Wekiwa Springs: go early or don't go

Why it is worth the effort

Wekiwa Springs State Park is in Apopka, about 30 minutes north of downtown. The spring feeds a wide, clear swimming area that stays around 72 degrees all year. Around it are oak hammocks, hiking trails and the start of the Wekiwa River, one of the best paddling rivers in Central Florida.

On a hot day it feels like a different state. The catch is that everyone else knows this too.

The park also has a campground, picnic pavilions, a snack concession and restrooms near the spring. Getting there from downtown or the attractions area is easiest by car. There is no practical public transit, and rideshare pickups can be slow once you are inside the park, so plan your ride home before your phone battery runs low.

Capacity closures

The park limits how many cars can enter. On summer weekends and holidays it often fills by mid-morning, sometimes within an hour or two of opening. When it is full, rangers close the gate and only let new cars in as others leave. That can mean waiting in a long line on the road, or being turned away.

The gate usually opens at 8 a.m. Arriving 20 to 30 minutes early on a busy weekend is normal. Weekdays outside school holidays are much easier, and the cooler months are quiet, though fewer people swim then.

Before you drive, check the park's social media or call for capacity updates. Swimming can also close for a while after heavy rain or for water quality, which is another reason to check.

How to spend the day

1. Get in early and claim a spot on the grassy hill above the spring.
2. Swim first, while the water is calm and clear. Snorkel masks help you see the spring vent.
3. Rent a canoe or kayak at the concession and paddle down the river for an hour or two. Turtles, wading birds and alligators are common.
4. Have lunch at a picnic table in the shade.
5. Walk part of the trail system in the afternoon, or head out before the storms roll in.

Paddling the river and what to bring

The Wekiwa River is slow and easy for beginners. Most people paddle downstream and back, since rentals at the park return to the same place. Go out in the morning, when wildlife is active and the river is less crowded. Rentals can sell out on weekends, so get there early for those too. For more routes in the area, read the guide to kayaking near Orlando.

Alligators live in the river and near the spring. They usually keep their distance. Keep yours, never feed them, and keep small children close at the water's edge.

For the day, pack these:

• Water shoes, since the limestone edges are rough.
• A cooler with lunch. Glass and alcohol are not allowed.
• Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat. The hillside has little shade.
• Cash or card for rentals, and a dry bag for your phone.
• Bug spray for the trails.

Hiking and the quieter side

Most visitors never leave the spring, which is the easiest way to escape the crowd. The park has miles of trails through pine flatwoods and hardwood hammock, and the longer loops see few people even on busy days. Black bears live in the area, so store food in your car and give any bear plenty of room. Trails can flood after summer rains, and deer flies get bad in late spring and early summer. Cooler months, from about November to March, are the best time to hike.

Other springs to compare

If Wekiwa is full, Kelly Park and Rock Springs is nearby but has the same capacity problem and is better for tubing than swimming. In winter, the bigger draw is manatees at Blue Spring, where swimming is closed during manatee season. Wekiwa is the most complete spring park close to the city. Plan for an early start and you will have one of the best days of your trip.