Rock Springs Run 2023

Launched at Kings Landing then proceeded up Emerald Cut to just below Rock Springs. There's a barrier across the run and paddlecraft aren't allowed beyond that point. We usually take a swim in the water and then do the entire run from there. While the water from Kings Landing to the barrier is called Emerald Cut, it actually refers to a space (cut) between two very small tree islands in that section of the Run (can be seen in the video).
Rock Springs Run is made up of 2 waterways, Emerald Cut and the Wekiwa River. After a swim in Emerald Cut, we headed back, passing Kings Landing and onto the Wekiwa. Wildlife, especially gators are plentiful along the river, some of the gators are pretty large but as usual with alligators, if left alone, they leave you alone. There are 3 campsites on the Run, Big Buck, Indian Mound and Otter Camp. We had reserved Otter Camp (all 3 sites are reserved thru the State) which is the lat of the sites.
The campsite is roomy, grassy and has a small bench and a fire ring. As you'll see in the video, it's right on the water. The drawback is the landing area is 50 feet downriver and you need to unload and carry your gear along a very uneven bank with lots of large roots. It's a short hike but you need to pay attention. As an alternative, we brought our kayaks alongside the bank at the site itself and unloaded there using a 2 man team (1 in the water unloading then pitching gear up to the 2nd on land). We also tied up a couple of our kayaks there but room is limited.
As mentioned, fairly roomy site so you can spread out nicely. As with the Wekiwa River, you'll hear lots of wildlife thru the night.
Otter Camp is the last of the 3 campsites and the closest to the takeouts, either Wekiwa Springs State Park or Wekiva Island both about a 3 mile paddle. From Kings Landing, doing the entire run is just under 11 miles (including an up and back on Emerald Cut).