KELLY PARK / КРИСТАЛЬНОЕ ОЗЕРО В ЛЕСУ ПОД ДОЖДЕМ

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Swimmer explores Rock Springs Run at Kelly Park. (Photo by Bonnie Gross)
This is a little piece of heaven, this Kelly Park where the Rock Springs bubble up from underground rivers at the breathtaking rate of 26,000 gallons a minute, feeding a string of swimming holes with crystal clear water at a constant temperature of 68 degrees.

Just downstream, a freshly replenished creek spills down a shallow run that is popular in summer with tubers and waders.

Outside the boundaries of Kelly Park, as Rock Springs Run deepens, you can launch a kayak or canoe for a scenic 8.5 mile paddle down to Rock Springs Run through pristine sub-tropical forest to the river’s merger with Wekiwa Springs Run, forming the nationally designated Wild and Scenic Wekiva River.

Inside the 325-acre Kelly Park, near the popular day-use area, there are 26 shady campsites tucked under a dense canopy of pine and hardwood forest, each site ranging from 35 to 70 feet deep with comfortable separation.

Some sites back up to the woods, affording unusual privacy.

This is bear country, so be bear aware, and a natural habitat for alligators and cottonmouth snakes, although those are largely confined to the river below Kelly Park.

Otherwise, the wildlife in the park and campground is fairly tame, lots of wild turkeys, a few river otters and white-tailed deer, and birds. We saw woodpeckers, egrets and various water fowl on our most recent visit.

Next to the park is recently acquired Camp Joy, a former church camp with lodges and meeting rooms where groups can reserve dormitory-style bunk rooms. With a signed release and $3, you can also launch your kayak here.

Kelly Park Day Use
Тюбинг в Келли Парк Рок Спрингс.
Tubing at Kelly Park Rock Springs.
With seven miles of hiking trails, a fabulous playground, picnic shelters and, of course, swimming, Kelly Park is particularly popular with locals, especially in summer when the kids are out of school and in desperate need of relief from their phones, tablets and other gadgets.

We visited Kelly Park in winter, and my wife commented that the playground, with its tube slides, swings and jungle gym, is one of the nicest she’s ever seen.

During summer, you can hardly get into Kelly Park. With a limit of 280 vehicles, it fills up fast. The line at the gate starts before the park opens at 8 a.m. Fair warning, the park is sometimes full by 9 a.m. An additional 50 vehicles are admitted after 1 p.m.

Day-use admission fees are $3 per vehicle with 1-2

Camp Joy gives kayakers access to Rock Springs Run below Kelly Park proper and the Emerald Cut, arguably the prettiest section of the stream. But it’s a paddle out and paddle back, unless you have your own shuttle to pick you up downstream or make arrangements at nearby Kings Landing. The currents are mild here so a paddle out and back is definitely doable.

Otherwise, you have to take a short drive to the end of Baptist Camp Road at the private concession at Kings Landing.

Kings Landing is the only kayak and canoe concession for Rock Springs Run.

Kings Landing is closed on Monday and Tuesday with only one shuttle on weekdays, returning from the takeout at Wekiva Island at 4 p.m. On weekends and holidays, shuttles run at 2:30 and 4 p.m. The last boat should leave no later than 11 a.m., unless you have your own shuttle plan.

Although the full 8.5 miles takes an estimated four hours, that would be pressing it if you are in a canoe or like to pause to observe or photograph wildlife.

We launched our own kayaks at 11 a.m. from Kings Landing and arrived at Wekiva Island at 3:40 p.m. with a few stops along the way to eat lunch and stretch our legs

Черепашьи солнца вдоль Рок-Спрингс, недалеко от парка Келли.
Черепашьи солнца вдоль Рок-Спрингс, недалеко от парка Келли.
Вы по-прежнему увидите множество диких животных, черепах, отдыхающих на бревнах, аллигаторов, загорающих на берегу, и стаи птиц.

Субтропическая флора на Рок-Спрингс-Ран ошеломляет; ожидайте, что будете часто останавливаться, чтобы делать фотографии

Домашние животные не допускаются в парк или палаточный лагерь, а алкоголь запрещен.