APOPKA, Fla. — Florida holds the title for the most natural springs anywhere in the United States.

And many are in our own backyard.

What You Need To Know

  • The Emerald Cut section of the Rock Springs Run winds into a lush jungle with breathtaking emerald colored water and shallow sandy bottom

  • Kings Landing offers a variety of tours to guests including a VIP experience to see Rock Springs/Kelly Park and the Emerald Cut section of the river

  • Visitors can stop along the way with their kayaks/paddleboards and cool off in shallow 72-degree water year around

The state has identified more than 1,000 freshwater springs, many that are unique to the entire world.

One top spot for amazing clean water is Rock Springs and the Kings Landing launching point in Apopka.

Kings Landing tour guide Nigel Stafford-Haworth takes guests up and down the Rock Springs Wekiva River Run daily.

“It's 72 degrees every day of the year. And it's really refreshing. It's top-quality water,” said Stafford-Haworth.

Guests rent kayaks from Kings Landing that offers a variety of both guided and self-guided tours along the river.

“Well, a lot of guests come from all over the world,” said Stafford-Haworth.

A couple of things make the Rock Springs Run unique to other springs around the state of Florida.

Much of the river is very shallow (ankle deep) in many spots and the run is very narrow, giving paddlers the feeling they are traveling in a unique world.

The highlight of the river is what is known as the “Emerald Cut’ section of Rock Springs. 

You will know you have entered the area because of the large cypress trees growing out of the middle of the river and the canopy that covers overhead bringing amazing shade on hot days.

“The Emerald Cut has some of the most amazing colored water anywhere in the state of Florida,” said Stafford-Haworth.

The area is known for its “emerald colored water” that shines underneath the trees.

One way to experience the spring is with the Kings Landing VIP kayak/paddleboard tour.

The guided excursion is for both beginner and intermediate paddlers.

The ride will begin in a golf cart and take your through the forest of Kelly Park where you may see wildlife.

Your guide will drive you to a special launching point that is near the famous Emerald Cut.

The VIP experience will save you paddling time and effort.

“The VIP is special because we eliminate all that hard work and we get driven up to the top of the river, just short of the spring.”

The Kings Landing VIP Tour is $89 for adults and $79 for children 5 to 14 years old.

The tour lasts 2.5 hours and covers about 3 miles of river.

Kings Landing is located at 5722 Baptist Camp Rd., Apopka, 32712.