Live Your Best Lives
Silver Springs State Park Reviews
4.3
Reviews
We went for the 90min tour and everything was great! We even managed to see a female manatee, which was really cool. This park is so beautiful and there is so much to see and do here.
In this park you can rent hiking, kayaking and do a great Gkasboden boat tour. You can see the underground springs, blue big fish, turtles, possibly alligators and underwater statues.
Our trip to Silver Springs State Park was awesome. The trails and grounds are like a botanical gardens, the buildings, facilities, and restrooms are extremely clean and sanitary thanks to CAT BILL and his custodians. Met volunteers that have groomed the landscapes perfectly for many years. Kayak, canoe, clear bottom kayak, glass bottom boat tour, great walking trails, monkey, fish, wildlife, manatees, clear blue water. The tour guides we had was informative and helpful. THIS IS THE BEST STATE OR NATIONAL PARK WE HAVE EVER VISITED. You will love it. Doug and Jeanne
I haven't been since it became a state park 10 years ago and thoroughly enjoyed the extended 90-minute glass bottom boat ride. Our captain was knowledgeable about the facts and guided us up close to the alligators, turtles, birds, and other wildlife we came upon. The park offers kayak rentals or you can bring your own. This boat ride is a bargain at $20!
A terrific birthday adventure for the whole family. Beautiful natural scenery, the iconic glass bottom boat ride, and friendly staff.
Glass bottom boat ride was nice and peaceful. Gardens are well taken care of and guides are very friendly.
I think this place is for young families and older couples. It was very nice and as a sight seeing place it was wonderful to see. Didn’t get to go on the river and that would have made av difference on my review.
it was nice, if it's the first time you've done something like this I'm sure it would be amazing but otherwise it's sort of just alright.
Gorgeous park! My daughter and I did the glass bottom boat tour and had the pleasure of being guided by Captain Oscar. This gentleman is a true piece of Florida history. He has been giving tours for 52 years! From the dock, the boat tour doesn’t look like much of anything. But once you get in it, the glass bottom removes the glare from the sun and you can truly appreciate the beauty of the clear Springs. We also did the shorter boardwalk trail and got to appreciate the springs from there, too. Would love to go back and kayak or paddle board!
The 2nd best thing we have done in Florida. All though our kayaking experience previously was nill we soon picked it up. So beautiful and peaceful. Turtles, alligators, dragon flies, birds, fish, stunning 2 hours. Didn't see the monkeys though, not sure if the staff were taking the micky with that one. Well worth a trip.
We get to see all sorts of wildlife including manatees and gators. It was a great experience and will do the full day nex time.
The only downside was the smeñly lifejackets.
Can I give this park 10 stars, because it deserves it!! Talk about a hidden gem! I found this park by accident, not realizing its rich history and the phenominal wildlife it houses. This park is famous for glass bottom boats of all kinds: canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and tour boats. This park is a natural spring, so the water is 99% pure which means it is crystal clear. Manatees, alligators, river otters and McKack Reece monkeys abound!! If you are a nature lover, this park is for you! And with an entrance fee of only $3, it's a must-do attraction! Guided glass bottom boat tours are available for 30mins or 90mins. Do the 90mins!! The guides are wonderful and stop the boat often to point out animals, fish, birds, etc to you. Because the boats are electric, noise is minimal, so all you hear all the sounds of nature and the other boaters. HINT: Individual boat rentals available. HINT: Brand new cafe' on site. Excellent food! HINT: Picnics are allowed. HINT: Dogs ARE allowed to walk the park as long as they are leashed.
we just moved to Ocala from Virginia and were thrilled to see we could rent paddle boards to explore this beautiful sanctuary silently, from the water. The folks at the paddle adventures rental booth were courteous and helpful getting us into the water and answering questions. The moment I left shore and stood up I was instantly enthralled! We traveled along quietly pointing out fish, turtles, osprey, heron, and MONKEYS in the trees!! I have never seen crystal clear water like this and I felt very blessed to have had this experience. I will return soon to do a half day paddle!! Oh, and I was prepared for alligators, but not too upset that I never did :)
We have hiked this park for several months. I am sick and tired of stepping around dog crap. Today we saw a couple at the entrance of the river walk and swamp trail letting their dog go and just walked away. When is it going to end. These trails are getting ruined by bad dog owners. Another park like the national parks overrun with arrogance and a do what you want when you want visitors.
When arriving, the initial thought was a 1960's park that had been preserved in time. It was a pleasant surprise after interacting with a Park Ranger(Keith) who walked us back to an amphitheater. Old TV series like Sea Hunt and Flipper, Smokey and the Bandit boat chase, Several James Bond clips, Creature from the Black Lagoon, and Johnny Weismueller's Tarzan were filmed here. The Glass Bottom boat tour was ecologically and historically fascinating.
Love this park. May not be the fanciest or most modern park, maybe that is why I like it. I like the park to be about nature.
The side with trails / camping has many trails to hike, down to the river. Is pretty and natural.
The side with glass bottom boats though is not that spectacular as it was, it is still pretty place to walk around.
It appeared to be under construction to update the old buildings where bathrooms / restaurant was. Which is needed. I do not think that is bad as some, but that they are working to improve it.
Only issue have is they have not updated the glass bottom boats to have access for handicap. Many people in wheel chairs are unable to enjoy the boats. Hopefully this is in the future.
We booked the 90 minute tour and were so happy! The captain was friendly and shared a lot of random details about the river, the wildlife, and the Hollywood history of the river. Even though it was a hot day, the ride was not uncomfortable. The captain even had water bottles available “just in case.” We saw many turtles, adult alligators, baby alligators, and many birds. Unfortunately, the manatees and monkeys were shy.
I went here as a solo female traveller and had the most unforgettable experience of my life. I rented a clear bottom kayak and was able to paddle around the springs at my own pace for 4 hours . I saw gators, manatees, lots of fish and many birds. I even saw the monkeys. The peacefulness and the beauty of this place is really unique. Something I will never forget. It is only 2$ admission to get into the park. There are trails and picnic areas and lots to see and do. I will return 100 percent.
Impeccably kept grounds, campsites and bathrooms. I would personally love a few more completely shaded sites but that will come with age.
Though I didn’t stay in the cabins they were in a beautiful location and had enough regional charm to grace the pages of Southern Living.
Tremendous amount of things to do nearby. Perfect for families.
Kayaking the Silver Springs and Silver River were amazing! This was my first experience in a spring and the water and surroundings were absolutely breathtaking. Monkeys, Manatees, turtles and birds were the highlight. Don't miss your opportunity to experience the Real Florida!
A group of friends visited Silver Springs State Park & camped in the portion of the park which is down SR35 from this attraction area. We went on the Glass Bottom Boat ride that was about 30-45 minutes long. Captain Steve was very knowledgeable and kept the banter between riders and him going the whole time. Told of all the movies that had been filmed on the river, along with history of the area. Saw some pretty fish, deep springs, statues under water, and alligators and turtles too. It was worth the price of the ride and had an enjoyable morning with friends. Some of us even rented kayaks for an hour, some of us walked through the beautiful grounds and enjoyed the sites.
It was one of the most magical places I've ever seen and I have traveled all over the world. The nature is so pristine and beautiful here. We saw manatees and lots of fish and birds and turtles and the purity of the water is incredible. It was very well organized and we enjoyed our 5-mile all day adventure and the ability to be picked up and broth back to our car.
Went here on a Wed and it was a great time. The park is broken up between hiking trails, exhibits and paddling or trolling on the river. We did the hiking and kayaking on the river. Hiking was nothing special but still great to get out and enjoy the day. The kayaking was the best and I highly recommend doing all day. My only issue was allowing motorized boats on the same river as manatees. You aren’t even allowed to swim or fish in the park so what is the reason for a motorized boat? To use a blade to hurt the manatees you are there to see? Come on! No motors on river please.
It was a shame that a very nice peaceful trip or could have been. They need to go look with fresh eyes and see how some simple improvements could make a big difference. Better signs to let you know where to park so you don't walk across the whole parking lot. Separate check in windows for online reservations. I know they are remodeling and we were told the will be done maybe September or January, but one little bathroom for now, is ridiculous. Not asking for the moon but take a look at what can be done to make the visit more customer friendly.
Informative 30-minute glass bottomed boat ride. Our Captain kept up a continuous witty narrative for the trip.
Took the extended glass bottom boat tour yesterday and it was fabulous!!! Our Captain (cannot remember his name unfortunately) was so informative and went out of his way to show us gators, birds and turtles. Definitely a thing to do if you are in the area. Old Florida at its best!!! Just sad there is no swimming there anymore as it was quite hot!!!
Family getaway was perfect. Great time with breathtaking views. We seen 3 big manatees. :) We recommend the shuttle back. Worth the money.! Smooth relaxing canoe ride down the river and a shuttle to drive us back.
Very nice trip please make reservations on line it’s an amazing place the silver water it’s beautiful the fish mixed with different colors of the spring water so beautiful can not explain you must see your self
It was stunning. I took my family to do the tour and just did the 30 minute one. If my kids wouldn’t have been so young we would have done a longer one. Definitely an amazing experience worth checking out!!!
An amazing day full of beauty and wildlife was tarnished by a rude man down by the glass bottom boat dock. We took a private boat through the astonishing wildlife, and had been on the water about 3.5 hours by the time we got to a large docking area. A member of our group needed a rest stop, as ladies do after 3.5 hours. Seeing no sign, we pulled up to an empty end of the dock to let our friend out. A red faced man came screaming at us - NO PRIVATE BOATS! NO PRIVATE BOATS! - again, no sign. Our friend, who is partially deaf, walked closer to the man so she could ask where we could dock to use a bathroom. He was nearly apoplectic..NOT HERE! Go over there! - he pointed to the first channel. We went down the channel and noticed several kayaks and finally a sign that said, no motors, paddle craft only. We'd been misdirected for sure. We stopped as soon as we could, pulled off to the side, and our friend climbed out in search of facilities. When she returned, we loaded her up and got out of that channel as fast as we could. But not before the motorized staff boat came by to yell at us for being in the wrong place - without our motor on. We explained the issue and he said, "yes, we actually don't have any public bathrooms." Take that in for a minute. A state park in Florida, with a water feature that takes hours to enjoy doesn't factor that humans may be enjoying themselves and may actually drink liquid that would require a bathroom? There was one at the launch - but no sign that said danger - no other bathrooms for the next five miles (one way, that is). Is it just me, or does that seem crazy?
Otters and manatees! Beautiful glass bottom boat trip with Jim, a great guide. Go early to avoid crowds.
What an absolutely breathtaking place! I started my day with a 30-minute glass bottom boat tour which was informative and entertaining. So much to learn about the springs! After that, I did the two-hour kayak rental which went through the tranquil, covered, and lush Fort King Paddling Trail and then out onto the Silver River wider channel. It was helpful to know from the glass bottom boat tour which spring was which so I was able to paddle over them later and better appreciate what I was seeing. The turquoise waters were beautiful and I did see a gator or two while paddling but they won't mess with you; just give them their space.
After paddling, I enjoyed some of the trails of the park as well. Very beautiful place!
Riding the glass bottom boat at Silver Spring State Park has been on my bucket list for years. So glad I finally had a chance to actually do it. I’m excited to return when it’s not so hot out. The boat Captain was very knowledgeable and did his best to make our experience fun.
Kayaking and canoeing was a great value in comparison to other Florida and state parks in terms of price point and the wide variety of wildlife that you can see at Silver Springs. Although the glass bottom boat tour was shorter than I would have liked ( there is a longer option, thankfully!), it was a great alternative to snorkeling. You can't swim at the Silver Springs, but the glass bottom boat tour allows you to see the bottom, just like you would if you were snorkeling. I found staff members to be especially accommodating and friendly. I have already planned another trip there for next month, and I'm looking forward to it!
Beautiful place, love the glass bottom boat tour. Lots to see, birds, maybe a few gators, and on occasion a manatee. Lots of history, several trails to walk. The water is crystal clear. Many movies were filmed here and the boat Capt usually explains several of them and you can see the underwater locations. It's definitely a must see at least once. Food, discovery museum, and other history. There is also an event area for weddings inside and out. And a large building that holds outdoor concerts.
We rented kayaks and arrived at opening time to enjoy the river with less traffic. As we started, we heard a huge gator below. That was impressive. We saw many birds, a few gators sunning themselves, and half a dozen manatees on the way back. It is a beautiful place, but I do recommend to show up early to be ahead of the crowds.
Went on the Glass bottom boat. Tarzan movies were filmed there as well as Doris day movie: "Glass bottom boat." A few other movies also. small shops etc. veterans discount , ask for it when you enter the park. saves a couple bucks!
We visited Silver Springs State Park for the 1.5 hour glass bottom boat tour, which we reserved our seats online about 1 week prior to visiting the park.
The Boat tour: The boat tour was ok, we were told to look for all types of creatures in the water and in the trees but near the end the tour the guide told us that manatee season is just about over and they are gone now back up north. Not sure why he had us all looking for them? ok ok maybe for that rare one still behind but nope nothing.
Tipping, tipping. This was awkward at the end of the boat tour the guide told us that tipping is allowed and the big glass at the bottom of the boat is his tip jar. A few kids about the age of 10 on the boat asked why they do that the captain didn't really answer. So everyone throws their tip in the glass bottom as we are heading back and of course everyone can see what everyone threw in. In a cashless society some guests were embarrassed they didn't have any cash to give. I don't know....just sketchy to me. The boat trip was ok but we only seen ducks, birds and a very hidden alligator. I understand there is no guarantee as to what you will see but some disappointed kids onboard.
Food establishments: There is only one cafe open and they were lined up outside the door with people ordering food so we skipped that.
Parking: It was a breeze to park and free to park which is a rarity these days.
The Park: was beautiful, clean and well taken care of.
Would I return again? If I was ever back in this area of Florida, maybe to walk the trails but not for the glass bottom boat tour.
Pictures attached.
Came here during and immediately after a thunderstorm. Nice scenic walk was well worth the views. Expected to see more animals but it was a blast. Nice walkways and plant life. Kayaks seemed to be very popular but were not going at the time.
Beautifil park! We took the extended tour and it was wonderful. Saw several manatees which was a treat. The captain was great with all his information. We will be back to do a few trails! Great Experience!
The guided glass bottom boat ride was our favorite part of our visit. The reservation system was well organized and timely. Have to say that the staff was really friendly and informative. The whole park was so beautiful and relaxing. Would like to see better picnic areas but the spots for setting and resting were a nice touch. Loved the atmosphere at the park.
Another classic Florida attraction of long ago rescued by the Florida State Park system. Glass bottom boat's were fantastic, take extended tour if available. We saw wildlife including 6 manatees in the warm water for winter.
I have not been to this park for 7 years. i have been here 8 times in the past. it was pristine then,. Now it is kind of run down. Half of the bathrooms were out of order. Some that were working were leaking . I asked the ranger about it and he didn't seem concerned .he said they were waiting for parts. 10 days later it was the same. There was 1 handicap bathroom for 30 sites and it was Busy. There were loose dogs,people doing laundry and hanging it out between the trees and loud parties at night. Someone even had a swimming pool. I was really disappointed, as my vacations are hard to come by. I don't think ill be back.
Worth taking 90 minutes glass bottom boat tour when visiting Silver Springs State Park
Captain Bill was very knowledgeable and courteous
The absolute best way to experience old Florida. The State Park is wonderful, something for everyone. Kayaking on the Silver River gets you up close with an array of wildlife, ie. All kinds of fish, turtles, manatees, birds and gators. If you get lucky you may see a wild Monkey! There are glass bottom boat captains who explain the significance of the park and springs.
Beautiful site. Lovely place for a walk. Saw fish and turtle from bank. Also saw black snake. They have a glass bottom boat trip but we could not go with our dog.
If you like to kayak, sign up for the Full day kayak trip where they meet you downstream with a trailer and drive you back. It is so glorious...and it's easy because it is all downstream. And DO NOT miss the glass bottom boat trip. It is so astonding to see the spring heads and all of the wildlife through the glass bottom. We even had manatees passing under the boat!!!
So much to do , so little time. Absolutely great place The boat tours are , very relaxing walks with great scenery . The boat tours are informative and humorous even if the staff are all using the same in jokes. If you can take the 90 minute tour , the 30 minute was not long enough , even though you still see a lot of wild life . For the entrance price it was a bargain.
Take the Glass Bottom boat tour. Then rent a kayak for 2 hours. Wonderful experience! Nature at its best!!!!
Visiting Silver Spring State Park on a late December Saturday was deeply disappointing, revealing a staggering level of mismanagement that tragically undermines the area’s natural beauty. It leaves a strong impression of an effort to maximize profit at the expense of providing an enjoyable visitor experience. The result is a crowded, chaotic, and disorganized operation that visibly stresses the staff and leaves visitors frustrated and disillusioned.
Among the most glaring issues is the inability to accommodate the overwhelming number of visitors that should never be admitted in the first place, as the total far exceeds reasonable capacity. The staff are clearly making tremendous efforts to launch and receive equipment, but they cannot maintain an effective pace due to the sheer volume of visitors management allows into the area. The result is excessively long lines that ensure people do not launch until well after their reservation times. Despite this mismanagement, they still have the audacity to threaten visitors with draconian late fees if they do not return equipment within the designated window—despite their own failure to manage capacity effectively cutting visitors’ paid reservation windows short. The lack of foresight and accountability in this operation is infuriating, and it is difficult to believe it is unintentional.
Adding to the insult is Brad, a staff member mentioned in other reviews, whose classless behavior was embarrassing to witness as a customer and unfairly reflected on his fellow staff. His abrasive responses to legitimate complaints worsened an already tense experience. It was disappointing to observe such conduct in a setting designated to showcase Florida’s natural treasures.
The park’s policies add unnecessary frustration to the experience. The staff retain your car keys as collateral for your kayak rental, which understandably strikes people as ridiculous and excessive while augmenting the impression of a self-important management operation. The extremely cumbersome registration process is requires you to share excessive personal information for a simple equipment rental. People are renting kayaks here, not entering the Pentagon. This unnecessary bureaucracy adds further inefficiency and inconvenience, leaving visitors wondering why such procedures are required for basic services.
The provided lifejackets are disgusting—reekingly foul to the point where people audibly question if they are ever cleaned. The reservation window line management is virtually nonexistent, with the intended system of dividing lines between reservations and walk-up rentals being almost never implemented. This oversight creates additional congestion, compounding an already disorganized process. It is baffling that such obvious operational failures are allowed to continue in what should be a world-class destination.
Overall, the appalling mismanagement insults the stunning natural landscape and the visitors who travel from far and wide to enjoy it—many of them visibly disappointed international tourists. The management team is doing a disservice to Florida tourism, and at this point, converting the area into protected land with no human access would be better than allowing them to run it further into the ground.
Ultimately, you should save yourself the frustration and disappointment associated with this location, instead visiting better-managed natural areas with leadership and staff that do not leave impressions of disregard for visitors. You will also enjoy the opportunity to swim elsewhere, which is yet another element Silver Springs State Park lacks in their intense micromanagement of an already dull experience.
The Silver Springs glass bottom boat ride has been on my bucket list for 40 years, so we finally drove over to Ocala to check it out. Parking is free.
I was disappointed upon our arrival at the park just after noon that every 90-minute tour was sold out for Monday. We had to settle for a 30-minute tour. The difference is that you ride farther down the Silver Springs River and see more wildlife during the longer tour.
The price for the 30-minute tour is $15 ($14 seniors), and 90-minutes is $30 or $25 for a senior. We arrived at precisely the right time to head to the dock to check in for the 12:45 departure. Hubby and I boarded ten minutes later and were the first people on the boat, so we chose the back end opposite of the captain's post. We were fortunate to have the extra room because the boat was packed full of tourists, elbow to elbow.
The boat has no air conditioning and has large windows all around, but they were all closed on a 90-degree afternoon except for a small gap at the top. There's also a narrow opening at the front and back of the boat, but there was no air movement inside the boat. It was suffocating, especially being so crowded.
An obnoxious passenger seated next to Hubby kept yapping irrelevant comments at above-average decibels while the captain was talking, so we had to strain to hear her tutorial about the park's geology and history, the nesting birds, invasive fish species, the resident alligators and monkeys, etc. What we could hear was interesting.
Through the 1/2 inch glass bottom, you see mostly reeds and algae, occasional fish, and the limestone shelves of several springs. I was more interested in the nesting birds and the alligators at the water's edge, but I couldn't get any decent photos through the closed glass windows, which were smudged.
We were relieved to get off the boat after 30 minutes and stretch. And breathe some fresh air. In the end, we were glad that the 90-minute tours were sold out so we didn't have to spend more time sitting in the stale air listening to the adjacent loquacious passenger.
After the boat ride, we checked out the park's discovery center (very small), as well as the gift shop. We were ready to leave less than two hours after we arrived.
Beautiful paddling adventure. Staff was great. Crystal clear water. Manatees, alligators and tons of birds.
Great experience the atmosphere,greenery,Clearwater great staff,guided extended glass bottom tour was breath taking..also canoeing excellent
We only had time to do the the paddling adventure. The river and park are absolutely wonderful and I highly recommend everyone visit.
The reason for the "average" rating is directed at the paddling operation itself. We received NO instruction on paddling our boats (kayak and canoe) so therefore we struggled which took away from our experience. The staff did not provide us with a map of the river and so one of us had to turn around and go back to get one. The staff did not discuss the map to provide any helpful information regarding where to go and bathroom availability.
We also wish that motorized boats not be permitted at least inside the park boundaries. There were large boats traveling up and down the river and the river is not that wide. We were constantly maneuvering our boats to get out of their way which was difficult at times. The water is shallow in allot of places and manatees live in the river. I'm sure the motorized boats put the manatees at risk.
Don’t bother going during the week, the shops, museum, and cafe’s are all closed. A food truck and an over priced gift shop were the only stores open. We arrived at the glass bottom boat tour, to find out that you had to purchase tickets at the main entrance. Campground was not clearly marked, and at a different site than Silver Springs main entrance. Nothing to see here folks, move along.
Excellent trip, both Kayaks were ready when we arrived, the team gave us a map and helped launch the kayaks. When we arrived down stream the van was waiting at the county park for our return trip to Silver Springs
We loved Silver Springs! All of the park and paddle sports staff were great. Paddling the two hour loop was incredible. We saw many different birds and gators. We didn’t get to see the monkeys - just another reason to go back!
This is a nice state park. Admission is low, $2 person. Go early as the parking lot fills up quick. There is a glass bottom boat that is an extra Admission. If the season and weather is right then you might be able to manatees. There are wild monkeys that are hard to find. A few hiking trails including one that is a boardwalk. Was able to spend several hours here.
Can't beat this location for kayaking to see the most wildlife and scenery. Everything from manatees, alligators, monkeys, turtles, fish and almost every bird native to Florida. The wildflowers are a bonus.
The best part of our kayaking experience at Silver Springs State Park was first we started off early with our reservation being made at 8AM. The entrance was well-staffed and offered helpful assistance . Being that early in the morning the springs was very serene, quiet, and peaceful. It took us about 3 hours to paddle the 5 miles and reach the end of our tour. Along the way, we were very close to a manatee, various birds/ducks, numerous turtles, as well as 3 or 4 alligators keeping to them selves along the shore. Make sure the shuttle return service will be available at the end of the kayaking. You don't want to find yourself having to paddle 5 miles back upstream to the starting point. Our outing ended around 11:30 before the sun got to hot. We love this place.
We went on the glass bottom boat! We loved it, very interesting, learned so much. What an awesome place, absolutely breath taking.
The trip was well worth the time..we took the short trip but will go back for the longer ride soon. Beautiful surroundings , peaceful setting and the Captain was very knowledgeable with a great sense of humor.
Went here with parents, wife, and 3 year old child. We unfortunately didn’t do the full experience and instead just walked around. If I were to go back, I’d like to go in the glass bottom boat. Nice place, and would recommend for an inexpensive outing.
The glass-bottom boat ride was something I had wanted to do all my life and it didn't disappoint! Captain Steve was great, funny & informative. We strolled around the park, enjoying the spectacular scenery and the history of this wonderful place.
Really enjoyed this boat ride! The captain was entertaining and very interesting. We learned a lot about the area while looking at some of the most clear, beautiful water we've ever seen.
If you have to go to bathroom, make sure to go before you get there. Portables we're DISGUSTING! Also bring your own life jacket if possible. There's smell really bad. Rover itself is beautiful.
We had a family of 8 adults for our adventure. 4 couples. We reserved 4 tandem, sit on top, kayaks. When we arrived, the young men working the launching platform tried to force us to take “inside” kayaks. My wife located the kayaks that had our name on them and brought that to their attention. As one young men dragged away the kayaks they wanted us to take, he scrapped my wifes leg causing it to bleed. Then, when he helped launch our kayak, he tried to upset it intentionally. I overheard another customer say “really, was that necessary”? Two of our group, that was watching, said it was definitely intentional. All because we wanted what we had reserved.
The river trip was very nice. We had a manatee encounter, and saw several alligators. No monkeys this time. Mostly quiet except for the number of motor boats and jet skis causing wakes.
The end of the trip was nice as we got a ride back to our car and the staff handled the kayaks. However, the launch ramp at the end is horrible.
We have not been here for some time, but this was the worst experience we have ever had. Sad to say, but you can better customer service elsewhere.
Nicely maintained outdoor park with a lot to do including winding boardwalk, wild monkeys, kayaking rentals to take an easy paddle down the crystal clear river. We saw monkeys in the trees, giant blue fish, and my son's favorite alligators resting on the river banks. very low key and inexpensive family outdoor adventure. We actually went twice while we were in ocala for the WEC horse show. It was lovely. One piece of advice however - if you want to rent the kayaks or sups you need to get there before 3 (check time as it might change). on our first visit we were disappointed that we could not rent kayaks when we walked up to the rental cabin at 3:15. Its operated by the state! Also they only rent for one hour rather than 2 later in day even though park is open until 6. Maybe thr gators get hungry later in the day!
Our guide was awesome! Took the time to answer every question. We saw the Manatee and loved the turtles
We went here to kayak. The kayak rental is not in park but at the back of the parking lot (is signposted). We booked a 2 hour tour, which was enough for the Fort King Waterway circuit. Half the way upriver is through a side arm of the river. We have seen clear water and many turtles. Unfortunately, no monkeys, which are supposed to live wild there. Back we went on the much wider main river towards the current, although that was no problem. The current was not strong. There we saw a few alligators lying lazily in the sun at the edge.
We really enjoyed this short but varied tour.
We enjoyed a calm relaxing day at Silver Springs State Park in Florida. We rented a kayak and for two hours paddled along the Silver River enjoying the wildlife and a quiet serene morning. The birds, alligators, turtles were plentiful and unafraid as we quietly watched them. The Anhingas dove and fished around us. The glass bottom boat tour was fun and informative. We walked along the nature trails. Altogether a relaxing day in a beautiful nature park!!
Very calming and beautiful water! Our Captain was very knowledgeable and great tour guide.
We have loved in Florida for 20 years and are always looking for new adventures. This was definitely a winner.
We really enjoyed our visit. The grounds are so pleasant to walk around and pass the time before your boat tour . The extended boat tour was amazing. Our captain on the extended tour was humorous and very knowledgeable!! He made sure we saw the wildlife and the springs and told us about movies and tv series that had been filmed there too.
Had heard about the wild monkeys from a coworker. We were blessed to see them and our captain did not rush us enabling everyone to see them.
Well worth the couple hour drive and the money!!
Awesome experience. I got to see alligators and turtles and manatees I enjoyed like a kid. Entrance fee is not expensive and water activities range between 40-80$ depending on what you want to do. I will definitely come back here next time I come to Florida (next time with my kid)m he’ll love it). Amazing way to spend my sister’s birthday!
Beautiful water and history. The glass bottom boat allows you to see plenty of fish, gators, birds and if lucky you can catch a few Manatee also. Several movies filmed there including Tarzan and Sea Hunt ect. The grounds are also beautiful with walking trails, monkeys in the trees on occasion. They have an area of shops with food, History, of the park ect. They also have a large grassy area with a Pavillion where concerts are held. There is also kayak and canoe and paddle board rentals. They have clear kayaks that are great for seeing critters. If you are a veteran you can get a Florida parks pass for free and all state parks are free to enter. Silver Springs included but the glass bottom boat tours still cost.
We winter across the street at the RV Park so we go to the springs several times and it doesn't get old. Nice place to relax, walk, maybe even take a nap.
This was my fourth kayak trip here in two years. The day was spectacular. The sites were amazing as usual, and we got to see the monkeys this trip along with a couple of manatees, a few gators and lots of cormorants, egrets, ibis, turtles and cool fish. This was our first time taking the 3 hour trip to Ray's Wayside. What could possibly put the damper on such a fine experience? How about a leaky kayak.
My wife and I were in a tandem sit-in kayak that was rough looking to start. About a quarter way through the trip I noticed the water reaching my feet. At the half way mark we stopped to empty out the tandem kayak. There were no employees at the designated stop, and we had to really struggle to empty it on the dock. When we turned it over we noticed a patch on the bottom at the back end. It was looking very worn and seemed to be the source of the leak. We continued to the wayside and arrived with a lot of water in the kayak. The added weight made it harder to paddle as I was providing most of the horsepower. Before I could say anything to the employee that met us at the kayak launch, he asked me about all the water. I told him my story and he said that he would tell his boss and get that kayak repaired. Hope he does that but, I think it may be past time to retire that one. We wondered about what could have happened.
We visited in September and hired a clear kayak for 2 hours. What an experience! We saw alligators, otters and had a couple of manatees swim close by us! The water is so clear - you see so many fish as you're paddling along. We visited early and I recommend this for a couple of reasons - first being the heat, and secondly as we were heading back there were quite a few people just heading out - had we left it till later we may not have had such a good view of the manatees.
The facilities are excellent, rest rooms close by with a shop and a cafe/restaurant on site also. This was so much fun I high recommend.
I wanted to help the park, so I volunteered and was trained to drive the patrol boats up and down the Silver River. I was appalled They didn’t carry any water or first aid equipment, and also told us that we could not transport any her passengers if we found them.
There was two of us to the patrol boats, and almost everyone I went with, was busy, taking nature photography, and not looking for manatee, which we hit very often with our propellers. When I asked the management, if we could put propeller guards on the boats, nothing happened. I offered to pay for the propeller guards myself out of my own pocket, they retaliated by banning me from the park for the rest of my life. I did nothing wrong other than to offer to pay for the propeller guards, and they said that guy was going to harm their boats when in fact, they requested that we do the maintenance on their boats on our time off, but putting a simple propeller guard would be damaging and so they threw me out?
I hated to see the manatee wounded, especially the babies.
Excellent trip, we did the 30 min. The guide was great. Very unique. Wish we got there earlier so we could kayak, as well.
I reserved a kayak in advance and was on the water around 8:30 am. Very smooth check-in process, and the equipment was in good shape.
This was such a peaceful and pleasant experience (once I passed that very loud group!). The water is so clean, and you feel like you are deep in the jungle. I got to see the monkeys! (Although I wish I'd known they were only at the beginning. Next time, I'll linger in that area longer.) I saw lots of turtles and birds and one alligator.
I paddled down 5 miles to the park and got the shuttle back. This was truly a wonderful experience, but I probably wouldn't have liked it as much if I'd gone when there were more people out. I loved having the river to myself most of the trip. I will definitely be back. (And I'll leave my house at 6 am again and drive two hours to arrive around 8 am!) Worth it!
I visited Silver Springs with my husband. My first impression when pulling into the parking lot was that it is a little run down. I realize it’s a State Park but they only charge a minimal fee to visit. They could bump that up by even a dollar and fix things up. It’s not very inviting. The roof of the buildings look like they need painting, weedy areas that just need weed whacked. Get some volunteer groups out to help spruce it up.
Glass Bottom Boat Tour - I recommend purchasing your tickets online. When we got there the only available tickets were for a time slot in 3 hours. Our mistake. Luckily we wanted to kayak too. The tour was nice, you get a good view of the springs and some interesting info from the captain.
Kayaking - The staff at the counter were less than friendly, very matter of fact. Make sure you bring your drivers license with you. Also, they started timing our trip from check in instead of from drop in. But we had to wait at the ramp for a while. So, they called us while we were kayaking to tell us we need to be back in time or we will have to pay a late fee. That was a little overkill in my opinion. We were right around the corner and were on time based on drop in, which the guys told us to do at the ramp. We loved the kayaking though. We made the full loop instead of the first canal the girl at the check in counter recommended. The guy at the ramp had better info. We saw gators, multiple types of birds, turtles. It was beautiful. This was my favorite part of the trip.
When we arrived back from kayaking a different boat ramp guy pulled the kayak up. When he did so he yanked so hard Tom’s of water splashed up and soaked my husband. He had been completely dry from kayaking. Again a little overkill. We are experienced kayakers. My husband could have gotten out on his own. But the attendant was too busy listening to his AirPods to even communicate with us until after the fact.
Silver Springs State Park is a real treasure. I took the extended tour on the glass bottom boat, and Captain Mark was the best tour guide ever. In addition to pointing out all the fabulous wildlife, he discussed the history and interesting facts about the park and Silver River. My day was fascinating. Do not miss this experience if you are in the area.
We enjoyed the glass bottom boat tour and the park is beautiful. However, the website needs to be updated to keep guests informed. The Silver Springs restaurant is closed. We had planned to have lunch there, then do the glass bottom boat tour. There is a food truck, but that’s not the same. When it’s hot you want to be able to sit down in an air-conditioned restaurant. The museum is closed and there’s not much to do other than the 30 minute boat tour. Also wish they offered the hour & half boat tour during the week. It is only offered on the weekends. You would think it would be the other way around with crowds on the weekends. The captain of our glass bottom boat tour was comical and fun.
The Captains operating the tour boats are knowledeable and entertaining. Lots of interesting facts and information and a fascinationg wonder of nature.
Silver Springs State Park is truly a must see. Crystal blue waters teaming with wildlife and an amazing glass bottom boat tour. Our Captain, was Captain Bill and he was extremely informative and very funny. He captured our attention, made sure that everyone on board saw the best views of the natural springs and wildlife and shared about the park's fascinating history with many movies and TV series having been filmed on location. Wonderful experience.
We did the 2 hour tandem clear kayak. Collin, our guide was great, provided us with great information about the animals and local history of the park. We saw manatees, gators, turtles and different bird species.
It was a great experience and 2 hour was perfect focus.
Beautiful park and spring. We enjoyed the glass bottom boat tour with Captain Bill. He was knowledgeable and humorous. We were lucky enough to see several manatees and Captain Bill made sure to point them out and float around the area long enough for everyone to get pictures. Highly recommend this beautiful, peaceful park.
The kayak trail is beautiful and peaceful. The staff is great, easy in and out of water.
Fyi, the kayaks intentionally have water inside, they said it adds stability but expect a wet bottom
We visited when we came to Florida looking for houses and had some free time. The glass bottom boat ride is the main attraction. You can also walk the pathways which is nice. Wildlife seen were birds, fish and alligator. It’s a nice place to check out if you are visiting the area.
the park is really pretty, and the glass bottom bat tour was very cool. didn't see any monkeys, but saw a couple of manatees.
we were there when things were being renovated though, so none of the restaurants were open, just a food truck with a grumpy guy. And the bathrooms were on the icky side, not clean and half broken down.
Of course it was the glass bottom boat ride. We took the extended at 3 pm and it was great. The captain was very informative about the trip and park itself. We are senior and the boat ride price was good.
Had heard about this for years. Fun to finally get to experience a glass bottom boat. (Missed the manatees since we went so late in Feb.) Extended tour was informative and interesting. Saw gators, turtles, tons of birds.
Glass bottom boats are like a step back in time and the history of the park and the movies shot here is fascinating. The views of the springs from the boats are great. The restaurant was under renovations but they did have a food truck on site. Great place for a picnic lunch.
We had a great trip we saw a lot of fish, turtles, and saw an alligator. Captain Bill was great . The trip was well worth the time and price.
The water is crystal clear, and renting a kayak is a fun way to spend a day at the park. The grounds were well maintained and clean.
Having said that, the park has seen its heyday.
If going there just for the park (no kayaking or taking the tour boat), 45-60 minutes is probably sufficient time since the hiking trail is definitely underwhelming and one can only stand so long looking at the water where the underwater spring exits.
Someone needs to get in there with some imagination and turn it around. Perhaps an arboretum ? Herb garden ? Stage some events ?
I believe there is definitely potential.
A suggestion, restrict gas powered boats from entering the spring headwaters and operate electric tour boats.
This was our second visit to Silver Springs State Park. This time we took the hour and a half boat trip. it was a very pretty trip down the river. Birds, manatee, monkeys and fish of course. The water is crystal clear. Great narration from our captain. Great park for adults or with children.
While visiting family in The Villages we voted on taking the Glass Bottom Boat Tour and we were NOT disappointed. One person in our party has difficulty walking, so we called in advance to get an idea of what to expect and the person on the phone was wonderfully helpful. They do have wheelchairs near the archway entrance, availble on a first come, first serve basis for those with walking difficulties. That being said, the walk was easy and we were all able to walk to where the boat launch is.
We took the 930am 90 minute Ecotour with Captain Reef who was an excellent captain and kept us laughing with his 'dad jokes', while also educating us about the Silver Springs and all the surrounding habitats. We rode on the open air boat and it was a really beautiful day, with lower heat and humidity, so it really made for a lovely morning.
We are hoping to get back there again the next time we are in Florida to maybe try the kayaking...but those alligators might stop me!
Highly recommend this activity if you are in the area.
Nice trip down the Silver River in the glass bottom boats. Seen some alligators, birds, fish, and monkeys. The short or the extended will give you a nice view inside the springs.
Great Father’s Day excursion on the Silver River! I made reservations online, and check in/pick up was super easy. Even though it was busy, the staff was very friendly, had our kayaks ready, and we were on the water quickly.
The Fort King Trail is very peaceful, and seemed to be less traveled. Really cool if you used to visit Silver Springs when it was a theme park and remember the boat ride. From there we paddled up stream to the head spring, then back down stream 4 or 5 miles to the boat ramp. The shuttle runs about every 25-20 minutes.
We saw tons of turtles, fish, and birds, and a few alligators. The only negative was the exhaust from motor boats on the river, but it was a holiday weekend. A weekday paddle would probably yield much less traffic on the water.
This was our third time doing a full day paddle on the Silver River in Silver Springs State Park. We have never been disappointed in what we have seen and experienced. This is our "go to" park for anyone who wants to experience the "real Florida". We have always seen a variety of fish; numerous species of turtles; various sizes of alligators and manatees; and occasionally, monkeys. It is a leisurely, 4hour trip downriver with a short van ride back to the park.
This was a beautiful, peaceful trip. The water is clear and crisp and the sites are something to behold. We took our sweet time all the way down the 5 mile river and enjoyed ourselves. We saw so many different kinds of birds, tons of turtles, so many beautiful blue fish and other fish, we saw the manatees, we saw and heard the monkeys and two snakes. Also, be prepared for alligators. They don’t seem to be aggressive but I did have small panic attack every time I saw one.
Well worth the money to be brought back to your car at the end of the 5 miles
What happened to the stimulus money for Florida? They certainly haven't put it into this state park. It's literally falling apart. Everything looks old and unkempt, including the glass bottom boats.
A beautiful Kayak trip! We saw fish, turtles, baby alligators, birds, monkey's and manatees! HIGHLY recommend! We had perfect weather, check in was a breeze also!
The good
- cheap entry fee that includes glass bottom boat ride.
- water is super clear.
- walking trails are nice.
- kayak/canoe rentals are available.
- snacks are available at the pavilion,
The bad
- can't swim in the water.
- can't see where the spring water is coming from.
Overall a good place for a tame family outing. We were hoping for a little more adventure than that.
Silver Springs State Park is a beautiful place. The glass bottom boat tour was very interesting and informative. The gardens were beautiful and there was renovation going on in one of the buildings, so I think services were limited because of it. We returned the next day to walk the dogs around the park, which was very enjoyable. I think I would love to kayak the springs in the future.
If you like nature, hiking and kayaks rentals, this is a good place for it.we walk mile an enjoy the entire trip. We book the extended boat tour and it was very relaxing, the captain was very knowledgeable on the park including how many movies the park was used for. On the boat tour we saw: birds, alligator and a Manatee, it was beautiful. You will not be disappointed. Will visit again if we stay in this part of Ocala.
What a perfect day! Manatees, gators, birds and blissful peace. Quality family time combined with some great family friends.
I highly recommend taking this educational and relaxing tour of Silver Springs Park. Watching the manatees swim next to and underneath the boat was very neat! We saw crocodiles and many beautiful birds. Our captain did an excellent job explaining all of the various areas and allowing us to experience the beauty underneath us in the water through the glass bottom boat. I highly recommend taking the 90 minute tour if you are in the area. You won’t be disappointed. We also enjoyed hiking in this park.
A very nice park. Great for shorts walks or hikes around on marked trails. Staff is very friendly and helpful. Take the glass bottom boat tour and do the 90 minute cruise if you can. We only took the shorter tour but highly enjoyed it. We were there on January 26th and took the 1:10 p.m. tour - our captain was great! Very informative and hysterically funny! Made our day! We left saying that we would return and that we would recommend this to family/friends.
Absolutely breath taking and so peaceful. I took my adult kids kayaking today and they loved it. Made precious memories.
Beautiful clean water. You can’t swim in it though, but a great place to look at the wildlife. If you paddle down the River, it is a peaceful journey. The wildlife leaves you alone, so it is safe.
First time to the park. Many amenities, river tours, clean. Under renovation. Great for hiking and non-motor water crafts
We really enjoyed our visit to Silver Springs, took the long glass bottomed boat tour, it was excellent. Captain was informative, interesting and a great guy. We saw all kinds of wildlife, no monkeys, our captain maneuvered to get us great views of all. Manatee went directly under our boat, beautiful view. Highly recommend a visit
It was our first time to silver springs Park! What a fantastic beautiful place. We brought our own kayaks, but used the pick up service the park offers. Best idea ever, we had a relaxing easy 5.7 mile kayak trip and saw plenty of wildlife and flowers! We 100% recommend, the water is pristine and crystal clear! Can't wait to go again!
We have a large group of women (14) and we kayak here twice a year. The people running the kayak rentals are very friendly and helpful. It is an easy paddle if you go all the way the Ray Wayside and get picked up by the shuttle. Such a gorgeous place! We see many turtles, gators (never a problem), birds, you can see the fish and turtles swimming underwater, and of course the monkeys. Never get too close to them though, they can get nasty. And check your kayak rental foot pedals and seat before leaving. But it is excellent and highly recommended.
The park is small but very beautiful. The glass bottom boat ride was really great. We even saw alligators and monkeys.
A few hours of tropical delight. A beautiful path around the spring fed lake. Views of birds, fish, and maybe an alligator! No Manatees for us but rumored a few weeks ago. The glass bottom boat ride is a must. Just remember to bring cash to tip the boat operator.
Enjoyable paddle in the Silver Springs river. Staff were helpful, though busy with many paddlers at the check-in and out on the river. If there'd be a way to get out in the first group of rentals, it might be a bit more pleasant to have fewer boats on the water, but after all, it is a state park.
Wildlife was plentiful as others have noted - fun to see the diversity of bird life, as well as the manatees. Our solo kayaks were comfortable, though with fixed footrest options that were okay but not great.
The extended boat ride was fantastic! The boat captain knew lots of facts and fables about the entire area. The only negative about the park was that so much of the supporting buildings were closed for repairs. When these get reopened the park will be a lot of fun.
Highly recommend the Glass Bottom Boat Tour. The earlier the better, because you are more likely to see wildlife in the mornings.
We stayed at the Silver Springs Campground. The sites are very spacious, and the bathrooms are clean. The trails are accessible from the campground. They are nice and flat, and they will give you a look at the river. Bring bug spray on the trails, because the horse flies and mosquitoes are pretty intolerable otherwise.
My favorite part of our stay was the incredible hospitality from the park rangers. When we were having car troubles, our park ranger made sure we had everything we needed. He even brought firewood to our campsite when we didn’t have our car. The whole town of Ocala was full of friendly, hospitable people that made our trip even better.
We have gone on the 30 minute Glass Bottom Boat ride twice and this past weekend we went on the 90 minute Glass Bottom Boat ride with family and friends that were visiting from out of state. I highly recommend going, the scenery is beautiful and the tour guide provided lots of interesting info! We alligators, turtles, tons of fish and birds, and two manatee! Go, you'll be happy you did. If you are choosing the 90 minutes tour, be sure to book early, they always sell out. We have also walked the trails at the park, they are nice and wide, safe to walk on, and provide beautiful scenery.
We loved the extended glass bottom boat ride! Saw a variety of birds, turtles, fish, and gators!!! Wish we could have seen a manatee and a monkey, but they seem to have been hiding. It was so cool to be able to look through the bottom of the boat, and the captain was great!
Our first visit to the park for the Glass Bottom Boat tour, and we were not disappointed. The area was a nice State Park, but had few amenities available. Just a food truck and basic bathrooms were available. The entrance fee was reasonable, and we felt the boat tour was reasonably priced as well. We were able to see a lot of the area up close, and it was not too hot on a summer day with the covered boats. We saw alligators (including babies), birds, tons of turtles, and toward the end - a manatee! We didn't see any other land animals on this trip. Our captain was very informative about the history of the springs, and it was nice learning about the connections to the movie industry as well. Kayaks were available to rent as well.
Really fun way to spend a day. Took us just under 4 hours to drift down the 5.2 miles at a very slow paddle - in fact, you can just drift and use the paddle to steer. A dozen manatees, more than a dozen monkeys, alligators and tons of turtles. We paid for the shuttle back. Various kayak, canoe, and other rentals. It was in the low 70’s the day we went which was perfect.
It has changed allot over the years, most of the buildings are closed, the car museum is long gone as are all of the shows and the jungle cruise is gone. Glass Bottom Boats are still operating and they are fantastic. Monkees are still around in the trees. Very cheap to visit and walk
Silver springs provides a window into the beauty that is Central Florida. From the hiking trails to the glass bottom boats the experience is worth the visit. The building that houses the small on site museum, store, etc is currently under renovation ( which is exciting) but there is a souvenir kiosk and plenty of picnic spots. We thoroughly enjoyed our day at the park!
This was a perfect day of Paddling in a beautiful river! No reservations were made ahead of time and we were fortunate that it worked out OK. We signed up for the two hour paddle, that took us three hours, but after all, we are 80 years old in a tandem kayak.
We chose a sunny day for this beautiful trip with lots of wildlife and gorgeous surroundings! Turtles on logs totally ignored us. there were groups of wonderful manatees, who glided right under our kayaks.
And to make this absolutely perfect: a delightful driver, was waiting to help us and drive us back!
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to this beautiful state park. The glass bottom boat ride was awesome. Our Captain was very knowledgeable and concerned about the manatees of which we saw several. The walking trails and boardwalk are lovely. So glad we spent part of our day here.
Glass bottom boat was every bit as enjoyable as it was 50 years ago. The park is pristine. Would have like to do the longer tour and paddle board but next time for sure.
We camped here for the first time and were very pleasantly surprised. I guess we had visions of an old campground in an urban area. The camping area is well separated from the tourist attraction. It was a very clean quiet campground, with huge level campsites and facilities that were obviously newer than many state parks. Numerous staff and volunteers were working hard to keep things nice. There were many nice trails throughout the park.
We took the 30 minute glass bottom boat tour, which was ok, probably more meaningful for out-of-towners who haven't seen Florida's springs before. To make this a perfect park, it would be wonderful if they could find a way to allow swimming somewhere in the Silver River. I know that becomes problematic in so many ways, but that's our recommendation, since Ocala can be so stinking hot. We were pleased to see that kayaking is allowed.
We plan to return, since the location is within reasonable driving distance of a number of other very nice springs.
We had a group of 7 friends. Put in at head and floated down to Ray’s. Beautiful scenery and lots of gators, few manatees too. People were great helping us to get on the water and picked us up
we rented two sit on and two sit in
we seen a lot of manatees two alligators and bunch of bids and fish
the sit on kayaks were fine
the sit in kayaks were the worst vessel I ever used
they would not track at all,and the harder you tried to steer the more the nose would dive and dig in to were you just had to back peddle to gain control
do your self a favor and avoid the sit in SOLO
This place is amazing. We had a great day. Rented a 2 person Kayak and paddled the 5 miles of the river and shuttled back. It is crowded at the beginning but we were often alone as we went down the river. Saw 12 manatees, a monkey, 4 alligators, and many, many fish, birds, and turtles. Water is beautifully clear and paddling is not difficult as you are going with the flow of the river. Would highly recommend this is you want to experience real Florida terrain.
My father visited as a kid. He brought me as a kid to visit. This year I was lucky enough to bring my kids here for a visit. It did not disappoint! While a lot has changed over the years, the glass bottom boats and the beautiful gardens remain. I wish we could have stayed longer, but we did enjoy walking the garden paths as well as the boat ride. I am so happy I was able to bring the next generation here to enjoy Silver Springs! I hope someday I will be able to bring my grandchildren here as well!
Silver Springs park Glass Bottom Boat - weekend, 90 minutes ride - buy tickets days in advance. Food and shopping described on website are closed for remodeling (February 2022). However a very good food truck is available - we really enjoyed our BBQ sandwiches (great smoky flavor, toasted bun) and generous serving of crispy French fries. The 90 minute boat ride was great!
This is a great economical stop just off of I-75. We only spent about 3 hours there on a Tuesday; but it was well worth the $2 entry. The grounds were in good shape; but the highlight is the glass bottom boat tour. We were delayed for weather; but got the tour from an excellent captain who has been giving tours since 1969. I could see us coming back and doing the kayaks next time. Unfortunately for us some of the shops were not open either due to COVID or because it was a Tuesday. Be sure to bring a mask if you are taking the boat tour, it is required by the Coast Guard.
We loved it. Beautiful experience. We took the 90 minute glass bottom boat ride. The guide was excellent; the boat was "filled" with plenty of elbow room. We saw manatees, monkeys, alligators, turtles, and many, many birds. The property is expansive and immaculate. They have walking trails, kayaks rentals, and paddle boards. We had lunch from a food truck parked the premises because the food service pavilion was under construction. The food was quite good.
5. If you want the extended boat tour reserve on line weeks in advance. 30 minute tours same day available. Rented glass bottom kayaks. Great seating. Only allow bare feet or socks in the clear kayaks. We would go again for sure. Cost of clear bottom not worth it. Between seating position and glare from sunshine it didn’t gain much. Pretty crowded at the launch area. Plenty of space in the river. Stay put of the way of the boats. Saw alligators, turtles, manatees, and plenty of fish.
I visited Silver Springs with my family over the holidays. It is a beautiful place. It is a wonderful example of the real and natural Florida. The cost to get into the park was only $2 per person. We also took the 30 minute glass bottom boat tour; it was terrific. The boat tour is an additional cost to the $2 admission. Not only are the sights great, but our captain was funny and very knowledgeable. The park is well maintained and there are many things to do there from kayaking to hiking to glass bottom boats. Do be aware that the restroom facilities were only found just outside the gate. They are not very big so there was a moderate line.
I highly recommend a visit to Silver Springs State Park.
Beautiful park, well maintained
Glass bottom boat tour extremely well done
Great for all ages
Highly recommend
I’ll return
Silver Springs is still super, its Florida's oldest attraction, my 1st visit was for the glass bottom boats, and the mermaids. The Fort King Waterway runs parallel to the Silver River before joining the river. This 3/4 mile run contains remnants of a former jungle cruise attraction. Besides the usual wild life, birds, turtles are lots of rhesus monkey's, left from the attraction.
Visited with 3 friends. We walked around the park and went on the glass boat tour. Whilst we did not see any alligators or manatee’s, we saw lots of fish, birds and turtles. Captain had a lot of knowledge! The water from the sprint is Crystal clear. We really enjoyed the 30 min boat tour! Waking around the park is good but not spectacular. The creek trail at the back of the park is not mediocre at best.
Everything is boarded up and does not look like they are fixing it anytime soon, which is not disclosed on their website.
Had a food truck for food. The boat ride was canceled instead of being pushed back, and coming to this area just for the boat ride and then due to lightning somewhere 10 miles away, we wasted hundreds of dollars on 2 nights in a hotel NOT to take a boat ride, because they had no other options available for us. You would think that they should have a back up plan for weather cancellations due to this being FL. An extra boat would be a nice back up plan.
The short walk around the water was pretty
My husband and I visited this park and did a variety of things. We hiked through some of the trails, visited the history museum, took a glass bottom boat tour and visited the island. We saw lots of wildlife and beautiful nature. All of the staff we encountered were very friendly.
Having visited a several times over the last 60 years, this old site was showing her age, last time I came she was in sad shape and had just been taken over by the State of Florida! Update.. they have polished the silver and put some spring back in her step, and she is now worth revisiting for those that remember the old days, and great for kids to experience anew! Cost $2 to walk around and $14 to if you want to include the “glass bottom” boat your.
Beautiful landscape. Came in January spontaneously on way home to hopefully see some manatees. Did not see any; although, others reported they saw some close by where we were. We did not have a lot of time so did not take a boat or kayak tour where we probably would have seen some. The area is beautiful and was worth the stop to see the area and nature. Water is so beautiful and clear. Was $2/person to enter. Boat and kayak tours extra. Would be a nice day to take a picnic lunch and enjoy a few hours here hiking and taking a tour. Recommend.
Don't like to do negative reviews. However, it is not as good as it used to be. Probably been 40 years since I've been there. The glass bottom boat was ok but could not understand the guy doing the narration. They moved all the monkeys so you won't see any! I can understand moving most of them but not all! The restaurant and museum were closed for renovation which I understand but no one was on site working! Just seems like they are taking people's money without giving much in return. The boat ride is expensive and we expected a little more!
We had an amazing afternoon kayaking around the springs. We saw a ton of wildlife- so many turtles, birds, fish and an alligator. The kayak and paddleboard rental booth inside the state park is awesome. They help you in and out of the water, all employees were friendly and helpful. Skip past the other more expensive company that sets up camp and clogs up the ten minute staging zone in front, and go straight into the park for your rentals.
Always a great river to take company to show off the beauty around us. This kayak visit was a bit off. Kids had to wear life jackets which smelled so bad the stench remained in their clothes hours after. Sit in kayaks were dirty and uncomfortable. Adults used life jackets for back supports- then they came out smelling like an old washcloth! So the scenery was great as always but the kayak company has some work to do- will not use them again.
We love the hiking trails and kayak rental available at this park. We spend the majority of a day here whenever we're in the area. We always see alligators, manatees and monkeys when we visit.
We went for the glass bottom boat tour, and wew went early to tour the park. It is a very tired park needing lots of TLC. Many buildings are in disrepair although it looks like they are renovating the restaurant. The museum is closed. the sidewalks are cracked and uneven. There is a shortage of restrooms and the porta units are in poor shape. There is a lot of wildlife, mainly birds to see. Perhaps if not in winter it would be a prettier park, in January it leaves a bit to be desired.
Beautiful pristine park, with unbelievably transparent waters. Highly recommended for the whole family.
Spent a beautiful day here kayaking with my fiancé while visiting family from Pennsylvania. We saw monkeys, fish, birds, tons of turtles, 2 alligators and numerous manatees were swimming all around us...we agreed that it was an amazing experience.
Excellent,informative book ride with exceptional narrative by our captain. We will book ahead next time to kayak.
I found this park to be pretty and well maintained. Our glass bottom boat tour was handled by Captain Robbie. He gave us an entertaining ride with jokes and facts and history of the park and river. He told of the numerous movie scenes filmed there. The park was not very busy so he gave us a longer trip than usual. We watched many mullet jumping in the river, saw tilapia, several turtles, fish and of course an alligator. No monkeys or manatee this time. I highly recommend the glass bottom boat ride. The viewing area is large and every seat is a good seat.
The shops were closed. The restaurant was closed but I was told most of the restaurant menu was available from the food truck.
We did check out the boardwalk and it was well tended.
I have been told that experiences, such as Jungle Cruise, were part of the park and are now discontinued. There's plenty of opportunity for the park to expand again and hopefully will someday.
Allow more time if you want to walk any trails, etc.
The glass bottom boat trip was tremendous, let down by poor food from a trailer shame it rather ruined the day, Takeyour own food
nice clean campground, with one of the best springs to kayak. Expect to see lots of wildlife along the river - gators, manatees, water birds, and if you're lucky, monkeys!
A beautiful experience! The staff was efficient & courteous, from beginning to helping get me out of the water! The Silver springs area is breathtaking! We saw manatees & turtles & birds! The weather was even perfect! Reasonably priced as well. An easy paddle for two hours, just lovely!
Good place to spend a couple of hours and longer if you like walking. Better to prebook boat trip as they get full quick. We did the 30 minute tour in the glass bottom boat. Very lucky to see a manatee. Unlucky to have very loud group who did not listen to guide and made it hard for us to hear too. Good value for money. The cafe service was very slow even on a quiet day. 1 older lady serving and 3 watching it seemed. We gave up waiting for an icecream.
I got the earliest time for the glass bottom boat tour. It was my husband & I & 3 French tourists. By the time we got back the dock was packed & every boat pulling out was full. This was on a Friday in April.
There were no manatees, but apparently there are some that live by the spring year round.
Silver Springs is a beautiful park. The Spring is wonderful & the boat tour really gives you a good look at it. Very enjoyable.
There's trails & gardens.
The gift shop & visitor center were both closed for renovation. Figures.
They did have a kiosk with souvenirs.
The restrooms look like they should be renovated next.
There's canoes, kayaks & paddleboards for rent.
The last time I was here was 1973 - 50 years ago!
We were only able to do the 30 minute ride due to the high winds. It was a great ride. Captain Bill was so entertaining. We didn’t see any manatees, but lots of fish, turtles, and the springs. We enjoyed it very much.
My sisters and I had a reservation for 11:00am on Saturday. Early Saturday morning my father was rushed to the hospital and they were very compassionate and understanding. We WILL be booking again with this park!!
My husband and I drove up from Kissimmee where we were staying and made reservations on line. We rented a tandem kayak and took the 5 mile route down river where we were picked up by shuttle. I highly recommend it!! We saw many alligators, a couple of manatees, birds and turtles. We did not see any monkeys!! It was totally worth the money as we loved the clear blue waters from the springs located throughout the river! So pretty and just the right amount of exercise for us.
Any time I am within 2 hours of Silver Springs State Park, I plan to visit. My favorite thing is to rent a kayak for a full day and paddle all the way down to Rays Wayside Park. You can arrange a shuttle to pick you up ahead of time for $5 per person. It takes about 4 hours to get down to Rays (the take out) and the wildlife is spectacular. I always feel like I have gone back in time ... like thousands of years back in time. A paddle down The Silver river restores my soul and makes me feel recharged.
Our glass bottom boat had broken just before we were to leave. The staff was very communicative with us about what was happening. They got another boat and we were off within 10 minutes of our scheduled time. We took the 90 minute tour and it was totally worth it! We saw alligators, manatees, turtles, birds, (no monkees this time). The captain was very informative and capable. Fun outing!
We took an extended cruise with Captain Steve. He was terrific, knew the name of every bird and fish - showed us lots of interesting features and recommended two places to eat, MoJo's and Henry's. We tried them both - terrific.
I did a full day downstream in my own kayak - $6 to launch - a bargen. Saw monkeys, a manatee, alligators and lots of interesting people. Easy downstream trip on the Silver river - about 3 hours.
The boat offered a good view of the river, wildlife, and plants. Our captain was a good narrator and full of interesting information. He pulled up as close as he could to things of particular note: turtles, alligator, underwater sights.
The boat was clean.
We did the 90 minutes, and I'm very glad we did (as opposed to the 30-minute cruise).
Before and after the cruise, we walked around the park. The small island was particularly delightful and beautiful. We enjoyed looking out at the people that were paddling by in kayaks. An alligator swam by, too.
A lovely and relaxing time.
Rented a kayak from the state park and did the 5 mile run down the river and the shuttle. Staff was very friendly. This was absolutely stunning. The water was crystal blue. Was able to see manatees, monkeys, alligators and tons of turtles.
Silver Springs State Park in Silver Springs is a well managed and beautiful park that has much offer from the springs to all of the trails and other activities that they have available. It is well worth seeing all that they have to offer here. Overall great experience.
We rented canoes and went on a self guided all day tour. Beautiful in the beginning. We were very disappointed because there were over 30 jet skis and numerous boats going down the river. Many stopped and tied up on the edge. Watching them fill gas tanks while in the water and the boaters jumping in swimming took away from the beauty. They were going fast and reckless. If we do come back it will be during the week.
I am afraid of many things. I fear alligators, I fear boating, and overall, this trip was more for my husband and children. But I ended up loving it. The crystal-clear water is of incredible beauty! Kayaking was an amazing experience. It was terrifying to see the alligators swimming near our boat, but after an hour, I got used to it, and everything was wonderful. We plan to return in November to watch the manatees.
We're a group of 14 ladies who kayak together. We've always loved renting kayaks here in the park, it's so easy. They line them up and push us off which we appreciate. Make sure you check your kayak foot rest, one was broken. But otherwise the kayaks are safe and we love the portage service back. Before the state park took over we had to launch from Ray Wayside and then return, going out against the current, This is so easy! So much wildlife to see, during spring you see bird rookeries of anhingas and ducks and more, often see the monkeys, often see manatees with babies, crystal clear so can see turtles swim under kayaks. Lots of gators but we've never been bothered by any in the many years we've been here. Don't get close to monkeys, they can be nasty. They're cute but make sure they can't jump into kayak.
This review is for the cabins in the camping area of Silver Springs Park. The cabins are two bedrooms, one bath with a huge wraparound screened porch. They have a 'fire pit area' with seating (of course, bring your own camp chairs too). We stayed in cabin #3 and it was clean, had bed linens, kitchen utensils, some pots and pans and was very cozy. You'll need to bring your own hygiene products as they are not furnished. All in all, a great place to call home for a few days and located close enough to other attractions even for a day trip to Cedar Key, or Williston, FL to find other adventures to see.
Since all the springs in Florida are privately owned and charge for admission we only did a few. We decided to do the largest most entertaining and one we could swim in. Silver Springs is by far the largest springs (30 springs, 24 million gallons of water per hour, most over 30 ft in crystal clear water) A very cool and educational glass bottom boat ride, kayak/canoe/ paddleboard rentals. Nice walking trails. Clean facilities. Food available. Senior discount was nice! ( there is no swimming at this spring)
We rent a kayak and a canoe, and had a blast. The trip along the spring was BEAUTIFUL. The staff at the rental place was VERY efficient and friendly, that alone made it worth it for us. The whole experience was relaxing- great family memories made!
Had the opportunity to host out of state guests for the 1.5-hour glass bottom boat tour. Our guide did a fantastic job. He was knowledgeable and was open to answering the passengers' questions. He was also very accommodating when it came to getting a better view of something like an alligator or portion of one of the springs. Unfortunately, the gift shop and snack bars/restaurant are closed for remodeling. We were aware of this and brought our own water bottles. Unfortunately, we were unable to find any water fountains for refilling our own bottles. With the temps being up in the mid-90s, this was not a good situation.
What an amazing experience my husband and myself had at Silver Springs State Park. We stayed in cabin #3 which is a 2/1 with a full kitchen, living and dining room. When staying at the State Park you receive free admission into Silver Springs and we really enjoyed the hiking trails and kudos to the restaurant Springside Cafe the burgers were excellent! We tried to hit every trail in the State Park but even with staying 9 nights we ran out of time as the trails were plentiful and we enjoyed them all. I must say I rarely (actually never) write reviews but someone from the get go stood out immensely, with her helpfulness as well as patience showing me how to purchase wood on the app and especially her great sense of humor she always kept us smiling so a big shout out to Laurie you rock!!! Thank you to all that have made this such a nice park for us all to enjoy.
Visited Silver Springs park on the Saturday before Memorial Day. The husband and I. We had a wonderful time. We walked all around the park, watched the kayakers, rode the glass bottom boat. It was great, we had a great tour/driver. He was funny, showed us all the springs with details about each and we saw an alligator and he took us up right to it to get a good view. It was a fun experience.
Brie was an amazing person and is very kind. She was amazing on the kayak tour. Brie was all caught up with all the history and was so informal.
First time here since it became a state park and worth the drive down from Gainesville. Packed a picnic lunch and then met the boat at 1. We took the 90 minute glass bottom trip as we'd done the short trip twice over the past 60 years, when it was a private establishment, so we saw a lot more beautiful springs. The guide was very knowledgeable and did his best to show everyone the sights and even drove up very close to a few of the gators. We're from FL and nature knowledgeable so didn't learn much but did enjoy the scenery. Saw no monkeys though! Bathrooms are scarce, although very clean (porta potties were very clean at the picnic area by the parking lot). There was a food truck but no sit down restaurant open during our visit Friday. Museum and reconstructed cracker village only open on the weekend is a disappointment.
Took 1.5 hour glass bottom boat tour. It was excellent! We saw plenty of fish, turtles. And birds. The Captain was very informative about the springs and the wildlife. We saw several alligators and a couple of manatees. The monkeys were not out during our trip. Highly recommend this trip to visitors!
We arrived in time for our reservation at 9:30 AM on a busy Saturday morning. They were crowded, but very efficient- especially the woman at the reservations counter who seemed to handle triple tasking very well. People putting boats in and out of the water were great, friendly and also efficient. Great time on the river.
This isn't your typical state park based on its interesting history as an active tourist destination in the early to late 1900s. I visited often as a child so a return visit floods back wonderful memories. Book your glass bottom boat ride in advance as they can fill days ahead. Two options with 30 or 90 mimute narrated tours. There's also a gift store and cafe but you can bring in a picnic too with tables available. Hope you visit soon to enjoy a glimpse of old Florida.
This is an excellent experience. We brought our own inflatable paddle boards. We went the whole 5 miles and paid tot get the ride back which was very nice and recommended. We saw many manatees, alligators, and many other wild life. It’s very pristine and it’s like going back in time before human development. Spectacular natural beauty. Please do it once.
On a sunny Wednesday morning, we arrived for "all day" trip down the river at Silver Springs. We selected a canoe for our voyage, since I'd previously paddled one before. Mind you, that was more than 50 years ago. Most people selected kayaks because they are lighter and probably faster. I just liked the idea of sitting up higher in the water. The staff was friendly and helpful at launch and at pickup five miles downstream. We started out before 9am, so the river wasn't crowded. As a matter of fact, the the majority of the trip, it was just us, the water and the wildlife. At first my paddling partner not pleased that I picked this type of adventure, but that quickly changed after five minutes on the water. We are in our late 60s and didn't feel that we were "out of our safety zone." Looking forward to next time and hope we can bring some friends along. Hats off to the paddling company.
Had a wonderful time. We saw some alligators, a river otter, many turtles,lots of different birds and best of all 3 manatees ! I highly recommend the extended tour.
Extended boat tour is excellent. Beautiful scenery, lots of animals and a guided tour. My 19 year old daughter and I booked this tour. The park is beautiful. The water is insanely clear and the boat captains give an enjoyable narration (thanks Captain Steve!) in April it is unusual to still see Manatee but we saw two as well as 4 alligators, monkeys, turtles, birds and fish. Lovely outing.
Just a tip Before you go check that the restaurant is open . We thought it was but they are renovating and the gift shop was closed too . We went up the road about a mile there are a few diners there .
We did the 90 minute glass bottom boat tour , very enjoyable and informative and beautiful . It’s a cheap day out $2 each to get in and we had the senior ticket for the boat $20 each .
We did a couple of the short trails too . Will definitely go back and maybe try the kayaking when the weather is cooler later in the year.
We first entered the park via the second entrance, specifically to do the swamp hike. We could’ve skipped it, in retrospect. You only go over the swamp for a very small part of it: like a few yards. There is a beautiful view of the river, but you get the same view from the other side. $8/per carload fee to enter through this entrance.
We then got back in the car, and drove to the main entrance. This part of the park was gorgeous. Besides the river, there’s nice landscaping with pretty flowers and trees. Also snakes! I spotted two while we were there, one right on the sidewalk.
We opted to do the 90 minute boat tide rather than the 30 minute. I booked it online maybe a month in advance. Our boat was not full however, so it may be possible to purchase tickets right at the ticket counter.
The 90 minute boat tour was so incredible. Beautiful and peaceful. We saw one manatee, two alligators, and the monkeys! We got to see one monkey quite well since he was lower down in a tree.
Getting to see the springs through the glass bottomed boat was a neat experience as well. The water is so clear.
Last time I went on the glass bottom boats I was 7 years old. I’m 53 now….
& it was still great !
Was a nice bit of nostalgia of ‘Old Florida’ for me. Loved it again.
Capt. Bill did a great job !
The online booking process for a kayak was very easy, staff was friendly at the counter, and the gentleman bringing our kayaks down to the water were extremely nice, polite, and helpful. My friends used the restroom there and suggested to go beforehand. We didn’t see any monkeys, but still saw plenty of wildlife! I would definitely recommend going to Silver Springs. Admission for us to the park was $3 upon arrival.
Enchanting and beautiful canoe trip on the crystal blue river. We came across several manatees, birds, turtles, alligators, a river otter. However, we were astonished to encounter several motor boats and jet skis. Why are these vehicles allowed to cruise in this area given the danger and air/water/noise pollution they pose to the creatures they have come to visit and we are supposed to protect??
It is the Spring with the most crystal clear water we have ever visited. I think it's great that bathing isn't allowed to preserve the ecosystem.
The kayaking route is spectacular. Paradise 😉
We kayaked to Ray Wayside. What a wonderful way to experience the area. Beautiful clear water, numerous birds, and manatees. We kayaked here a few years ago and were anxious to experienced again.
First, here are some things that I think should be cleared up from what I read online before going, which lack of accurate info., along with the wait for the boat, is the main reason for 4 rather than 5 stars. There is another restroom other than the 2-stall one just before tickets, but it (4-stall) is in what might be called the back of the park. At the time we were there, there were also some port-a-potties near the construction about midway. Don't necessarily be discouraged if you can't make boat reservations online, for 2 reasons: you can still see a little by walk paths & some boats may be available once you are there. While it would be a short visit without some sort of boat, there is a boardwalk as well as the older concrete walk paths that allow you to see some of the clear, in some places blue-tinted spring water. After some wait to get to the ticket window, we learned getting tickets for the glass bottom boat happened right there at the entrance, but she couldn't do kayak rentals there. From where we stood in line it said 30 minutes but since only 2 boats were running it was closer to an hour. Our captain was less enthusiastic and informative than others, but he did make sure that everyone got to see the manatee under the boat and alligator in the vegetation. He also told about movies filmed there to explain some statues left on the bottom as well the monkeys. Then we went to the boardwalk area where monkeys tend to hang out but are well camouflaged unless they are moving about, and we heard many people say they hadn’t seen them before. If you follow a dirt path back towards the parking lot, there are kayak rentals and we were able to get 2 for 2 hours which was more than enough time to go down the small waterways, under where monkeys were crossing in trees, past alligators that stayed near shore (thankfully) and back up the river. It was beautiful on the clear waters with just the right amount of shade and I had 2 manatees swim under my kayak and saw 2 others come up for air. The concrete paths went past a statue, the U-shaped palm, small pier, graffiti yucca, and some photo op boards. We didn’t have time to check out the unpaved hiking trails. One thing that was accurate is there is plenty of parking since it used to be one of Florida’s famous road-side attractions, before Disney and the like became like Wal-Mart putting the little guys out of business, which I really appreciated the marker explaining how it became a State Park.
This is our second time going on the extended glass bottom boat ride. We had such a great time in December when we had out of state guests we knew that our guests that are visiting this week would enjoy it too. Our captain (sorry, I don't remember his name) was fantastic (3pm on Sunday April 24th)! He went out of his way to make sure we saw many Manatee's and alligators. His narrative was fantastic and entertaining. We also walked around the park. It's very pretty! I would highly recommend!
Very relaxing tour through a beautiful section of the central Florida. Lots of wildlife seen u clouding gators snd manatees.
We reserved canoes online through the park’s rental company. After watching YouTube videos we chose the 5 mile trip downstream to another nearby park that provides a shuttle back to the main park. We are beginners at paddling but going downstream was relatively easy. We were glad we didn’t just book the regular 2hr rental because that required going back against the current. The waters were stunning. We saw manatees, turtles, birds, fish, alligators, and even a monkey! The total 5mile trip took about 2hrs. It was a holiday weekend on a Saturday so it was crowded at check-in, in the water at times and especially at the shuttle area, but that was expected. The park itself has 2 separate locations. 1 had the museum and mainly walking trails and the other had the water access, gift shop, cafe, gardens, and glass bottom boat tours. We stopped for lunch at the cafe and the food was really good. The museum was only a few dollars per person and was surprisingly bigger inside than we expected. It had really interesting displays of fossils, wildlife, and historical FL items. By the time we finished our paddling journey we didn’t have much energy left to explore the walking trails, but I wish we did. Overall it was a fun day!
Pleasantly surprised at the beauty of this place and well worth the stop on a cross state journey. Prebooked the glass bottom boat trip (wonderful guide Capt Joyce took us out) and saw Turtles, Gatters, birds and the spring pools filled with fish.
Shops and restaurants under renovations, but we took our own lunch
We did not get to experience the park side just the kayak side. It was pretty neat, but charging to put in our own kayaks seemed a bit odd. I would understand if we were letting them launch us or we kayak to another point or being dropped off and coming back to the park, but we didn't. We did everything and still paid $4 per kayak to walk on their rock.
The river was pretty cool, a lot of wildlife. Recommend talking to some people about where to go before heading out on your own so you know the best way to get around.
What an amazing place to visit! Such history and beauty. The glass bottom boat is a must. We had Captain Bill who was superb! Funny, knowledgeable and friendly. He made the trip to Silver Springs even more memorable for us. Also, the prices at Silver Springs are a bargain. Whether it’s the entry fee, the glass bottom boat or getting some snacks, it feels like it’s 1990’s pricing. That’s rare these days. The place is spotless and the staff all throughout the park are super friendly. Whenever you live, it’s worth the drive.
Lots of wildlife to enjoy. Saw many birds, a couple of snakes, quite a few fish, and gators including a momma with her baby. Guide was knowledgeable and friendly. We took the extended tour and was an enjoyable way to spend the afternoon
This is one of the largest state parks we have been to in Florida (40+ out of the 175) My husband and I had a great time exploring here with our dog. Strangers here were friendly and we all enjoyed looking for the monkeys together. Even stopped to chat with some kayakers that asked if we saw monkeys (we had not and did not) Park staff said there really is no rhyme or reason to when the monkeys are out. They did say usually kayaking is the best way to see them.
Water is crystal clear here! Wonderful park to stop at and one of my new favorites in Florida. Also check out Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs, and Little Salt Springs- all somewhat close to this area.
We decided to visit again after 30 years just to see if the glass bottom boats were just as magical. The boats were available. There was a 90 minute sail and a 30 minute sail. We chose the 30 minute one. Captain Bridger took us out. He was very funny and kept us laughing all while he taught us about the springs. We saw many varieties of fish, birds and even an alligator. It was a pleasant but short ride. I’d recommend the 90 minute ride if you come between November and April. You will definitely see a number of manatees.
My family and I always come to this location anytime we go to the finger Lakes. We are so happy to see the growth that they have experienced! Really much enjoyed the tasting with GAYR. My only issue is that they don’t have this wine anywhere else! …Hopefully they will distribute to different wineries.
I was in the area so I stopped by this State Park. I have been to many State Parks in Florida and this one is one of the best. They offer glass bottom boat rides in the crystal clear water which was amazing. My boat captain (I forgot his name, sorry) has been working at this park for 53 years. He was very knowledgeable about the springs and wildlife as well as having a great sense of humor. I did not see any manatees on our trip but I’ve seen them before (other boats during the day did see some). The park had beautiful grounds and nature trails. If I go again I will rent a kayak, but the weather was chilly so I passed. However, I would definitely recommend this State Park if you are in the Ocala area of Florida
See the REAL Florida! It is so beautiful! Everyone at Paddlesport Adventure was great! Booking was a breeze and when we had to cancel one canoe, they were easy to work with. Highly recommend!
This is an amazing place to kayak/canoe. Bring your own and launch it for $4 or rent one. You can take the entire journey of 5 miles down stream to Ray Wayside Park (about 4 hours) and get a ride back to your vehicle for an extra $15. if you bring your own kayak/canoe. The price for the ride back is included in the rentals. During the float down you might see, manatees, wood ducks, anhingas, turtles, alligators swimming by (don't bother them...they won't bother you), egrets, herons, swallow tailed kites flying above and monkeys in the trees along the shore. The monkeys will be on both sides of the river so keep your eyes open. The water is very clear and pristine looking. The current is surprisingly strong considering the water looks completely still on top.
The State Park is absolutely beautiful the hiking is fantastic with many different well marked trails. The glass bottom boat ride was a unique and beautiful experience. Well stayed in Cabin 4 for 2 nights and it was a large well appointed cabin with a gas fireplace!!
This was our first time visiting here, and we enjoyed it very much. However, we did not see any Manatees, but there were lots of other interesting things to see. My three rabbits even had a good time. I’ll give it a top rating of two rabbit ears up!!
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We rented clear bottom tandem kayaks and spending two hours paddling around. We saw alligators, birds, manatees and a boar. Such a beautiful place!
Great park took our own kayaks nice eady paddle to springs lot of wildlife clear water..easy launch area
This was really fun, the captain of our boat was so knowledgeable and funny, he had answers for all the questions, saw so many fish, birds, even an alligator. And film sites for various movies and TV shows. In the dock we met Captain Oscar, who was retired but was a captain of one of the boats for decades. A really nice and informative guy. Lots of fun!!!
Where do I start? Its been probably 7 years since I have been there. I was shocked to see how run down it is now!
1. First impression driving in, the driveway and parking lots are full of potholes and bumpy old patches. Not a great first impression. Glad I was in the Jeep; well its not quite that bad.. LOL.
2. The sidewalks are all upheaving and have yellow paint marking them instead of sanding the high parts down. The beautiful front fountain does not work like it used to.
3. All of the shops and cafe / snack bars are closed down, except for the "ballroom", apparently for over a year? There is a food truck with Silver Springs Cafe painted on the side of it and looks pretty permanent.
4. There is no place to go into air conditioning to cool off except for 2 former museum / old stores. There are 5 displays in one room. There is one chair and one office chair for sitting, that's all. The only place to sit is outside in the heat.
5. The sulfur smell when you walk into the ladies from is still there and has been for the 40 years I have been going there. That's not the bad part, the biggest and tacky problem is the amount of bathroom stalls that are out-of-order. More than 1/2 in the bathroom and the AC seems to be barely working.
6. All of the gardens and most flowers are gone of course.
7. What happened to all the concerts they were going to continue with? Last one there was around 9 or 10 yrs ago when Willie nelson was there. Shame on you State of Florida.
8. Where is the swimming area that was promised when the State of Florida took over?
9. There are very very few trash cans in the park, i ended up carrying our trash in my pockets!
10. The historical markers are gone. Now there are some signs telling you what some trees are, thats about it.
11. The little dock with the 2 rocking chairs straight on when you walk in is gone. From my understanding, this was where the swimming area was in the 1950s was. I guess they dont repair, they just tear it down.
12. Now the worst part - the glass bottom boats. Cost $12 & $13 pp. Our party, that included 5 of my family members (3 were children) from Denver. We arrived at the park at 1:00 and were told the next boat ride was at 3:45 and to be at the boat at 3:30. We walked around, sweated and got some ice cream while we were awaiting our time. We walked by the dock a quite a few times and never heard that that 2 boats had broken down and now they are 1 hr behind! There were no announcements even though the young man had said he had been making announcements. We only found out when we lined up to board the boat at 3:45. My family stayed for the boat ride and enjoyed it, but i had to leave to pick up my elderly parents to meet for dinner. I guess overhead speakers are broken as well as the TV in the boarding area for the boats?
13. We did not venture over toward the kayak put in, so I cannot comment.
The State can keep a park nice, look at Rainbow Springs, what a beautiful park and much is from days gone by and they have a beautiful swimming area! Shame on you State of Florida, seems like all you care about are the kayakers and campers now and letting the park to back to its natural state.
The water in the springs is beautiful and clear. Lots of fish! The boat tour is an absolute must. Hopefully you will get Oscar as your boat captain and tour guide. I learned that you can’t book a boat tour on the same day you are going, but they seem to run every 30 minutes or so. The website isn’t clear on that as it makes it seem that there aren’t any tours available. Just show up.
It was absolutely beautiful! I loved it. The glass bottom boat was awesome! Captain Bill Cosby was so funny. He did a great job interacting with everyone. Also, Miranda was such a friendly person. She made everyone smile. That girl has skills when tying up a boat. If you get the opportunity, this is a great place to go. Thank you to all the volunteers who help to keep this park beautiful. I got to see monkeys swinging in the trees and manatees up close. Fantastic!!!
Was a great experience for the whole family. Our kids had their own Kayak’s and were able to handle them on their own. Beautiful views. Will do the Glass Bottom tour next time heard it was awesome as well.
We did the regular kayaking at Silver Springs and it was incredible! Water is absolutely beautiful and you can see so far down. Fish jumping all around you, birds all over, and the chance to see monkeys, gators, and manatees. You WILL get wet in the kayak. Water will pool where you sit.
Despite not seeing any monkeys, the park had plenty to experience. The paddling trail is one of the best we've done in Florida. Two hours in a tandem sit in kayak is plenty for intermediates and not expensive. Beautiful hiking trails and gardens. And the park even has an interesting history. For that, and in gereral, the 30 minute glass bottom boat tour is a must. The restaurant is being remodeled but there's a decent basic food truck inside the park.
The cabins (we had #2) all appear to be identical and are very spacious, modern, and well equipped. The cabins sleep six but have huge screened porches with picnic tables that would be ideal for a family reuinon meal of 20 or so. The cabins book months in advance but if you're flexible you can snag someone else's cancellation on short notice. Don't try to check in early.. .
This excursion was exactly what we had hoped for. We rented two paddle boards and brought a kayak of our own. We saw lots of gators, big and small. We saw manatee, although we were conscious to stay far enough away to see but not disturb. Lots of birds and fish. We paddled quietly for a while and were actually able to see a group of approx. 7 monkeys. And this was during the middle of the day, not early morning. A tip: They tell you to take the little side trail to see the wildlife. Although it is a quieter paddle, I would take the main route so you can see the sunken artifacts. It is busier but the water is prettier due to being closer to the springs, and we saw no wildlife on that side trail. We also did the all day with the tram service. We had to wait approx. 15 minutes to get loaded up and brought back to start. It was awesome. Beautiful day spent with family. Will visit again.
Florida's first and best tourist attraction. Best value for the dollar in Florida. $2 entry fee. $12 for 30 minute ride on a glass bottom boat over the crystal clear springs. $30-$40 for two-hour kayak rental over the crystal clear river trail for great scenery with assured views of alligators turtles and birds. In the winter months particularly January, a very good chance of seeing manatees. If you lucky the rhesus monkeys may be in the trees! Also nice walking trails with an elevated boardwalk in the swamp.
We kayaked three springs in this area - 3 sisters, Rainbow Springs, and Siver Springs. Silver Springs was our favorite! We went on a weekday and it was not busy. We love the fact that it is not residential and there is a lot of wildlife. We saw alligators and our first manatee, although the ticket booth says they do not have a lot of manatees in the park. If you kayak for the wildlife, this is a beautiful place to explore.
I recently went here with my family but forgot to post this. The park is wonderful I recommend this to any one. Especially those with little kids.
My family and I got to see the manatees. Our tour guide was really nice. I loved the glass bottom boat. I think the experience was really fun and cool. Not to mention the guide talked about the older movies filmed at the park. Over all I would say it was a wonderful experience. And I would totally go again.
Five of us went on the glass bottom boat ride and it was wonderful! The captain was excellent at educating us all on the history of the springs and what we were able to see underneath us was mesmerizing! The various kinds of fish, turtles, different springs both large and small, the beautiful swaying sea grass and the movie props left behind. I highly recommend it!
Great stop on our vacation! Informative tour and beautiful sights! Kids and adults liked it! Our Captain was funny too!
We took the glass bottom boat tour with Captain Bill and he was great. Helped us out with a timing issue on our tickets and his tour was very fun and engaging.
Very knowledgeable guide at a beautiful place. Best part was an expected curious baby manatee that kept going under the glass bottom boat looking up at us Iike we were his/her attraction. Unbelievable and wonderful! We did the 90 minute on a Friday.
great park with very nice campground. great trails to hike.we had a wonderful time here...will be back!
Silver Springs State Park is absolutely beautiful. We did the 90 min glass bottom boat tour which I highly recommend. It is recommended to book online for the 90 mins tour as they only have several times during day, limited spots; however the 30 mins tour runs every 15-25 mins. I think if you are wanting more time trying to find wildlife (gators, manatees, monkeys) I would definitely do the 90 mins as the boat captain was able to turn around to go back to areas we thought we might have seen something.
We loved the relaxation of the tour, saw lots of turtles, several gators and manatees (wildlife sightings are variable depending on time of year/weather, etc). Learned the history of the springs and area. Great activity for all ages. You can also walk around the state park and take amazing pictures, enjoy nature. They do have seats throughout the park too to walk and take breaks.
They have a cute gift shop and a nice restaurant that does have beer/mixed drinks that you can sip while waiting to go on your tour and enjoy the views.
Loved Silver Springs state park, enjoyed it so much that I will be returning tomorrow and renting a clear kayak to paddle through Silver Springs.
Peaceful and gorgeous!! Kayaking here is a true gift for nature lovers!!! My go to nature park!! Never the same trip twice! The glass bottom boat trip is so informative and entertaining!
The glass bottom boats are always amazing. The water is crystal clear. There are resident Manatee that live there. The trails are peaceful to walk on.
Fully accessible glass bottom boat now available! It works well for mobility access, as well as hearing impaired, and more. Just became available in 2022, which was a blessing. Now, they are in the process of building more accessible elevated boardwalks in the park as well. Wonderful place to visit for everyone one!
This was our first trip to the park. The springs are beautiful. It was worth the $$ to take the boat ride. The captain was informative and humorous.
Beautiful place, dog friendly and lovely people. They had a food truck that made amazing burgers and fries! Reasonably priced as well. The line to get in can be long but it’s worth it. Dogs aren’t allowed on glass bottom boat tours, and that’s a must for first time visitors! Look out for monkeys and gators! You can also launch your kayak here!
The glass bottom boat ride stole the show, but there’s a lot this park has to offer. We arrived early Jan 2nd as the steam was coming off the water. Such a neat experience. We expected to hike most of the day, but decided to take a break. The look out by the Sea Hunt dock was closed due to a tree falling on it. The Mansion was neat, lots of ground to cover on the Rt 40 side of the park. BTW - suggest to bring your own printed colored map (trails are color coded). It’s well marked, but they don’t offer out maps. We drove over to the campground area - impressively large sites. I would come back and stay in my RV. The Pioneer Village was closed, but looks really cool! The museum was also closed. Both are opened Saturday/Sunday (we are there on a Friday). Lots of tails, but next time I’m brining my bike!
As mentioned the glass bottom boat tour stole the show. We took the 90 minute tour at 3:00 pm. You will need advanced reservations for this, we booked about a week before and got one of the last time slots the 2nd day we were in the area. I was more impressed with what we could see outside on the glass bottom boat (my only negative). The captain gave a lot of info, answered lots of questions and offered to make sure we got any photos we wanted. We saw fish, turtles, gators, lots of birds, manatee (potatoes) and monkeys!
Booked this activity in Jan, thank God. It books full quickly. We had a beautiful time. We absolutely loved every minute of it. Was disappointed that there was no dining area, just a food truck. Website needs updated on that. Our captain was fantastic. We saw turtles, lots of fish and we saw 3 manatees. One was right under the boat, large female it was awesome. I recommend this to anyone and everyone.
We thoroughly enjoyed visiting Silver Springs State Park. We took the 90 minute glass bottom boat tour. Saw Manatees, turtles, alligators and birds. We would highly recommend this to everyone. We want to come back to rent kayaks and do the river again.
What a fabulous way to spend a day. The glass bottom boat was wonderful with the captain being so entertaining and so informative. We could "see" Tarzen in the surrounding growth. Wonderful birthday celebration day.
Kayaking on the Silver River at Silver Springs State Park was a pleasant experience. The rental staff was friendly and helpful. The paddling route we took was about 7 miles of the most beautiful water and sites imaginable. We saw a variety of wildlife, manatee, gators, birds and fish. Unfortunately we did not see any monkeys.
After a peaceful paddle, we were brought back to our car at the park by very friendly staff. We did have enough time to walk through the main park. The gardens and grounds are beautiful and peaceful. The shops were closed the day we were there, on a Tuesday off season. The glass bottom boat was giving tours but we did not have time to take the tour. All in all, this was a great experience and I plan to return and spend more time at this park.
We had a great kayaking experience. Plenty of wildlife. Lots of turtles, ducks, and other birds. The water is so clear. You can see lots of fish and occasionally they jump out of the water. We saw a couple of manatees as well. One alligator in the water near the shore. Didn't see the monkeys though. The rental experience was very simple, no hassles. We did the full day with shuttle and the 5 mile trip took us under 3 hours. Longer if you stop more often. There is NO Swimming. Very relaxing trip. Bring drinking water, sunscreen, bug spray(we didn't have much issue with bugs, but could be a problem in warmer weather). They don't rent dry bags but you can buy one there. We are definitely going again soon.
This was a great outing for my family. Learned some Florida history about the springs and the tour guide/captain was amazing. Got to see the protected fish and a couple manatees. Definitely would do this again and go for the extended tour next time.
Silver Springs State Park is Florida's first tourist attraction. Located at 5656 East Silver Springs Boulevard in Silver Springs, east of Ocala on Route 40, it is a natural landmark destination that dates to the 1870s, long before surfers discovered Miami or Key West, before college students discovered Fort Lauderdale, long before major league baseball teams established their spring training bases in the Sunshine State. The diversity of this waterway is among the highest in Florida. Silver Springs, located in the park, drains into the Silver River, a 4.5-mile stream that flows east from the springs to the Ocklawaha River. Glass-bottom boats are located within the park. Other activities include bicycling, canoeing, kayaking, camping and wildlife viewing. Amenities include a museum and an environmental center. The park has 15 miles of trails, access to the Silver River, 10 luxury cabins and a 59-site, full-facility campground. Among the wildlife in the park are nine-banded armadillos, white-tailed deer, wild boars, wild turkeys, foxes, American alligators, Sherman fox squirrels, coyotes, bobcats, Florida black bears and gopher tortoises. If that isn't enough, a colony of non-native rhesus macaques were introduced to the park in 1938 by a tour boat operator. The monkeys are allowed to live in Florida due to their contributions to science. In fact, there is so much going on in the park that more than a dozen motion pictures and television series have been filmed on the property, everything from "Tarzan the Ape Man" in 1932 to "The Yearling" in 1946 to "Creature from the Black Lagoon" in 1954 to "Thunderball" in 1965 to the third sequel of "Smokey and the Bandit" in 1983.
This is a must see! $2 entry fee but make sure you book the 90 minute tour in advance ($25) it is the best way to see the park (unless you kayak). Captain Bill was amazing and was a great guide for this incredible adventure through the springs. The 1965 glass bottom boat took us back in time. There are resident manatees here so you are likely to see them if you take the 90 minute tour. Enjoy.
We had people telling us that it was a great ride but people at the entrance cannot give you good information. It was going to rain so they told us to go by the boats and wait to see if they were re-opening. If they did they would tell us to go buy the tickets. About 45 minutes latter they told us to buy the tickets. When we got to the entrance there were 2 booths and 4 lines. But nobody in any line.
The girl told us to wait. People that had bought online started to get the tickets and then they opened on the other booth for the people that were waiting, but on the other side.
The girl on our side told us to go to the other side, when we got there we had some 15 people now in front of us that arrived after us that got in and we didn’t.
We told the lady and she just gave a bunch of excuses and she cared less.
So it supposed to be a nice ride that became a nightmare.
2 booths with 4 lines is just a confusion if they cannot communicate.
We travel from another country, go to they place to see their park and spend our money and we are treated like trash. Today is the 16th day of out trip and it was the worst. We would have better spent our time, money and vacation day somewhere else.
We know nobody controls the weather but the point is that what can be controlled that is how the people act and treat others should.
Beautiful scenery, enjoyed walking the trails. Didn't do the boat ride, thought that was a little too expensive (at least for our budget).
Loved it! The tour guide was funny and informative. Definitely stop here! You won’t be sorry. We didn’t see any manitee’s or alligators but it was still awesome
The park overall was very cool, and I'd love to go back sometime to do some of the water activities. I hiked some of the trails and took the glass bottom boat tour and enjoyed myself very much. I'd definitely love to go back to do the extended boat tour and as I said before, water activities like kayaking or paddleboarding
The tour of the springs was very informative and beautiful...we were blessed to see two manatees up close!
After ticket purchase, you are told to wait in line for boat boarding. Bathrooms are quite a walk to outside the entrance to the park. Ladies room had a line of 12 people for 2 stalls for the park. I almost missed the boat. Then a staff person told me pit toilets are available near the dock. No signs for closer toilets. The glass bottom boat ride was excellent. The guide was great.
We enjoyed the glass bottom boat tour, learning fascinating facts about each spring as well as the history of Silver Springs, next time we go We'll take the longer cruise.
It was very hot, June 28, 2022 but we did enjoy walking around a bit, we plan on going back this fall , when it will be cooler, to see any changes in the trees and plants.
My Daughter flew in for my 70th. We drove 2 hours to Siver Springs as I had not been since was 8.
The day was windy and they said when we checked in was not running, So we hung around and took pictures and they finally decided they would go out for 30 min. The Boat Captain was very good as he told about all the different springs coming up in the river. The Boat is electric. We took great pictures and videos and have posted to my Rumble. What interested me the most was the canoe found and taken out by the University, tested and found the native canoe to be over 600 years old, It was returned to the river. You will enjoy this great Florida Park which is part of the History of Florida.
Trip Advisor does not give you option to put an adult family member, Should be changed.
My husband and I have been coming to Silver Springs for years, since we were kids because we are both Florida natives. However this is the first time that we have been to Silver Springs since it became a State Park in 2013. It is a beautiful park, lots of hiking trails, glass bottom boat rides, but several activities that were available before the state took over are no longer there and that is sad. Also, be aware that the website says that the History Museum and Cracker Homestead (both located inside the campground where parking is $8.00) are open, BUT both are CLOSED and none of the employees know when either of these will open. On the plus side, we were lucky enough to see some Manatee, and one of the wild monkeys, so it was a great day at the park.
Cool park. We did the glass bottom boat tour. Really cool being able to see the fish and turtles swimming below the boat. We saw numerous birds nesting along the river and a few gators. Seasoned captain was great. Well worth it.
I had visited here multiple times as a child....so 60 years later went and took my hubby to visit since he hadn't. We did the standard glass bottom boat trip and what a fantastic experience it still is!!!!! After about 300 pictures, hubby said this is wonderful!!!! We enjoyed our experience. The front "window" lady was superb. It was my birthday that day and she remembered as we left and yelled how was it! Great lady! The boat captain was experienced and could see the animals we could not until pointed out. Still the same boats....the same experience....but from sets of older eyes this time! Still enthralling!
It was sad when they tore down the theme park. There is almost nothing left of the old theme park, except the glass-bottom boats. They should have at least kept the water slide; give the kids something to do in the summer.
Talk about a great way to spend the day in the “real” Florida- not a mouse in site!!! We rented a kayak first and spent 2 hours in the quiet and peace of the Silver River- unbelievably beautiful. We had never kayaked but the kids running the rental were very helpful and knowledgeable teaching us and we had no problems at all. We had lunch at the food truck- surprisingly excellent hamburgers- then did the extended glass bottom boat. Again on the Silver River but narrated so you learned a lot besides enjoying the beauty. Hundreds of birds, turtles, couple gators and a monkey- fun, fun! Only sad part of the day was that so many exhibits are still closed from the Covid.
We rented kayaks and paddled the 5 mile trip to Ray's Landing, where we were picked up by the concessionaire. Without exaggeration, it may have been the most beautiful stretch of water I have ever been on, and I've travelled the world. Clear, cool and clean spring water and not a structure to be seen. Tall cypress and other hardwoods line the shoreline and there is plenty of wildlife. It is pristine. The current is just fast enough to make it an easy paddle, but you will be on the water for about 3 ½ hours. Some paddling experience would be useful. A very Zen experience.
Plan ahead if you can. I went Labor Day weekend so I was not going to leave kayak rental availability to chance. They were very professional, efficient and informative at the kayak rental. All of which made for a very comfortable experience from launch to the end. After approximately 4 miles into our kayaking we were lucky enough to see a troop of monkeys, around 100 or so, crossing the river. Amazing experience!
After kayaking we walked through the park a bit. Between kayaking and walking the park we were there from 8a-2p.
My loved one and I were guided by a most amazing guide, Sassy. She was knowledgeable, historically accurate, informative about nature, history, wildlife and the nature of kayaking in Florida. Great Guide, made our day!
My sweetie is from China, so this was a special day for her as she has never seen anything like this. The Springs are stunning and so full of interesting history. All around, a fabulous day.
Once the weather turns warm plan to arrive early for a glass bottom boat tour before the heat of the day. Our boat captain had been leading boat tours for more than 50 years and had detailed knowledge of the area. On the tour you get clear views through the thick glass viewing area of eel grass, limestone rocks and caves, many kinds of fish as well as turtles and even statuary from an old movie filmed at the Springs. Your boat captain points out birds nesting, fish, movie shoot locations and other interesting features as well as each spring head. The bottom varies at different areas of the river, both in depth and configuration.
You can take a lunch break at the food truck (opens at 11) before exploring the Ross Allen Boardwalk, taking one of the hiking trails or the Fort King Kayak paddle trail. Kayak's are allowed in the Silver River and over the springs, but there is no swimming or fishing allowed to protect the river for the future.
Elderly using wheelchairs be prepared. At 76 years old I have had mobility injuries and issues for twenty years and have not ventured to attempt tourist attractions. My visiting family convinced me Silver Springs boat tour had handicap availability, which was noted when I got the ticket, and I should use a wheelchair to enjoy the boat and park. Because I did not want my son to pull me up the ramp, I was able to hobble up the ramp to the 'deck' and then sit in my wheelchair. From the front of the boat, 'Captain' was making loud, unkind, rude, unprofessional comments regarding that I walked into the boat. I was so shocked, I really don't remember what he said. I do know I felt like he was insulting and trying to shame me. My children told me the other 'passengers' were dumbfounded at how he acted towards me.
If the park doesn't want to deal with wheelchair/handicap, then they should not advertise that they have it. Especially, their employees should show respect to their customers. This was not the only bad experience I had this day at Silver Springs. I just want to warn others of possible conflict.
First, I will be clear that my spouse & I are very experienced kayakers. That said, this place is horribly overpacked and the river is filled with people who have no idea how to use a kayak/canoe/paddle board. It was a terrible & dangerous experience. The river has alligators (yes we saw them) and the park does not give instruction to people renting the equipment, such as how to go forward, turn, go backwards, etc. We were in a rented tippy piece of crap clear kayak and had to push (gently) people away several times just before they rammed us in the side tipping us into the alligator-infested water. As we pushed them away, they laughed as if this is all such fun; no, it is unsafe to have that many morons on the river. The rental of equipment should be cancelled until the park staff can give inexperienced people a lesson on how to use the boats/paddle boards. We had rented the kayak for 2 hours and took it back in less than 45 minutes. A walker quipped that there was no need to rent a watercraft as one could simply hop from boat to boat.
It was ok didn't hate i was disappointed , went here years ago and it was fun , they had like a mini zoo , a reptile house with an albino alligator , there was more to do . There used to be swimming there and the glass bottom boat tours were better you didn't have to deal with the idiot kayakers getting in the way of the boats
The scenery was beautiful and the boat ride was relaxing. Our captain provided color commentary and history, and was able to answer any questions that were posed. We loved it.
Reliving part of mine and my wife's youth we took the 3 grandsons to Silver Springs to ride the glass bottom boats and see the area. We took the 90 minute trip. The boys are 9, 8 and 1. All three loved the boat ride and the wildlife. Getting so close to the gator and seeing the springs and fish. The 1 year old oohed and pointed the entire time at what he saw. The older 2 talked about the trip the since we got off the boat.
After the trip we had lunch at the food trailer / food truck since the food service at the site was closed for renovations. The food was excellent and everyone enjoyed it. Try the Cuban wrap.
It was nice to let the boys see the natural side of Florida. We always try to let them see the natural places along with the theme parks and stuff.
We will return. My wife has already asked about us doing a trip by ourselves to walk the trails and go kayaking when it is cooler.
Spectacular day on the water, floating down the pristine Silver Spring. Capt Bill was great, his skill maneuvering the large boat so everyone got to see everything no matter where u were sitting was awesome. We saw many birds, turtles, fish, gators and several manatees. Capt Bill was incredibly knowledgeable and entertaining, he made us laugh a bunch, which added to everyone's enjoyment. As a Florida resident for 20 yrs i cannot believe it was our first visit. I highly recommend to anyone looking for a peaceful day away from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks.
I used to live just 10 minutes from Silver Springs. It had a thriving business going with Jeep rides,concerts and animals everywhere. My sister- in- law used to work there and was busy constantly. I took my granddaughter there yesterday to ride the glass bottom boats and see the animals,unfortunately since the “government “ has taken it over and made it a nature park,there is nothing ( and I mean nothing) there except the glass bottom boats and the two birds we saw and the fish that live in the springs,very disappointing. Save your money and your time, I saw more wildlife in my backyard before I went on vacation than I did at Silver Spings.
This is an easier spring to access as other springs in Marion County have you waiting if you don't get there early enough due to parking limitations and they also charge less than other springs. I prefer kayaking over walking around the grounds. It's far more affordable to bring your own SUP or kayak than rent the ones they have available, (unless you don't mind paying $45 a person). The kayak route from the spring to the river and back is only a few hours. The blue tilapia, turtles, and cormorants are plentiful, and there's other wildlife you might be lucky to see if you have a chance to see monkeys if they are in the area. The few times I've gone, I've seen manatee mommas with their babies. Later in the afternoon, the fish jump high out of the water. There are a few resident gators that live in the springs that they've named, but I forgot already what names they said - one is 12 feet and other is 14 feet, so you do need to be mindful of being too close to the banks in areas where the gators are resting. Especially in the spring when they are more territorial with their young.
The peaceful adventure and sheer beauty of the park was breathtaking..... very friendly staff,awesome
This is a 50s style Florida attraction that has kept its focus on what it is. The place is different than what almost anyone has experienced and they do a good job of explaining it. Take the extended tour; it’s worth the price. Guide knew his stuff and had a good sense of humor. Main pavilion is closed now while being rebuilt so we missed some of the attraction, but still worth a visit
Lovely park- nice trails.. I especially like the boardwalk.. I did the glass bottom boat ride twice on two different visits- first for the 30 minute tour and then later for the 90 minute tour-- I didn't get anything 'extra' on the longer tour we just went further down the river before turning around-- so if you're deciding between the two- go for the shorter one (also its less $$)
We own our own inflatable Kayak and loved how easy it was to launch into the river and how beautiful it was. This time of year, there were only a few Manatees but we did see some alligators, one was swimming along with us at a safe distance. The river is beautiful and we had a great time.
We also enjoyed visiting the day before and were able to see a fair amount of monkeys, but the day we kayaked, we did not see a one. The park is really beautiful and I would strongly suggest renting a kayak to fully enjoy it.
My only negative comment is that they have a number of empty store fronts and no real place to eat. There is a lot of potential there to be a super park, including having concerts there and stores if they would make the effort.
The natural surroundings of this state park are unbelievable...peaceful and animals everywhere! The kayak rental place is sufficient. We preferred renting from Discovery Kayak as they were better kayaks, friendlier, and faster with their shuttle service. The state park kayak rentals are cheap, difficult to navigate, and if you rent the "sit on top" version you sit in 4 inches of water. To avoid that, they tell you to sit on your life jackets.
What a great time of seeing alligators in the clear spring-fed waters of Silver Springs. Though summer is NOT the time to see the manatees, there is a possibility only if you take one of the boats down the river (kayaks are not allowed that far down- but my son saw them in the glass-bottom boat!). There are several kayak outfits there that will provide you with the equipment you need and help set you in the water. It is VERY crowded in July, but we were able to creep along the sides slowly and spot alligators. You CANNOT go in the water, obviously, but I was happy to see the flora/fauna and variety of birds as well. Two hours was sufficient, since kayak distance is shorter, but we could have stayed another whole hour out there. You can also take a hike and get food in the park itself. We spent the afternoon. We hope to go again one spring to see the manatees swim in the clear, beautiful water there.
The entire place needs a lot of improvement main road to park it’s in bad condition the welcome center roof in bad shape needs to be cleaned or pressure washed
This used to be a great attraction. Then they got rid of the animals and the bird show and the classic car collection. They ceased having concerts completely. They tore down the attached water park. The Park has always had a tired feel to it. But now it is a shadow of its former self. The glass bottom boats are cool and really the only reason to visit. I'm not sure what admission is anymore. But if it is a penny over twenty dollars and half price for kids, then it has become a rip off.
Went kayaking here for the first time and had a great time. I grew up in the area and have never kayaked here before. Great process and place to kayak and see wildlife. Water was amazing.
Friendly staff at the reception. We were a bit late but that was no problem.
The man who helped us at the ramp was even better: Friendly, seemed to enjoy his work and helping people in and out the boats.
The kajak trip self was amazing. Lovely nature. We’ve seen some wildlife: birds, alligators, turtles and even a few manatees.
Place with exuberant natural beauty, we took a boat ride and rented kayak and we were very lucky to see a manati with 1 day puppy .we were motor home, and we stayed at the park camping
our favorite part was the extended glass bottom boat tour. The water was just beautiful and the guide was very informative, make sure to book this well in advance as it sells out quickly. We went kayaking too but it was so crowded on a Saturday morning that we felt uneasy and really not a great experience. It was like a NYC traffic jam out on the river
The former remnant of a great, old Florida attraction is still an outstanding and beautiful place to kayak. They rent everything you need or you can bring your own Once on the water, things calm down and the paddling trail is
postcard picturesque. We saw the monkeys and tons of turtles, but no manatees and few birds on the day we visited. There’s not much to see on land right now while the large visitor center area is being refurbished. But, they do have a merch cart and snacks available.
I've been there several times, kayaking, walking the grounds and taking the boat tour. The water is the clearest Ive ever seen and the fish are all a beautiful bright blue color from the minerals in the water.
Very nice way to see the springs. Captain Sebastian was a very good guide. Very knowledgeable about all things Silver Springs!
The place was very crowded, but the staff was efficient in setting us up and launching. All those kayaks launching at once was a lot. Trying to kayak around others was challenging. We rented a clear kayak and recommend simply getting a regular kayak. You really can’t see much through the clear kayak - viewing was better over the sides. Our kayaking time was only one hour - enough time to get out of the Chanel and into a larger body. It was there we saw the manatees. And then it was time to turn around. We would have been better off to rent for two hours and rent a regular kayak. The clear kayak was also uncomfortable as the seats were uncomfortable. The waters were beautiful and scenery was great. Not sure what to do about the hundreds of people kayaking at the same time!
I have Happy Memories of Silver Springs when I was a child. It was a go to Florida attraction before Disney. We took our granddaughter, enjoyed the Glass Bottomed Boats very much. Captain Bill kept us laughing. I wanted the extended cruise but that was sold out. So book early online . The 30 min cruise was fun, we saw some birds and some fish, learned a lot about the springs. They have a snack bar, but we didn't check it out. We brought our own snacks and drinks in a cooler. With the rest of the day to kill, we decided to go kayaking. That was amazing! My husband was reluctant , we are both old, I'm fat with mobility issues, but we got into a tandem kayak and had a blast! Our teenage granddaughter did the stand up paddle board. She loved it! We did the 2 hour self guided. They give you map. We saw Manatees! In June! That made our day! We saw lots of birds, turtles, and a gator swimming by! He was in a hurry! I think if I was to do this again, I would do the slightly longer trip to the Ray Wayside Park. You can float downstream and they will come pick you and your kayak up. Otherwise on the trip back you are battling upstream currents. Just beautiful though. I do expect to have sore arms tomorrow. This is not the Silver Springs of my childhood, no Tommy Barlett's deer ranch, no Ross Allen's reptile emporium (where I gained a lifelong love of snakes). No diver feeding the fish underneath the glass bottom boats. I didn't see the hoards of monkey's left over from the Tarzan movies. ( I was told there are a few moneys out there but didn't see any. ) Things change. If you don't do anything else here, go kayaking! If I can do it so can you!
Hot! Hot! Hot! But, what can you expect in July? The staff was accommodating, but the weather wasn't. Glass-bottomed boatrides are cancelled in stormy weather. They may allow rescheduling; check at the ticket booth.
This place may require wheelchair (limited number provided) or scooter (bring your own) transportation to visit the grounds.
Some of the old Florida charm is still there.
Highly recommend! We loved both the 1 hour kayak ride & half-hour glass bottom boat ride & will definitely be back! The 8:30am kayak rental time was nice-the weather was perfect & we didn’t come across any other kayakers until we headed back. We saw manatees and a big alligator but the monkeys eluded us. It was also nice to walk on the trails. I would love to try the 4 hour kayak rental with shuttle service next time.
Took my 5 year old nephew to explore the park and stay in a cabin. First off, the park is a sad shadow of the Florida icon it used to be. Basically there are only two things to do, kayak and a glass bottom boat. Both cost extra beyond what you pay to get in. At $15 the glass bottom boat ride is a nice experience. At $35 an hour, the kayak is very overpriced. Not really sure why they charge an extra $2 admission since everything in the park cost extra. The parking lot is very unkept and I almost bottomed out my car in a pothole. I remember going to the park when it was a commercial enterprise and it was much much better. I can't really imagine that I'll go back again. We stayed in a state park cabin. Absolutely gorgeous but we were disappointed that the water is very far away. The cabin was spacious, very attractive, and extremely clean. The porch was wonderful. Only 3 things would have improved it. The children's bedroom needs decent mattresses. Not even a 5 year old could sleep on it. Second is that it needs a comfortable couch. And third, the hot water heater in Cabin four seriously needs to be replaced. The only time it worked was when the ranger came to check it out. Again, I had a good time but doubt I will be back.
We enjoyed the glass bottom boat tour tour, got to see a lot of wildlife…. Including monkeys ‼️🐒🐡🐠🦉🐦⬛🦅🐊🐟 The water is crystal clear you just want to jump in !! Park was clean and the weather couldn’t of been better 😜
This excursion exceeded expectations. The park is q quick 10 miles from downtown Ocala. park entry just $2 per person or $8 per vehicle. We were interested in the Glass Bottom Boat Tours and prepaid the 90 minute tour online. For the 30 minute boat tours no advance registration is required and they run all day long. The 90 minute extended tours are offered 11A, 1P, 3P on the weekends only. I would highly recommend the 90 minute tour. It is very informative, you see more of the river and wildlife. I found this tour more diverse than other swamp tours in Louisiana. In addition to monkeys, gators, birds, kayakers and paddle boarders - the glass bottom and crystal clear water lets you see the river bottom even at depths of 45+ feet. The variety of fish was amazing. Do remember the enclosed boats shade you from the sun but are not air conditioned. You might be more comfortable avoiding hot humid days.
When we arrived on May 7 2022, there was a long line to check in. Had already paid in advance, and they took car keys, but suddenly, they needed drivers licenses too. Had to get the car key back, go back to the car to get the drivers licenses, give them the info, go back to the car to lock them up again, and then finally give them keys. If we knew they needed the license info, we could have supplied it when we paid online in advance. But that makes too much sense.
Another messed up thing: at the end of the trip, there is a small ramp that people pull into and leave their rented kayaks. The ramp was already over-loaded with rentals, and we couldn't pull in. There was no one there working the ramp.
We were on our own. We had to climb over and into multiple kayaks (which is dangerous, because they are not steady), pull up the kayaks at the front of the line, and go back again to pull up everything in front of ours, to finally pull up ours. Ours had started floating out into the water, and we had to retrieve it. We should have left it out there.
We could have fallen, twisted ankles. Very dangerous.
Won't even mention the LONG wait time for the tiny shuttle that holds maybe only 10 people, as they take their time loading up one small group out of MANY people who were waiting to go back.
Poorly managed.
We had an amazing time! Park is very clean and well maintained. The park and all the staff were very accommodating and welcoming to our 85lb chocolate Labrador. So much they allowed him inside the gift shop to pick out his new plushy. The coffee shop has amazing drinks and food as well as the ice cream shop. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ do not miss out on this!
We took the extended boat tour and had a wonderful time. Well worth the extra money! Our guide was terrific! We lucked out and actually saw manatees. It was very unusual to see them this early in the season. The boat captain was able to position the boat so that the manatees swam right under us. We also saw alligators, turtles and many birds along the shoreline. We made our reservations on line a few weeks in advance and our tickets were waiting for us. Seating is limited so be sure to reserve ahead. A really enjoyable hour and a half!
The glass kayak cost 70 dollars, in my opinion a normal kayak would be enough, which I think cost 55 dollars. But you can see a lot of nature, turtles, birds and on the big river, even when you move, alligators (better not to paddle too close) and manatees, some of which swam directly under our kayak
What a poor excuse for a Florida state park !! The entire place is in a state of disrepair! Saw multiple buildings rotting and crumbling should be bulldozed. The fountain out front was empty and covered in dried green slime. For this being a Florida icon years ago u wouldn’t know it now! Someone needs to fix it up or close it down point blank.
This was a neat stop as we were driving from St Pete Beach to St Augustine. We didn't do the boat ride, just walked around. It was a neat walk and the springs are gorgeous. The walk on the island with the monkeys was a great thing as well. If someone was in the area, I would definitely recommend it.
We had a wonderful time, this land is beautiful. We went on a kayak which was reasonably priced through the state park. The water was crystal clear and we saw alligators, turtles and even got lucky enough to see two monkeys. Can't wait to go back!
For a Sunday, entrance went quickly. It woukd have been nice to know in advance that the building and restaurant were closed. The food truck food was fine but shady seating was limited. We really enjoyed walking around the park. The boat tour was fun, too. A nice short trip to see the highlights. I might go back for the longer trip in the fall when cooler.
We were staying in Silver Springs and decided to visit the park and take the boat ride. It was well worth it. We took the 90 minute ride. Our boat captain was very good. We learned a lot about the area and got to see several things, especially enjoyable were the manatees! The kayakers were a bit obnoxious, ignoring the kayak path. This made it difficult for the captain, but he handled it with patience and although frustrated, was quite kind. This is a beautiful park, fun to walk around as well. The gift shop and convenience area is closed for remodeling. There is ample parking. It is $2 to enter the park.
We visited silver springs whilst traveling around Florida and heard it was a must see...we were not disappointed!
Beautiful walkways easy to navigate and a hiking trail if you're wanting something a little more off beat and challenging.
Staff were more than helpful to answer any questions and there's a lovely row of shops if you're in need of a drink or souvenir.
The springs were beautiful! The water has so many colors ....we saw the resident gator...and turtles.
I will definitely return here it's worth the trip!
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Silver Springs State Park is a fantastic destination with something for everyone! The glass-bottom boat tours are a must-do, offering a unique glimpse into the stunning underwater world. The well-maintained walking trails are perfect for a peaceful hike through beautiful scenery.
The Silver River Museum is a great addition, providing fascinating insights into the park's history, ecology, and cultural significance. It’s well-curated and adds depth to the overall experience.
The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, making your visit even better. Whether you're kayaking, exploring trails, or enjoying a picnic, Silver Springs State Park is a gem. Highly recommended for families and nature lovers!