This past weekend, we returned to Silver Springs State Park, renowned for its crystal-clear waters and world-famous glass-bottom boat tours. Our mission was not just to admire the beautiful waters but to find the elusive wild monkeys that had eluded us during our last visit in 2021.
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Where is Silver Springs Located?
Silver Springs is located just outside of Ocala, Florida, and is an hour and a half north of the major theme parks in Orlando.
The address for Silver Springs State Park is:
Silver Springs State Park
5656 E Silver Springs Blvd,
Silver Springs, FL 34488
How much does it cost to visit Silver Springs State Park?
Admission into Silver Springs costs $2.00 per person, and kids under 5 are free.
During our last visit, the cost for the 30-minute glass bottom tour was $15.00 for adults, Seniors 55 and over are $14, Children ages 3-12 are $14, and children under 2 are free.
Canoe rentals start at $45, paddleboards start at $35, and kayaks start at $30 for an hour rental. I highly recommend booking your rentals ahead of time through their website. You can find their rental bookings by clicking here.
What activities are available at Silver Springs State Park?
One of the most popular activities at Silver Springs is the glass-bottom boat tour, a tradition since the 1870s. These tours offer an incredible underwater view of several springs throughout the park. You can choose between a 30-minute tour or an extended 1.5-hour tour.
During our last visit, we opted for the regular 30-minute tour. Our boat captain, Bill, was fantastic! He provided a wealth of information about the different spring heads we saw and kept us entertained throughout the journey. His passion for the park and its history made the experience memorable.
Throughout the tour, Bill pointed out several turtles and fish as we moved from spring to spring. The highlight was definitely the mammoth spring, the main head spring that feeds the river. This spring is the largest limestone artesian spring formation in the world, releasing enough water to fill four Olympic-sized pools in an hour. At the bottom of mammoth spring, you can find some fascinating things, including authentic mammoth bones.
Silver Springs was owned by ABC Paramount until 2013, making it a popular filming location for movies and TV shows. Near the mammoth spring head, you can still see three underwater statues that were featured in an episode of the TV show “I Spy.”
Kayaking Through Silver Springs
For those who want to spend more time on the water, there are several miles available for kayaking and canoeing. Canoes can be rented hourly or for the whole day. The water here is stunning—probably some of the clearest spring water I've ever seen. It's so clear that you can easily see fish and turtles swimming beneath you.
We opted for a two-hour rental, which was perfect for making a round trip around Ross Allen Island down the Fort King Paddle Trail. This trail is absolutely beautiful, making you feel like you've been transported into a different world.
There's plenty of wildlife to see at Silver Springs. If you visit during the cooler months, you might spot some manatees that call these springs home. We were lucky enough to see a few as we traveled back up the river during our last visit. There's also a family of alligators living here. We saw what I assume is Momma Gator hanging out on a small island, and she is massive. Circling around to the other side of the island, we found baby alligators sunning on a log.
As I mentioned earlier, Silver Springs is also known for its wild monkeys that roam the park. We visited once before but didn't see them. Our glass-bottom boat captain explained that the monkeys often travel downstream after a big storm, so there's no guarantee they'll be around. We decided to go about 20 minutes down Silver River before heading back, but so far, no sight of the monkeys.
Hiking Trails in Silver Springs State Park
In addition to the glass-bottom boats and paddling down the river, there are miles of trails that you can explore. The closest one is the Ross Allen Boardwalk, which takes you around Ross Allen Island. The boardwalk is a beautiful walk through the island, especially the parts that go along the river.
If the boardwalk isn’t enough, then there are a variety of other trails that you can walk through, ranging from less than a mile all the way up to a 4.1-mile loop. We hiked the Creek Trail, a short ¾ mile loop behind Black Bear Pavilion. And it was here where we finally saw a quick glimpse of a single monkey along the ground a short ways off the trail.
What is the best time of year to visit Silver Springs State Park?
My favorite time of year to visit is during the cooler months from November to April. Not only is the weather nicer, and you have less chance of rain ruining your day, but you also have a higher chance of seeing the manatees at that time since they seek refuge in the warm waters of the spring.
Can you swim in Silver Springs?
No, you can't swim in Silver Springs. However, there are other nearby springs in the area that offer swimming such as Alexander Springs, Silver Glen Springs, and Salt Springs.
Tips & Tricks for Visiting Silver Springs
If you are planning on visiting Silver Springs, here are some tips to help you get the most out of your visit:
Wild Monkeys: If you want to see the wild monkeys, note that they tend to move further downriver after a storm. So, they may be harder to find if you visit right after a storm. Please be aware that the monkeys do pose a health threat and have been know to test positive for herpes B. Also, feeding the monkeys is a second-degree misdemeanor and can carry a 60-day jail sentence and a $500 fine if convicted.
Manatees: The best time to see manatees is during the winter months when they seek refuge in the warm spring water.
Reservations: Reservations for kayaking and the glass-bottom boat tours are recommended as they do sell out. You can make reservations on the Silver Springs website.
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