A hiker in a wide-brimmed straw hat walks along a sandy trail surrounded by scrub and tall pines.

Guide to Visiting Rock Springs Run State Reserve

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If you’re craving a peaceful, no-fuss outdoor spot with real wild Florida energy, Rock Springs Run State Reserve might be just the place. It’s quiet, rugged, and full of sandy trails, wildlife, and scrubby views. Its’s not the kind of park where you paddle or swim, but the kind where you get dust on your shoes and maybe spot a Florida scrub jay if you’re lucky.

Here’s everything you need to know before heading out.

Table of Contents

A wooden park sign reads “Rock Springs Run State Reserve” with the Florida State Parks logo.

Quick Facts about Rock Springs Run State Reserve

Location

The park is about 30 minutes north of Orlando and a little over 45 minutes southwest of Daytona. It’s surrounded by wild, undeveloped land.

Address: 30601 Wekiva River Road, Sorrento, FL 32776

Hours and entry fees

Open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., including holidays.

Entry is $3 per vehicle. Check the Florida State Parks website for current fees and details. 

Facilities

This park is no-frills. There’s one restroom and shower facility near the entrance by the horse stalls.  

Exterior view of a beige restroom building at Rock Springs Run State Reserve.

What’s the Best Time of Year to Visit Rock Springs Run State Reserve?

I recommend visiting in the fall or winter when the humidity is lower and the temperatures are more comfortable. The park has a lot of sandy, scrubby terrain with limited tree cover. That makes it great in cooler months but pretty harsh in the summer.

It’s also smart to avoid the peak of hurricane season, which falls between August and October. The official season runs from June through November 30. 

How Long will it Take to Visit Rock Springs Run State Reserve?

Rock Springs Run State Reserve is great for a day trip. There are miles of trails to hike, ride on horseback, or mountain bike.

We visited for a few hours and would have stayed longer, but we had our dog and teens with us and they were done much sooner than my hubby and I were.

Do you Need Reservations for Rock Springs Run State Reserve?

You don’t need a reservation for a regular day visit. Just pay the entrance fee at the gate and enjoy the park.

Reservations are required if you plan to:

Are Dogs Allowed at Rock Springs Run State Reserve?

Yes, dogs are allowed in the day-use recreation areas and hiking trails. Service animals are welcome throughout the park, including inside buildings.

Dogs are also allowed in the Historic Hammock House. 

All dogs must be on a six-foot hand-held leash, under control at all times, and never left unattended. 

A German shepherd walks alongside two hikers on a wide, white sandy trail through the scrub.

Does Rock Springs Run State Reserve Provide Guided Tours?

Yes, the park offers horseback guided trail rides along equestrian trails and the Lost Town of Ethel. You’ll need to book in advance.

There is a per-person fee and there are a variety of options available: 1 hour, 2 hour, brunch and morning ride, and sunset campfire rides. Ages 8+ are welcome to attend.

Is There a Playground at Rock Springs Run State Reserve?

No. This is a very rustic park focused on mix-used trails, wildlife, and conservation/preservation.

Can You Paddle Rock Springs Run State Reserve?

No, there is no access to any paddle trails. You can paddle nearby at Wilson’s Landing, Wekiwa Springs State Park, and King’s Landing. 

Is There Swimming in Rock Springs Run State Reserve?

No, there is no swimming here. You can swim nearby at Wekiwa Springs State Park and King’s Landing.

A large brown sign displays a map and water access locations near Rock Springs Run State Reserve.

Does Rock Springs Run State Reserve Have a Nature Center?

No, but there are interpretive signs and displays.

Wildlife at Rock Springs Run State Reserve

We visited in March and arrived late in the morning. It was already heating up and we missed most of the wildlife since the animals are most active during the cooler parts of the day.

Florida Scrub Jay

Rock Springs Run is part of the effort to restore Florida’s scrub, the only habitat where scrub jays can survive. In 2018, jays were relocated to this preserve, and today there are six family groups living in the area. The reserve’s website has a whole section devoted to this threatened species. 

Other Wildlife

This area is also known for the Florida black bear, sandhill cranes, and gopher tortoises. We got to see a group of sandhill cranes in one of the wide open areas along the road leading up to a hiking trail. 

Please note Florida State Parks Passport is no longer available.

Is There Camping at Rock Springs Run State Reserve?

Sort of. There is canoe camping on Rock Springs Run at Indian Mound and Buffalo Tram. Campers can get to either campsite from inside Wekiwa Springs State Park or from outfitters along the Wekiva River.  

It’s a bit confusing because the park website states that there is no water access to Wekiva River and that this canoe camping requires reservations and that they are made via Wekiwa Springs State Park (407-553-4383). 

So although canoe camping is mentioned, there’s no way to get to it from a car or while hiking at Rock Springs Run State Reserve. 

Are There Cabins at Rock Springs Run State Reserve?

There is one ranch-style house (the Hammock House) that can be rented. Rock Springs Guest Services and Rock Springs Run State Reserve describe the house a bit differently. One says it can sleep 13, the other says 16, and the size of the house is also listed differently. 

The Hammock House is pet-friendly and very spacious with plenty of room to spread out and relax during a visit. It is directly on the Wekiva River, offering direct, private access for paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes. It also has a 9-stall horse barn for those traveling with their horses.

A hiker walks beneath tall pine trees on a sun-dappled trail.

What Kinds of Hiking Trails Are at Rock Springs Run State Reserve?

There are many, many paths in the Rocks Springs Run area. According to AllTrails, there are 3 trails adding up to 17 miles of hiking. However, at Rock Springs Run, it’s really a struggle to find any paths that match up with those listed on AllTrails. It is also nearly impossible to find a trail map at the Reserve to help guide you, but there are trail markers. 

Trail lengths on AllTrails range from 5 miles to 6.6 miles.

I recommend using the AllTrails maps and checking your GPS often. We started out on the Rock Springs Loop in search of scrub jays and found neither scrub jays nor the full trail as we kept losing the trail and the trailhead we found wasn’t the trailhead we were looking for. There were also sections that were overgrown or flooded. It’s the kind of hike to go on when you want a little bit of adventure and problem-solving tossed in the mix. It was still a beautiful and fun hike and now we have a story to tell. 

TrailLength
Rock Springs Loop*5.0 miles
Rock Springs Lake Trail5.6 miles
Rock Springs Challenge Loop6.6 miles
*The only trail we explored

 

Screenshot of a trail map showing the 5-mile Rock Springs Loop route with elevation and time estimate.

Can You Cycle and Mountain Bike at Rock Springs Run State Reserve?

Yes! All the trails at Rock Springs Run are mixed-use and can be used for bicycling and mountain biking! I could find little information about cycling here, but my recommendation is to pay attention to where you begin and use GPS to help navigate the maze of trails and paths in the park.  

Horseback Riding at Rock Springs Run State Reserve

There are 17 miles of mixed-use trails at Rock Springs Run that are open to horseback riding. You can bring your own horses or book a guided trail ride with Rock Springs Guest Ranch. 

If you bring your own horse, make sure to use your GPS to help you navigate the trails. Proof of negative Coggins is required.

A group of hikers stands among oak trees and fallen leaves along a shaded forest trail.

Hunting at Rock Springs Run State Reserve

From October to January, the park allows weekend hunts. During the hunts, sections of trails will be closed. Hunting areas will be clearly marked. 

Rock Springs Run State Preserve is the kind of park you visit when you want a peaceful day outdoors, some quiet trails, and maybe a little adventure that doesn’t go exactly as planned—but still leaves you smiling.

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