Rock Springs Run is Florida’s Natural Lazy River (Local Guide)

There’s no better way to relax on a hot summer day than floating down a lazy river with a cold drink in your hand. While you have endless choices of man-made lazy rivers at hotels and amusement parks, there’s a natural lazy river right here in Florida that’s perfect for escaping the heat on a hot summer day.

Tubing down the river at Rock Springs Run

Rock Springs Run is part of Kelly Park in Apopka, Fla., and this free-flowing spring is a tubing paradise. Float down the swift, clear creek as it winds through the natural scenery of Central Florida. The clear, blue water stays at a constant 68 degrees and a leisurely trip down stream will take you about 25 minutes.

You can bring your own tube, as long as it’s under 5 feet long, or you can rent a tube from a vendor outside the park. As you float along the river’s gentle current, you’ll come across large pools that are perfect for swimming and sunbathing. Overall, the tube run is about three-fourths of a mile long with a few stops along the way.

While tubing is certainly the main attraction, other activities at the park include swimming, hiking, snorkeling and kayaking, and there’s even a volleyball court and playground. However, if a day at the spring isn’t long enough, tent and RV camping also is available at Kelly Park.

Admission to the park costs about $5 and parking is $3 per vehicle, making it a relatively inexpensive day trip for some fun in the great outdoors. Arriving early is recommended, as the park tends to fill to capacity by mid-morning in the warmer months. The park opens from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. during the summer and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the winter, with the waterfront closing one hour prior to the park’s closure.