Experiences & Amenities

The park has limited opportunities for bicycling on paved trails, but many trails are available for mountain biking. At the campground and museum entrance, the paved road between the ranger station and the picnic area is 1.1 miles and offers opportunities for wildlife viewing beneath the shade of pines and scenic oak trees.

Additional opportunities for bicycling on paved trails are available on the nearby Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway.

Bicycling is permitted at the main entrance on the sidewalks around the headsprings and gardens. However, due to potential congestion, bicycling is not permitted in the immediate vicinity of the entrance boardwalk, town center and glass bottom boat area.

• Please dismount and yield to pedestrians.
• There is a bike rack near the fountain but please remember to bring a lock.
• Helmets are highly recommended for all cyclists and Florida law requires helmets for cyclists age 16 and under.

Silver Springs is part of the Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail's east section. In the park's upland habitats, look for wild turkey, bobwhite quail, hairy woodpecker and American kestrel. In the hammocks, swamp and along the river, numerous wading birds and limpkin are common as well as wood ducks and black-bellied whistling ducks.

The location of Silver Springs on the edge of the wildland-urban interface attracts dozens of migrating species of thrushes, warblers, vireos and other songbirds.

View the full details about our historic glass bottom boat tours.

To make glass bottom boat reservations, visit SilverSprings.com.  Wheelchair users are welcome! One boat in our fleet of nine boats is wheelchair accessible and available on specific dates of operation. Dates and times available will be shown as “adult/senior/kids 6-12/kids 5 & under/ with wheelchair.”

There are no motor boat launches available inside the park. However, a launch is available downstream at Ray Wayside County Park. Admission fees may apply.

• The entire length of the 5-mile Silver River is within the boundaries of Silver Springs State Park and is subject to park rules.
• All motor boats must obey the posted "no wake/idle speed only" signage for the entire river. It takes approximately two hours to travel to the head springs and approximately one hour to return for a total round-trip time of three hours.
• There are no places to disembark at any point in the river and there is no anchoring or tying off anywhere on the river. Please plan accordingly.
• Boats should stay in the main channel to avoid damage to propellers as well as damage to submerged aquatic vegetation, especially during times of low river levels.
• All water vessels must yield to glass bottom boats. Glass bottom boats have the right of way.

We have 59 spacious sites in two campground loops easily accommodate large camping units, with a maximum recreational vehicle length of 50 feet. Each site offers water and electric hook-ups with recently upgraded 50-amp service. All sites have a fire ring, barbecue grill and picnic table.

A separate dump station for holding tanks is located in the park. Firewood is available for purchase at the ranger station. Well-behaved pets are allowed in the campground but not in the cabins or cabin area in accordance with our Pet Policy.

• Sites 20 and 53 are fully accessible with sidewalks leading to both of the campground bathhouses.
• For reservations, visit the Florida State Parks' reservations website or call 800-326-3521.
• Find a map of the park's campgrounds.

Set close to the Silver River, the primitive group camping area is for organized groups only, with preference given to youth groups. The area includes picnic tables, a group fire ring, and a launch for paddle craft.

Non-potable water and port-o-lets are available with no shower facilities. Firewood is available for purchase at the ranger station but may not be collected in the park. Park rangers and previous occupants may leave cut branches and logs near the fire ring. Fires are permitted in designated fire rings only.

• Quiet hours are 10:30 p.m. to 8 a.m.
• Check-out time is 1 p.m.
• Pets are permitted in accordance with our Pet Policy.
• To make a reservation, call the ranger station at 352-236-7148, ext. 4.
• Fees are $5 per adult and $1 per youth per night, plus tax.

Geocaching is an outdoor game using hand-held global positioning systems (GPS) devices. It's effectively an inexpensive, interactive, high-tech treasure hunt that's a great way to learn geography. Participants use location coordinates to find caches. Some caches are easy to find; others are more difficult.

The biggest reward is the thrill of the search and the discovery of a place where you have never been. Geocaching should have minimal impact to the environment and conscientious land use ethics should be followed.

• Operation Recreation GeoTour.

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city by taking a walk on one of the park's hiking and nature trails. The main entrance offers access to the Creek Trail, a 3/4-mile loop that can be accessed behind the large pavilion. Visitors must first walk through the gardens to access the creek trail.

Also accessible from the main entrance is the Spring Connector Trail, blazed blue, that connects the main entrance area to trails to the south. This trail is 2.3 miles one-way and over 4.6 miles round-trip from end to end but can be shortened for an out and back or a side hike on the Sandhill Trail.

The camping and museum entrance has parking areas for access to five trails.

• The Sandhill Trail, blazed yellow, has parking right next to the ranger station and is a 1.7-mile loop trail that takes visitors through longleaf pine uplands.
• The Sinkhole Trail, blazed red, is a 2.2-mile loop trail and the Old Field Loop, blazed green, is 0.8 miles. These are both upland trails. For access to these, park near the Silver River Museum in the day use area and utilize the Sinkhole Trail archway to the left of the museum.
• The Swamp Trail, blazed orange, is a 1.9-mile loop trail and the River Trail, blazed dark blue, is 1.3 miles. These are also accessible from the Silver River Museum. Both trails begin at the River Trails archway to the right of the museum in the uplands before transitioning to wetland habitats. Both provide scenic overlooks of the Silver River. You can usually leave the rubber boots at home; however, the Swamp Trail has a boardwalk through its namesake swamp and the River Trail uses an old limerock road.

There are dedicated mountain bike and equestrian trails that can be used for hiking but may be seasonally inundated. Call the ranger station for the latest conditions.

Remember to dress appropriately and bring plenty of water, sunblock, insect repellent and anything else you need to be comfortable. For more tips on gear for longer hikes, check out the American Hiking Society's top 10 essentials of hiking.

• Map of the park trails.

The entrance to the equestrian trails can be found on State Road 40 near the intersection with State Road 326, 1.3 miles east of the main entrance. 

• The trails open at 8 a.m. and close one hour before sunset. 
• Maps are available at the trailhead near the pay station. 
• Non-potable water is available for horses by hand pump but you must bring your own buckets. 
• Equestrian trail map.

If you do not have your own horse, Cactus Jack's Trail Rides will offer groups or individuals (6 years and older) rides at the nearby Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway. Call for reservations at 352-266-9326.

Silver Springs State Park’s equestrian trails traverse a wetland habitat. Unless we are in drought conditions, expect areas of mud and standing water along the trails. In the warmer seasons there may be biting insects, so please plan accordingly.

Silver Springs State Park has 4.5-miles of dedicated off-road bicycling trails suitable for fat tire bicycles. Additionally, mountain bicycles may use another 10-miles of hiking trails.

• Bicyclists should yield to other users on those trails. 
• Numerous unmarked service roads and fire breaks intersect the trails, so make sure to remain on marked and posted trails to avoid becoming lost.
• Helmets are highly recommended for all cyclists and Florida law requires helmets for cyclists age 16 and under.
• Other trail riding opportunities are available at the nearby Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway.

The Fort King paddling trail allows visitors to take their canoe or kayak on a leisurely 1.1-mile, round-trip loop around Ross Allen Island. After launching at the main entrance, follow the signage for the meandering Fort King waterway. When the waterway connects with the Silver River, turn left and head upstream as you paddle over dozens of springs.

There is a slight current from all of the water being discharged as you paddle to the headsprings. Total round-trip trail time ranges anywhere from one to two hours depending on how much time you spend exploring the different springs.

• Please pay attention to your surroundings and yield to the glass bottom boats. It is difficult for them to make sharp turns or sudden stops if you are in their way.

For a longer trip, you can paddle 5 miles between the main entrance canoe and kayak launch and the boat launch at Ray Wayside County Park (separate admission fees may apply). You will need to arrange for your own transportation or you can use the livery and shuttle service provided by the park.

If you decide to paddle each way and back (10 miles), please keep in mind that the slight current of 3-5 mph may not seem like much but it can be tiring after 5-miles paddling upriver.

• Please plan ahead and check the weather and notify a friend or family member of your plans before your trip.
• For those planning extended paddle trips on the Silver River and then the Ocklawaha, please keep in mind that you must contact the ranger station during regular business hours and receive a parking pass before parking overnight. Please visit the station or call 352-236-7148, ext. 4.
• The only place to get in and out of the river between the headsprings launch and the Ray Wayside boat launch is at the 2-mile mark. Mile markers begin at the headsprings and continue down 5.4-miles until the confluence of the Silver and Ocklawaha rivers.
• Canoe and kayak rentals are available from the park concessionaire on a first-come, first-served basis, Monday through Sunday, beginning at 8 a.m. Visit the website for detailed information about hours and prices.

Whether you are visiting with a friend or a large extended family, a picnic is a simple yet great way to enjoy the park. Many picnic tables are available at picnic pavilions and throughout the grounds of park at the main entrance and the camping entrance.

If you bring a picnic blanket you can find your own spot to eat. If you are unsure whether a particular location is suitable for a picnic blanket, please ask a park ranger.

• Charcoal grills are available at the main entrance in the picnic area near the canoe and kayak launch on the south end of the main parking area and at a few nearby locations. There are also charcoal grills in the picnic area at the camping entrance. This area also has a playground for children.
• Coolers are welcome in all areas of the park.
• Alcoholic beverages are not permitted inside the park.
• Properly dispose of all food to avoid accidentally feeding the wildlife. Unattended picnics attract ants as well as squirrels, raccoons and possibly even bears. Wildlife that begins to associate humans with food will lose its natural behavior and become a nuisance.

Silver Springs State Park has many options for hosting family gatherings. The campground has three pavilions and the main entrance has one. Grills are available at all pavilions.

• Three pavilions are located on the campground entrance. The medium-sized Dogwood and Redbud pavilions are $40 per day, plus tax, and the large Magnolia pavilion is $75 per day, plus tax. Reservations can be made by calling the ranger station at 352-236-7148, ext. 4.
• Bear Hill Pavilion is located at the main entrance and can be reservation through Cape Leisure.

Other gatherings at the main entrance locations at the Paradise Ballroom, Twin Oaks Mansion, Ross Allen Amphitheater and others are accommodated through our concession. Please call 352-261-5840 for more information. 

Glass bottom boat tours are offered daily.

• Tours begin at 10 a.m. with 30-minute and 90-minute boat tours available.
• Reservations can be made online or arrive early as boat tickets can sell out.

The Florida Safari Tram Tour is scheduled for the first and third Saturday of each month from October through May. Seats may be reserved up to a month in advance. Check the events page for other upcoming events.

If you prefer a leisurely stroll instead of a strenuous hike, you are at the right place. The park's main entrance has paved sidewalks along the banks of the beautiful Silver River as well as paths through new and historic gardens.

You also can explore the rock garden, the camellia garden, the Osceola garden, the reflection garden and the wildflower garden.

There are plenty of benches, rocking chairs and picnic tables that provide places to take a break.

Silver Springs State Park offers one of the most beautiful venues in Florida for your wedding. Please inquire about our current group size limits.

Almost 5,000 acres of varying habitats provide a wonderful home for many different species of mammals, reptiles and birds. Frequent sightings in the uplands include armadillos, deer, turkey, fox, Sherman fox squirrel and gopher tortoises. Less frequently seen are coyote, bobcats and the Florida black bear.

The river is home to alligators, turtles and many species of fish. Bird life is plentiful. Silver Springs is home to a significant population of limpkins and many other water and woodland birds. 

• Pick up a wildlife listing at the ranger station.