Silver Springs State Park Camping
Camp alongside one of Florida's most iconic natural springs. Fifty-nine campsites, 10 cabins, trails from the campground, and the glass bottom boats and Silver River a trail away — just east of Ocala.
Silver Springs State Park has 59 campsites across two loops with water and electric hookups (30/50 amp), some with sewer, at $24 a night plus fees (October 9, 2026). Ten cabins (sleep up to 6, $110 a night, two-night minimum) and primitive group camping are also available. The campground is at the camping entrance, 1425 NE 58th Avenue (separate from the main entrance at 5656 E Silver Springs Blvd, where the glass bottom boats and rentals are). Reserve through reserve.floridastateparks.org or call (800) 326-3521. Leashed pets are allowed at campsites. More in our Silver Springs State Park guide.
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What camping is available at Silver Springs State Park?
Silver Springs State Park has 59 tent and RV sites with water and 30- or 50-amp electric in two loops, 10 two-bedroom cabins that sleep six, and a primitive group camp for organized groups. Campsites were $24 a night and cabins $110 in October 2026, booked through Florida State Parks.
Silver Springs Camping Options Compared
| Type | Sites | Hookups & facilities | Best for | Nightly rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tent & RV sites | 59 sites in two loops | Water, 30- and 50-amp electric; some sites have sewer; dump station | Tents and RVs up to 50 ft | $24/night + tax, $6.70 reservation fee, $7 nightly utility fee (no utility fee for tents) |
| Cabins | 10 cabins (sleep up to 6) | Kitchen, bath, heat and air, electric fireplace; linens provided | Families without camping gear; 2-night minimum; no pets | $110/night + tax, $6.70 reservation fee, $7 nightly utility fee |
| Primitive group camp | 1 group area by the Silver River | None; non-potable water and portable toilets, no showers | Organized groups, youth groups first | $5 per adult, $1 per youth per night + tax |
Source: Florida State Parks Silver Springs hours and fees and experiences and amenities pages, checked Oct. 14, 2026. Campsite fees include park admission. Florida residents 65 and older, and some others, get 50% off base campsite fees (not cabins or the group camp).
How to Reserve a Campsite at Silver Springs State Park
- 1Pick your dates. Florida residents can book campsites and cabins up to 11 months ahead and non-residents up to 10 months ahead.
- 2Book a campsite or cabin at reserve.floridastateparks.org or by calling (800) 326-3521 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern). Pay in full when you book, including the nonrefundable $6.70 reservation fee.
- 3Book the primitive group camp by calling the ranger station at (352) 236-7148, ext. 4. It is not in the online system.
- 4Arrive at the camping entrance, 1425 NE 58th Avenue, not the main entrance on SR 40. Campsite check-in is 3 p.m. and check-out is 1 p.m.; cabin check-in is 4 p.m. and check-out is 11 a.m.
- 5If plans change, cancel online or at (800) 326-3521. The $6.70 reservation fee is nonrefundable, and each cancellation costs $17.75; cancelling on the day of arrival also costs the first night. The fees are waived if you cancel within 24 hours of booking and call to request it.
Source: Florida State Parks reservation information, checked Oct. 14, 2026. During busy periods the longest stay is 14 nights.
Campground Overview
Silver Springs State Park's campground sits within one of Florida's most treasured natural areas, just east of Ocala. Important: the park has two separate entrances. The main entrance (where the glass bottom boats launch) is at 5656 E Silver Springs Boulevard, but the campground is reached through the camping entrance at 1425 NE 58th Avenue — part of the former Silver River State Park, which was joined to the head spring under the Silver Springs name in 2013. The Silver Trail connects the two inside the park. The park is best known for its clear springs and the famous glass bottom boat tours, which date from the late 1870s. For campers, it offers a rare combination — a well-equipped campground with easy access to world-class spring-fed paddling, wildlife viewing, and miles of hiking and biking trails.
The campground features 59 sites spread across two loops, for tents and RVs up to 50 feet. Whether you're a tent camper looking for a quiet weekend in nature or an RV traveler wanting full amenities, the campground delivers. Beyond standard sites, the park also offers 10 cabins for visitors who prefer a roof overhead and a primitive group camping area near the river for organized groups (youth groups first).
Located just east of downtown Ocala and within easy reach of the Ocala National Forest, Silver Springs makes an excellent base camp for exploring Marion County's outdoor attractions.
Campsite Types
Tent & RV Sites
59 generously sized sites across two campground loops. Each site includes water and 30- and 50-amp electric, a fire ring, grill, and picnic table. RVs up to 50 feet accommodated. $24 a night plus tax and fees (October 9, 2026).
Some sites have sewer; a dump station is available in the campground.
Cabin Rentals
Ten two-bedroom, one-bath cabins sleep up to 6 people. Each has a full kitchen, a fireplace, heat and air, and a screened porch. Two-night minimum stay; $110/night plus tax, the $6.70 reservation fee and the $7 utility fee (October 9, 2026). Cabin No. 6 is fully accessible.
Note: No pets, Wi-Fi or TV in the cabins.
Group Primitive Camping
A primitive camping area near the Silver River is for organized groups only, with youth groups given priority. It has picnic tables, a group fire ring, a paddle-craft launch, non-potable water and portable toilets, but no showers.
$5 per adult and $1 per youth a night, plus tax. Book through the ranger station: (352) 236-7148, ext. 4 (the park's fees page lists (352) 236-7149).
Fees & Reservations
Camping fees at Silver Springs State Park are set by Florida State Parks and may change. On October 9, 2026, campsites were $24 per night plus tax, plus a $6.70 reservation fee and a $7 nightly utility fee (no utility fee for tents). Cabins were $110/night plus tax, the $6.70 reservation fee and the $7 utility fee, with a two-night minimum. Florida residents 65 and older and some others get half off base campsite fees (not cabins).
We recommend contacting the park or checking the official reservation system for current rates.
How to Reserve
- Online: Visit reserve.floridastateparks.org
- By Phone: Call (800) 326-3521
- Pro Tip: Weekend and holiday spots fill fast — book early, especially October through April
Campground Amenities
Water & Electric Hookups
30-amp and 50-amp electric service with water at every site. Some sites have sewer; dump station available.
Fire Rings & Grills
Every campsite includes a fire ring and grill for cooking.
Two Bathhouses
Two bathhouses serve the campground loops. Sites 20 and 53 are fully accessible, with paved pads and sidewalks to both bathhouses.
Laundry
Laundry facilities are available in the campground for registered campers. Bring your own quarters; change is limited at the park.
Dump Station
An RV dump station is available within the campground for waste disposal convenience.
Picnic Tables
Every campsite has a picnic table. Picnic pavilions and a playground are near the camping entrance.
What's Nearby
The camping entrance at 1425 NE 58th Avenue is 5.9 miles (about 15 minutes) from the Ocala downtown square by Google Maps. One of the biggest advantages of camping at Silver Springs is the variety of activities in the park. Trails, the museum and the pioneer village are at the camping entrance, and the Silver Trail leads to the main entrance with the boats and rentals.
Glass Bottom Boat Tours
The park's signature attraction, at the main entrance. Peer through clear spring water at fish, turtles and Mammoth Spring, as visitors have since the late 1870s. The 30-minute tour was $17 for adults on October 9, 2026.
Glass Bottom Boat Guide →Kayaking the Silver River
Paddle the 5-mile Silver River through some of Florida's most stunning scenery. Rentals are at the main entrance; campers with their own boat can use the free camping-entrance launch (0.6-mile carry, float plan required). Watch for turtles, birds, the famous wild monkeys and, occasionally in winter, manatees.
Kayaking Guide →Silver Springs Monkeys
Wild rhesus monkeys have lived along the Silver River since the 1930s (about 190 in fall 2015, per UF/IFAS). A paddle on the river gives the best chance to spot them; never feed them.
Silver Springs Monkeys →Hiking & Biking Trails
The Mesic, Sandhill, Flatwoods and River loops start at the camping entrance. The park also has 4.5 miles of dedicated mountain bike trail. The 1-mile River Loop runs from the museum to a Silver River overlook.
Silver Springs Park Guide →Best Time to Camp at Silver Springs
October through April is the sweet spot, with cooler temperatures and lower humidity. Winter also gives you the best (still small) chance of seeing one of the occasional manatees that visit the Silver River.
Summer camping (June through August) is possible but comes with heat, humidity, and afternoon thunderstorms. If you camp in summer, plan outdoor activities for early morning, consider a kayak trip on the spring-fed Silver River (the park has no designated swimming area, so swimming is not allowed), and bring plenty of insect repellent.
Weekends and holidays throughout the year fill up quickly. If flexibility allows, mid-week camping offers a quieter experience and easier reservation availability.
Tips for First-Time Campers
Book Early
Prime weekends (especially in cooler months) fill fast. Book at reserve.floridastateparks.org as early as you can.
Arrive Before Sunset
Campsite check-in is 3 p.m. (cabins 4 p.m.). If you will arrive after sunset, call the park before 5 p.m. for the gate combination.
Firewood
Firewood is sold at the ranger station. Collecting wood in the park is not allowed, and fires go in the fire ring only.
Kayak Early
Rentals open at 8 a.m. at the main entrance. An early start beats the weekend crowds at the launch and afternoon storms, and you may spot the Silver Springs monkeys.
Store Food Securely
Keep food away from wildlife: in your vehicle or a hard-sided container, never in your tent. Clean up all scraps before bed.
Check for Fire Bans
Fire restrictions can be in effect during dry seasons. Check with the park ranger station when you arrive before lighting your campfire.
Camping at Silver Springs: Common Questions
Are pets allowed at the Silver Springs State Park campground?
Yes. Well-behaved pets are allowed in the campground, the picnic area and on the hiking trails, on a hand-held leash no longer than six feet. Pets are not allowed in the cabins or anywhere in the cabin area. Service animals are welcome in all public areas.
What are check-in and check-out times?
Florida State Parks sets campsite check-in at 3 p.m. and check-out at 1 p.m., and cabin check-in at 4 p.m. and check-out at 11 a.m. Quiet hours are 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. If you will arrive after sunset, call the park before 5 p.m. for the gate combination.
Can you drink alcohol at Silver Springs State Park?
No. The Silver Springs State Park amenities page says alcoholic beverages are not permitted inside the park, and that includes the campground and cabins. (Statewide, Florida State Parks allows alcohol only in designated areas, and Silver Springs has none.)
Are campfires allowed?
Yes, in the fire ring at each campsite and the group fire ring only. Firewood is sold at the ranger station, and collecting wood in the park is not allowed. Fireworks are banned in all Florida state parks, and burn bans can apply in dry spells.
How many people can stay on one campsite?
Florida State Parks limits a campsite to eight people or one immediate family, and to two vehicles per site. Campers under 18 must have a responsible adult on site for the whole stay.
Sources: Florida State Parks park rules, reservation information and the Silver Springs amenities page, checked Oct. 14, 2026.
How We Checked This Guide
Every rate, site count, hookup and rule on this page comes from the Florida State Parks website (the Silver Springs fees, amenities and entrances pages, plus the statewide reservation information and park rules), checked on Oct. 14, 2026. The drive from the Ocala downtown square to the camping entrance is 5.9 miles, about 15 minutes, by Google Maps. Fees change, so confirm in the reservation system before you book.
AI tools helped gather the official pages and draft the text. An editor checked each fact against the sources named above. Questions or corrections? Contact our team or read our editorial guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many campsites does Silver Springs State Park have?
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Does Silver Springs State Park have full hookups?
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