Best Things to Do in Apopka, FL (2026): 7 Local Picks

Looking for the best things to do in Apopka? This northwest Orange County city is the gateway to some of the area's best springs and wildlife viewing. Float the clear run at Kelly Park's Rock Springs, swim or paddle at Wekiwa Springs State Park, and spot birds along the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive.

7 picks · Updated October 2026

1
Wekiwa Springs State Park

Park, $
A spring that stays about 72 degrees year-round, with a swimming area, on-site canoe and kayak rentals, and trails for hiking, biking and riding. Entry is $6 per vehicle, and day visits need a reservation.
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Water
- Family
Call Wekiwa Springs State Park Website for Wekiwa Springs State Park (opens in a new tab)Directions to Wekiwa Springs State Park (opens maps)
2
Kelly Park / Rock Springs

Park, $
Floating a tube down the cool, clear run from Rock Springs is a Central Florida summer tradition. Buy tickets online ahead, since daily numbers are capped, and bring your own tube.
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Water
- Family
Call Kelly Park / Rock Springs Website for Kelly Park / Rock Springs (opens in a new tab)Directions to Kelly Park / Rock Springs (opens maps)
3
Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive

Park
Eleven-mile, one-way wildlife drive along the Lake Apopka marshes, open to vehicles Friday through Sunday and on federal holidays. Visitors stop at designated pull-outs for birding and wildlife viewing; plan one to three hours.
- Free
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Family
Website for Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive (opens in a new tab)Directions to Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive (opens maps)
4
Lake Apopka Loop Trail

Park
Roughly 15-mile trail along the edge of Lake Apopka, starting at Magnolia Park and popular with cyclists and birders. Leashed dogs are allowed.
- Free
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Dog friendly
Call Lake Apopka Loop Trail Website for Lake Apopka Loop Trail (opens in a new tab)Directions to Lake Apopka Loop Trail (opens maps)
5
Magnolia Park

Park
County park on the shore of Lake Apopka that serves as a trailhead for the Lake Apopka Loop Trail, with camping, a boat ramp and picnic areas. Leashed pets are allowed.
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Water
- Family
Call Magnolia Park Website for Magnolia Park (opens in a new tab)Directions to Magnolia Park (opens maps)
6
King's Landing

Outdoor activity
A paddling outpost on Rock Springs Run in Apopka, where visitors rent kayaks, canoes or paddleboards to explore clear spring-fed water in the Wekiva area.
- Outdoor
- Nature
- Water
- Family
Call King's Landing Website for King's Landing (opens in a new tab)Directions to King's Landing (opens maps)
7
Lake Apopka Connector Trail

Trail
One of Orange County's newest trails, opened in early 2026 in the Apopka area and running about four and a half miles.
- Walking
- Running
- Biking
- Equestrian
Call Lake Apopka Connector Trail Website for Lake Apopka Connector Trail (opens in a new tab)Directions to Lake Apopka Connector Trail (opens maps)

How to plan a day in Apopka

Apopka's top draws are outdoors. For water, choose between Kelly Park, where you tube down the Rock Springs run, and Wekiwa Springs State Park, where you can swim in the spring or rent a canoe or kayak. Both are popular in summer, so book ahead: Kelly Park sells capped tickets online only, and Wekiwa requires reservations for day visits. Neither suits a last-minute plan.

For wildlife, the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is an 11-mile, one-way route through the marshes, open to cars Friday through Sunday and on federal holidays. Allow one to three hours and bring binoculars. Cyclists can ride the roughly 15-mile Lake Apopka Loop Trail from Magnolia Park, which also has picnic areas, a boat ramp and camping.

Tips for visiting Apopka's springs and parks

Arrive early, especially on summer weekends, when crowds peak. Bring water shoes, sunscreen and drinking water. Pets are not allowed at Kelly Park, but leashed dogs are welcome on the wildlife drive, the loop trail and at Magnolia Park.

About this list

Every place here is a locally run business in Orange County with its own website, which we checked for hours, menus and contact details. We leave national chains off our best-of lists and favor places with a clear specialty.

This page covers 7 things to do in Apopka.

What comes up again and again on their menus and websites: Wildlife viewing and Tent and RV camping.

About Apopka

Apopka, the Indoor Foliage Capital of the World, is in northwest Orange County near Lake Apopka and Wekiwa Springs. It is home to many contractors and home service companies that work across the north side of the county.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a reservation for Kelly Park Rock Springs?

Yes. Tickets for Kelly Park are sold online only, and the number of visitors each day is capped, so buy ahead, especially for summer weekends. You need to bring your own tube from outside the park, and pets are not allowed.

How much does it cost to visit Wekiwa Springs State Park?

Entry is $6 per vehicle, and day-use visits require a reservation. Once inside, you can swim in the spring, which stays about 72 degrees year-round, rent canoes or kayaks on site, and use trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding.

When is the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive open?

The 11-mile, one-way drive is open to vehicles Friday through Sunday and on federal holidays. Plan one to three hours, stopping at designated pull-outs for birding and wildlife viewing. It is free, and leashed dogs are allowed. Bring binoculars and water, since there are few services along the route.