After all, you may be able to get a reservation to visit Wekiwa Springs State Park this summer, but you will need to wait and probably have to develop a strategy.
The Orlando Sentinel reported on Tuesday that the park’s website showed that all summer days were booked until September 1st under the park’s new ticketing system, necessary to visit popular attractions.
However, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, which oversees state parks, said Thursday that the system allows reservations 60 days in advance.
“It looks like there was confusion,” DEP’s Alexandra Kuchta said in an email.
For example, a park visitor who tried to book a date beyond the 60-day window in June or July saw a message read, “There are 0 facilities available based on search” and “There are currently no sites available at these facilities.” But if they try again later, they may be lucky if they are lucky. Book one day at Wekiwa A new 60-day booking window opens every day in the middle of the night.
Park officials said they are still tinkering with the website – Wekiwa Springs is the only state park using the system – making the reservation system even clearer. Florida’s most popular parks see over 434,000 visitors a year.
DEP launched its booking system on March 12th to ease crowds and reduce car lines – growing nearly two miles regularly on summer mornings – is full of visitors waiting for them.
Over the past few mornings, park staff posted a “park closed” sign along Wekibas Springs Road, hoping to spend the day in Springs, annoyed people who were packed with towels, food and drinks due to overcrowding.
The new reservation system will run until September 1st.
According to the website, the number of bookings available is “based on the maximum number of visitors that can be accommodated.” The park has approximately 500 parking lots.
And if all the spots are reserved, there is still hope.
“If a certain day reaches full capacity, additional reservations will be available as visitors leave the park,” Kuccita said. “We also offer ‘Notice to Me!’ Reservation page features. Send an email notification when new availability opens. ”
Visitors must pay in advance when making a reservation. Annual pass holders also need to be booked, but you don’t have to pay. DEP officials said the booking program will be evaluated in the coming months to see if it needs to continue or expand.
Original issue: March 20, 2025, 2:24pm EDT
