Parking is limited to a set number of vehicles, and in summer the park can fill very early in the morning. Pets and alcohol are not allowed. Bring your own tube or check whether rentals are available nearby.
When can you see manatees at Blue Spring?
From mid-November through March, when hundreds of manatees gather in Blue Spring's warm water to escape the colder St. Johns River.
During manatee season, swimming is closed and you watch the manatees from overlooks along the spring run's boardwalk. It is one of the best places in Florida to see manatees in the wild. Swimming reopens from April into mid-November. The park also offers narrated boat tours on the St. Johns River. Blue Spring often reaches capacity, and it may require advance day-use reservations, so check the park's page before you go.
How do you avoid the crowds at the springs?
Go early, go on a weekday if you can, and check each park's status before you leave, since all three close their gates when they reach capacity.
Capacity closures can last several hours on busy summer weekends. Weekday mornings are the most reliable time to get in. For Blue Spring in manatee season, cold mornings bring the most manatees into the spring.
How do the springs fit alongside Lake Nona's other nearby outdoor trips?
The springs are the main freshwater outdoor day trip from Lake Nona, alongside the beaches to the east and the parks close to home.
For the coast, see our Cocoa Beach guide. For outdoor time closer to home, see our Lake Nona parks hub, and for more of Orlando, the Explore Orlando hub.
Pros, Cons and Our Take
Pros
- Clear, 72-degree water year-round.
- Three different experiences: swimming and paddling, tubing, and winter manatees.
- State and county parks with low entry costs.
- A uniquely Florida outing that visitors rarely know about.
Cons
- About 39 to 50 miles each way.
- All three often reach capacity on warm weekends.
- No swimming at Blue Spring during manatee season.
- Limited parking at Kelly Park, which can fill early.
Our Take
The springs are the outdoor day trip we'd most recommend to new Lake Nona residents. Go to Wekiwa or Kelly Park on a summer weekday morning, and to Blue Spring on a cold winter morning for the manatees. Check capacity before you drive, and you will have one of the best days out in Central Florida.
What the Neighbors Know
Lake Nona families often make a springs trip a summer tradition and a Blue Spring manatee visit a winter one. They are a good way to show visitors a side of Florida they didn't know existed. For more outdoor options closer to home, see our Lake Nona parks guide.
Official Sources
Buying or selling in Lake Nona? Call/Text David Myers at 407.801.3286 or use the contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
What springs are closest to Lake Nona?
Wekiwa Springs State Park is the closest of the well-known springs, about 39 driving miles from Lake Nona Town Center. Kelly Park at Rock Springs is about 44 miles and Blue Spring State Park about 50 miles.
When is manatee season at Blue Spring?
Manatee season at Blue Spring State Park runs from mid-November through March. Swimming is closed during that time.
Can you go tubing near Lake Nona?
Yes. Kelly Park at Rock Springs in Apopka, about 44 miles from Lake Nona, is known for tubing down its shallow, clear spring run.
How cold is the water at Florida springs?
Central Florida's springs stay at about 72 degrees year-round.
