Kicking off the new year on a new trail - and it was a great one! This trail is part of the Majorie…read moreHarris Carr Cross Florida Greenway that stretches from the Gulf to the St Johns River, the Greenway is a Florida State Park. This address takes you to the Landbridge Trailhead (approximately 1.4 miles NE of the actual I-75 Landbridge) and has separate parking and trails for equestrians -vs- hikers and bikers which is nice. There are bathrooms, a water bottle filler, a bike wash station, a few picnic tables, a bike tool station (although the air hose was cut) and all of it very well maintained given the impressive number of acres. The mountain bike trail intersected the paved trail so when we had enough bumps (hello, beginner here?!) we could take the paved trail a little while longer and all the back, thank goodness.

Came here for the first time this past weekend and really enjoyed it. We will definitely be coming…read moreback. At this trailhead, there is PLENTY of parking (when you pull in go to the right - it goes around a corner and there is where you'll see a couple of parking lots). There are bathrooms, a water fountain, and trail map here at the trailhead. You can choose a couple different trails - going to the right is a 3.5 mile hike (one way - so there and back is 7 total) that goes over to the 49th ave trailhead or to the left goes to Santos (7 mile one way). We went with Santos. Things were pretty clearly marked; however we somehow ended up on the bike trail at some point (there were 4 of us and we were busy in conversation so ya know, it happens lol), but was easy enough to make our way back so our 7 miles turned in to about 8-8.5. Worked out great because we ended up coming out where Santos Bike Shop is and took a Lyft/Uber back to our car at the trailhead. The bike shop was great, super nice people, plenty of knowledge in there. The trail itself is shaded for the most part, sun creeps in, but it's definitely shaded with all the trees. We saw a LOT of cool looking trees. I'm a big fan of being able to explore Florida (free is even better) so it's nice to be able to go out on the trails without having to pay to get in to parks or for parking or what not. If you have bikes, this is a GREAT trail to come to - the trails are separate as far as bike friendly and people hiking friendly which is nice for both parties. We really enjoyed and can't wait to visit again.

I drove through here on the way home from the Panhandle. It reminded me of what I thought Florida…read morewas like when I was a child growing up in Massachusetts. Forrests and springs, fishing, canoeing, swimming, and yes, gators. There are over 400,000 acres in the Ocala National Forest. It needs more than one visit to fully explore this wonder. There are many opportunities for camping and backpacking. I want to come back soon to go on a nature hike. Like Dave O. says, this is the wilderness so don't be naive. You must go in prepared with water, protein snacks, and emergency supplies. This is not Disney, this is the real Florida adventure.

Another spot of beautiful nature in Wild Florida…read more I love going on nature hikes, and this trail has plenty of wildlife and plants to see. Even with the paths seeming wild and free, they're easy to follow and I wasn't afraid of getting lost.

I often come to this park since it's close by. It's a 21 acre park with a natural spring Grotto…read morewhich is very beautiful and relaxing. It has a playground and children's exercise equipment that adults can use as well. Just a few things but they are fun. There are picnic areas, pavilions, lot's of trails for walking, hiking and even a health trail and a small cave! There is a bike section that include a skills area/jump lines a berm and a skinny ! There are areas where you can fly kites and go for a run. This is a park for the nature lover and for everyone to see. Many families come here but it's never appeared crowded due to how spacious and the variety of activities. There is even a little free outdoor library box at the entrance. Restrooms for everyone and lot's of parking! I need to get more pictures my phone was on 1 percent. I will definitely go and get pictures soon! The park is opened from sunrise to sunset ! Address: 2825 SW 24th Avenue Ocala, Florida 34471 Phone: (352) 368-5517 I hope that you will visit and enjoy the park as much as I do!

Two things set what would be a pretty average park in bland surroundings apart - the scenic grotto…read morewhich it's named after (go ahead and call it a sinkhole and not a springs if you want; it's still cool and unique in my book) and the Jordan Shapot painted panels lending the place a bit of culture and history. The bike trail is smooth but boring. It just circles the big field with picnic tables and playground equipment without even a small diversion into some woods. I had my dad's janky garage sale bought bike so I wasn't about to attempt the ramps and obstacles they have set up for mountain bikes. The deck next to the grotto could be bigger but there was no one down there when I went so that wasn't an issue. I could see how it could be though. It's a nice little spot of serenity. So if you get sick of the rat race come hang here with the turtles. (I didn't see any but I hear they got em.)

Walking the trails was peaceful and scenic, with lots of shade and chances to spot wildlife (we saw…read morea few monkeys in the distance, which was wild!). The whole park is well-maintained, and the staff were helpful and friendly. Whether you're kayaking, hiking, or just relaxing by the springs, it's a great day trip that feels like a little escape into old Florida.

I liked this state park enough to buy a handsome t-shirt in the gift shop. The shirt doesn't say…read moreFlorida on it anywhere which is pretty funny to me and actually makes me like it more. The waters here are absolutely lovely but even on a weekday in late December they were pretty heavily traveled. It might not be fair but the place being clogged with so many of my fellow pesky humans is the only thing that keeps me from putting SSSP in the vaunted five star category. I kayaked the river and saw birds and a gator. Bout time I saw a Florida gator in the wild! Only took five visits. I also got right over a manatee. I thought they were a big rock til they started moving. I could have clubbed em with my oar if I wanted to though it seems like that would be not just cruel but stupid, too. At any rate, no wonder they're endangered. Poor sluggish, dumb creatures. There were quite a lot of other kayakers and canoeers on the water. The guy dressed like Santa was pretty hilarious but for most of the trip I was denied the splendid isolation I longed for. Needless to say, the glass bottom boat tour didn't appeal to me, even with the clear view down. Beautiful scenery, though. Checking in and out was quick and painless even if the separate entrance briefly threw me for a loop. Afterwards I hiked a shorter trail and it was pretty mid, nothing special. For a while it ran too close to a road which kind of ruins the whole thing for me. And there was the aforementioned gift shop, chock full of wares. There was another t-shirt I liked a lot and had trouble choosing between the two, always a good problem to have. It's the end of the review here and I probably should have said this at the beginning but the entrance sign is just lovely, very classy and retro. I can see why this is a local icon but as an out of state visitor I don't know if this place has the staying power for many repeat visits for the locals. I was glad I came here once though. Funny to think this park is what Stevie Nicks wanted Lindsey Buckingham to be. Jk.

This is a forest area in the truest sense of the word with dense tall trees and a narrow rock trail…read morethat should be taken seriously. It's for hikers, bikers & 1 of the 3 entrances is for horses to enter. Though their website says it is good for fishing all I've found is a dried up creek bed. There are always things to remember when on a trail like this: always yield to the equestrian; be prepared with extra fluids; you can never take enough protection & make sure your cell is fully charged. It's a huge 4,600 acres so please also tell others where y'all are going - just from a common sense point of view. This only opened a few months ago and so far is very rudimentary. There's no doubt about it that this is back country trails. There is only 1 small shelter and in the heat of an intense summer there is no other shade though there's all types of wildlife. I've yet to see any wildlife and I'm thinking they were also taking shade behind trees. ;) Enjoy but keep in mind that this is a conservation area. Leave no footprints.

Every time I visit Florida, I like to find a trail and do a little hike. Today I explored the…read moreSilver Spring Conservation Area in Ocala, FL. It's a a great spot with clear and wide trails that's labeled and eat to navigate. You won't find swamps or rivers on the trails so you don't have to worry about many bugs, but you'll find plenty of deer, lizards, snakes, lizards, birds, did I mention lizards. Lots of beautiful scenery to enjoy and a great escape from the hustle and bustle.

We were looking for a campground for some primitive tent camping near Rainbow River and this place…read moreworked out perfect. Chad (campground host) was super helpful in getting us situated, and the $20/day rate was fair. Unfortunately the sites do not have electric hookups, but generators can be used until 10pm. They do have water hookups at each site. The grounds have a couple community pavilions, and about 22 total sites. Each site includes a fire ring and picnic table. Fire wood can easily be found by looking around. Most sites offer plenty of shade. The place is commonly utilized by equestrian groups, although there were none during our stay. We were 1 of only 3 occupied sites during our visit. They do have a large bathhouse on site that was very clean. There is a trailhead leaving the park but we did not have an opportunity to do any hiking during our 1 night stay. There are several stores and restaurants nearby if you need to stop for supplies. I wouldn't hesitate to come here again, and would recommend Shangri-La to any others looking for tent or rv sites in this area.

Fun place to stay. Quiet & nice grounds with big bathrooms and showers! We stayed for two nights…read moreand had no issues. We brought our dog and used the horse trough poles to tie her leash to and even our hammocks. Would stay again!

My parents were reminiscing about when they were middle school aged and came here for field trips…read more I was surprised to find out that Silver Springs State Park and the glass bottom boat tours have been around for that long! It was about a 1.5 hour ride from Orlando. Woke up real early on a Saturday (on honestly one of the coldest days of the year) to arrive at the park around 8am. I highly suggest purchasing glass bottom boat tour tickets online about a week in advance atleast since time slots fill up! We purchased the 1.5 hour tour on the boats. Our tour guide was incredible and shared so much knowledge and facts about the wildlife and park. I got to see tons of manatees! Plus getting to see gators, turtles, birds, and even monkeys! The glass bottom gives such a cool perspective on viewing the wildlife and plants underwater. Aside from the tour, we walked several trails to enjoy the great outdoors. Also, we had coffee in the morning when we first got here and lunch after the tour. The food was pretty good and filling. At the gift shop I made sure to leave with a magnet and Christmas ornament to remember such a great day here.

What a breathtaking location! From the parking lot, it doesn't look like much. They are redoing the…read moreentrance sign, and from the outside, it seems like the place might be pretty rundown. However, once you walk through, you are quickly transported. The entrance to the park is only two dollars per person, and honestly, in my opinion, they could charge just a little bit more. The glass-bottom boat tours run faster than you might expect, so if you have the time (which we didn't during our visit), opt for the longer boat ride; it doesn't cost much more. They also have little shops to explore and plenty of outdoor seating so you can take in the beautiful surroundings. If you're a water lover, make sure to plan ahead and reserve a crystal-clear kayak or paddleboard to enjoy the water--it'll be worth every penny. The only hiccup in our plan was that we booked everything on the day of our visit, so we ended up with a shorter tour on the glass-bottom boats and got locked into the last kayaking time slot. The woman at the reservation desk for the kayaks was not very pleasant. She told us that despite showing a 5 o'clock slot, they were no longer taking reservations. I showed her the option on my phone, but she still refused to let us sign waivers. Luckily, we found the manager in charge of the rental hut, who advised that we could still make our reservation online. I showed him on my phone, and although we'd have to pay full price and probably have less than an hour, that was perfectly fine with us since we were in the last slot. The lake was practically empty, so we had the entire waterway to ourselves--so beautiful and peaceful. Honestly, it felt like we were in another country, surrounded by nature. If you don't have the chance to kayak, there's also a walking path where you can see monkeys left behind from one of the movies that was filmed on location. We walked part of the path, and it was just as beautiful. Any chance my kids and I get to be outside in nature, we gravitate towards it, putting away our phones to enjoy everything around us. What a great way to spend your day and your vacation!

Great place for family recreation. There is a big playground at the beginning of the trail for…read morechildren. Over five miles of bike paths and walking trails. Nice peaceful scenic views throughout the greenway. We live close by and have enjoyed this place for years.

A fabulous place to play & workout! Playground review toward the end…read more I've used the beautifully paved trails for skating, biking & running & walking for many years, it's a great place to be active. I did have to be careful skating as the trail is paved through natural FL brush & fields and twigs, stones & leaves can put you on your face quickly. There are clean bathrooms & water fountains before the trailheads. There are pet rules that I've not noted because I don't have pets. I assume the pet info is on the website. It's Florida, therefore it's hot & without preparation you're subject to dehydration, bring water bottles or stay near the fountains. There are also insects, so some type of repellant is always a good idea for outdoor activities in FL. & there's very little shade, so a sunscreen is suggested. The playground is clean with both natural ground (mulch covered) or a cushioned cover. It was designed for all ages & those with disabilities. My 8 year old nephew & 6 year old niece enjoyed it all immensely.

Very friendly and knowledgeable staff, easy entry point for a day on the river. Great time…read morekayaking with the manatees!

MANATEES ARE MAGICAL! We saw well over 30+ manatees on our late January kayaking outing. We rented…read morea 2-seater top kayak (comes w paddles and life vests). And from the staff to the dock hands, to the quality of the vessel and cleanliness of the shop: 10/10. A guide handed us a laminated map (nice touch) and told us where to head for manatee sightings. And even pointed us to a cove that homes a lot of turtles and alligators. We saw it all! They have volunteers overseeing the 3 sisters springs, to help monitor the safety of the manatees (and scold ignorant people lol). Great time! If you're unsure, let me assure you.. just book.

Manatee Paddle truly went above and beyond to make our experience positive, exciting, and…read moreeducational. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with genuine smiles, warmth, and encouragement. I was personally a bit nervous since I hadn't paddle boarded much before, but every step of the way we felt supported and truly cared for. Hearing about the family's passion for protecting the ecosystem and the manatees, along with all the helpful tips they shared to optimize our experience, was absolutely incredible. When we got to the dock, we were guided so kindly - Mike even held our shoes in his truck for us! When he noticed me struggling a bit, he took the time to give me multiple tips on how to better move in the water and maneuver the board, which made such a difference. We saw so many manatees, including mama and baby pairs, which was unforgettable. When we returned to the dock and shared how excited we were, Mike went above and beyond once again by recommending another nearby location we could walk to where we ended up seeing even more manatees up close and personal. I would 10/10 recommend Manatee Paddle to anyone looking for an incredible manatee experience. I am so grateful to Mike and his family for making our day so special. THANK YOU!!

If I could give this place 10 stars, I would. Paddle boarding with this crew in Crystal River was…read morehands down one of the best experiences I've had in Florida, and it's because of the people behind the business--Aidan, Mike, and Mandy. From the moment we showed up, they made us feel like family. Aidan was the first one to greet us, and right away you could tell how passionate he is about the river, the wildlife, and making sure every single guest feels confident before heading out on the boards. He has this calm, encouraging way about him that instantly puts you at ease--even if you've never stepped foot on a paddleboard before. He gave us tips, shared fun facts about the area, and somehow managed to keep the whole group laughing the entire time. Mike is the backbone of the operation--the guy making sure all the boards, paddles, and gear are in perfect condition, the one double-checking that everything runs smoothly so you don't have to worry about a thing. It's obvious how much pride he takes in the business, because everything is organized, well-maintained, and set up to give you the best possible experience. He's also just genuinely fun to chat with before and after you head out--one of those people who makes you feel like an old friend after five minutes. And then there's Mandy, who is truly the heart of the operation. She's warm, welcoming, and on top of everything. From making the booking process super smooth to making sure we had everything we needed for the day, she's the reason the whole experience felt so seamless. She checked in with us multiple times, gave us great local recommendations for after our paddle, and just made the whole day feel special. What really stood out to me was how much this team cares--not just about giving people a fun day on the water, but about the environment, the river, and the wildlife that call it home. They take time to educate guests about respecting the ecosystem, and you leave not only having had an amazing adventure, but also feeling like you've learned something important. I've been on plenty of tours and excursions, but very few have left me with such a lasting impression. These guys aren't just running a business--they're building memories for people, and they clearly love doing it. If you're anywhere near Crystal River, don't waste your time looking at other paddle board companies. This is the one. Between Aidan's energy, Mike's behind-the-scenes dedication, and Mandy's incredible hospitality, you won't find a better team anywhere. Do yourself a favor and book with them--you'll thank me later.