A Weekend at Florida's Wekiwa State Park

Newly remodeled, this is a great park. Plenty of hiking trail miles, picnic area, and great kayaking/canoeing from the spring head out into the Wekiva River.

There are two campsite loops. All sites on this loop have full hookups.  Some sites, like ours, were in partial shade while many others on this loop and the sites on the other loop enjoyed full shade.  We are here in the winter, so partial shade is better for the heat of the sun.  The only problem this weekend...overcast and rain 3 of the 4 days.  But still a great weekend. 

 

 

Looking down our loop road.  As the road curves to the left it enters a thicker wooded area. 

 

On the grassy knoll overlooking the spring head.  Visitors bring blankets and/or chairs to picnic here or just sit and look at the spring.

 

The spring head pumps 43 million gallons per day from the aquifer into the Wekiva River.  The water temperature is a constant 72 degrees.  The weekend we were here the water temperature was 20 degrees above air temperature creating a mist across the water earlier in the morning.  

Half way down the run a bridge crosses accessing the half mile wet/dry trail

Looking back toward the knoll from the bridge.

 Kayakers leave the spring run into the Wekiva River from the kayak/canoe landing where the two meet. 

A view of the spring run water from the bridge.

Cross the bridge and turn right to enter the wet trail along the spring run. 

The boardwalk meanders through the wet section crossing small creeks and marshy ground. 

 

 

At the end of the boardwalk the path heads uphill to a dryer hammock area and other connecting hiking trails.  

There are 7 marked hiking trails ranging from 13.5 miles in length to .25 miles.  There is one trail designated a horse trail and one a bike trial.  Bikes can also be ridden on paved roads and service roads.  Following are photos from some of those trails:

Along the main hiking path is Sand Lake.  A small lake that drains, small creek, into Wekiwa Springs run.  It has a parking area with a few picnic tables and quarter mile trail around the lake with tables, benches and grills along the way for picnicking and enjoying the lake.  Really nice.

BLACK BEARS! 

Are they trying to tell us something?  This poster board is at the entrance to both campsite loops. The ranger at check-in was very emphatic about the bears. Didn't see a single one.  Maybe next time.