Sand pine scrub, pine flatwoods, swamps, and miles of pristine shoreline along Rock Springs Run and the Wekiva River make this reserve a refuge of natural beauty. Visitors can enjoy bicycling, hiking, or horseback riding along 17 miles of trails. Guided trail rides and horse rentals are available. The trail may be closed temporarily on days when reserve staff is conducting prescribed burns. Each fall, areas of the reserve are closed to equestrians during weekends of special hunts. Primitive campsites on Rock Springs Run and the Wekiva River are accessible by canoe only. Equestrian camping facilities are available. Campsites can be reserved by calling Wekiwa Springs State Park. Located in Sorrento off State Road 46. The reserve is open from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. daily.

Rock Springs Run State Reserve is open from 8 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. 365 days a year. The park office hours are 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Florida black bear, Florida scrub jay, sandhill crane, indigo snake, gopher tortoise and a variety of more common species often are seen throughout the Reserve.

Rock Springs Run State Reserve is nearly 14,000 acres of a wide variety of plant communities typically found throughout Central Florida's landscape.

The property was purchased in March 1983 for habitat preservation, watershed protection and to provide recreational opportunities in the Central Florida area. Additional purchases in 1991 and 1995 have formed a vast wilderness in Orange and Lake Counties.

The Wekiva River Basin includes Wekiwa Springs Run, Rock Springs Run, the Wekiva River, Blackwater Creek and Seminole Creek. These waterways comprise the first Congressionally designated Wild and Scenic River in Florida.

Native American Indians valued the abundance of wildlife in this area. These Native Americans lived here before the arrival of the Spanish in 1513, but within 200 years they were eliminated from their native land. Many mounds, or kitchen middens, are known to exist along the Wekiva River and Rock Springs Run. The mounds are the only visible remains of their presence on the reserve and are protected for future archaeological investigations.

PRIMITIVE HORSE CAMPING

Fees are dependent upon the ratio of campers to horses, so please call the Ranger Station at Wekiwa Springs State Park at (407) 884-2008 for exact fee information.

Reservations are required and can be made no more than 60 days in advance. Call (407) 884-2008 to make reservations. An accurate count of campers and horses is required for all reservations. All reservations made by phone can be held with a Visa, Master Card, Discover, or American Express, or if paying by check, it must be received no later than 10 days from the date the reservations are made.

At least one member of the camping party must be 18 years of age. Pack in all food, water and firewood and pack out all trash. A bathhouse/restroom facility is available for campers. Ground grills are provided and fires are only permitted in these grills. Tents are permitted and must be pitched in designated camping areas only. The collection of fire wood is prohibited.

RV and trailer parking are on a first-come first-serve basis. Horse stalls and corrals are also on a "first come, first served" basis. Posts for tethers are available, but temporary fencing of any kind is not permitted. Non-potable water is available for the horses and there are troughs in several locations.

Proof of negative Coggins must be carried at all times.

CANOE CAMPING

There are two primitive canoe campsites in Rock Springs Run State Reserve accessible only by canoe or kayak.

Indian Mound and Buffalo Tram are two beatiful campsites located on Rock Springs Run. Travel to either site can begin from any livery along the Wekiva River or inside Wekiwa Springs State Park. Please refer to the canoe travel times located in the Canoeing & Kayaking section on the Wekiwa Springs State Park Activities page and this Canoe Map for location information.

These campsites are primitive. Both sites have fire rings and can accommodate up to ten people each. Pets are not permitted at these campsites. Reservations for these sites are required and can be made no more than 60 days in advance. Call (407) 884-2008 to make reservations.

Campers are required to be at the primitive camp site at least two hours before park closing to be permitted to camp. Campers have no vehicle access to these sites.

Canoes and kayaks can be rented inside Wekiwa Springs State Park or at other liveries along Rock Springs Run and the Wekiva River. You can even plan trips to include other canoe sites located in Wekiwa Springs State Park (see that park's website for more information). Further information on overnight canoe or kayak rentals, shuttles, or guided trips can be obtained at Nature Adventures or by calling (407) 884-4311.