Summary of Features
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Directions
From Apopka, at intersection of U.S. 441 and State Road 435, drive
north on SR 435 for about 6 miles. Bear right onto Kelly Park Road and
drive less than a mile to the county park, following signs for the park.
Follow sidewalk and boardwalk to the spring from the main park drive.
Alternatively, from Interstate 4, take State Road 436 west until it merges
with U.S. 441. Continue west on U.S. 441 to Park Avenue. Go
north on Park Avenue for 6 miles, and then turn right onto Kelly Park Road
and follow signs to the park and spring.
For maps, latitude/longitude data, driving directions, satellite imagery, and topographic representations as well as weather conditions at this spring, go to Greg Johnson's informative "Florida Springs Database" web site at the following address: http://www.ThisWaytothe.Net/springs/floridasprings.htm#Florida
Spring Description
Water flows strongly from a grotto/half-submerged cave entrance to
form the spring and Rock Creek. The grotto has exposed limestone and creates
an overhang/bluff/cave mouth more than 15 feet high. The rock overhang
is luxuriantly covered in vegetation. Water flowing from the cavern opening
is clear and forms a powerful flow. There is another vent in the creek
bottom about 10 feet downstream of the cave; this vent also produces a
prominent boil. The creek bottom is rocky, with some sand and vegetation
in the run. There are also rocky outcrops and shelves near the spring.
The run is 15-25 feet wide, shallow, and winds SE 8 miles before joining
the Wekiva River, itself a spring run from Wekiwa Spring. About 100 yards
below the spring is a widened swim area created by diverting water from
the spring run into an area with concrete retaining walls and a wier to
maintain water depth. The spring and run are in an area of lush subtropical
vegetation.
Use/Access
Personal ImpressionsThe spring is in a county park offering picnic facilities, restrooms, trails, swimming, tubing, and snorkeling. It is open every day, but gets so crowded on some days that the park turns visitors away. A boardwalk goes down from the road to the spring, and there is a footbridge over the run. The paths provide excellent access as well as protect the site from erosion. The spring source is cordened off, but one may enter the water just a few feet away. One may snorkel between the large rocks and under the footbridge just below the spring. The bottom soon turns sandy and in places just deep enough to snorkel. The run is popular with tubers who can float for about 1.5 miles on Rock Creek. Tubes can be rented from concessionaires located outside the park. Kelly Park borders a preserve of more than eight thousand acres. Wekiwa Springs is on the southern border of the preserve. The park brochure says that bears roam the preserve.
Nearby Springs
Apopka Spring, Blue Spring, Camp La No Che Spring, Clifton Spring,
Gemini Springs, Health Spring, Messant Spring, Miami Spring, Palm Spring,
Sanlando Spring, Starbuck Spring, Wekiwa Spring
Other Nearby Natural Features
Wekiwa Springs State Park
Rock Springs Run State Preserve
Blue Spring State Park
Hontoon Island State Park
Ocala National Forest
Contact information:
Kelly Park
400 E. Kelly Park Road
Apopka, FL 32712
407-889-4179