Quick FactsOverview
About Silver Springs
Silver Springs, Florida is a Florida State Park and National Natural Landmark located just east of Ocala on State Road 40, centred on one of the largest artesian spring systems in the United States. The spring complex discharges into the Silver River, a 4.5-mile waterway that flows east to the Ocklawaha River. Water temperature is a constant 72 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. The springs were designated a National Natural Landmark in 1971 and are considered Florida's oldest tourist attraction, with glass-bottom boat tours dating to the 1870s. Swimming and fishing are strictly prohibited throughout the entire park and the length of the Silver River as a conservation measure to protect the ecosystem and river grasses.
The park covers approximately 5,000 acres and has two entrances. The main entrance on Silver Springs Boulevard provides access to the headsprings, glass-bottom boat tours, watercraft rentals, a restaurant, ornamental gardens, and historic structures. A second camping entrance on NE 58th Avenue accesses the 59-site campground, ten luxury cabins, the Pioneer Cracker Village, the Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center, and most of the hiking and equestrian trails. The park has 14 to 15 miles of mixed-use trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, and equestrian access is available through a separate trailhead off State Road 40.
One distinctive and unexpected feature of Silver Springs is its population of wild rhesus macaques, descendants of 12 monkeys released in the 1930s as part of a planned Tarzan-themed tourist attraction that never fully materialised. The monkeys have populated the forest along the Silver River and are occasionally visible from boats and the river bank. Visitors should maintain a safe distance and not approach or feed them. Silver Springs was also a filming location for several Hollywood productions including Creature from the Black Lagoon and Rebel Without a Cause. For visitors looking for accessible soaking pools in Florida near Ocala with a rich cultural and natural history, Silver Springs is the most historically significant spring park in the region.
Location & Access
Getting to Silver Springs
Silver Springs State Park has two entrances. The main entrance for the headsprings, glass-bottom boats, and park facilities is at 5656 E Silver Springs Blvd, Silver Springs, FL 34488, on State Road 40 just east of Ocala. From Interstate 75, take the SR 40 exit at Ocala and follow SR 40 east through Ocala to Silver Springs; the main entrance sign is clearly visible on the right just east of the traffic light at Baseline Road. The GPS coordinates for the main entrance trailhead are 29.2180 degrees North, 82.0555 degrees West. For the camping entrance and Silver River Museum, turn right at that same Baseline Road traffic light and follow NE 58th Avenue approximately one mile south to the entrance on the left.
The park is open from 8am to sunset daily. A per-vehicle entry fee of five to eight dollars applies; verify the current rate on the Florida State Parks website or at the park entrance. Pedestrians and cyclists pay a reduced fee. Glass-bottom boat tours are available through the park's concessionaire at an additional fee beyond the park entry; one boat in the fleet is fully accessible with a wheelchair lift. Paddling rentals including single kayaks, tandem canoes, clear-bottom kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards are available from the main entrance. Visitors who bring their own canoe or kayak pay a four-dollar launch fee. For those looking for hot springs near Ocala, Silver Springs is the largest and most historically significant spring in the immediate area, located just minutes from downtown Ocala.
Parking is free at both entrances. The park can reach capacity during summer weekends and may temporarily close to new arrivals; the glass-bottom boat tours sell out in advance on busy days and pre-booking is recommended. Call the park at (352) 261-5840 or the ranger station at (352) 236-7148 for current tour availability. When concerts are held at the springs, the gates on SR 40 may close early and an additional after-hours charge may apply for evening events.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Can Visit Silver Springs
Silver Springs suits families, paddlers, hikers, cyclists, equestrians, history enthusiasts, and wildlife viewers. Because swimming is not permitted anywhere in the park, it is particularly well suited to visitors who prefer land-based and boat-based experiences, older visitors, and those travelling with young children who may not be ready for open-water swimming. The glass-bottom boats provide an exceptional underwater viewing experience without requiring any swimming ability. Boat tours last approximately 30 minutes and are appropriate for all ages. Multiple tour departure times are available throughout the day; pre-booking is strongly recommended on weekends and holidays as tours sell out.
Wheelchair access at Silver Springs is well supported. Manual wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the main entrance; four are available and visitors with specific needs should call (352) 236-7148 in advance to check availability. One glass-bottom boat in the fleet is fully equipped with a wheelchair lift, providing full access to the boat tour experience for visitors using mobility devices. Paved paths connect the main parking areas, headspring viewing area, boat dock, and gardens. The campground and cabin areas at the camping entrance are also accessible, and one cabin is suitable for visitors with mobility needs. Visitors with limited mobility who want to experience the Silver River can also rent a clear-bottom tandem kayak, which is larger and more stable than a standard kayak.
Dogs are welcome in the campground, picnic areas, and on hiking trails but are not permitted on glass-bottom boats, in buildings, or in the cabins. Pets must be leashed at all times. No alcohol is permitted in the park. The wild rhesus macaques that inhabit the Silver River corridor are an unexpected wildlife feature; they are occasionally visible from boats and river banks. Do not approach, feed, or attempt to touch them. They are known to be unpredictable and can bite; keep children at a safe distance if macaques are present. For accessible soaking pools in Florida near Ocala with extensive facilities, historic significance, and year-round operations, Silver Springs is the standout option in the central Florida inland region.
Safety & Etiquette
Safety and Etiquette at Silver Springs
Silver Springs State Park enforces a strict prohibition on swimming and fishing throughout the entire park, including the Silver River from the headsprings to Ray Wayside County Park. These rules are conservation measures to protect the river grass ecosystem and the water quality of one of Florida's most ecologically significant spring systems. Do not enter the spring water or the river at any point. The prohibition applies to all visitors including those in kayaks, canoes, or other watercraft; paddlers should not enter the water from their vessels except at designated launch and take-out points. Water shoes or sandals worn during paddling that incidentally enter the water are not a violation, but intentional swimming from a vessel is prohibited.
Alligators are present in the Silver River and in the areas surrounding it. Do not approach, harass, or feed alligators. Alligators are most active during their mating season from April through July; paddlers should be particularly aware during this period. Never leave food unattended near the water's edge. The wild rhesus macaques that inhabit the forest and river corridor are the park's most unpredictable wildlife element. They have been present since the 1930s and are accustomed to visitors, but they are wild animals that can bite and have been documented carrying herpes B virus, which can be transmitted through bites, scratches, or direct contact with bodily fluids. Do not approach, feed, or attempt to interact with macaques. If a macaque approaches you, do not make direct eye contact and move away slowly.
Thunderstorms are common in Florida afternoons between May and September. If a storm develops while you are paddling on the Silver River, exit the water at the nearest safe point and seek shelter away from the water and tall trees. Lightning over open water is a serious hazard. The park may close the boat launch and boat tours during lightning events. When concerts are scheduled at the springs, the SR 40 gates may close early and the park operation changes significantly; check the official website before visiting in the evening.
The glass-bottom boats navigate slowly over the spring vents and river grass beds. Do not lean out of the boat or dangle hands in the water. Follow all instructions from the boat captain. The boat departs and returns on a fixed schedule; do not attempt to reboard a boat that has left the dock. Paddlers on the Silver River must be off the water by sunset. Quiet hours in the campground run from 10:30pm to 8am. Leave no trace principles apply throughout; pack out all rubbish, do not pick plants or disturb any natural feature, and stay on designated trails.
