ROCK SPRINGS RUN STATE RESERVE
Sand pine scrub, pine flatwoods, swamps, and miles of pristine shoreline along Rock Springs Run and the Wekiva River make this reserve a refuge of natural beauty. Visitors can enjoy bicycling, hiking, or horseback riding along 17 miles of trails. Guided trail rides and horse rentals are available. The trail may be closed temporarily on days when reserve staff is conducting prescribed burns. Each fall, areas of the reserve are closed to equestrians during weekends of special hunts. Primitive campsites on Rock Springs Run and the Wekiva River are accessible by canoe only. Equestrian camping facilities are available. Campsites can be reserved by calling Wekiwa Springs State Park. Located in Sorrento off State Road 46. The reserve is open from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. daily.
Rock Springs Run State Reserve is open from 8 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. 365 days a year. The park office hours are 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The Florida black bear, Florida scrub jay, sandhill crane, indigo snake, gopher tortoise and a variety of more common species often are seen throughout the Reserve.
Rock Springs Run State Reserve is nearly 14,000 acres of a wide variety of plant communities typically found throughout Central Florida's landscape.
The property was purchased in March 1983 for habitat preservation, watershed protection and to provide recreational opportunities in the Central Florida area. Additional purchases in 1991 and 1995 have formed a vast wilderness in Orange and Lake Counties.
The Wekiva River Basin includes Wekiwa Springs Run, Rock Springs Run, the Wekiva River, Blackwater Creek and Seminole Creek. These waterways comprise the first Congressionally designated Wild and Scenic River in Florida.
Native American Indians valued the abundance of wildlife in this area. These Native Americans lived here before the arrival of the Spanish in 1513, but within 200 years they were eliminated from their native land. Many mounds, or kitchen middens, are known to exist along the Wekiva River and Rock Springs Run. The mounds are the only visible remains of their presence on the reserve and are protected for future archaeological investigations.
PRIMITIVE HORSE CAMPING
Fees are dependent upon the ratio of campers to horses, so please call the Ranger Station at Wekiwa Springs State Park at (407) 884-2008 for exact fee information.
Reservations are required and can be made no more than 60 days in advance. Call (407) 884-2008 to make reservations. An accurate count of campers and horses is required for all reservations. All reservations made by phone can be held with a Visa, Master Card, Discover, or American Express, or if paying by check, it must be received no later than 10 days from the date the reservations are made.
At least one member of the camping party must be 18 years of age. Pack in all food, water and firewood and pack out all trash. A bathhouse/restroom facility is available for campers. Ground grills are provided and fires are only permitted in these grills. Tents are permitted and must be pitched in designated camping areas only. The collection of fire wood is prohibited.
RV and trailer parking are on a first-come first-serve basis. Horse stalls and corrals are also on a "first come, first served" basis. Posts for tethers are available, but temporary fencing of any kind is not permitted. Non-potable water is available for the horses and there are troughs in several locations.
Proof of negative Coggins must be carried at all times.
CANOE CAMPING
There are two primitive canoe campsites in Rock Springs Run State Reserve accessible only by canoe or kayak.
Indian Mound and Buffalo Tram are two beatiful campsites located on Rock Springs Run. Travel to either site can begin from any livery along the Wekiva River or inside Wekiwa Springs State Park. Please refer to the canoe travel times located in the Canoeing & Kayaking section on the Wekiwa Springs State Park Activities page and this Canoe Map for location information.
These campsites are primitive. Both sites have fire rings and can accommodate up to ten people each. Pets are not permitted at these campsites. Reservations for these sites are required and can be made no more than 60 days in advance. Call (407) 884-2008 to make reservations.
Campers are required to be at the primitive camp site at least two hours before park closing to be permitted to camp. Campers have no vehicle access to these sites.
Canoes and kayaks can be rented inside Wekiwa Springs State Park or at other liveries along Rock Springs Run and the Wekiva River. You can even plan trips to include other canoe sites located in Wekiwa Springs State Park (see that park's website for more information). Further information on overnight canoe or kayak rentals, shuttles, or guided trips can be obtained at Nature Adventures or by calling (407) 884-4311.
Rock Springs Run State Reserve is located near Altamonte Springs, Apopka and Casselberry
Rock Springs Run State Reserve has 17 miles of horse trails that are multi-use trails taking the rider through a variety of plant communities and near Rock Springs Run. Horses are not permitted in the spring run. There is a flowing well along the trail for thirsty horses but this water is non-potable and not for human comsumption.
Horses and riders are required to stay on the designated horse trails.
Because the trails are multi-use, be prepared to meet the occasional hiker, bicyclist, or park vehicle. Please ride responsibly, and respect the park and wildlife. The park closes at sundown and you must exit the park at that time, so please plan your ride accordingly.
Proof of Negative Coggins is required.
These trails or portions of them may be closed temporarily on days when Reserve staff is conducting prescribed burns.
The Reserve is closed to equestrian use during weekends of special hunts each fall.
Cyclists of all levels can find a challenging and enjoyable ride on the 15 miles of multi-use trails. Because the trails are multi-use, be prepared to meet the occasional hiker, horseback rider, or park vehicle. Please stay on designated trails, ride responsibly, and respect the park and wildlife. The park closes at sundown and you must exit the park at that time, so please plan your ride accordingly.
The Reserve has 14 miles of hiking trails that take hikers through sand pine scrub, pine flatwoods, bayheads, oak hammocks and swamps.
The most unique natural feature of the Reserve is the spring/run river system which surrounds most of the Reserve's perimeter and can be accessed from the hiking trails. This system is formed from the discharge of several artesian springs together with the tannic runoff from the surrounding watershed, creating one of the most scenic canoe trails in Central Florida. It is truly beautiful and wonderfully serene!
(Canoes and kayaks cannot be launched from within the Reserve but there are several places to launch outside of the Reserve that will provide access to Rock Springs Run-visit the Wekiwa Springs State Park Activities page for more information.)
Because the trails are multi-use, be prepared to meet the occasional bicyclist, horseback rider, or park vehicle. Please stay on designated trails, hike responsibly, and respect the park and wildlife. The park closes at sundown and you must exit the park at that time, so please plan your hike accordingly.
Cottages and Cabins
Like something out of a fairytale, a long time ago someone put two steam passenger train cars from 1892 and created something magical, a house This magical home is one of a kind and an experience you dont want to miss.
35.1 miles from park*
Pets are welcome in the reserve and on the trails. Pets are not permitted in any primitive camping sites (horses are permitted for camping but only in the horse camping area). Pets must be kept on a six-foot handheld leash. Pet owners must pick up after their pets and properly dispose of all pet droppings in trash receptacles. Florida law requires that pets be vaccinated against rabies. Any pet that is noisy, dangerous, intimidating or destructive will not be allowed to remain in the park. Non-furbearing pets, such as reptiles, birds, or fish must be confined or under the physical control of the owner. Some animals may be prohibited on park property.
Rock Springs Run State Reserve is located in Sorrento, approximately 30 miles north of Orlando. From Interstate 4, take Exit 101C and travel west on State Road 46 for approximately ten miles to the park entrance located at the beginning of County Road 433 (County Road 433 is not marked-it begins at the entrance to the park; Please use the MapQuest link on this page as it will provide the correct map-Do not enter a search in MapQuest using the park address as a point of reference as MapQuest has incorrect information in their database and they have been notified). The park entrance will be on the left if traveling from Interstate 4 and is framed by a very tall chain link fence. The park entrance is approximately 3 miles west of the Wekiva River bridge on State Road 46.Please call the park at (407) 884 2008 if further directions are needed.
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