Silver Glen Springs Florida: Complete Visitor Guide
Hours, entrance fees, summer vehicle reservations, swimming, snorkeling, paddling and camping nearby at the Ocala National Forest's clear, 72-degree spring.
By Darrin DeTorres, Only In Ocala. Updated October 21, 2026. Fees, hours and rules checked against the USDA Forest Service, Recreation.gov, ReserveOcala.com and the site's operator, Naventure.
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Silver Glen Springs at a glance
Silver Glen Springs is a first-magnitude spring and day-use recreation area in the Ocala National Forest, at 5271 FL-19, Salt Springs, Florida, in Marion County, about 39 miles east of downtown Ocala. It opens daily at 8 a.m., admission is $14.50 per person plus tax (children 5 and under free), and visitors swim and snorkel in 72-degree water, paddle the spring run to Lake George, picnic and walk two short trails. There is no camping and no pets, and a $20 vehicle reservation is required on summer weekends and holidays.
| Managed by | USDA Forest Service (Ocala National Forest); operated by Naventure |
|---|---|
| Address | 5271 FL-19, Salt Springs, FL 32134 (Marion County) |
| Phone | (352) 685-2799 |
| Hours | Opens 8 a.m. daily; closing time varies with daylight and is posted on site |
| Admission | $14.50 per person + tax; 5 and under free; annual pass $80 + tax |
| Summer reservations | Weekends and holidays, Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend; $20 per vehicle |
| Water | About 72°F year-round; 65 million gallons a day from two vents |
| Parking | 95-space lot; closes to new arrivals when full |
| Not allowed | Pets, glass, alcohol, personal grills, SCUBA diving, overnight camping |
Is Silver Glen Springs worth visiting?
Yes. Silver Glen Springs offers clear, 72-degree water over a white sand bottom that suits snorkeling, swimming and paddling, with shaded picnic areas and two short trails. The Forest Service warns that the site fills on weekends and may close to new arrivals, so come at the 8 a.m. opening, pick a weekday, or book a vehicle reservation for a summer weekend.
What is Silver Glen Springs?
Silver Glen Springs is a first-magnitude spring in Marion County, Florida, on the eastern edge of the Ocala National Forest and the western shore of Lake George off State Road 19. The spring releases about 65 million gallons of water a day from two vents, and its run flows east about three-quarters of a mile into Lake George, the second-largest lake in Florida after Lake Okeechobee. Recreation.gov describes the recreation area as 7 acres; it is a day-use site for swimming, snorkeling, paddling, picnicking and short hikes.
The St. Johns River Water Management District measures the spring pool at about 200 feet north to south and 175 feet east to west, and lists Silver Glen as an Outstanding Florida Spring. Most of the flow comes from two cavern openings at the bottom of the pool, which push up the boils visible at the surface. The Forest Service says the spring and its run cover about 22 acres of water. The site was privately developed and has been under Forest Service administration since 1990, according to Recreation.gov, which also notes that this is where Jody, the boy in the novel The Yearling, fell asleep watching the "flutter mill" he built in the water. The entrance sits across SR 19 from the Yearling Trail trailhead, north of Juniper Wayside.
The site is also an important archaeological site and, in the Forest Service's words, a sacred space for Native Americans: the large fenced mounds behind the swim area are shell middens, and visitors are asked to keep off them. It sits in the Ocala National Forest with the forest's other swimming springs, Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs and Salt Springs. For more ideas, see our top Ocala attractions.
Is Silver Glen Springs a state park?
No. Silver Glen Springs is not a state park. Searches for "Silver Glen Springs State Park" lead here, but it is Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area, a USDA Forest Service site in the Ocala National Forest. The concessionaire Naventure operates it for the Forest Service and charges its own day-use fee, so Florida State Parks passes are not accepted. For a real state park nearby, see Silver Springs State Park in Ocala, a different spring.
How much does Silver Glen Springs cost, and what are the hours?
Silver Glen Springs opens daily at 8:00 a.m. Closing time follows the length of the day and is posted at the site, and staff tell visitors the closing time on arrival. Admission is $14.50 per person plus tax, paid at the gate, and children 5 and under are free. The 95-space parking lot regularly fills on summer weekends and holidays, and on days without reservations entry is first come, first served until the lot is full.
Hours
Opens 8:00 a.m. daily
Closing time varies with daylight and is posted on site
Entry Fee
$14.50 per person + tax
Children 5 and under free. Annual day-use pass $80 + tax, sold on site.
Address
5271 FL-19, Salt Springs, FL 32134
Phone (352) 685-2799
Summer Weekend Vehicle Reservations
ReserveOcala.com says that in 2027 a vehicle reservation is required every Saturday, Sunday and holiday from Memorial Day weekend (May 29) through Labor Day weekend (September 6). The holidays listed are Memorial Day (May 31), Juneteenth (June 19), the observed Independence Day holiday (July 5) and Labor Day (September 6). Reservations go on sale May 15, 2027, and each date opens 14 days ahead at 10 a.m. Eastern on Recreation.gov. In 2026 the same rule ran from May 23 through September 7.
Naventure and ReserveOcala list the reservation at $20 per vehicle, on top of the per-person entry fee paid at the gatehouse; the Recreation.gov ticket page shows $21.50 per personal vehicle plus a $2 nonrefundable reservation fee. Annual pass holders still need one. A reservation guarantees parking for the whole day between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., and you may leave and come back. The reservation holder must be in the vehicle and show a photo ID. RVs, camper vans, travel trailers and boat, kayak or canoe trailers are not permitted with it. Cancellations made at least 48 hours ahead are refunded minus a $2 fee, and there are no refunds for weather.
Can you swim and snorkel at Silver Glen Springs?
Yes. Swimming and snorkeling in the spring basin are the main reasons people come. The water holds about 72°F all year, and the shallow, sandy-bottomed swim area suits families. Stay inside the marked swimming boundaries, stay out of the spring boils, and leave the SCUBA gear at home: diving is not permitted.
Swimming & Snorkeling
Bring a mask and snorkel to see the white sand bottom and the fish in the basin. The water stays at about 72 degrees, so it feels cool in summer and mild in winter; like every spring in the state, it is not one of the hot water springs in Florida people search for, because Florida has none. See the Ocala National Forest swimming guide for other spots.
Kayaking & Canoeing
A launching deck for kayaks, canoes and paddleboards sits at the recreation area, and paddlers can follow the spring run toward Lake George. Boaters also come in from Lake George, but the Forest Service notes that a boat needs a shallow enough draft to cross the bar at the mouth of the run. Boats must stay out of the swimming area. The Forest Service lists kayak and canoe rentals on site; call ahead to confirm. See our Ocala kayaking guide.
Picnicking & Trails
The site has 58 picnic tables and 30 pedestal grills, changing areas near the parking lot, portable toilets, bear-proof storage, and a walk-up store with snacks, drinks and souvenirs, where the Forest Service says drinking water is available. The 0.75-mile round-trip Spring Boils Trail leads to Jody's Spring, and the 3-mile round-trip Lake George Trail follows the lakeshore. More walks are in our Ocala National Forest hiking guide.
Wildlife & Manatees
The spring is designated critical habitat for manatees, and Recreation.gov calls it a seasonal sanctuary because of its steady water temperature, though the St. Johns River Water Management District notes heavy human use has limited how much manatees use it. For more reliable viewing, see our manatee guide.
Can you camp at Silver Glen Springs?
No. Silver Glen Springs is day-use only, and overnight camping is not permitted. To make a weekend of it, stay at another Ocala National Forest campground and drive in for the day; Salt Springs Recreation Area, north on SR 19, and Juniper Springs, on SR 40, both have campgrounds. Our Ocala National Forest camping guide covers the forest's campgrounds, and the Ocala camping guide lists more.
When is the best time to visit Silver Glen Springs?
Weekdays and Early Mornings
The Forest Service says the site reaches capacity on weekends and may close to new arrivals. Come at the 8 a.m. opening, pick a weekday, or book a vehicle reservation on summer weekends and holidays.
Fall, Winter and Spring
Outside the summer reservation season there are fewer visitors, and the 72-degree water feels mild on a cool day. Closing times are earlier when days are shorter.
Silver Glen Springs Rules and Safety
- No pets anywhere in the recreation area.
- No glass, alcohol or personal grills. Use the pedestal grills provided.
- Stay inside the marked swimming boundaries and out of the spring boils. Snorkeling is allowed; SCUBA diving is not.
- Boats and paddlecraft stay out of the swimming area.
- Keep off the shell middens, the large mounds behind the fences.
- Bags, wagons and coolers are subject to inspection at the gate.
- Bears, hogs and venomous snakes frequent the area, and raccoons and crows take food and shiny objects left on picnic tables. Keep food packed away or in the bear-proof storage.
- Fishing needs a Florida fishing license, and boating follows state of Florida rules.
- Bring swimwear, towels, snorkel gear, sunscreen and a cooler. On reservation days, bring your reservation and a valid ID.
Rules are set by the Forest Service and its concessionaire and can change. Confirm current rules with Naventure at (352) 685-2799.
How to Get to Silver Glen Springs from Ocala
Driving Directions (about 39 miles, roughly 50 minutes from downtown Ocala)
- From Ocala, take SR 40 east through Silver Springs and the Ocala National Forest to its intersection with SR 19.
- Turn left (north) onto SR 19.
- Drive about 6 miles north to the entrance on the right, at 5271 FL-19, Salt Springs, FL 32134.
Open Silver Glen Springs in Google Maps or see our Ocala National Forest map.
Cell service is limited in the forest, so load directions before leaving Ocala. Parking is limited to the 95-space lot, and the area closes to new arrivals when it is full.
Nearby Springs and a Day in the Forest
If Silver Glen is full, the Forest Service's other swimming springs are a short drive away. Our guide to springs in the Ocala National Forest compares them.
Silver Glen Springs FAQ
Is Silver Glen Springs open today?→
Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area opens daily at 8:00 a.m. The closing time depends on the length of the day; staff tell visitors on arrival and it is posted at the site. On summer reservation days, vehicle reservations cover arrival and parking from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The area closes to new visitors when the parking lot is full, which is common on busy weekends. Call (352) 685-2799 before driving out.
How much does it cost to visit Silver Glen Springs?→
Day-use admission is $14.50 per person plus tax, paid at the gate. Children 5 and under are free. An annual day-use pass is sold on site for $80 plus tax and, according to the Forest Service, covers the four Naventure-run recreation areas: Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs, Silver Glen Springs and Salt Springs. Fees can change, so confirm with the operator, Naventure.
Do I need a reservation for Silver Glen Springs?→
Only on summer weekends and holidays. ReserveOcala.com says that in 2027 a vehicle reservation is required every Saturday, Sunday and holiday from Memorial Day weekend (May 29) through Labor Day weekend (September 6), with sales opening May 15, 2027, 14 days ahead of each date. Naventure lists the reservation at $20 per vehicle; it is booked on Recreation.gov and does not include the per-person entry fee. Annual pass holders still need one. On other days entry is first come, first served until the lot is full.
Is Silver Glen Springs a state park?→
No. People often search for Silver Glen Springs State Park, but Silver Glen Springs is a USDA Forest Service recreation area in the Ocala National Forest, not a Florida state park. The concessionaire Naventure operates it for the Forest Service, so Florida State Parks passes do not apply.
Where is Silver Glen Springs in Florida?→
Silver Glen Springs is in Marion County, Florida, on the eastern edge of the Ocala National Forest and the western shore of Lake George. The entrance is at 5271 FL-19, Salt Springs, FL 32134, about 6 miles north of the intersection of State Roads 40 and 19 and across the highway from the Yearling Trail trailhead.
Can you swim and snorkel at Silver Glen Springs?→
Yes. Swimming and snorkeling are the main draws, and the spring stays about 72 degrees year-round. Stay inside the marked swimming boundaries and out of the spring boils. SCUBA diving is not permitted, and boats must stay out of the swimming area.
Can you kayak at Silver Glen Springs?→
Yes. The recreation area has a launching deck for kayaks and canoes, and the spring run flows about three-quarters of a mile to Lake George. The Forest Service lists kayak and canoe rentals on site; call (352) 685-2799 to confirm rentals before you go.
Can you take a boat to Silver Glen Springs from Lake George?→
Yes. The Forest Service calls Silver Glen Run a popular destination for boaters coming in from Lake George, but boats need a shallow enough draft to cross the sand bar at the mouth of the run. Boats must stay outside the buoyed swimming area, and boating is regulated by the state of Florida.
Can you camp at Silver Glen Springs?→
No. Silver Glen Springs is a day-use area with no overnight camping. The nearest options are other Ocala National Forest campgrounds, such as Salt Springs and Juniper Springs. See the Ocala National Forest camping guide for details.
Are pets allowed at Silver Glen Springs?→
No. Pets are not permitted anywhere in the recreation area. Glass, alcohol and personal grills are also not allowed. Bears frequent the area, and raccoons and crows are known to steal food and shiny objects left on picnic tables, so keep food secured.
How far is Silver Glen Springs from Ocala?→
About 38 to 39 miles from downtown Ocala, roughly 50 minutes by car according to Google Maps. Take SR 40 east through the Ocala National Forest to SR 19, turn left (north), and drive about 6 miles to the entrance at 5271 FL-19, Salt Springs, FL 32134. Cell service is limited in the forest, so load directions before you leave.
Official information
USDA Forest Service: Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area · Naventure (operator): fees and hours · Recreation.gov vehicle reservations · Recreation.gov vehicle ticket rules · USDA Forest Service: Silver Glen Run · USDA Forest Service: Ocala National Forest · ReserveOcala.com · St. Johns River Water Management District: Silver Glen Springs
Silver Glen Springs: guía para visitantes
Silver Glen Springs es un manantial de aguas cristalinas en el Bosque Nacional Ocala, en el condado de Marion, Florida, en 5271 FL-19, Salt Springs, FL 32134, a unas 39 millas del centro de Ocala. No es un parque estatal: es un área recreativa del Servicio Forestal de EE. UU., operada por Naventure. Abre todos los días a las 8:00 a.m. y la hora de cierre varía según la duración del día y se anuncia en el lugar. La entrada cuesta $14.50 por persona más impuestos, y los niños de 5 años o menos entran gratis. En verano, los sábados, domingos y días festivos se requiere una reservación de vehículo de $20 en ReserveOcala.com. Se puede nadar, hacer snorkel y remar; no se permiten mascotas ni acampar.