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Silver Springs State Park

4.4 (321 reviews)
Open 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

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The real Florida.
Dawne F.

Silver Springs State Park is historically significant as Florida's first major tourist attraction, showcasing a rich cultural heritage that spans thousands of years, from early Native American settlements to modern tourism. It has been featured in numerous films & television shows, including Creature from the Black Lagoon. Today, the park continues to be a vital ecological & historical site, emphasizing kayaking, glass bottom boat rides, hiking & canoeing. The water's temperature never goes above a crisp, refreshing 72° & through that crystal clear water, Joyce, our gallant boat Captain, pointed out entire ecosystems thriving below...aquatic plants, gorgeous rock formations & wildlife like Manatees, Turtles, Blue Tilapia, Gar Fish & Alligators. Whatever floats your boat!!!

Here we go!
Greg S.

Beautiful State Park with lots of shade and places to sit and enjoy nature. There is a Cafe, a bar and a snack shop. Took a glass bottom boat ride with my family up the river and saw turtles, gators, fish and birds. The Captain of the boat was great. Great relaxing day with my Girl, friends and family.

Michelle B.

Silver Springs State Park is absolutely beautiful and well worth a visit. We went on a gorgeous day in early February, and the weather could not have been more perfect. One of the highlights was seeing several manatees swimming peacefully alongside kayakers and also during the glass bottom boat tour. Watching them glide through the clear water was unforgettable. The park is very affordable to enter, especially considering how much there is to do. There are plenty of hiking opportunities, and the trails make it easy to spend hours exploring and enjoying nature. Everything felt calm, scenic, and well maintained. This was an enjoyable and relaxing experience from start to finish, and it is the kind of place you immediately start planning to return to before you even leave. I am already looking forward to going back.

I wasn't "in awe". I was in fear of crashing. It was like bumper boats out there, at times!
Kandice T.

We arrived and followed the signs for kayak and glass bottom boat tours. What we had booked was a combination of both. We were headed for a clear kayak tour! We parked and headed directly towards the main gate. Ms. Denise, the very kind and knowledgeable woman at the counter, pointed us in the right direction. While glass bottom boat tour guests do check in at the main entrance, kayaking tours enter at a separate entrance near the boat launch. Silver Springs State Park has a kayak outfitting company that they are partnered with, but there are also lots of other companies offering tours and launching from that same gate. We purchased our tickets through Viator and the company's name was Epic Paddle Adventures. If you aren't going with the official kayak tour of the park, be sure to know the name of the company and/or the color that the tour guide will be wearing. You'll need to pay for entry to the park ($2/person) and your boat launch fee ($4/vessel) before heading out in your kayak. There were lots of individuals there launching their own personal kayaks as well. The springs, which hover around 74 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, are incredibly clear and teeming with wildlife. While we did not get to see any monkeys, we did see manatee, turtles, gators and various birds. Some of the birds that we saw were excellent swimmers! I was both shocked and impressed. The water currents did get a bit strong in a couple of areas, and as this was our first time kayaking, we had to focus and remember the brief tutorial that we'd been given before launching. Nevertheless, we had a lot of fun and felt safe the entire time. There were lots of groups and individuals enjoying the springs on this beautiful, final Autumn day. We also saw the glass bottom boats out on the water, and think that we'll try them out next time. Underwater viewing might be more enjoyable if we aren't paddling/rowing! Sidenote: Manatees are massive and majestic. If you are an animal- and nature-lover, you should definitely go see them!

Missi R.

I absolutely love this park. There are so many activities, enough variety to accommodate visitors with all levels of ability. The glass bottom boats are a nostalgic trip back in time. Our tour guide provided excellent narration and detailed the history of the area as well as many humorous stories. We saw a great variety of wildlife but unfortunately no monkeys today. There are walking trails and so much more. Although we only spent one day here, we plan to return to try some more activities. In particular, we would like to kayak. Admission is a an amazingly reasonable price of two dollars per person. Truly, the best two dollars you will spend for an entire day of experiences

Me and my bird Ricochet out walking in the park. He's a golphin cockatoo...
Guy H.

This park offers a plethora of things to do and see. But know this, you are being watched! Monkey's are watching, an abundance of birds, armadillos, squirrels, skunks, foxes, opossum, turtles, snakes, alligators and more....and then you have the boardwalks that take you into the heart of the park and allow you to see above the swamp. Or kayak down the river and look for manatees. One thing is certain, you're gonna love Silver Springs State Park in Ocala Florida

Net A.

First time visiting Florida and this state park was my first tourist stop! Florida's historic attraction and has one of America's largest freshwater springs! The park offers a glass-bottom boat tour, hiking, biking, camping , kayaking and as well as a banquet room venue for any occasion as well as a restaurant! Walking along the river's paved trail was very relaxing !!

Glass bottom boat tour!
Michelle D.

WOW, what an amazing time I had with my friend at Silver Springs State Park! We arrived at 10:30 AM for an 11:30 AM glass bottom boat ride. It took roughly 2 hours from Jacksonville on a Saturday morning. We paid $2 each to enter the park and the glass bottom boat ride was roughly $30 each. I made our boat reservation online a few weeks prior. She gave us a printed ticket at the gate for the boat ride and asked us to be there no later than 10 minutes prior to departure. We did a short trail walk upon arrival where we saw may beautiful trees, flowers and plants. We checked out the gift shop and used the restroom which was clean. We got in line 10 minutes before our departure, everyone was checked in and then we boarded the glass bottom boat. Captain Vince led us on a 90-minute adventure showing us the largest springs in Silver River, he pointed out various wildlife, including a few manatees, and shared the rich history of Silver Springs. This was one of the most relaxing boat rides ever! I could have taken a nap LOL. Not because it was boring but because it was so peaceful;) The boats are only allowed to idle, therefore it was very quiet. There were many kayakers and paddle borders on the river too. It was a dog friendly park. I would absolutely recommend checking out Silver Springs State Park!

A manatee passing under our glass-bottom boat
Sam T.

I had fond memories of my glass-bottom boat trips as a child, so a friend of mine and I went down on a recent Saturday to see if it lived up to my memories...and it did! We bought tickets online in advance and opted for the extended 90-minute tour, and I'm really glad we did. As a matter of fact, I'd suggest anyone opt for it unless you're in a time crunch or really uncertain whether folks in your party will enjoy it/be comfortable on a boat for 90 minutes. (The boats are open-sided and small -- not the type with any restrooms or concessions on board, for example.) We arrived an hour before our boat tour (on a Saturday in early October); the park was easy to find with its huge entrance sign, and the parking was easy, too. We were greeted as soon as we walked up by a lovely volunteer who asked if we had any questions and pointed us toward the ticket booth ($2/person entry fee to the park, and credit cards were accepted). From there, we walked past the indoor areas that included a Discovery Center (which was closed, unfortunately), a lovely gift shop, a café, a snack bar, restrooms, and an indoor event space. All of these were indoors and air-conditioned, which is always good to have in Florida. We took a short walk along one of the walking trails and found it easy to navigate; I'd come back just to spend some more time walking in the area, as it's a beautiful glimpse of Old Florida. The educational markers were well done and insightful, too. Our boat tour was excellent. The boat wasn't packed, so we had room to be comfortable (although I imagine that might be a bit different during peak tourist times) on the bench seating that surrounded the glass in the middle. Our captain, Vince, was an absolute delight: he was funny, personable, and extremely knowledgeable about the flora and fauna (both terrestrial and aquatic), the history of the park, and more. There are no guarantees about the wildlife you'll see, which is (or at least should be) totally understandable; this is a place to see wild animals. We were really fortunate to see several manatees, which was wonderful, and plenty of birds. However, the macaques (yes, there are monkeys here) decided to stay in the trees during our trip on the water. Even if you don't see the animals you're hoping to see, the trip is still beautiful. Fish are essentially a guarantee, but even the colors you'll see through the glass bottom are gorgeous, thanks to the incredibly clear water. And again, if your captain is (or is anything like) Captain Vince, you won't be bored. The kids and adults on our trip enjoyed learning from him and asking him questions. Overall, I think this is a great place to visit whether you're a Floridian or a tourist, as it's a beautifully cared-for part of the state's past and present.

Margaret T.

This was the second time I had gone to Silver Springs. The first time I did the 1.5 hour glass bottom boat ride and hiked the paths in the park. This time, we rented clear kayaks with Kayak Rental Silver Springs (a company that operates in the park but separately from the State Park Kayak rental. I highly recommend them). What a memorable, glorious experience! You kayak in still water with a canopy of trees allowing dappled light to shine through. We encountered so many animals up close including manatees, otters, turtles, alligators, anhingas, herons, ibis, and many squirrels. No monkeys, though. For an unforgettable experience in nature, kayak Silver Springs.

Enterance
Katie F.

This morning at my dad and I drive to the Silver Springs State Park in Silver Springs Florida. We paid for the 30 minute glass bottom boat tour which was $15 per person plus a five dollar entry fee per person. I haven't been to this park since I was little with my grandparents back in the day; it definitely brought back a lot of memories. The tour was roughly about 30 minutes and our boat captain was Captain Andrew and he knew a lot about the springs. Not only can you do the glass bottom boats but they also have walking trails, picnic areas, and sitting spots around the springs. Unfortunately for the state park you cannot swim in it but down the street they do have an area that you can swim in for camping and swimming. I think this is one of my favorite state parks in all of Florida. If you have not been I definitely recommend it it was about an hour and 45 minutes from when I picked my dad up from the Orlando airport. 10/10

Souzana V.

Such a beautiful state park! It's a hidden gem if you're looking for things to explore. Highly recommend this park. This spring is gorgeous. I think I love this park so much because I'm a water engineer and a nerd! Lol Highlight of the park is the glass bottom boat tour. Definitely worth it! Our boat guide was fantastic and knowledgeable with the park and the history of the spring. Definitely one park I want to come back to and check out all the trails here and do some kayaking. Beautiful!

Mike L.

Must visit. Gorgeous park and a ton of stuff to do while visiting. Glass bottom boat is awesome and the walking trail is beautiful. Parking is free and admission is very reasonable

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The park has a glass bottom boat ride that was very interesting. There is also camping and cabins to rent.

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2 months ago

The beauty of the area and cleanliness.we had a beautiful day and walking around was safe.

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10 months ago

Didn't stay because it started to rain. Convenient parking. Several trails for hiking.

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Silver Springs State Park Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Silver Springs State Park

Is there a beach area where you can sunbathe & see sunrises or sunsets?

No beach, but it was a nice place to just walk around . It's a fun place to see monkeys.

Is swimming allowed at the spring's head?

No due to gators. Must stay in or on your canoe/paddle board.

Can you bring your own kayak or paddle board?

Yes, you are welcome to bring your own kayak to Silver Springs. The launch fee is $4.

Is your camping open this weekend?

It maybe late answer but you can check it's website in this link for future reservation. https://www.reserve.floridastateparks.org/Web/Default.aspx

Called and message says they're opened Are they open for the glass bottom tour?

Yes

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

Review Highlights - Silver Springs State Park

Made reservations for glass bottom boat since they fill up quickly , took 1/2 hour cruise at $14 senior price.

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The Canyons Zip Line & Canopy Tours - Look at that view!

The Canyons Zip Line & Canopy Tours

4.9(286 reviews)
8.3 mi

Me and my step daughter took the horseback tour and it was awesome. Meagan was excellent and the…read morehorse i had was so easy to ride. His name was Jimmety crickets. I called him big Jim. my step dayghter had Cholua , she was awesome as well. Highly recommend!!!!

My daughter and I came up from Sarasota-2.5 hrs south- to do the trail ride. The place is very…read moreclean, well run, and so scenic. The horses were beautiful and well behaved. The trail was definitely different and very scenic, with some steep and narrow paths; not your typical flat and boring. The guests loaded up on a golf cart type vehicle to get from check in to the barn. Then we all waited while Sadie (?) actually grilled and ate a hot dog in front of us!! Same girl upon giving her instructions told everyone "to make your horse go, kick it, and if it doesn't go keep kicking it.. harder". I was appalled!!! One the trail ride, the other girl would take a few photos. I did want pictures of my daughter and I together,so I bought the package. Which is everyone in your group, and that day I think there were 12 or so. The photos she took were not good,but what can ya do? I should have let a gentleman in the group who offered to take my phone and take pictures. Also, between waiting to get on a horse and then waiting for everyone to dismount and get back to the main building, the total ride time was just under an hour. It really is pretty though. I think there were just too many people who booked the same day and time leading to a slightly shorter ride.

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The Canyons Zip Line & Canopy Tours - I had to lighten this photo cause it was too much shadow too much cast.

I had to lighten this photo cause it was too much shadow too much cast.

The Canyons Zip Line & Canopy Tours
The Canyons Zip Line & Canopy Tours - Scary bridge

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Scary bridge

Silver Springs State Park - Cabin 5 back porch

Silver Springs State Park

4.3(61 reviews)
1.2 mi

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.

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Silver Springs State Park - FWC Wildlife Rule-

FWC Wildlife Rule-

Silver Springs State Park
Silver Springs State Park - Glass bottom boats, you make the rockin world go round

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Glass bottom boats, you make the rockin world go round

Ocala Bigfoot Tours - Your Guide To Adventure

Ocala Bigfoot Tours

5.0(1 review)
21.4 mi

My wife and I had an amazing time driving trails and looking for evidence with Charlie. He knows a…read morelot of local stories of encounters and will take you anywhere out in the woods you'd like to go. We stayed overnight and saw plenty of wildlife on the trails and backroads in the forest. Also saw an odd track we couldn't easily explain. We'll be going again!

From the owner: Of the many Bigfoot sightings compiled on the Internet, the number in Ocala National forest is…read morestriking. If you look into what kind of territory the reports suggest the creature prefers, maybe that's no surprise. Bigfoot, or Sasquatch, seems to appear where wilderness and civilization meet, usually areas with plenty of water and heavy woods. Another thing many sighting sites have in common: brushy, sloping foothills where blackberries flourish. Who can blame Sasquatch for loving blackberries? Interest in Bigfoot is as high as ever. An enterprise called the Sasquatch Genome Project recently made a splash by claiming it had DNA analysis proving Bigfoot's existence. Ocala National Forest Bigfoot tales go back decades, maybe even centuries: furry bipedal figures striding across roads or meadows, unexplained vaguely human- or ape-like screams echoing through forests, giant footprints left in mud or sand. For the most adventurous of travelers, Ocala Bigfoot Tours takes Squatchers on tours from three hours to multi day tours including camping right in the heart of Bigfoot country in the Ocala National Forest in Florida. The tours are extremely popular and fill up quickly, so advance reservations are highly recommended. Call Us Today (386) 866-4258

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Ocala Bigfoot Tours - Hanging out at the campsite we chose.

Hanging out at the campsite we chose.

Ocala Bigfoot Tours - The Bigfoot research and expedition Land Rover Charlie took us out on.

The Bigfoot research and expedition Land Rover Charlie took us out on.

Ocala Bigfoot Tours - Best unexplained track we found while hunting for Bigfoot.

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Best unexplained track we found while hunting for Bigfoot.

Silver Springs State Park - tours - Updated May 2026

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