Wekiwa Springs State Park Campground sits just minutes from downtown Apopka, Florida, offering camping options at an elevation of approximately 70 feet above sea level. The region features natural springs that maintain a constant 72-degree temperature year-round. Weather patterns typically include hot, humid summers with afternoon thunderstorms and mild winters with occasional cold fronts.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing on spring-fed waters: At Wekiwa Springs State Park Campground, visitors can rent equipment or bring their own. "We camped for three nights and loved it! Yes it rained most of the time but our site never flooded!! Such a nice view of the sunset from where we were. Saw lost of animals," reports Caitlyn P.
Swimming in natural springs: The crystalline waters offer refreshing relief from Florida heat. "Really nice campground with all the amenities, showers, water, and power hookups for rv's, or in my case to charge my phone and camera," shares Zackari S., who advises, "book well in advance" as sites fill quickly.
Trail hiking through Florida habitats: Miles of trails wind through pine flatwoods and wetlands. At Lake Louisa State Park Campground, located about 25 miles west of Apopka, "This park has totally awesome park roads for biking, trails for mountain biking and hiking, and equestrian trails. Be sure to carry a map, I got a little lost hiking because not all the trails were well marked," warns Travyl Couple.
What campers like
Spacious, well-maintained sites: Campers appreciate the layout and cleanliness of grounds. "We were easily able to roll our Kayaks to Dixie lake from our campsite. We stayed at a site in Dixie loop sites 1-30," notes Travyl Couple about Lake Louisa State Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Early mornings and evenings provide the best chances to observe native species. "We saw deers, owls, turtles, rabbits & a mama wild boar with her piglets," reports Barbara A. about Colt Creek State Park Campground.
Access to multiple recreation options: Many parks offer varied activities within walking distance. "Wekiwa was an amazing place to camp and spend our weekend. The park offers hiking, biking, day swimming, a food grill, a canoe/kayak launch and rental, plus tons of wildlife!" explains Jenn B., though she cautions, "a weekday is best to visit the spring and river. On the weekend there were tons of people in the park."
What you should know
Weekends get extremely crowded: Plan to arrive early or book weekday stays for more tranquility. "If you go on a weekend, make sure you go EARLY! Line of car starts around 9am and park will close at capacity," advises Hannah S. about Wekiwa Springs.
Horse campgrounds require special arrangements: For equestrian camping near Apopka, Florida, rules vary by location. At Clarcona Horse Park, "This place is great and the folks there that maintains it are pretty darn awesome. Quiet for sure...frog sounds in abundance...will definitely be going back. Electric and water provided. Has grill and picnic table. Pads are paved," reports Sonya F.
Seasonal considerations: Summer brings heat, humidity, and afternoon thunderstorms. "We camped at site #43 which has water/elec. hookup, dump station near by. All of the sites seemed level, most are quite private with a fair amount of trees/foliage in between sites, have a sizable picnic table and nice fire ring with grate. We were here in February and we had no problems with bugs," shares Cyndi B. about her Lake Louisa experience.
Tips for camping with families
Accessibility options: Some campgrounds offer special accommodations. "Colt Creek State Park is one of the newer parks in the Florida State Park System. We had the opportunity to camp at one of the handicap accessible sites recently and found it to be very convenient. Path and pad on site were roomy and fire pit was higher than usual for safety," explains Jeanene A.
Educational opportunities: Many parks offer ranger programs or nature centers. At Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake, "This is a little oasis in the middle of Orlando. Great facilities, great location. You really won't believe he quality of the campground," states Brian K. The park offers swimming, disc golf, and nature observation areas.
Safety precautions: Always check for wildlife advisories and water conditions. "The park is awesome. Really enjoyed the springs and kayaking. The camp site was nice with a pit and grill on site," reports Jayden D. about Wekiwa Springs, though noting some noise concerns: "Only complaint I have was that we're near the airport and heard a lot of planes flying by overnight."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Research site dimensions before booking. At The Grand Oaks RV Resort, "The CG is very clean, well maintained. Most of the sites are fairly well spaced, particularly for a private CG. The CG host is very friendly and helpful. The property is expansive. The CG roads are paved and the pads are concrete," reports Ray & Terri F.
Connectivity information: Cell and internet service vary by location. "AT&T coverage was ok, with 5 bars of 5G+ service and speeds up to 5 MB/s. Parts of the CG have a few trees, particularly near the entrance where ours was, but most sites deeper in the CG are open. We did have line-of-site to the DISH satellites," Ray & Terri F. continue about The Grand Oaks RV Resort.
Specialized horse camping facilities: For equestrian enthusiasts seeking horse campgrounds near Apopka, there are dedicated options. "Nice sized sites with a cement pad, picnic table, grill and trash can per site. Nice gravel drive for the RV. There are horse events, fun to watch, food truck available for breakfast and lunch day of event," explains Lisa C. about Clarcona Horse Park.
