Last updated on March 21st, 2025 at 10:38 am
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 was allowed entry.
Reports that the passes have sold out through the end of summer are incorrect, according to Nikki Clifton, deputy press secretary for the the state Department of Environmental Protection, which oversees state parks.
“Contrary to what was reported, day-use entry reservations are not fully booked through the summer,” said Clifton. “Reservations can only be made up to 60 days in advance, and there are still open spots within this window.”
The misunderstanding apparently occurred because the state parks’ web site indicated all dates after May 13 were sold out. However, those dates were just blocked out because they exceeded the 60-day booking window.
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 as visitors leave the park,” Clifton said. “We also 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 will not apply to campers when the campground re-opens sometime in 2026. The park’s campground is closed through 2025 due to water-line construction work.
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.
A determination will be made at a later date whether to continue the pilot program at Wekiwa Springs or expand it to other parks, state park officials said.
Visitors will need proof of their reservation, either a digital or printed receipt, to enter the park. 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.)
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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.