Florida folks. Wekiwa Springs impressions?

**atison** · 02-23-2009, 09:03

Ok Florida natives. The wife and I need to get out of Cincinnati cause its just too **** cold, and we found cheap flights to Orlando. We plan to camp part of the week we are down there and we found Wekiwa Springs that looks pretty neat to explore.

I hear there are some backpacking areas there, as well as campgrounds.

Anyone been there? Should I even bother bringing the hammocks? Any other camping areas to consider (we will be heading down to Vero Beach sometime in our trip too so something in between would be great).

Thanks for your input
Andy

**Cannibal** · 02-23-2009, 09:39

Originally Posted by atison

(we will be heading down to Vero Beach sometime in our trip too so something in between would be great).

Thanks for your input
Andy

Nooooooo, don't got to Zero Beach! Kidding, I lived there for 10 years and still can't get the taste out of my mouth.

My favorite area in Florida was Ocala National Forest. Lots of springs and trails to explore. Plus, Florida State Parks (Wekiwa Springs) have rules against hanging anything from the trees....anything. You won't run into that problem in Ocala Nat. Forest. Have fun!

**atison** · 02-23-2009, 10:06

Not necessarily planning just to hang. I don't mind tenting on this trip. Besides, I don't have the wife fully convinced about hanging yet (dispite getting two HH exped asym's last month).

So the focus is not hanging. With that said, how does Wekiwa Springs fair for a few day exploration?

**Cannibal** · 02-23-2009, 10:22

Sounds great! I don't have a lot of time there, but what I've seen is very nice.

**catnip** · 02-24-2009, 16:22

I live about this |----| far from Wekiwa Springs. I've car camped (popup trailer) there many times, and done day trips for swimming. There is a long loop trail, I think it's 13 miles, with several connectors and/or intersecting loops for shorter hikes. I haven't been to the backpacking campsite, though. The place in general is very pretty. Bald eagles nest here, but I don't know if it's their season (or if they even have a season), and tons of other wildlife. If you use the car camping sites, you will hear traffic from your site. They are on the south edge of the property next to Orlando suburbia.

The spring water temp is 72 degrees all year, wonderfully clear water, and large fascinating spring boil opening. If you think you might swim, bring a snorkel and mask, and check it out. You'll be amazed at the force of the water.

All FL State Parks, unfortunately, prohibit tying things to trees, so no hammocking.

Their web site has the park map and trails map in PDF: http://www.floridastateparks.org/WekiwaSprings/

**domromer** · 02-24-2009, 18:00

We were actually there this weekend. I'd go to rock springs run over wekiwa springs. I think the rock springs run has more to see and is much more scenic. The camping for rock springs is at Kelly park and you can hang a hammock thier. Also juniper springs is real nice as well. If your staying through the weekend make sure you call ahead to book a site. Most Florida springs camp grounds are totaly full on the weekend. I'll post a link to pics from the springs when I get home.

**MacEntyre** · 02-25-2009, 07:09

Next week I'm riding my airhead to Old Town, Florida, near the mouth of the Suwanee River. I love the swamp forest. Reminds me of Pogo...

**atison** · 02-25-2009, 08:04

Thanks for all the info. It is really helpful.

We may call ahead and see if we can get a site at Wakeiwa. Hanging isn't uber important, but I may also check out Rock Springs to see if we could stay there a night or two as well and get some hanging in.

Keep the reviews of the place coming, and I would love to see pics.

Andy

**domromer** · 02-25-2009, 08:49

Here are the pics I mentioned earlier.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dsrphotography/

Also Blue Springs is closed for swimming but has over 140 Manatees that you can check out from the elevated boardwalk. It's only a 20 minute drive from Apopka.