Walk-through Kelly Park/ Rock Spring

This is a little piece of heaven, this Kelly Park where the Rock Springs bubble up from underground rivers at the breathtaking rate of 26,000 gallons a minute, feeding a string of swimming holes with crystal clear water at a constant temperature of 68 degrees.

Just downstream, a freshly replenished creek spills down a shallow run that is popular in summer with tubers and waders.

Outside the boundaries of Kelly Park, as Rock Springs Run deepens, you can launch a kayak or canoe for a scenic 8.5 mile paddle down to Rock Springs Run through pristine sub-tropical forest to the river’s merger with Wekiwa Springs Run, forming the nationally designated Wild and Scenic Wekiva River.

Inside the 325-acre Kelly Park, near the popular day-use area, there are 26 shady campsites tucked under a dense canopy of pine and hardwood forest, each site ranging from 35 to 70 feet deep with comfortable separation.

Some sites back up to the woods, affording unusual privacy.

This is bear country, so be bear aware, and a natural habitat for alligators and cottonmouth snakes, although those are largely confined to the river below Kelly Park.

Otherwise, the wildlife in the park and campground is fairly tame, lots of wild turkeys, a few river otters and white-tailed deer, and birds. We saw woodpeckers, egrets and various water fowl on our most recent visit.

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