These Ancient Springs Near Metro Orlando Has Underwater Caves, Fossils & Crystal-Clear Water

Wekiwa Springs National Park

Central Florida has a secret: just past the strip malls and suburbs, Wekiwa Springs pumps millions of gallons of pristine water into wild backwaters. Paddle past gators, spot manatees in winter, and swim in water so clear you can count grains of sand 20 feet down – all without leaving metro Orlando.

The Bubbling Water Name Confusion

The name “Wekiwa” comes from Creek Indian words meaning “bubbling water,” noting how the spring seems to boil up from below.

Most Seminole County streets use “Wekiva” for river while the springs keep “Wekiwa.” The Creek language had no “v” sound, so “Wekiva” was likely a spelling error.

Even now, some park signs mix up the two names.

Archaeological Treasures Abound

Across the park, you’ll find Native American middens and shell mounds.

The ancient trash heaps were full of pottery bits, shells, bones, and tools. Some mounds rise ten feet high and stretch for yards.

The area has been home to people since at least 8500 B.C. Even the Timucuan and Mayaca tribes were early users of these lands before European contact.

Part of a Wild and Scenic River System

This title, given in 1968 by an act that Lyndon Johnson signed, helps keep the river free-flowing and well-maintained with lots of care.

Park boats check the whole length each month to make sure it stays pure. Rules on what can be built near the banks help keep the views as they’ve been for years.

The Critically Endangered Micro-Snails

With 19 different plant zones from dry sandhills to wet swamps, Wekiwa tops all other state parks in habitat types.

For one, it harbors four rare snail species found nowhere else on Earth. The Wekiwa hydrobe and Wekiwa siltsnail are listed as “critically imperiled.”

These tiny mollusks need the spring’s unique water chemistry to live. The smooth rib hydrobe and armored siltsnail exist in just two other springs worldwide.

Florida’s Largest Population of Star Anise

This place is Florida’s biggest known stand of star anise, a rare plant that grows in the wet hammock areas along Rock Springs Run.

The star anise has star-shaped seed pods that give off a sweet smell when crushed. It likes the damp soil where wet and dry zones meet.

A Hidden Underground Cave System

At the spring head sits a 15-20 foot deep hole that leads to undiscovered caves.

Expert divers have mapped these paths, but public diving is not allowed. The water comes from the Floridan aquifer and pushes up through cracks in the rock below.

The first map of these caves was drawn in the 1970s (now part of the Central Florida Karst Region), giving way to sinkholes and underground water systems.

Sandhill Ecosystem Stronghold

The park guards one of Florida’s fast-shrinking sandhill zones, home to longleaf pines, turkey oak, and wiregrass.

The ecosystem also supports other species such as the gopher tortoise, red-cockaded woodpecker, and Sherman’s fox squirrel.

The staff conducts planned burns (every 1–5 years) to keep it healthy. The park’s Orange and White trails take you up close.

Consistent 72-Degree Water Year-Round

The spring keeps a steady, cool 72-degree temp in all seasons, making it great for swimming in both summer heat and mild winter days.

The water flows at a rate of 42 million gallons per day, making it a “first magnitude” spring and the depth near the vent goes down to about five feet.

Even in the height of summer, the spring stays cool and refreshing, offering a natural escape from Florida’s intense heat.

Florida’s Park Ranger Training Ground

Since 1977, all Florida state park rangers have trained at Wekiwa Springs.

The first Ranger Academy was held at another park in 1972 but moved here and now helps newbies learn about the state’s wild lands in a real-world setting.

Each year, two groups of new rangers spend weeks learning to track wild life, fight fires, and help lost guests in the trail regions.

Visiting Wekiwa Springs State Park

Address: 1800 Wekiwa Circle, Apopka, FL 32712 (approximately 20 minutes north of Orlando)

Fee / Admission:

• $6 per vehicle
• Reservations are required for day-use entry from March 12 to September 1, 2025
• Reservations can be made online up to 60 days in advance

Hours of Operation: Open daily from 8:00 a.m. to sunset

Access Points and Directions: From I-4, take Exit 94, travel west on SR 434, and continue north on Wekiwa Springs Road for approximately 4 miles. You’ll find the park entrance is on the right.

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