Silver Springs Tickets & Prices
Park admission starts at just $2 per person. Here is every fee, tour price, rental cost, and annual pass option so you can plan your visit with no surprises.
Park Admission Fees
Silver Springs charges admission at the gate. One receipt grants access to all park entrances for the day, so keep it with you if you leave and return.
Main Entrance (SR 40)
This is the primary entrance for glass bottom boats, kayaking, and picnicking.
Camping & Equestrian Entrances
Use these entrances for campground and equestrian trail access.
Pedestrians and cyclists entering at the main SR 40 entrance pay the same $2 per person fee. There is no separate pedestrian or cyclist rate. Refunds are not permitted on park admission.
Glass Bottom Boat Tour Prices
Tours run 365 days a year. Reservations are recommended because boats frequently sell out on weekends and holidays. Book online at silversprings.com or purchase walk-in tickets at the dock on a first-come, first-served basis. For a deeper look at the tours, see our complete guide to glass bottom boats at Silver Springs.
Standard Tour (30 min)
Narrated cruise over the headspring and Mammoth Spring. Departs every 15-20 minutes.
Adults: $17
Seniors (55+): $15
Children (3-12): $15
Under 2: Free
Schedule: Every 15-20 min, 10 AM - 4 PM daily
River Tour (90 min)
Full headspring viewing plus extended Silver River exploration with more wildlife sightings.
Adults: $35
Seniors (55+): $30
Children (3-12): $30
Under 2: Free
Schedule: 9:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM daily
Arrive 30 minutes early. Late arrivals may lose their reservation.
Wheelchair-accessible tours are available on the Chief Potackee. Select a wheelchair-accessible time slot when booking online.
Kayak & Canoe Rental Prices
Paddling the Silver River is one of the best outdoor experiences near Ocala. Rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis, with reservations strongly encouraged. For more on paddling routes, see our guide to kayaking in Ocala.
Silver River Paddle (5-Mile Trip to Ray Wayside)
The signature paddle down the Silver River. Takes 3-4 hours with a maximum 5-hour rental period. Return shuttle available for purchase.
Single Kayak: $65
Tandem Kayak: $85
Canoe (2 person): $85
Canoe (3 person): $120
Stand-Up Paddleboard: $70
Bringing Your Own Kayak or Canoe?
All rentals include paddles and life jackets. Additional life vest rental: $7.50. Additional paddle rental: $10. Hourly rentals and guided paddle tours are also available. Book at silversprings.com.
Florida State Parks Annual Pass
An annual pass covers day-use admission to all 175+ Florida state parks, including Silver Springs. Purchase online at reserve.floridastateparks.org or at any park ranger station.
Individual Pass
$60 + tax
- - Day-use entry to all Florida state parks
- - Valid for the passholder only
- - Pays for itself after 30 visits to Silver Springs at $2/person
Family Pass
$120 + tax
- - Admits up to 8 people per visit
- - Family of 4 breaks even after just 15 visits
- - Covers all 175+ Florida state parks
How to Buy Tickets
Park Admission
Paid at the gate when you arrive. Cash and cards accepted. No advance purchase required or available for park entry.
Glass Bottom Boats
Reserve online at silversprings.com. Walk-in tickets available at the dock if seats remain.
Kayak & Canoe Rentals
Reserve online at silversprings.com. Walk-up rentals available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Tips to Save Money at Silver Springs
Skip the boat, enjoy the park
At $2 per person, Silver Springs is one of the most affordable state parks in Florida. Hiking, wildlife viewing, and picnicking cost nothing beyond admission. Check out free things to do in Ocala for more budget-friendly ideas.
Do the annual pass math
A family of four pays $8 per visit in admission. The $120 Family Annual Pass breaks even after 15 visits to Silver Springs alone. If you also visit Rainbow Springs, Paynes Prairie, or any other Florida state park, it pays off even faster.
Watch for free admission days
Florida State Parks offer free admission days throughout the year. In 2026, free entry was available February 13-16. Activity fees (boat tours, rentals) still apply, but you save on the gate fee. Check floridastateparks.org for upcoming dates.
Bring your own kayak
The private vessel launch fee is just $4 compared to $65+ for a rental. If you paddle regularly, owning your own kayak saves significant money over time.
Choose the standard boat tour
The 30-minute standard tour ($17) covers the main headspring and Mammoth Spring, which is where most of the underwater spectacle is. The 90-minute tour adds river scenery and wildlife, but the core glass-bottom experience is the same.
Camp overnight instead
Silver Springs camping gives you multi-day park access. Campers enter through the campground gate and avoid repeat admission charges.
Hours & Seasonal Information
Park Hours
Activity Hours
Seasonal note: Sundown varies from roughly 5:30 PM in winter to 8:30 PM in summer, which affects how late you can stay in the park. Glass bottom boat schedules remain consistent year-round, though tours may pause briefly during severe weather. Winter months (November through March) offer the best chance to see manatees and the Silver Springs monkeys.
Silver Springs State Park Quick Reference
Address
5656 E Silver Springs Blvd, Silver Springs, FL 34488
Hours
8 AM to sundown, daily
Admission
$2/person at main entrance
Children
5 & under free admission
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to get into Silver Springs State Park?
Admission at the main entrance on SR 40 is $2 per person. Children 5 and under enter free. At the camping and equestrian entrances, the fee is $8 per vehicle (2-8 occupants) or $5 for single-occupant vehicles. One admission receipt grants access to all park entrances.
Can you buy Silver Springs tickets online?
Glass bottom boat tour tickets and kayak rentals can be reserved online through the official Silver Springs website at silversprings.com. Reservations are recommended because tours frequently sell out, especially on weekends and holidays. Park admission ($2 per person) is paid at the gate upon arrival.
How much are glass bottom boat tours at Silver Springs?
The standard 30-minute glass bottom boat tour costs $17 for adults, $15 for seniors (55+), and $15 for children ages 3-12. Children under 2 ride free. The extended 90-minute River Tour costs $35 for adults, $30 for seniors, and $30 for children. All prices are separate from park admission.
Is the Florida State Parks annual pass worth it for Silver Springs?
The Individual Annual Entrance Pass costs $60 plus tax and the Family Pass costs $120 plus tax (covers up to 8 people per visit). If you visit Silver Springs more than 15 times a year as a couple, the family pass pays for itself. The pass also grants entry to all 175+ Florida state parks, so it becomes worthwhile much faster if you visit other parks too.
Are there free days at Silver Springs State Park?
Florida State Parks offer periodic free admission days throughout the year. In 2026, free entry was offered February 13-16 in honor of George Washington's birthday and America's 250th anniversary. Additional free days are typically announced on the Florida State Parks website. Note that activity fees like glass bottom boat tours and kayak rentals still apply on free admission days.
What are the hours for Silver Springs State Park?
Silver Springs State Park is open 7 days a week year-round, including all holidays, from 8 AM to sundown. Glass bottom boat tours begin at 9:30 AM (for the 90-minute River Tour) and 10 AM (for the 30-minute standard tour), running until approximately 4 PM. Kayak and canoe rentals are also available during park hours.