FINZ FINDS Central Florida Spring Ride
Nothing like beating the Florida heat in the summertime with a nice back road ride to three of Central Florida’s scenic natural springs.
Besides the beautiful back roads in the area, you can stop and cool off with a swim in the 72 degree crystal clear spring water. If you don’t want to get wet, you can always picnic, hike, or canoe and kayak down one of the spring fed rivers in the parks.
WEKIWA SPRINGS STATE PARK
My ride starts at Wekiwa Springs, and continues onto Kelly Park/Rock Springs, ending at Blue Spring. The ride is only 44.3 miles, and should take you about an hour and twenty minutes. Of course you can turn this into a full day adventure, with everything that is available at these great spots. This ride was taken from my adventure riding guide book “Scenic Rides To Florida Destinations”. The book contains 60 back road rides to some of Florida’s best destinations. There are many themed rides such as Castle rides, Florida Spring rides, Winery & Vineyard rides, Zoos, Aquariums, and Marine Park rides, Botanical Garden rides, Parks and Forest rides, Lighthouse rides, Seafood Shacks & Waterfront Restaurant rides, and a Florida Keys ride. You can find more info on all of my riding guides at finzfinds.com.
Wekiwa Springs State Park is located on the Wekiva River in Central Florida. You will be able to see what Central Florida looked like when the Timucuan Indians occupied this land. Early Indians are believed to be the first to live in this area, beginning around 8500 BC. You can picnic or take a swim in the cool spring. You can also canoe or kayak along the Wekiva River and Rock Springs Run. There are miles of trails for hiking, bicycling and even horseback riding. There is a full facility campground and primitive camping areas.
KELLY PARK/ROCK SPRING RUN
Kelly Park/Rock Springs is where the Rock Springs bubble up from underground rivers creating many swimming holes with crystal clear water and a constant temperature of 68 degrees. Inside the 325-acre Kelly Park, there are 26 shady campsites. During summer, Kelly Park fills up fast, so get there early. Rock Springs Run is an 8.5-mile water run, popular for tubing, kayaks and canoes.
Blue Spring is a refreshing 72 degree water temperature all year round. Located along the St. Johns River, Blue Spring is a popular hangout for manatees. Blue Spring State Park is well known for being the best place to see manatees in the wild. Pine Island Trail at Blue Spring is a 7.3 mile round-trip trail to the St. Johns River. The trail runs both inland and along the rivers edge.
I hope you enjoy this ride as much as I did creating it. Look for more rides like this one in upcoming issues of Born To Ride Magazine. The motorcycle magazine with real content and interesting articles. That is why I choose Born To Ride to showcase my ride articles. Until next time, stay in the wind my friends.
Steve “Finz” Finzelber
Central Florida Springs Ride
(44.3 mi 1 hr 19 min)
(Wekiwa Springs – Kelly Park/Rock Springs – Blue Spring)
1) From WEKIWA SPRINGS STATE PARK
Head southwest on Poinsettia Ave(338 ft)
Turn left onto Azalea St (0.1 m)
Right N Wekiwa Springs Rd (0.3 mi)
Turn right onto E Welch Rd (2.5 mi)
Turn right onto Rock Springs Rd (3.5 mi)
Keep right toward E Kelly Park Rd (328 ft)
Slight right onto E Kelly Park Rd (0.2 mi)
Turn left onto Baptist Camp Rd (390 ft)
2) Right to stop at KELLY PARK/ROCK SPRINGS RUN
Head west toward Baptist Camp Rd (46 ft)
Turn left onto Baptist Camp Rd (390 ft)
Turn right onto E Kelly Park Rd (0.7 mi)
Turn right onto Mt Plymouth Rd (1.6 mi)
Turn right onto Wekiva Pkwy (2.8 mi)
Turn right onto FL-46 E (8.9 mi)
Turn left onto State Hwy 431 (3.2 mi)
left onto State Hwy 431/Monroe Rd (0.3 mi)
left onto US-17 N/US-92 E (1.9 mi)
Turn left onto Fort Florida Rd (4.6 mi)
Turn right onto W Highbanks Rd (4.3 mi)
Turn left onto Enterprise Rd (1.6 mi)
Turn right onto Saxon Blvd (0.6 mi)
Left Veterans Memorial Pkwy (2.9 mi)
Turn left onto E Graves Ave (1.7 m)
Right onto N Volusia Ave (0.2 mi)
Turn left onto W French Ave (2.1 mi)
Turn left onto Becker Blvd (0.3 mi)
3) Turn right to end at BLUE SPRING