@@leegouldbourn5039 I hear you. Its just like anywhere else that once was beautiful and somewhat secluded. The masses find it, and screw it all up. Like another example Ginnie Springs.
I grew up going there many times a year. I've been to all of those spots. Many have been closed off. Those off shoot springs in the woods are fun but the mosquitos and banana spiders can be overwhelming! Great place to snorkel when there are not too many kids around.
Awesome video. Living 30 minutes away from the Springs, our crew loves heading out there and occasionally filming. You showed a few things not many would see about the park, even us locals. Again, great vid, thanks for sharing...
Thank you! I would love to, it's been a bit tough lately to travel. But more to come soon! Thanks for watching. Are there any particular places you think would make good videos?
@@JoeOceanside Thank you for your reply. Yes, there are many springs in the Central Florida area. Blue Springs in Orange City, Alexander Springs, Silver Glen and Juniper all three within the Ocala Nat'l forest. Do you live in FL? I grew up in FL and miss swimming in the springs. I relive those days through your videos.
@@Handle56142 hi Ben, gators live all up and down the runs created by the springs. They even come up into the spring heads if it is real cold out. Silver springs is known for exceptionallyarge gators. I have seen gators at rainbow springs, and just outside of wekiva springs a person got killed by a gator years ago. Check out this vid you can see gators and manatees at blue springs ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-T6TDWzeOASg.html
I visited Apopka, FL as a young boy in the early 1970s, before Disney World. My grandfather drove my sister & me to this park. Then, no boardwalks or improvements. I recall feeling as if I had been dropped into a tropical paradise. The rock & sand are limestone. And, yes, there are gators in the area, but rarely seen near swimming area. Thank you for the fond memories, Joe.
Hi Joe, I just found your channel. I grew up in S, California and snorkeled quite a bit. I live in Delray Florida now, Actually I've been Fulltime in my RV for over three years. I'm at the space coast and have 14 springs on my list the next month. I've subscribed looking forward to seeing the next video. Ian
I was there in late October. It was slow at 8am, but pretty well packed by 9:30. Lots of teens who decided to not go to school, but they were cool. Really beautiful place.
@@JoeOceanside Free-diver, snorkeler. I live in Dallas TX actually. I visited springs in Florida and dove. They are just mind blowing. My favorite is Alexander springs.
I just tried to measure it on Google Earth, it seems about a half a mile long for the tubing run. There are 2 exits from the run, the first is very close to the parking lot. The second exit is about a 10 minute walk back to the parking lot. Thanks for watching
In the minute 6:29 , while passing a log under water, attached to it, appears to be a something that looks like a starfish. It really looks like a starfish but this is freshwater 🤷🤷🤷 What could it be? BTW, awesome video. Beautiful takes.
New to your channel bro and I am absolutely loving it. If you ever come down under to Australia we have some of the most beautiful Springs and reefs to dive
Awesome Jon, glad you like the channel! I would love to go to Aus one day. New Zealand was the closest I ever got to you. I watch YBS and Adam freediver alot and your country looks amazing.
used to stay in the water even when all the tourists would run out from the lightning alarm, the rain hitting the water gently while being the only one in the run.. unforgettable, even almost ten years later.
Back in the Stone age is we used to swim into the boil and went out the side we used to bring a keg of beer when you go inside your several caves inside unfortunately some people went in too far and they couldn't come out and that's what you do when you're young
Yeah, your rent from the bar. It is down the street, you have to put in your car and drive a short distance. Or bring cheap pool tubes. Thanks for watching
Double check that it is not closed. I was there 2 weeks ago and it was closed because of Covi d. If it is open it's about a 10 minute walk back from the end, and through a path through in the forest, very pretty. Keep in mind there are 2 entrances, one at the swim area and one at the head spring. Make sure you start at the headspring and keep going past the wide swim area, then you will see the whole run. After you tube the run you can go down the street to kings landing and rent a kayak and do that part too. If it is closed, consider Kings Landing, Wekiva springs, or wekiva Island
Yeah it is a nice place! Unfortunately the last time I was there it was closed for swimming due to covid. I do not know if the spring is open to swimming again. Thanks for watching
I usually use mint toothpaste. Wipe it on dry and rinse it out mostly, Ieave little toothpaste residue near the edges of the lens. It helps but sometimes fog is unavoidable, you just have to keep clearing your mask in the water.
@@JoeOceanside Snorkels fog up? I have been scuba diving and snorkeling for at least 45 years now, and never had my snorkel fog up on me. My mask now is a different story. Ha.....
Do u recommend it or no cause like my sister is 9 and likes to swim and explore so idk if it’s safe like is there a problem with the current or alligators
Check the video description, I think I linked it there. It is a Tilos Spearfishing rashguard. I bought it at divers direct, I think they are also on AMAZON
It is an old oneill wetsuit. I can not find a link to it. I now use soapy water in my mask. I mix a little water and some organic dishsoap mad rub it inside the mask, and I do NOT rinse it out. The soapy residue prevents the fog. However if you get water inside your mask then clear it, the residue will be gone and your mask will fog again. Thanks for watching.
First of all it's not a hidden gem, it was private property in the beginning and year's later when Dr Kelly died his family donated it to the county, an second I have NEVER seen an Alligator in Rock Springs just snake's and otters. And please learn the history of all of the Springs that are in Florida, I'm 5 generation Floridian.
@@carolfarrar7992 I bet your a real sweet lady to know...NOT lol. Thank for the update "Karen"... p.s. he still did a great job even if it didn't satisfy you
It's not at all hidden ! Not for time . I was just there yesterday and Saturdays line was over 3 miles long amd full of people who have been in line since 12 midnight! Yes you have to get in line a day before the park open. I can not not belive the county allows this to go on the cops were there patrolling this line. Theres is 215 cars allowed in and then 50 tickets to get in park after 2 pm if amd when the parking allows. One car out one car in! I kayaked using kings landing to paddle up rock springs run! It's simply beautiful but this is wjat I Saturday....the wildlife running from tons and tons of people! The amount of people on this run in such a small area I nothing but shameful. Something must be done to control the amount of people who are less than respectful to our environment and to each other. It's sad what is happening to our springs . Social media is responsible for the number of people in our sacred parks, the videos of our special areas in florida(our world), to locate these gems. The wildlife and environment are hurting. I do hope those who watch this read this post. Socal media is not telling you really going on in our springs in florida!