Kelly Park is best known for popular Rock Springs Run, but this fabulous Orange County park also has one of the nicest campgrounds anywhere. Now’s the time to go, before the summer crush and long lines.
Tag: Florida springs
Ocala: Four great kayak or canoe rivers within 45 minutes
You can experience four outstanding Florida rivers in one trip if you base yourself in the Ocala area. In four days of paddling, you have a good chance to see wildlife — from manatees to American eagles to alligators and even monkeys. Three of the four rivers are aquarium-clear spring-fed streams. The fourth is a wild and peaceful place where you can escape the modern world.
Alexander Springs in Ocala National Forest: Easy scenic paddling; lots of wildlife
The clear waters flowing out of Alexander Springs are the start of a great paddling trail inside Ocala National Forest. It’s an easy stream to paddle with lots of wildlife, especially birds and fish.
Blue Spring State Park: Manatees in winter; tubing and swimming in summer
The park is beautiful, the swimming is fabulous and paddling opportunities are numerous. Escape the summer heat at Blue Spring State Park in southwestern Volusia County.
Kayaking Santa Fe River: Springs & scenery make it a treasure
The Santa Fe River near Gainesville is a treasure for its many clear bubbling springs and its unspoiled beauty. It’s one of Florida’s most beautiful places to kayak, canoe, snorkel and swim. It’s way north, but worth making part of a trip.
Best tubing in Florida: Four beautiful springs for cool fun
It takes some chilly water to cool you off during a Florida summer day, but these spring-fed Florida rivers have that and more. These four springs are among the most beautiful spots in Florida and are ideal locations for tubing. They’re so popular, however, you need to do your homework before going.
Mount Dora Bicycle Festival 2018: Oct. 4-7
In a quaint Florida town known for its festivals, crafts fairs and antique shows, it hardly comes as a surprise there is a festival of bicycles, especially in Lake County, where the hilly terrain and nearby rail trails offer an exciting choice of venues for riding.
Cool idea: Florida’s best river for tubing, Ichetucknee Springs
All those “lazy river” water attractions at hotels and parks? They’re just trying to recreate the exhilarating experience of tubing the clear, wild Ichetucknee River in north central Florida. Try the real thing. Summer tubing season starts the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.