Silver Springs State Park

Absolutely stunning! I have traveled here multiple times and every time it takes my breath away. The water is super clean and clear, you can just see the wonders of the spring. The most recent visit I saw lots of turtles fish, two alligators and even a manatee. Might I add that the manatee even swam right under the kayak. We rented the clear kayaks and it did not disappoint! We arrived a little early and they let us go in early giving us almost a whole extra hour. I will say that it is not for the weak! I would not recommend putting two people together if they are both not strong kayakers. I will definitely be returning and can't wait for the next adventure! Workers were all very polite.

Gorgeous. Went to check out the trails. The staff were lovely and friendly. Admissions are $2 per person, they do accept cards. The creek trail is nice, and the boardwalk path is pretty. All trails had a bit of access to the springs and we're well covered. Can't wait to go back, had a great time and so did my cockapoo as you can see!

Absolutely fantastic place to visit! Went on a glass bottom boat tour and was able to see monkeys, manatees, fish, turtles, birds and an alligator. The 30 minute tour was very affordable. They also have decided boats for those that are handicapped. Most definitely recommend!

We went for a guided tour on a rented canoe and it was wonderful! Serene and peaceful. The process was smooth and all the staff was knowledgeable and friendly. We truly enjoyed our tour with guides Colin and Eddie (Edmond). They were a delight and genuinely enjoyed their jobs which made the experience that much better. Lunch at the cafe afterwards was fresh, quick, and delicious. We will be back with friends next time

Enjoyed a perfect day at Silver Springs. We started with a relaxing ride on the glass water boat then moved onto kayaking. We took our time and spent 3 hours going with the current viewing gators, turtles, manatees and a river otter. Afterward we enjoyed a late lunch at the restaurant inside the park. The sandwiches were good and the view was spectacular.

Beautiful park! We took a glass bottom boat tour and it was such a fun way to tour the water way without getting wet. If we had more time we would have done the paddleboard or kayaks, but overall, such a beautiful, clean park. Our boat captain was great! Very knowledgeable about the Spring and the animals and environment. Definitely recommend.

Beautiful.and peaceful..if you love nature this is a must visit. Do take glass bottom tours.. the boat captain provided excellent narrative on history of the river and glass bottom tours.. Due to crystal clear water one could see river bottom, under water springs, along with fish, fauna, turtles, alligators etc.. looks like in winter months one could get a glimpse of manatees. Also lots of bird species, nesting in the trees and also see them dive for fish.

Such a serene beautiful spring. The crystal clear water and the boat tour in a sunny summer day is what your looking for. The glass-bottom boat is the champ, kayaking, hiking is also awesome. Very reasonably priced with great food and amenities.

So cool - an amazing and unique park with access to nature and wildlife. The springs feed into the St John river and are crystal clear and 72 degrees year round. You can embark on a glass bottom boat for 30 or 90 minute guided tours - with lots of interesting information , or paddle board or kayak on rentals. There's shops, two restaurants and one has a full bar with drink prices from the 90s Hike, bring the kids, your dog and have a great time!

What an amazing experience especially during the winter ! Wanted to see the manatees, and that we did. They charge a park fee and a vessel launch fee. All reasonably priced and the views are amazing. Saw all types of birds, alligators, manatees, tons of turtles, monkeys, and huge fish. I do not know all the pricing for their equipment but if you've never been, this is a must on your list. The water is extremely calm and crystal clear and darker in some spots. Great 5mi paddle down stream

One of Florida's MOST FAMOUS natural springs. Silver Springs has crystal clear water and a history with film and television. "Creature From the Black Lagoon" was filmed at this destination, as was James Bond "Thunderball" (1965) and "Moonraker" (1979). Entry to this park is just $2, and you can add-on a 30 or 90 minute ride on their glass-bottom electric boats, starting at $15. This is a great time of year to see manatees, as the spring is warm, but the rest of Florida's waters aren't. Teeming with fish, gators, manatees and even monkeys, this state park has wildlife, history and tropical views.

Well, ai was here back in the early 70's and had a glass bottom boat ride. I really wanted my spouse Togo because I thought it was so cool back then. We had such a nice visit. We walked around the grounds and saw some pretty cool birds and fish in the lake. It was a cold day, so there were no alligators,but that was fine. We decided to try the short glass bottom boat ride. So happy that we did. My spouse really loved it We saw a few manatees and a couple large turtles. The guide was good, but his jokes kind of fell flat. When we do nit have the dog, I really want to come back and go on the longer ride. It was excellent!

How beautiful is this state park?!! Absolutely gorgeous! About a 15 minute drive from my daughter's place in Ocala and us grandparents had the opportunity to take our grandson, Ashton, tot he park. He just loves to run and go go go. We wanted to take advantage of visiting the kiddos and grandbuds and also do some touristy stuff, like go out on the water, and this place offers both. Albeit, I would love to kayak through here, they also offer a boat tour all around the Springs. Which we took our boy on. Wait- did I preface this with- it's friggin hotter than Cindy Crawford and Dua Lipa on an airboat gliding across the Everglades swamp water? It's friggin hot and I'm sure I'd pay for that. Anyway, back to Silver Springs- Gorgeous hues of blue and the history of the place blew my mind. Had no idea it belonged to a studio at one point, and several shows and movies have been filmed here. The glass bottomed boat was absolutely fantastic! So cool to see all the fish below in their habitat, as well as all of the Springs that feed into this lagoon/lake/spring. So amazing and emphatically recommend this place for all ages. See the fish and wildlife like turtles, gators, and various birds in their natural habitat. As always, Enjoy & Happy exploring!

this is old school florida, but don't miss it. just because your grandma still has a shot glass souvenir from there does not mean it's not 2025 cool, it still is! the glass bottom boats are still worth it! Kayaking is always worth it, I love this place

Silver Springs is one of my favorite destinations in Florida. We booked glass bottom kayaks to see the underwater world! Its crystal clear waters and forest are home to lots of fish, alligators, limestone, and seasonal manatees. Although monkeys are a cute sight, they can be an absolute menace. Per our tour guide, they like to ambush people with their poo and many carry Herpes - so keep your distance :) They used to film movies here, like Tarzan, Creature from the Black Lagoon, and more. You can find abandoned, sunken artifacts from those films throughout the river. Highly recommend visiting Silver Springs to immerse yourself in the wonders of nature!

What a beautiful place to explore! We decided to beat the crowds of July 4th and come here for a glass bottom boat tour instead. We learned that this tour is the oldest attraction in Florida and that ABC productions used to own Silver Springs. As a result, there are a ton of submerged movie artifacts from several classic films. Not only is this beautiful and crystal clear water abundant in wildlife but it's almost as pure as drinking water! That can be attributed to the millions of gallons of water pouring in from the multiple spring aquifers under the surface. Although there is no swimming allowed, you can walk the many trails or rent kayaks and canoes to explore these beautiful and pristine waterways.

I went to the kayaking entrance only if you are looking at the front it on the far right. To bring your own vessel there is a $4 launch fee, you also need to bring a life jacket, if you don't have one you need to rent it for $8. Memorial weekend was crowded of course but out in the water it wasn't bad! The water is stunning, tons of wild life like monkeys, alligators, fish turtles etc. beautiful place! State run so the place was really clean and lots of amenities.

We came early during the summer to kayak. We had 2 kayaks of our own, but were looking to rent a third. Unfortunately the kayak rental didn't open for an hour after the park, so only two of us could kayak the water. That notwithstanding, the water is super clear and really special to kayak in. I definitely plan to go back!

Unforgettable experience doing the glass bottom long boat tour. We saw so much wildlife and the water was so clear! Amazing!

I just experienced the glass bottom boat tour with Captain Bill. We had four generations of us in our party and we all left happy and amused, including the angsty thirteen-year-old who was with us. The tour was amusing, but Bill's puns, wit, and historical knowledge really accelerated the experience. Whatever they need to do to keep Captain Bill on their roster, please do it!

2 $ get in 15 $ for boat ride which we watched the boat and decided not to go looked really hot in the boats rather walk and see the area ourselves. Nice clean park springs were clear and pretty you can rent canoes paddle boards but one thing we noticed didnt seem like it was enough time because people were trying to get back really really quick so they didnt go over their time limit was funny to watch . its really close to a highway and can hear some of the idiot locals reving their cars

The best!!! You can go on glass bottom boat tours or rent kayaks / paddle boards. If you choose the latter, there's a quick loop that's like a little jungle tour or you can opt for the 4.6 mile tour down the river with a shuttle back. Wonderful wildlife. A local gem!

Silver Springs is definitely a magical experience. We booked our self-guided kayak tour (rental included) with Discovery Kayak. Arrived at the free parking lot, checked-in with the owner, and paid our $2 entree fee. I recommend booking directly with Discovery Kayak and not a third party. They are the only kayak rental company that will provide the kayak to you at the park, and lift and launch you. At the end of the Springs, they provide a shuttle back to your car. They're a bit pricey, but the experience was convenient, and I'd book with them all over again!

I love this campground. They have a little store where you check in that sells fire food and ice, there's bathrooms with lots of stalls and showers. There's a dish cleaning area. The sites have electricity and clean water. You can camp in tents, trailers or motorhomes. We have been going here for a few years in Oct/Nov and the weather has been amazing, sometimes chilly at night and other not. During the day it's shorts and t-shirt weather we even got in the spring because it was hot during the day. they water is cold but worth it.

Saturday August 12th, we walked around Silver Springs State Park and took kids on Glass Bottom Boat Ride in the Lagoon of Silver Springs. We saw Turtles and lots of fish while learning the history of the park & area. It was absolutely beautiful day! No swimming in this Crystal Clear water because Alligators dominate this water. The boat ride was very nice. We had reservations on the 9:45am boat. They also enjoyed having their Paw Paw Lee with them. There is a lot of history here Including it was once owned by CBS and several movies including Creature from the Black Lagoon and series Seahunt with Lloyd Bridges. We didn't get to see Monkeys or Alligators..Definitely going back!

I was sooooooo excited to go to Silver Springs as I wanted to see the monkeys and manatees. We took a kayak and unfortunately didn't see any monkeys or manatees but it was still worth the trip. Stunning scenery, breathtaking views. Saw alligators swim past up close so that was cool. Such a beautiful place and so calm and peaceful.

We took the 1 1/2 hour glass-bottom boat ride with Captain Robby, and it was a great time. We were on the 11:30 am cruise, and though it was a hot day, it was not uncomfortable on the boat. Captain Robby was informative, knowledgable, and did his best to make sure everyone was comfortable and enjoying the trip. We saw alligators, manatees, and lots of species of bird life. I use a rollator (walker w/wheels), and was able, with assistance, to leave that at the dock, and get on the boat. We would certainly recommend this cruise.

Was on the first glass bottom boat tour of the day. It turned out to be a private boat ride as we were the only couple. Our captain/tour guide was great. He had so many fun facts about the springs. Looking forward to our next visit!

It's a beautiful park with trails around the springs. Made reservations for glass bottom boat since they fill up quickly , took 1/2 hour cruise at $14 senior price. Walked around springs to see garden trails. Restaurant was very good. Also went to separate museum that's part of education system. Lots of Indian history. Reproductions of saber tooth tiger, and mammoth skeleton. Spent 2 hours there reading about exhibits during rainstorm. Recommend it for Florida history.

Very busy. However parking was not an issue. The employees were very nice and friendly. Launching my kayak was a bit chaotic. Personally for as big of a park it is, I would expect a larger launch. The wild life I saw while kayaking was really cool. I had a lot of fun and saw a lot of wild life.

Beautiful park with an excellent low cost entrance fee. The floral and wildlife is so beautiful here. We also took a 30 minute glass bottom tour which was so informative. The captain was excellent and also talked about how he volunteers to save manatees. We enjoyed learning about the multiple springs in the area and how they function and produce so much fresh water to the area. We were lucky enough to see a momma and her baby manatee. It was so breathtaking to watch them.

So beautiful! The shops are such a nice add on because you get to be in the AC a bit, the cafe food was alright but I must say it was very cleanly. The restrooms here could use a little better cleaning.. other than that the park was absolutely stunning and we had such a fun day on the glass boat tour! Big shout out to our captain Joyce she was excellent! I won't say what animals we saw because it's not guaranteed; but she took the time to look very thoroughly! I highly recommend going here :)

For only $2 per person, you can enter this enormous park full of hiking/biking and equestrian trails. Of course there are additional costs to the glass bottom boats and water activities (kayaking, paddle boarding, etc), but it was still a nice experience simply walking around. I spent about 2 hours exploring the gardens (saw lots of butterflies), the board walk (saw a red shouldered hawk there!), and part of the blue and sandhill trails. There were even signs that there are wild rhesus monkeys in the park, but I didn't see any. I peeked into the Silver river many times and the water was extremely clear, but if you want the full experience and more information about the history of the springs, the glass bottom boat tour would be the way to go. Even though it was midday and there were lots of people at the main areas, I only saw 4 other people on the trails. It was very quiet, just me and Mother Nature. If you plan to tackle the trails, definitely plan ahead by bringing enough water and sunscreen because much of the sandhill trail is not shaded and gets quite hot. The staff members and park rangers were very kind and checked in on how I was doing when I was on the trail. Trail markers, signs, and paths were all well-maintained. Overall had a great time!

This is a definite must do if you are in the area and is located only 1.5 hours from Orlando. Arriving early is key, parking is complimentary and porta potty's are available at the far end of the parking lot. There is something for everyone, rent a kayak, paddle board, walk the trails, or take a tour on the glass bottom boat. Wildlife is at every turn and you will most likely see alligators, birds , turtles, monkeys, water snakes, fish and manatee's. I am extremely experienced with paddle boarding but decided to kneel for most of this trip due to the amount of alligators that were around. I never felt threatened but there was no need for me to fall in either. The launch is pretty small given the amount of people that visit this spring, so I could see it taking quite a while when busy. We arrived at 8:30am and picked up our paddle boards and off we went with no wait. There are poles in the water at the launch, pay close attention as people do bump into them and fall into the water. The water was warm, very clear and you could see the wild life below you. This experience was one we will remember forever and we would definitely come back. If you would like to go with a tour, those are available as well, and looked very organized. I don't believe you could get lost but the monkeys are off to the right down another waterway that seemed hidden when we originally passed it. We highly recommend a few hours at minimal at this spring and we suggest you bring a waterproof pouch, water, bug spray, hat and sunscreen. Enjoy!!

Silver Springs State Park is an "old Florida" park that is still very relevant! Amazing quiet atmosphere and the glass bottom boat tours are *not* to be missed! Captain Bill took great care of our boat tour, ensuring we saw an amazing variety of the local wildlife before he headed back to the dock. Turtles, a manatee that swam under our boat, birds, and of course, the obligatory gator were the stars of the show. I'm honestly at a loss of how to describe the total experience right now... I will be visiting again soon and will update my review. This is nature at its finest, and the folks there work extremely hard to maintain it. Thanks for this amazing place!

We took our kayak to Silver River for the first time today. It was an amazing day filled with amazing views of wildlife. We saw turtles, birds (one eagle) fish and an alligator. We were charged $8 for 2 people in one kayak. I did not see restrooms but there were port-a-jon's for our use at the launch. There was no additional charge for parking or entrance to the park. So for a total of $8, we had hours of enjoyment on the river. Kayaks were available for rent. Can't wait to come back and take a tour on the glass bottom boat.

So we've heard about the Canonballing monkeys here and you know we had to go! We hiked a couple of trails and didn't see a thing and we finally rented a tandem kayak. The water was beautiful, but it's another spring where you cannot get out and swim. Out in the river, all yourself, several manatees, which was a great consolation. We saw a family of three with a baby and I just wanted to love on them but I know it's illegal so I got my hands in the boat!!! on our way back to the kayak rental place, we did see the wild rhesus macaque monkeys!!! a couple of them, climbed the tree to the top and dove in, so I am back to shore, and made aggressive sounds towards us. Others were rolling around on the ground playing with each other. Another group was just eating the foliage.

I'm glad to read some review by people who enjoyed this park. I didn't. To me, it looks like a bus-stop tourist trap that buses no longer frequent because it's too embarrassing. There's a welcoming archway reminiscent of an old theme park from the 1940's. Apparently, there was a small amusement park on this site at one time. There are some tourist capture stores being remodeled. There's a short board walk through a wooded area where you do get to see the beautiful silver springs flowing. There' s also a glass-bottomed boat ride and kayaks to rent. The park employees are friendly and knowledgeable. I just wish that the park didn't look like it was being demolished by neglect.

Nice daytrip from anywhere in Florida. Buy tickets for Glass Bottom Boats online as they sell out days beforehand. Senior Discounts are great. Lots of free parking, easy to get to. Skip the cheaper 30 minute boat rides for the 90 minute extended boat ride. It goes much further than the other shorter one. Last time I was here in 1967! Place is under a lot of refurbishment, lots of shops closed or under reconstruction. Nice cafe. The boat loading area Seriously needs powerwashing. In need of repairs and looks neglected. Nice walking trails, minimal markers though. One request is to turn down the volume on the boats speakers as they are quite loud and give you a headache from all the "puns" the drivers provide. Saw two mother and cub Manatees really up close. Nice. Will return.

It's one the bring back memories as a kid it's changed a little bit, but it's worth going to see once in your life

Silver Springs glass bottom boat ride! Gorgeous nature park, pristine clear spring water, and beautiful spring weather made for a perfect day date I will be back for kayaking

I've been wanting to kayak this spring for a long time, it's one of the most beautiful from the Alcala National Forrest springs and also the one that I've seen the most animals. We came on one of the coldest weekends of the year, surprisingly the crystal clear water was warm, even though we didn't swim because you're not allowed to. We came during manatee season and saw at least 15 manatees along the trail; we also saw monkeys, alligators, anhingas and lots of other birds and fish. The trail is easy since you're kayaking with the current. You have 2 options, you either take the shuttle back to the parking lot or kayak back. We decided to take the shuttle which is an additional $10 since we were a little limited of time. If you're thinking about kayaking an spring this is definitely an amazing choice. Hopefully we'll come back soon and kayak on a warmer weather to try to see more alligators. There's a lot of hiking trails around the park but we didn't adventure those.

Silver springs state park is excellent!! I am visiting family from California and I am so glad we spent an afternoon doing this. We easily booked the glass bottom boat ride online. We arrived at least an hour before our scheduled time and had lunch at the cafe there, I had a Cuban and my teenager had a cheeseburger, both delicious, great choices! Our boat tour was only about half full and we had Captain Bill, he was so friendly and definitely kept us entertained. It was a beautiful ride. After, we walked around looking for monkeys on this really cool boardwalk trail. Didn't see any monkeys but had a really great afternoon at a beautiful place!

Kayaking was so much fun, we saw turtles, alligators and monkeys! Quite an amazing slice of Florida

Me. You can't swim here, if you are coming to kayak it may be good for you but there are many nicer places. Despite coming at 1:30 we were told all glass bottom boat rides sold out and there is hardly anyone here. Retail area is all under reno so there is nothing to do. Again love that so many people like this place but as with the other one and two star reviews it was a big disappointment and pretty run down. I think if you were coming to kayak and bring your own picnic, it would be a nice day .

Love coming here for kayaking! Never walked the trail but have done the kayak twice now. You can either bring your own vessel, rent through 3rd party, or rent kayaks through the state park itself. For all day rental (we did start time 09:00-16:00) it was $45 after tax. That did not include the shuttle back. It's $2 per person for a park fee, they hold onto your car keys for collateral. When you first get into the water and kayak maybe 100 yards up, you can either take a left or right. Left brings you under the bridge and by the glass boats. Also, this side seemed to have more manatees. We choose to go right. There were less people, which I loved! Either way, both sides circle around. It's roughly 0.7 miles either way. You can definitely finish your kayak there and just go around the small island. It would take no longer than an hour if you're good at kayaking. Going further down river is amazing. Again, we started early so there were less people on the water. It's a 5 mile stretch to where you would get out and there are shuttles back (if you pay for it) otherwise, you have to kayak back to the launch. You'll definitely see so much wild life. I finally saw the monkeys! I saw manatees, lots of turtles, fish, birds and a few large gators. The thing I dislike about this spring and any other spring is the fact they allow motorized boats and jet skis on the water. They basically have a tourist trap called the glass bottom boat. I wish sometimes that we would just leave things as they are and not pollute the air and water. Other than that, I love this spring so much.

This was a great park, we went to their 12th Annual Silver River Knap-In and Prehistoric Arts Festival. Expert flint knappers (people who make stone tools such as spear points), archaeologists, potters, hide tanners, bow makers, dugout canoe carvers and other specialists in native skills will gather from across the U.S. to demonstrate their crafts. This unique event includes displays of ancient Native American stone tools from Florida as well as an archery range and hands-on activities. Experts will give presentations on the prehistory of Florida. Vendors offer unique crafts, reproduction stone tools, flint knapping supplies and food for sale. We had a great time at their 1700 or 1800 era Village. It was worth it!! Thank you!! EXTRA INFO: Don't miss our newest museum exhibit Dugout Canoes: Paddling Through the Americas. This exhibit features Native American canoes from across North and South America; including several examples from Florida. Exhibits are interactive with hands-on activities for all ages. Visitors can tour the Silver River Museum, hike or bike the trails of the state park, or canoe and kayak on the pristine Silver River.

We just experienced this for the first time. Half of the lagoon is closed. Due to a bridge construction. But no one tells you that until after you pay. Then they say it's closed. The bathrooms are closed. You have portable potty's that are full to the brim! Gross! There was a lack of preparation for a busy day. Mind you it's Spring Break. All in all the spring was fun and enjoyable. But for the cost of rentals and half of the lagoon not available it's not worth it.

A great 1950s style Roadside Attraction, so glad it has survived. The water is unbelievably clear. As the narrators will tell you, the depth of the water, a d the volume of water being emitted, are way more than you think. To me this would be worth swinging out of the way to visit if I were in the Orlando area doing the theme parks but still had days left over.

What an amazing experience! Highlight of our trip to Orlando for sure. Enjoyed kayaking and seeing the manatees, lots of alligators, birds, turtles and so much more! The water is so clear. It's a must see for sure. My teenage daughter was nervous but loved the experience! This is a must do!!

We had an outstanding time at Silver Springs State Park. It's definitely worth a visit if you love nature and want to see something new in Florida. Located in Ocala, about an hour northwest of Orlando - this park boasts the clearest water I've ever seen. We kayaked the 5.1 mile section of the Silver river. On our kayak trek we were treated to peace, quiet, lots of nature, plenty of mullet fish jumping out of the water, a manatee, and even monkeys in the trees! We also got to enjoy the glass bottom boat tower that took us through the headsprings and we got to see many of the springs and their natural vent openings underground. It's amazing. We learned a lot about the history of the place, how it was owned by ABC and used to film a lot movies and TV shows long ago. There was some nice walking to be had too around the park. We spent a good half day there. Very enjoyable.

My girlfriend and I had a great time kayaking. The water was so clear and there were lots of manatees, comorants, and turtles to see. We even saw an alligator and baby! I really liked this place. It was relaxing, quiet, and there were so many different things to do. The kayaking was nice and relaxing. I had never seen such beautiful water before. You could see the springs at the bottom and it was just amazing. I would recommend this place to anyone who enjoys nature and wants to get away from the normal. It was quiet, peaceful, and easy going. Definitely a great place to go if you want to enjoy the water and just relax!

We were in Ocala for business and on our way out we stopped by Silver Springs State Park. What a beautiful park. Wish we could have spent more time there. We really enjoyed the glass bottom boat tour. Captain Sebastian was informative, funny and just a real delight. The park was under some renovations but was clean and presented well.

Very beautiful place made ugly by nasty employees. Disorganized, most concessions were closed. Only 2 of 4 boats were being used. Told us we were late for our reservation, could not squeeze us in at our reservation time, would have to reschedule at a later time that day. When we finally got to ride the glass bottom boat there was plenty of room for additional riders. This state park is not Senior friendly.

The boat ride was great there were tons of fish and turtles the fish were huge and it was really fun

Crystal went above and beyond when we had a little emergency! We are truly thankful for her kindness and action leading us to where we needed to be. Thank You Crystal

What amazing experience! This park offers everything. We went for 2 hours kayak ($52) and 1 night camping ($42). The prices included tax, fees and everything. The kayak experience was exceptional. Staff are super friendly and nice. We didn't need any reservations for kayak but you definitely need a reservation for camping. Our camping spot was beautiful and private.