The Wandering Walkers

Day two of our Kelly Park camping adventure started off a little… hectic!

We had plans to paddleboard at Kings Landing at 9 AM, but somehow we all managed to sleep in until 8!

Cue the mad dash — but miraculously, we rallied and made it to Kings Landing right on time.

Once there, we quickly got to work setting up our three inflatable paddleboards (one of our favorite investments for days like this) and prepared to launch.

By 9:30 AM, we were on the water heading down Rock Springs Run — and it was breathtaking.

When you first get on the water, you follow a quiet, narrow stretch that winds its way to a peaceful clearing. From there, you can either drift left toward Wekiwa Springs or head right toward Rock Springs. We decided to venture to the left first, where the waters are a little deeper and warmer compared to the chilly spring head. The river naturally flows this way so we figured getting a leisurely paddle in before having to paddle against the current was the way to go.

This side of the tributary is absolutely pristine, teeming with wildlife. You can actually paddle 8 miles down this route, and they offer transport services back to Kings Landing — but for this trip, we opted to just venture about 2 miles out before turning around. Next time we want to do the whole 8 miles and head to see Wekiwa Springs!

On our paddle, we saw softshell turtles, eastern box turtles, herons, and quite a few alligators sunning themselves along the banks.

The most exciting (and slightly terrifying) moment came after C.J. and Phoenix fell off the paddleboard into the murky waters. Not long after getting back on, we spotted what we thought was a massive fish swimming underneath the grass — but it turned out to be a 5-foot alligator!

That definitely got our adrenaline pumping and made us a lot more cautious until we reached the crystal-clear spring water where the sandy bottom made it easier to spot any wildlife.

When we got back to the split in the river, we found a deep area and decided to jump in!

The cool, refreshing water was absolutely perfect after all that paddling. We stopped for a quick snack and soaked up the peaceful vibe — but tours were starting to show up, so we decided to keep moving.

Heading into the spring head was like entering a completely different world.

The plant life changed dramatically — no grasses, just pure white sand below, and the water was even clearer thanks to the dry weather recently.

As we slowly paddled toward the spring head, we saw tons of fish, a few more birds, and even a curious raccoon who hopped on one of our paddleboards looking for snacks!

At the spring head, there were a few small groups lounging in the water.

We swam, floated, and enjoyed the serenity before deciding it was time to head back.

The return trip is much quicker thanks to the strong current, but it definitely requires some steering skills to avoid colliding with the growing number of tourists (some of whom had no idea how to paddle).

It was a magical morning on the river, made even more special because it was Sarah’s birthday!

Once back at camp, we cleaned up and headed back Kelly Park to float in the springs before dinner. Once we had sufficiently wore ourselves out we headed back to camp and made a delicious dinner of grilled salmon and potatoes. Just as the sun was starting to set we left camp and met up with our friends at a local bar and grill just down the road for birthday cake, drinks, and lots of laughs.

There happened to be a cornhole competition going on, and a huge grassy field where the kids could run and play while the adults relaxed, people watched and even squeezed in a few rounds of Palace.

The evening was full of laughter, good company, and unforgettable memories.

We stayed up way too late — but it was absolutely worth it!

Our Final Morning at Camp

The next morning, we packed up camp, but not before sharing breakfast burritos with our friends and trying out a new game we brought along — Ravine!

In Ravine, you survive a plane crash and have to forage, build shelter, and work together to survive the night.

It had us all laughing so hard, though the younger kids started to lose interest after a while so we headed to the playground to let the kids run wild while we played more Ravine.

As the morning went on, we realized it was time to pack up, so we made our way back to camp and started gathering our things. Luckily, tearing down doesn’t take too long — really, it’s just deflating the mattresses that eats up the most time. Once we had everything loaded into the car, we moved it over to our friends’ campsite and headed back to the springs for some more time in the cool water. We brought lunch along with us and found a shady spot near the spring head to spread out, relax, and — you guessed it — play even more Ravine.

As I sat by the spring with my feet in the cool water, I tried to hold onto the moment for just a little longer. It felt like the perfect ending to our trip — a quiet pause after days filled with laughter, exploring, and simple joys. There was a bittersweet feeling in the air, knowing it was almost time to leave. I watched the sunlight dance across the water and felt a deep gratitude for the memories we made, already tucking them away to revisit on days when I’d miss this place and the easy, carefree rhythm we found here.

We packed up, hugged our friends goodbye, and headed home — our hearts full, our souls refreshed, and our minds already dreaming about the next adventure.

Kelly Park Tips for Your Visit:

• Arrive midweek if you can — it’s way less crowded!
• Camp onsite so you can enjoy the springs after the day guests leave.
• Bug spray is a must — ticks are very active!
• Early morning paddling at Kings Landing is the best way to experience the water without the crowds.
• Don’t forget snacks and water — once you’re out paddling, there’s nowhere to stop until you return.
• Keep an eye out for wildlife — it’s truly incredible here!

Kelly Park is truly a hidden gem for anyone who loves nature, crystal-clear springs, and magical moments that you’ll remember forever.

Our time at the springs was slow, refreshing, and filled with the kind of moments that stay with you — laughter echoing through the trees, toes dipped in cool water, and long afternoons with nowhere else to be. It was a beautiful reminder of how good it feels to just slow down and be present.

What’s a place or trip that helped you slow down and reconnect? I’d love to hear your story.

Stay connected to all the fun by following along on all our social channels. I always share stories of our adventures on Instagram, videos on TikTok and coming soon to YouTube! @the.wandering.walkers