Thanksgiving Week Is Booking Now. Zero Dishes at Your House, All the Fun With Your Family.
Check Availability

Apopka, Florida · Springs and Outdoors

Springs Near Apopka: Cold, Clear Water Ten Minutes From the Door

Apopka sits at the gateway to some of Central Florida's most spectacular outdoor destinations. From crystal spring runs perfect for swimming and tubing to epic wildlife drives, here are the top five outdoor experiences within easy reach.

Stay at The Lynwood LoungeCheck Dates
Crystal-clear spring waters at Wekiwa Springs State Park, Apopka FL1

Wekiwa Springs State Park

1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka, FL 32712 (407) 884-2008

Wekiwa Springs State Park is Apopka's crown jewel, a 7,800-acre natural oasis centered around a crystal-clear, 68°F spring that pours out 42 million gallons of pure water daily. Swim in the spring run, paddle a canoe or kayak through the winding Wekiva River, or explore over 13 miles of hiking and biking trails through ancient Florida flatwoods and hammocks. Wildlife sightings include otters, herons, gopher tortoises, and deer. The park is just minutes from downtown Apopka and ranks among Central Florida's most popular natural escapes year-round.

Visit Wekiwa Springs State Park
People tubing down a crystal-clear Florida spring run2

Rock Springs Run at Kelly Park

400 E Kelly Park Rd, Apopka, FL 32712 (407) 889-4179

Kelly Park's Rock Springs Run is one of Florida's most beloved natural experiences, a gentle, 68°F spring-fed river where visitors float lazily beneath a cathedral canopy of cypress and oak trees for about a third of a mile. It's the quintessential Florida summer afternoon: grab a tube, drift through the cool emerald water, and repeat. The park also offers swimming at the spring head, picnic areas, and hiking trails. Arrive early as the park fills quickly on weekends and has a capacity limit, the clear waters and magical natural setting make the wait well worth it.

Visit Website

Where You'll Sleep

Make The Lynwood Lounge Home Base

Springs in the morning, theme parks by afternoon, s'mores by the fire pit at night.

Halloween Week and Thanksgiving, Sorted

Happening Near Apopka Right Now

Happening NowSelect nights through November 1, 6:30pm to 2am

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal

Universal Studios Florida · About 30 minutes from the Lynwood Lounge · Teens and adults

The biggest Halloween event in the country, with ten haunted houses and scare zones through the whole park. Strictly for the grown-ups and the brave teens, separate ticket required.

Details

Happening NowFridays to Sundays through November 1, 10am to 6pm

Club Lake Venue Fall Festival

Rock Springs Road, Apopka · About 10 minutes from the Lynwood Lounge · All ages

Two hayrides, a corn maze with a toddler version, a pumpkin patch, the cow wash and a pumpkin cannon. The pumpkin patch and country store are free to walk into, the activity wristband is under twenty dollars.

Details

Happening NowSaturdays and Sundays through November 15, 10am to 5pm

Great Scott Farms Fall Festival

Great Scott Farms, Mount Dora (the old Scott's Maze Adventures) · About 15 minutes from the Lynwood Lounge · All ages

The big corn maze, a hay bale maze for the little ones, jumping pillows, hayrides and a farm market with the sweetest corn in Florida. Buy tickets online before you go, weekends sell out.

Details

See everything on around Apopka this season

Lake Apopka North Shore scenic drive at sunrise with birds3

Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive

1100 W Jones Ave, Apopka, FL 32703

The Lake Apopka North Shore Wildlife Drive is one of Florida's great birding secrets, an 11-mile drive along the restored marshes of Lake Apopka's north shore that has become a nationally recognized hot spot for migratory and resident birds. On any given morning you might spot roseate spoonbills, sandhill cranes, anhingas, wood storks, night herons, bald eagles, and hundreds of shorebirds. The drive is open Friday through Sunday and is free to enter. Sunrise visits are the most spectacular, arrive early, move slowly, and keep your binoculars ready for an unforgettable Florida wildlife experience.

Visit Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive
West Indian manatees swimming in the crystal-clear waters of Blue Spring State Park4

Blue Spring State Park

2100 W French Ave, Orange City, FL 32763 (386) 775-3663

About 30 minutes from Apopka, Blue Spring State Park is home to one of Florida's most magical natural wonders: the annual winter gathering of West Indian manatees. From November through March, hundreds of manatees congregate in the 72°F spring run to warm themselves, and the viewing from the boardwalk is truly breathtaking. Summer brings swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and some of the best freshwater clarity in Florida. The park also offers hiking, camping, and glass-bottom boat tours. Whether you come for the manatees or the swimming, Blue Spring never disappoints.

Visit Blue Spring State Park
Colorful canoes lined up at Wekiva Island for rent on the Wekiva River5

Wekiva Island

1014 Miami Springs Dr, Longwood, FL 32779 (407) 862-1500

Wekiva Island is Central Florida's favorite outdoor hangout, a beautifully maintained park right on the Wekiva River offering kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, tubing, and a riverfront bar and grill all in one place. Rent a tube or a kayak and float through the calm, spring-fed river beneath a dense canopy of ancient trees, then relax on the wooden deck with a cold drink and live music on weekends. The full-service Wekiva Island Outpost makes it easy to spend an entire day here without needing to bring a thing. Just 20 minutes from Apopka, this is an absolute must for outdoor lovers.

Visit Wekiva Island

Want the full write-up with more photos? Read it on visitapopkafl.com.

More Apopka Guides

Keep Planning

Universal Studios Florida theme park entrance and attractions Family Activities Orlando Days Out From Our Apopka Home Universal Studios Florida · LEGOLAND Florida Resort · Orlando Science Center and more The Nauti Lobstah restaurant, Apopka FL Restaurants Where to Eat in Apopka When Nobody Wants to Cook The Nauti Lobstah · Hall's on 5th · Garibaldi Mexican Restaurant and more Trail through Wekiwa Springs State Park in Apopka, FL Hikes and Outdoors Hikes and Nature Trails Near Apopka Wekiwa Springs State Park · Rock Springs Run State Reserve · Little Big Econ State Forest and more

Pick Your Dates. We'll Have the Lights On.

Check Availability