Wekiva Springs State Park

While we were camping at Blue Springs State Park while back, we made a day trip over to Wekiva Springs State Park.   It’s only about 35 miles from Blue Springs.  We hadn’t been there for many years and didn’t really remember much about it.   I wanted to make sure to post some pictures to my blog for others, and also so that we can remember it for the future.

I wasn’t expecting it to be a great park, but boy was I wrong.  We decided right there and then to plan a trip there as soon as we can.

We didn’t bring our kayaks so we didn’t get to do  any kayaking.  It looked like a great place to kayak.

 

or paddleboard

Our Sea Eagle Fast Track kayaks have a sturdy floor and can be used as paddleboards.  I’ve never stood up in mine, but Al tried his out last winter…on a gator infested river!   Not the smartest thing to do, was it?  Not only were there lots of gators, but it was late in the day (feeding time), and the gators were cruising.  Fortunately he didn’t fall into the water.

The Wekiva, is another of Florida’s many spring fed rivers, which means 72 degree year round water temp and clear, pretty water.

There is even a pay station right on the water.  I’d  never seen this before!  I guess if you’re paddling the river and want to come into the park to swim, you can pay.

There is a nice kayak and canoe launch and you can rent from them if you don’t have your own.

A nice swimming area.

Another first is this chair that will help handicapped people in and out of the water.  How nice was that?

 

There are nice trails along the river.

There were some beautiful Live Oak trees draped in Spanish Moss.  I wish I could capture how beautiful these trees are, but my pictures never seem to show their true beauty. 

There are 9 miles of bicycle trails, but cyclists can also ride the 8 miles of horse trails.

There is an equestrian horse campground along one of the horse trails.  We didn’t go there, but did see the horse corral area.  I think that would be very nice to bring your horses on a camping trip and ride the trails all day.

 

The campground was  really, really nice.  There were actually two separate campgrounds. 

****caution…there are no 50 amp sites***

We thought that was odd.  Most state parks change out the old 30 amp breakers with 50 amp as they go bad.  For some reason, they only have 30 amp sites at all the sites.  We verified it with the camp hosts.

If you need 50 amp for you’re a/c, you’d better go here in the cooler months.

The sites were large and private.   Most of them were easy to get into and could accommodate the largest rigs.

Here are a few of our favorite sites.  You can see the sites are angled for easy backing

Site 1

site 3

site 4

site 8

site 11

There were two campground loops.  We liked the first one (with the lower site numbers).  The sites were more open and we thought we’d see more wildlife there.  Of course it would depend what time of year you went.  In the summer heat the other loop may be better because it was shadier. 

**Remember, there are no 50 amp sites**

site 33

site 44

This looks like a great park.  We felt sure we would see lots of wildlife if we camped there.

The roads were paved, and wide enough with no problem with low hanging branches.

 

It’s definitely one of the nicest campgrounds and we will get back there soon.

It’s located in central Florida a little closer to the Atlantic coast, and not far from Orlando.

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Baxter came home yesterday afternoon after getting neutered.  He’s doing fine, but is still a bit subdued (thank goodness).  A calm Baxter is a good Baxter. His appetite is back and he was ravenous this morning.  I’m glad to have him home!

Al went to Georgia yesterday to bring another load from the storage shed, and he spent the night there.  Baxter called him on his cell phone this morning.  

Yes, he actually called his Dad!

I had just gotten off the phone from talking to Al and I left the phone on the bed. The phone dial screen was up with Al’s number on it. Baxter was playing with the phone and evidently called Al. Of course he didn’t say anything, so Al called me right back to see what I wanted. I don’t know if he believed me that Bax called!

Here he is batting at my camera…..the little stinker.

and being good

 

It looks like another pretty day, warm and sunny.  I think a cold front is pushing through though and we might get a little rain, and maybe a little cooler the rest of the week….70’s probably.  Can’t complain about that.