Oh, the beauty of Florida’s crystal-clear springs! I have to tell you that I’m one of those people who are deeply fascinated by the springs. Although the cold 70-degree spring water is not for everyone, an adventure like river tubing in Central Florida certainly can be.
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In most cases, people refer to this as lazy river tubing. Here, we just call it tubing! There are many springs where you can enjoy tubing in Florida. Some of these are Rainbow Springs, Ichetucknee Springs, and of course, Rock Springs.
Tips for Tubing in Central Florida at Rock Springs Kelly Park
Rock Springs is one of the most popular springs in Central Florida. And with popularity comes the crowds–especially during the summer months. Therefore, to get through the gates, here’s what you need to know.
1. Arriving early is imperative
If you’re visiting Rock Springs over the summer, and on a weekend, early means being in ‘line’ by 6:30 am (at least). The park opens up at 8 am but there is a capacity limit.
The park allows only 280 vehicles during the morning and 50 more vehicles after 1 pm.
Here’s how it works. A limited amount of 280 vouchers are handed out each morning, no one other than those with vouchers on hand will be allowed to enter the park.
A limited amount of 50 vouchers will also be handed out for a 1 pm park entry. If you weren’t lucky enough to get any of these vouchers, you would have to try to get in another day.
TIP: If planning to go later in the day, save time and check if the park is at capacity.
If you prefer to visit on a weekday, being in line before 9 am should be good enough to get you through the gates.
On the other hand, if it’s a weekend (especially during the summer), try and be in line at least by 6 am.
Be sure to visit the park’s website for updated information on how to get into the park.
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2. Rent the tubes BEFORE driving past the gates
Once you’re inside the park, you will not be able to rent any tubes. The only place to rent the tubes is Rock Springs Tube King and it’s located on the right-side corner just before making a turn to the park entrance road.
Tube rental is $7 each and you must leave an ID with them as part of the rental requirements. This ID can be a library card, insurance card, or any other card with your full name.
Can you bring your tube to Rock Springs? Yes!
3. Prepare to spend the whole day tubing in Central Florida
Since it’s so hard to get in during the summer, you might as well make it a day trip and spend the whole day tubing and enjoying the springs.
How Long is the Tubing Adventure in Rock Springs?
From start to finish, it can take you anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes. It’s a beautiful, serene, and epic adventure. The crystal-clear, turquoise water in Rock Springs will even make it feel like paradise.
Getting in will always be the hardest part, mostly because the water is cold! But if you relax and prepare to enjoy it, you will have one heck of an adventure!
Plan your visit to Rock Springs
Hours: 8 am to 8 pm during the summer, and 8 am to 6 pm the rest of the year.
Fees: $3 per vehicle for up to 2 people and $5 per vehicle for up to 8 people.
Address: 400 E Kelly Park Rd., Apopka, FL 32712
Would you go tubing in Central Florida? Let me know in the comments!
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Hey, I’m Yanitza 👋 Travel advisor, outdoor blogger, and hidden-gem hunter with over 8 years of experience helping travelers explore deeper and travel slower. I specialize in crafting authentic, stress-free adventures from small towns to scenic hikes and scuba dives. I’m a firm believer that the best stories happen when you venture beyond tourist hotspots. When I’m not planning getaways or writing travel guides, I’ll probably be home rewatching The Vampire Diaries like it’s my job and daydreaming about future adventures in Spain.
That looks so refreshing! So interesting that the actual tubing is only 20-30 minutes. Up here in Vermont a tubing trip takes all day long. The more I read about the Florida springs, the more I want to visit. I lived in Florida for 6 years and never went to a single one! What was I thinking?
It’s a short stream for the tubing but if you were to kayak, it takes around 2 hours.
I have been tubing in Laos the but water in Florida looks much nicer! I will have to try it one day.
Yes! It’s very nice.
This looks soooo fun! I can totally see why it is popular, especially on hot sunny days when you’d like to be in that cooling water all day! The water looks soooo inviting! <3
If you are up early to get in…does that mean you start floating straight away early in the morning? I can imagine even in the summer, it must be chilly to swim at 7am-8am!!
Yes, you can start floating as soon as you get in the park! I’m not gonna lie, the water is very, very cold. But it feels amazing!
That pristine blue water!! I need to google why Florida water is always so beautiful. It looks similar to water up north that’s influenced by glacial flour, but obviously it can’t be that same reason.
I like that they’ve made the system fair. By handing out tickets to people in line who arrived early, rather than having people pay for them in advance, you prevent costs from rising and rich people from being able to edge out the public by buying tickets for like hundreds of dollars. This is why, where I am in Arizona, even though the lottery system for the Grand Canyon is annoying, I respect it. Only millionaires would be able to reserve Phantom Ranch if they didn’t do that. People think if you just throw enough money at something they can have whatever they want. Nope! You gotta put in the effort and arrive early just like anyone else.
I really have the same thoughts regarding their entry system. I think it’s completely fair. If you want to spend a day at a popular place, you just have to wake up early and make the best of it!
I love the video you included in this blog post. Makes me want to be there right now!
Thank you! It’s perfect for a hot summer day 😁