Last updated on June 12th, 2026 at 04:23 pm
Reservations are now required for day-use entry to Wekiwa Springs State Park. More information can be found at the park’s Day-Use Reservation page.
Apopka, FL — Florida State Parks is requiring advanced reservations for day-use entry to Wekiwa Springs State Park in an effort to reduce long lines of cars that form during summer months.
The park is consistently at capacity in June, July and August as families try to escape Central Florida’s extreme summer heat, leaving a long line of cars waiting to get in when the gates are closed. When somebody left, then another vehicle would be allowed entry.
The pilot program is scheduled to run until Labor Day — Monday, September 1 — and it may be extended or expanded to include other parks, according to the DEP.
Reservations for day-use entry can be made online at reserve.floridastateparks.org until the park reaches capacity.
“If a specific day reaches full capacity, additional reservations will become available (online) as visitors leave the park,” Clifton said. “We offer a ‘Notify Me!’ feature on the reservation page, which sends email notifications when new availability opens up.”
The $6 day-use fee* will be collected at the time a reservation is made. There are no additional fees. Even the park’s annual pass-holders are required to make reservations before visiting, although they will not have to pay the entry fee.
The requirement does not apply to campers who already have reservations to enter the park. Day-use is included in the camping fee.
Visitors who purchase tours from the park concession, Wekiwa Springs Adventures, are exempt from the day-use entry fee, said DEP spokesman John Folsom. Those visitors will need to present confirmation of their purchase at the entrance to the park, he said.
Visitors renting kayaks, bicycles or other equipment from the concession unrelated to tours will still need a day-use reservation, he said.
The pilot program at Wekiwa Springs has been expanded in 2026 to Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon and to Henderson Beach State Park in Destin.
Visitors will need proof of their reservation, either a digital or printed receipt, for park entry. Annual passholders will need both their reservation receipt and their annual pass.
*Day-use entry fees
- $6 per vehicle (limit of eight people).
- $4 single-occupant vehicle.
- $2 pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.
Purchase day-use entry passes online at reserve.floridastateparks.org. There will be no additional fees. (Note: An additional booking fee of $6.70 applies only to campground reservations.)
Honestly, I wish a few more parks would do this too. I’d love to go to DeLeon Springs for some pancakes but I’m not going to line up at 3 am to do it, and I can’t plan a day for the family hoping we can get in.