Silver Springs State Park

Address:	1425 NE 58th Ave, Ocala, FL 34470, USA
Phone:	+1 352-236-7148
Site:	floridastateparks.org
Rating:	4.3
Working:	8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM

Location

Photos 1

Reviews 7

Holly Caram

I frequent this park to go kayaking. When I have out of town guests I will also bring them here to walk around and check out the springs. We also did a glass bottom boat tour last time I was here. They have changed their prices from when I used to come. For five people to do the boat tour and to pay admissions it was over ten dollars a person (I wanna say $68). I was a little disappointed with that price. They have a restaurant and an ice cream parlor in the park as well. Prices are pretty high there. So if youre going to come here come prepared to pay a decent amount for everything. Definitely shocking for a state Park. Theres a lot of rich history and educational content in the park. They have a little museum and plaques around the park at different spots with information on them. Theres no swimming area here, not that I would recommend it because while kayaking Ive seen a lot of gators. I like to kayak here mostly. Its a nice run and you see a lot of wildlife. Ive personally seen many turtles, gators, fish, birds, manatees (at the right time of year-winter), and monkeys. I only pay $5 because I bring my own kayak. Im not sure about rental prices. The one time I rented was a long while ago and I had to wait some time before a kayak became available. I dont remember what I paid, maybe $21 for a couple hours. Overall a good experience but bring your wallet.

sergio de la rosa

My family and I went to this park last week for easter break. We loved the site, we took a boat tour to see the springs and it was amazing, the sights are incredible and the captain of the boat was awesome. Even thought it was high season the park wasnt crowded at all and everybody (with one exception) working in the park was very nice. After the boat ride we liked it so much that we wanted to rent a kayak.They told us that the kayak rental was open until, 530pm but you had to be there before 430pm to rent it. When we got there at 427pm they were three people in the facility, while two of them were getting ready to give us our kayak the other one stopped playing with his phone stood up and told us that we could not rent the kayak because it was after 430pm, I showed him my self phone when it was showing 428pm then he started saying in a very rude way that theres is a park state regulation that does not allow them to put the kayak in the water after 430 pm. To me it seemed obvious that he wanted to leave early. As the only negative note of this visit we left the park without a kayak ride. If you go to rent a kayak in the facility that is next to the parking lot I would advise you to try to avoid the chubby lazy guy.

Nicole Edwards

Had a great time riding the glass bottom boats! This used to be a privately-owned spring that was kind of expensive. Now its a state park and its perfectly priced for families to visit. The boats and admission are separate prices but worth it if youre in the area. I think its $2 admission? There are a few trails to walk around, a stage for music performances, a couple of rooms detailing the history of Silver Springs and talking about the animals and plants you can find there, a restaurant, a sweet shop and a little shop where you can dress like a mermaid and take pictures (this looked like so much fun for a little girl!). Its a bit old and run-down, not what it used to be when it was privately owned. But its still cool. My kids liked it. The only thing that would make it amazing would be a really great playground for kids. The cost and nature of the park really lends itself to appealing to young families, if only there was a draw other than the boats. A nice, large playground would make it a huge draw. My kids would have loved that.

Janis Brown

Didnt even go in as the employee directing traffic said the state has taken over and EVERYTHING IS GONE, except for the glass bottom boat and walking around. I checked the website before we went which really had a lot of good information and stuff to do, obviously I should have googled "what is left to see at Silver Springs. That would have saved me a trip. I took friends there 2 years ago and it was great. This park, as well as Cypress Gardens, was the REAL Florida. Orlando has taken over and families just dont consider these smaller cool and nostalgic parks as part of their vacation. It is so sad. As Silver Springs has been struggling over the years due to low use, I thought that the State would do a bang up job and I think it would if it was not for RICK SCOTT who is anti Florida so it seems. The spring is in real trouble but that should not take away everything else that was so great about Silver Springs.

Allen Parsons

Who knows whether Silver Springs will spark an eco-tourism boom in Central Florida, as county officials hoped when the state took over the former amusement park and merged it with adjacent Silver River State Park. The glass-bottom boat rides remain the main attraction at the former amusement park grounds, where ice cream and sodas are still available and a summer concert series runs (theres also a water theme park operating in summer). The hiking trails and pioneer museum are next door in the merged state park section. Several trails lead to glimpses of the crystal-clear Silver River, while others go off into piney woods, where you need to keep an eye out for snakes. One admission price gets you into both park areas, though you likely will need to drive (or ride bikes) from one entrance to the other. Silver Springs has attracted people for generations. Given its natural beauty, its easy to see why the lure has lasted.

Amy Turner

We went on a Wednesday. It was quiet and nice. We paid $2 per person to get into park and $11 per person for glass bottom boat. We really went to see if we could spot any wild monkeys, but were a little disappointed when we did not. The boat ride was nice. They give you a lot of interesting information. On the weekdays its only 30 minutes, but we found out afterwards that on the weekends they offer 90 minute tours where youre more likely to see the monkeys. They offer kayak and canoe rentals so you can explore spring on your own, but no swimming. They also offer mountain bike rentals. Its a nice, quiet place to enjoy nature and learn some history about the area and the park in its hayday. I would maybe suggest, although I havent yet, going on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday to get more out of your visit. Thats when you can take a longer boat ride and when the cracker village museum is open.

Jen Arias

I can only speak for the Glassbottom Boat Tour, have taken the 90 minute tour as well as the 30 minute tour, and you will not be disappointed for either one. First time was in March 2014 and went again in October 2014. The tours are very fun and captains are very informative about plant, fish, rock and bird species around them. The amount of fish you actually see are very few due to: ***On a side note; This spring and many others are slowly disappearing and are losing its freshwater fish/plant diversity. We are destroying the water and soil, which reflects on the springs. More and more algae is growing, which covers the plants, and kills off the fish - - - and less water is being produced by the spring, causing the water not to filter out or circulate, making the algae (bacteria) produce more and quickly over time. Eventually it will just be dirty water, a swamp or even just dry up.