Mary Erickson
Broker Associate
Realty Executives Oceanside
Turn on your music systems and play Silver Springs by Fleetwood Mac, because on this week's edition of where the locals go, I'll be talking about Silver Springs State Park.
ABC Paramount purchased Silver Springs from Davidson and Ray in 1962, and Silver Springs prospered as an attraction. But beginning in the 1970s, new entrants in the Florida attractions marketplace just south in Orlando led to a steady decline in Silver Springs’ attendance. And with that, the resources to properly care for the attraction and its precious natural resources. In 2013, the Florida Park Service took control of the property, merging it with the adjacent Silver River State Park, forming the present Silver Springs State Park. The Florida Park Service has worked tirelessly to restore and preserve both the cultural and environmental resources of the 4,000 acres encompassing the Springs and the Silver River.
Glass Bottom Boats have wowed visitors to Silver Springs since the 1870s with breathtaking views of underwater life and the many springs that feed the Silver River. Take a tour aboard one of the historic Glass Bottom Boats and marvel at the beauty and sheer size of Mammoth Spring, the river’s head spring. You’ll explore many other beautiful feeder springs and see countless species of fish, ancient Native American and Spanish artifacts and even underwater movie props from the days when Hollywood productions flourished at the park!
30 Minute Tour
Glass bottom boat tours run every 30-45 minutes, 365 days a year, and reservations are not necessary. The pricing for the 30 minute boat tour is as follows:
Adults - $12
Seniors 55 and over - $11
Children 6-12 - $11
Children 5 and under ride free
Extended Tour
Extended River Boat Tours are offered Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 11 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM. Guests of the 90 minute tour must arrive a minimum of 15 minutes before departure. The pricing for the 30 minute boat tour is as follows:
Adults - $25
Seniors 55 and over - $20
Children 6-12 - $20
Children 5 and under ride free
Paddle one of the rental canoes, kayaks or stand-up paddleboards five miles downstream on the pristine and unspoiled Silver River, from the head spring to Ray Wayside Park. They will provide your transport back upstream. Or choose from shorter, one and two hour, out-and-back excursions.
Kayaks
For an unforgettable adventure, rent one of the kayaks. They offer single and tandem kayaks, in both sit-in and sit-on styles, so you can fly solo or share the experience. For an entirely new experience, try one of the clear bottom tandem kayaks! All of the kayaks come equipped with back supporting seats to ensure your comfort.
Canoes
Go old school! Canoes are a great choice for a leisurely and family-friendly float down the river. Because you’re seated above the water, you have an excellent vantage point for spotting wildlife both below and above the waterline. And the stability of a canoe makes it the ideal watercraft for photography. The canoes can seat up to three people.
Paddleboards
Experienced or first timer, all are welcome to enjoy this hot, new watersport on the Silver River. Come appreciate wildlife and the outdoors as you improve your balance, stamina and strength.
Discover a variety of hiking and nature trails ranging in length from less than one mile to a 4.6-mile loop.
Creek Trail: The Park's Main Entrance offers access to the newly created Creek Trail, a 3/4 mile loop that can be accessed behind the Black Bear Pavilion. The trail takes you to Half-Mile Creek, the Silver River's only tributary.
Spring Connector Trail: The Spring Connector Trail, blazed in light blue, connects the Main Entrance to the Silver River Museum via the Sandhill Trail (blazed in yellow) and the Sinkhole Trail (blazed in red). This route is 2.3 miles one-way & over 4.6 miles round-trip.
Sandhill Trail: To hike the Sandhill Trail, park next to the Camping Entrance ranger station. This a 1.7 mile loop trail, blazed yellow, which explores a portion of the park's longleaf pine uplands.
Sinkhole Trail & Old Field Loop: The Sinkhole Trail, blazed red, is a 2.2 mile loop trail, and the Old Field Loop is 0.8 miles. These are both upland trails. For access to these park near the Silver River Museum in the day use area and utilize the 'Sinkhole Trail' archway to the left of the Museum.
Swamp Trail & River Trail: The Swamp Trail (1.9 mile loop, blazed orange) & River Trail (1.3 mile loop, blazed dark blue) are accessible from the Museum. Use the 'River Trails' archway to the right of the Museum. Both feature scenic overlooks of the Silver River.
Almost 5,000 acres of varying habitats provide a wonderful home for many different species of mammals, reptiles, fish and birds. Hike or paddle the park and see what you find! Frequent sightings in the uplands include armadillo, deer, turkey, fox, Sherman fox squirrel and gopher tortoise. Less frequently seen are coyote, bobcat and Florida black bear. The river is home to alligators, turtles, manatees and many species of fish. Bird life is plentiful! Silver Springs is the home to a significant population of limpkin, and many other aquatic and woodland birds.
Cabins
Located beneath shady oaks and beautiful pine trees, Silver Springs’ vacation cabins accommodate up to six people. Each cabin has a full dining area, two bedrooms, one bath, stove, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, gas fireplace (October 1 to April 30), central cooling and heating and a large screened porch.
RV & Tent Sites
Fifty-nine spacious sites in two campground loops easily accommodate even large camping units, with a maximum recreational vehicle length of 50 feet. Tent campers are welcome as well. Each site offers water and electric hook-up, as well as a fire ring, barbecue grill and picnic table.
Primitive Camping
The primitive group camping area, set amid shady oaks, is for organized groups only, with preference given to youth groups. The area includes picnic tables and fire rings at each site.
Non-potable water is available and there are no shower facilities.
Silver Springs also has multiple dining locations and can even cater events hosted at the park, such as weddings, family reunions, graduation celebrations, and more!
If you're interested in buying or selling in the Ocala area, be sure to contact me, Mary Erickson!
Mary Erickson
REALTOR ®
Phone: 386-444-1924
Email: MaryErickson@RealtyExecutives.com
Website: Over55Ocala.com
