King's Landing - Rock Springs Run
Central Florida & Springs · Orange County · Rock Springs Run
A private outfitter launch on spring-fed Rock Springs Run: paddle upstream through the clear Emerald Cut to the Kelly Park boundary and drift back, or take the 8-mile downstream run to Wekiva Island with the outfitter's shuttle.
Map position was derived from this record’s sources and is awaiting confirmation against the research directory.
Why paddle here
- Rock Springs Run is part of the Wekiva, one of Florida's National Wild and Scenic Rivers, and King's Landing gives you two very different paddles from one launch: a short clear-water trip upstream through the Emerald Cut to the Kelly Park boundary, or a full-day run downstream through cypress and hardwood canopy to Wekiva Island.
Launches, parking and access
Where you actually put the boat in, how far you carry it and over what. This is the part official sources are worst at, so it is the part we say most plainly — including where we do not know yet.
King's Landing launch
- Launch type
- Private outfitter launch (fee)
- Access
- Private
- Hours
- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; last departure 3:30 p.m., walk-ins told 3 p.m.
- Fees
Per-person launch fee for your own boat (King's Landing): $10 adult / $5 age 12 and under for the day paddle; $30 / $25 for the shuttle run; higher walk-in price on weekends. Check current fees
Medium confidence- Parking
Free parking along the street outside the entrance (operator)
Medium confidence
- Carry to the water
- Carry not yet measured
Nobody has checked this yet.Report the carry — How far did you carry your boat from the parking area to the water?
- How hard that carry is
- Not yet assessed
Nobody has checked this yet.Rate the carry — How hard was that carry with a loaded boat?
- Ground you cross
- Not yet recorded
Nobody has checked this yet.Describe the ground — What did you cross on the way — pavement, sand, stairs, loose trail?
- Boat cart
- Not yet assessed
Nobody has checked this yet.Report cart use — Could you use a boat cart the whole way, or did you have to carry?
- Unloading
- Unload at the launch, then park
- King's Landing report an equipment drop-off loop right by the water, so you can unload before parking (operator, September 2026).
- Restrooms and rinse
- Not yet measured from the launch
Nobody has checked this yet.Report facilities — How close are the restrooms and showers to this launch?
- Rules at this launch
- Boats up to 42 in wide and 16 ft long, no rafts or tubes
- No inflatables on the shuttle run
- One PFD per person is required
- No alcohol, glass or Styrofoam - coolers and bags are inspected
- No pets (service animals allowed)
- Children must be over 2
King's Landing's own launch on Rock Springs Run. It is private and fee-based: book online, and check current fees and cutoffs with the outfitter.
Unconfirmed at this launch — can you help?
- Where exactly do you put the boat in the water here?Pin the launch — Where exactly do you put the boat in the water here?
Routes
Difficulty belongs to the route, not the location. One place can offer a beginner loop and an advanced crossing.
Upstream through the Emerald Cut to the Kelly Park boundary and back
Not yet ratedOut and back· 1 mi each wayPut in at King's Landing launch.
Turn right out of the launch and paddle upstream through the clear-water Emerald Cut to the barricade at the Kelly Park boundary, where you must turn around, then drift back to King's Landing. King's Landing puts the day paddle at about a mile either way; the Wekiva river-system guide says 1 to 2 hours to reach the Kelly Park boundary. Day-paddle rentals are 4 hours, and the downstream side to the operator's turn-around buoys can be added: most guests take 3 to 3.5 hours to do both.
Help verify this route
Have you paddled Upstream through the Emerald Cut to the Kelly Park boundary and back (1 mi)?
- How far was this route if you tracked it?Report the distance — How far was this route if you tracked it?
- How difficult did this route actually feel?Rate the difficulty — How difficult did this route actually feel?
- How long did it take you, and at what pace?Report the time — How long did it take you, and at what pace?
- Would you send a first-time paddler on this route?Answer for beginners — Would you send a first-time paddler on this route?
King's Landing to Wekiva Island (one way)
Not yet ratedOne way (shuttle)· 8–8.5 mi· 4–6 hours· Shuttle required· Timing mattersPut in at King's Landing launch.
Shuttle-run paddlers must check in and launch by 10:30 a.m. King's Landing runs one return shuttle a day, from its dock at Wekiva Island at 3:30 p.m., and charges late fees if you miss it (operator).
Paddle 8 to 8.5 miles downstream on Rock Springs Run into the Wekiva River and take out at Wekiva Island, a separate private launch. The Wekiva river-system guide calls it a 4-to-5-hour paddle; King's Landing says about 4.5 hours on average, 4 to 6. King's Landing's shuttle run includes the ride back, in a rental or your own boat (no inflatables); without it, arrange your own car at the take-out.
Help verify this route
Have you paddled King's Landing to Wekiva Island (one way) (8–8.5 mi)?
- How difficult did this route actually feel?Rate the difficulty — How difficult did this route actually feel?
- Would you send a first-time paddler on this route?Answer for beginners — Would you send a first-time paddler on this route?
What conditions do here
How much each factor typically governs a trip at this location.
These are not live conditions. This describes how much each factor typically governs a trip here. Always check the current forecast, tide table and river level before you launch.
- Wind
- Minor factor
- Current
- Plan around it
- Tide
- Minor factor
- Boat traffic
- Not yet assessed
- Current: Medium depending direction
Planning
- Exposure
- Spring-fed run through shady cypress and hardwood canopy and sunny open flats
- Reservations & permits
- Book online with King's Landing; one PFD per person is required to launch
Hazards
Other
Upstream leg of the day paddle is the harder direction, and you drift back down to the launch
Alligators
Alligators and snakes live on the river - do not touch or harass wildlife
Wildlife
Black bear are also seen along the run
Other
Private docks and yards line parts of the run - do not land or stop in front of them
The day paddle returns to King's Landing, so budget time for the upstream leg: the outfitter says most people take 3 to 3.5 hours to do both directions. The downstream run to Wekiva Island is a long day that the outfitter describes as for experienced paddlers comfortable with Florida conditions, and it depends on the one daily shuttle. One PFD per person is required; carry a whistle, water, sunscreen and a hat.
Amenities and craft
Craft suited to this water
- Paddleboard
Bringing your own boat: Yes
Amenities
- Restrooms — not recorded
- Showers — not recorded
- Picnic area — not recorded
- Food nearby — not recorded
- Drinking water — not recorded
What you will see
Rentals and outfitters
King's Landing
On siteRentalsShuttleGuided tripsThe outfitter that runs this launch. Kayak, canoe and paddleboard rentals for the day paddle, a shuttle run that brings you back from Wekiva Island, and guided tours. Reservations are made online.
Advice from King's Landing (September 2026)
For a first visit, the outfitter suggests heading upstream: the clear-water stretch through the Emerald Cut toward Kelly Park is the scenic, easier choice for beginners. Downstream, the river turns darker and deeper, with lily pads: wilder Florida paddling. They also suggest fitting a shorter fin if you plan to paddleboard.
The outfitter’s own guidance, published with their permission. Not a PaddlePin route rating.
High confidence
PaddlePin tips
Pick the paddle before you book: the day paddle comes back to King's Landing (upstream to the Kelly Park boundary, then down to the turn-around buoys), while the shuttle run is one way to Wekiva Island and must launch by 10:30 a.m.
High confidenceTiming: King's Landing is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., day-paddle boats are due back by 4:30 p.m., and everyone must be off the water by 5 p.m. On the launch cutoff the operator has been specific: the true final departure is 3:30 p.m., but King's Landing tell walk-ins 3 p.m. so nobody arrives against the real deadline. Book online and confirm times for your date.
High confidenceBringing your own boat: it can be up to 42 inches wide and 16 feet long, with no rafts or tubes and no inflatables on the shuttle run. You pay a per-person launch fee, and one PFD per person is required to launch.
High confidenceParking is free along the street outside the entrance.
High confidenceNo alcohol, glass or Styrofoam, and no pets (service animals allowed). Coolers and bags are inspected before you launch.
High confidenceSafety Notes: The day paddle returns to King's Landing, so budget time for the upstream leg. The downstream run to Wekiva Island is a long day that depends on the one daily shuttle. Carry a whistle, water, sunscreen and a hat, and leave your plan with someone on shore.
High confidence
Been here? Help keep it accurate
PaddlePin is researched from official sources. Paddlers who have actually been are how it stays true.
Contributions are reviewed before anything on this page changes. PaddlePin stays the researched directory — your report is evidence we check, not an edit to it.
Sources
Where this information came from, and when we last read it.
- Paddle the Wekiva - river-system map and guide (Wekiva Wild and Scenic River System) — wekivawildandscenicriversystem.com, read
- King's Landing - bring your own boat — kingslandingfl.com, read
- King's Landing — kingslandingfl.com, read
- King's Landing - day paddle — kingslandingfl.com, read
- King's Landing - shuttle run — kingslandingfl.com, read
- King's Landing - FAQ — kingslandingfl.com, read
- King's Landing - rules and regulations — kingslandingfl.com, read
Nearby paddling
Central Florida & Springs · Orange County · Wekiva River
A spring-fed Wild and Scenic river paddle with a short 2-mile roundtrip to Wekiva Island and multiple longer extensions through the Wekiva system.
Central Florida & Springs · Lake County · Dora Canal (Lake Dora to Lake Eustis)
A cypress-lined canal of about a mile between Lake Dora and Lake Eustis in Tavares, with a public city launch at Summerall Park near the canal entrance and local tours and rentals from the downtown waterfront.
Central Florida & Springs · Volusia County · St. Johns River / Blue Spring Run
A manatee-refuge spring destination where paddlers can launch into the St. Johns River and, outside winter closure season, experience the spring-run environment under strict wildlife-protection rules.