A Day at Silver Springs State Park - Spring Side
Park Overview
Silver Springs State Park, located in Ocala, Florida, is one of Florida’s first tourist attractions and now one of the most popular state parks. This park comprises 5,000 acres with a variety of activities for the whole family and is home to one of the largest artesian springs in the world.
Glass bottom boat at Silver Springs
Spring Side
The Spring side of the park (main entrance off SR 40) is where the tourists flock. Beautiful meandering gardens and riverside boardwalks draw you into the park’s most stellar feature, the 72-degree year-round springs. Ride a glass bottom boat for a bird’s eye view of the sea life below with over 30 springs, including the park’s largest spring, Mammoth Spring. Take a stroll through the historic gardens that were restored in 2014 and discover the event lawn, wildflowers, and Bear Hill picnic area. Also be sure to check out the Ross Allen Boardwalk, along the Spring Trail, which overlooks Ft. King Water Way.
Click here to learn more about the River side of the park:
Few of the Motion Pictures filmed at Silver Springs (Florida Memory)
Park History
Once known as Florida’s “underwater fairyland,” Silver Springs was a tourist attraction for steamboat travelers starting in the 1820s. The glass bottom boat tours date back to the 1870s, which gave tourists a spectacular view of the translucent springs.
By 1916, Silver Springs was the underwater movie capital, where many technicolor films were captured, such as The Creature from the Black Lagoon. During the golden age of roadside attractions, Highway 27 was known as Orange Blossom Trail, bringing thousands of tourists to Silver Springs in the 1920s.
Glass bottom boat, circa 1960s and Seminole Village, circa 1940s (Florida Memory)
From the 1920s through 1960s, attractions at the springs grew tenfold. Tourists learned about Seminole Indian culture and purchased crafts at “Metzger’s Seminole Village.” Children shrieked in excitement during “Ross Allen’s Reptile Institute” shows. This golden age came to an end with the introduction of Walt Disney World.
Mammoth Skeleton Exhibit - Silver River Museum
In 1987, the area became a state park with the museum as the centerpiece. Over the past 30 years, park recreational activities have continued to flourish with the reintroduction of glass bottom boats in 2013.
Ross Allen Boardwalk of the Spring Trail
Hike, paddle, or stroll through Old Florida and explore what awaits you at the infamous Silver Springs State Park.
Silver Springs State Park Trail System
Spring Trail – 2.3 miles
Sandhill Trail – 1.7 miles
Sinkhole Trail – 2.2 miles
Swamp Trail – 1.9 miles
River Trail – 1.3 miles
Old Field Loop – 0.8 miles
Historic Trails – 4.5 miles
Silver-Green Connector Trail – 2.5 miles
Connector to Florida National Scenic Trail
Equestrian Multi-Use Trails – entrance off State Road 40
Fort King Paddle Trail – 1.1 miles round trip
Things to Do:
River
18+ miles of hiking trails
Equestrian multi-use trails
Silver River Museum & Environmental Education Center
Pioneer Village
Camping – 59 sites (tent, RV)
10 cabin rentals
Spring (main entrance off SR 40)
Gardens with paved pathways & Event Lawn
Springs – Paddling, Kayaking (rentals)
Glass Bottom Boat Tours
Fort King Paddle Trail
Bear Hill Picnic Area
Ross Allen Boardwalk
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