Silver River State Park

Silver River State Park is now part of Silver Springs State Park: since October 1, 2013, the whole park goes by the Silver Springs name. Its old entrance at 1425 NE 58th Avenue, Ocala, is the camping entrance, home to the campground, cabins, pioneer village, Silver River Museum & Environmental Education Center, and most of the trails. For the whole park, see our Silver Springs State Park guide.

Updated Today
1425 NE 58th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34470 8 AM – Sundown $8/vehicle (2–8 occupants), $5 single (352) 236-7149
Silver Springs Main EntranceReserve Camping (800) 326-3521

Silver River State Park no longer exists under that name: on October 1, 2013, it was joined with the head spring and renamed Silver Springs State Park. Its old entrance is now the park's camping entrance, at 1425 NE 58th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34470, on CR 35 (Baseline Road) south of SR 40. It has the 59-site campground ($24 a night plus fees), 10 cabins ($110 a night, two-night minimum), primitive group camping, the pioneer village, the weekend Silver River Museum, and most of the park's hiking and mountain biking trails. The concessionaire lists the vehicle fee here as $8 (2-8 occupants) or $5 single occupant; it covers same-day access to the main entrance too. Camping reservations 800-326-3521 or reserve.floridastateparks.org. See our Silver Springs State Park guide.

Two Entrances, One Park

Silver River State Park opened in 1987, downstream of the Silver Springs attraction. On October 1, 2013, the Florida Park Service took over the head spring, added it to Silver River State Park and renamed the whole park Silver Springs State Park. Some people still use the old names for the two entrances. The distinction matters because the entrances have different facilities, and the concessionaire lists different fees for them:

Main entrance — “Silver Springs”

5656 East Silver Springs Boulevard, Silver Springs, FL 34488 (on SR 40)

$2 per person (kids 5 and under free), per the concessionaire; check at the gate

Head springs, Glass Bottom Boats, watercraft rentals, food/retail, historic gardens.

Camping entrance — former “Silver River State Park” (this page)

1425 NE 58th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34470 (on CR 35 / Baseline Road)

$8/vehicle (2-8 occupants), $5 single occupant

Ranger station, campground, cabins, pioneer village, Silver River Museum, most hiking and mountain bike trails, picnic pavilions, playground, and a free carry-down kayak launch.

The Silver Trail connects the two areas inside the park, and admission paid at one entrance covers the others that day — keep your receipt.

Camping & Cabins

59 RV/Tent Sites

Two campground loops with 59 sites for tents and RVs up to 50 feet. Each site has water and 30/50-amp electric, a fire ring, a grill, and a picnic table; some have sewer. $24 a night plus tax and fees (October 9, 2026). Reserve at 800-326-3521 or reserve.floridastateparks.org.

10 Cabins (Sleep 6)

Two-bedroom cabins with a full kitchen, one bathroom, heat and air, a fireplace, and a screened porch. $110 a night plus tax and fees, two-night minimum (October 9, 2026). No pets, Wi-Fi or TV; cabin No. 6 is fully accessible.

Primitive Group Camping

A primitive area near the river for organized groups, with youth groups first. Book through the ranger station at (352) 236-7149.

Kayak Launch

The camping-entrance launch is free for your own canoe, kayak or paddleboard, but it is a 0.6-mile carry down the River Trail and you must file a float plan at the ranger station first. It is about 1.8 miles downstream of the head spring. No motors. Rentals are at the main entrance.

Hiking & Mountain Bike Trails

The camping entrance is the trailhead for most of Silver Springs State Park’s hiking and mountain biking. Florida State Parks says the new trail system opened and all trails were open as of October 23, 2025. The loops:

Mesic Loop

Purple · 2 miles

Pine forest and oak hammock.

Sandhill Loop

Yellow · 1.3 miles

Longleaf pine uplands; parking by the ranger station.

Flatwoods Loop

Green · 2.3 miles

Starts at the archway left of the Silver River Museum.

River Loop

Dark blue · 1 mile

From the museum to an overlook of the Silver River.

The Silver Trail connects all parts and entrances of the park, with a boardwalk through the swamp. Mountain bikers have 4.5 miles of dedicated off-road trail and can use about 10 more miles of hiking trail.

Pioneer Village & Silver River Museum

The pioneer village is a collection of 19th-century Florida “Cracker” buildings next to the museum, open on weekends.

The adjacent Silver River Museum & Environmental Education Center, run by Marion County Public Schools, has galleries on the area’s geology, fossils, archaeology and history. It is open to the public on Saturdays, Sundays and some holidays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; admission is $2, and children under 6 get in free.

Visitor Information

Fees & Hours

  • • Entry: $8/vehicle (2-8 occupants), $5 single occupant (check at the gate)
  • • Admission paid at one entrance covers the others that day
  • • Park hours: 8 AM to sundown daily
  • • Camping: reserve at 800-326-3521 or reserve.floridastateparks.org
  • • Park and primitive group camping: (352) 236-7149

Location

  • • 1425 NE 58th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34470
  • • On County Road 35 (Baseline Road), south of SR 40
  • • Connects to the main entrance via the Silver Trail inside the park
  • • To reach the main entrance by car: north on CR 35 to SR 40, then left (west) to 5656 E. Silver Springs Blvd.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Silver River State Park the same as Silver Springs State Park?+
Today, yes. Silver River State Park opened in 1987 downstream of the Silver Springs attraction. On October 1, 2013, the Florida Park Service took over the head spring, added it to Silver River State Park and renamed the whole park Silver Springs State Park, so the name Silver River State Park is no longer used officially. The old Silver River State Park entrance at 1425 NE 58th Avenue (campground, cabins, Silver River Museum and most trails) is now the camping entrance, and the 5656 East Silver Springs Boulevard entrance (head spring and glass bottom boats) is the main entrance. The Silver Trail connects them inside the park, and admission paid at one entrance covers the others that day.
Where is the Silver River entrance located?+
The camping entrance (the former Silver River State Park entrance) is at 1425 NE 58th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34470, on County Road 35 (Baseline Road) south of State Road 40. The main entrance, with the head spring and glass bottom boats, is at 5656 East Silver Springs Boulevard, Silver Springs, FL 34488, on SR 40.
What is the entry fee at the 58th Avenue / Silver River entrance?+
The park concessionaire says the camping and equestrian entrances charge $8 per vehicle with 2 to 8 occupants, or $5 for a single occupant, while the main entrance charges $2 per person. The Florida State Parks fee page (checked October 9, 2026) lists $8 per vehicle, $5 single occupant and $2 per pedestrian or extra passenger without naming an entrance, so check at the gate. Admission paid at one entrance covers the others that day; keep your receipt.
What camping options are available?+
The camping entrance has 59 campsites in two loops for tents and RVs up to 50 feet. Each site has water, 30- and 50-amp electric, a fire ring, a grill and a picnic table, and some have sewer. On October 9, 2026, sites were $24 a night plus tax, a $6.70 reservation fee and a $7 nightly utility fee (none for tents). There is also a primitive group camping area near the river for organized groups (youth groups first), booked through the ranger station. Campsite reservations: 800-326-3521 or reserve.floridastateparks.org.
What are the cabins like?+
The park's 10 cabins sleep up to six people. Each has two bedrooms, one bathroom, a full kitchen, a fireplace, heat and air, and a screened porch; there is no Wi-Fi or TV, pets are not allowed, and cabin No. 6 is fully accessible. On October 9, 2026, cabins were $110 a night plus tax and fees, with a two-night minimum. Reserve at 800-326-3521 or reserve.floridastateparks.org.
What hiking and biking trails are at the camping entrance?+
Florida State Parks says the park's new trail system opened and all trails were open as of October 23, 2025, with most trailheads at the camping entrance: the Mesic Loop (purple, 2 miles), the Sandhill Loop (yellow, 1.3 miles, parking by the ranger station), the Flatwoods Loop (green, 2.3 miles, from the archway left of the Silver River Museum) and the River Loop (dark blue, 1 mile, from the museum to a Silver River overlook). The Silver Trail connects all parts and entrances of the park. Mountain bikers have 4.5 miles of dedicated trail and can use about 10 more miles of hiking trail.
What is the pioneer village?+
Next to the Silver River Museum at the camping entrance is a pioneer village of 19th-century Florida "Cracker" buildings, open on weekends. The museum itself, run by Marion County Public Schools, is open to the public on Saturdays, Sundays and some holidays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; admission is $2, and children under 6 get in free.
How do I get from the Silver River entrance to the head springs and Glass Bottom Boats?+
The two entrances are linked by the Silver Trail inside Silver Springs State Park, or you can drive: from the camping entrance, head north on NE 58th Avenue (CR 35) to SR 40, then turn left (west) to the main entrance at 5656 East Silver Springs Boulevard. Admission paid at one entrance covers the others that day — bring your receipt.

Related Pages

Silver Springs State Park Guide

The whole park: main entrance at 5656 E Silver Springs Blvd, glass bottom boats, kayaking, fees and hours.

Glass Bottom Boats

Historic glass-bottom boat tours from the main Silver Springs entrance.

Silver River Museum

More on the museum and Environmental Education Center.

Silver Springs Camping Guide

Detailed camping guide for the 59-site campground and cabins.

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