Things to Do in Silver Springs
Home to glass-bottom boats since the late 1870s, Silver Springs is one of America's largest springs. From kayaking and hiking to dining and exploring, here is your complete guide to the area.
Silver Springs State Park offers glass-bottom boat tours (a tradition since the late 1870s), kayaking on the clear Silver River, hiking and biking trails, and camping. It is open 8 a.m. to sundown daily, and swimming is not permitted. Wildlife along the river includes turtles, alligators, wading birds and wild rhesus macaques, with an occasional manatee in winter. Hours, fees and entrances are in our Silver Springs State Park guide.
Silver Springs sits just east of downtown Ocala along State Road 40, where the Silver River rises. More than 30 springs have been documented in the upper river; the largest, Mammoth Spring, is the one the glass-bottom boats float over. The river runs about five miles through forest to the Ocklawaha River, and the whole length is inside the park. The water is famously clear, but swimming is not permitted.
The history of Silver Springs as a tourist destination stretches back further than almost anywhere else in Florida. Glass-bottom boat tours began here in the late 1870s, when Phillip Morrell put glass in the bottom of a rowboat, making Silver Springs one of the oldest commercial tourist attractions in the state. Through the mid-twentieth century, the springs served as a filming location for Tarzan movies, the television series Sea Hunt, and other productions. The iconic glass-bottom boats remain the signature experience today, operated by a park concessionaire within Silver Springs State Park.
Beyond the famous boat tours, Silver Springs State Park covers almost 5,000 acres, with 4.5 miles of dedicated mountain bike trail and about 10 more miles of hiking trail. Kayakers and canoeists can paddle the Silver River between palms and hardwoods, watching for turtles, alligators, wading birds and the rhesus macaques that have lived along the river since the 1930s; manatees turn up occasionally, mostly in winter. The park also offers a 59-site campground, 10 cabins, picnicking, and the weekend Silver River Museum.
The area surrounding Silver Springs State Park has its own collection of attractions and amenities. The Silver Springs Shores community to the south provides neighborhood parks and local services. The Appleton Museum of Art, located on the College of Central Florida campus along SR-40, is a short drive west of the park. Dining options along the SR-40 corridor serve visitors heading to and from the park, and downtown Ocala is a short drive west for a wider selection of restaurants, shops, and entertainment.
Whether you are planning a morning kayak trip, a full day at the state park, or a weekend exploring the Silver Springs area and nearby Ocala, this guide covers the activities, attractions, and practical details you need to make the most of your visit.
What Are the Glass-Bottom Boat Tours at Silver Springs?
Signature ExperienceGlass-bottom boats have run at Silver Springs since the late 1870s, making them one of the oldest tourist attractions in Florida. The boats float over Mammoth Spring and other feeder springs, giving passengers a view of fish, turtles, underwater grasses, and Native American and Spanish artifacts below. The standard tour lasts about 30 minutes and departs every 15 to 20 minutes; a 90-minute tour runs three times a day. Book ahead, as tours often sell out. It remains the most popular activity at Silver Springs State Park and is suitable for all ages.
Is the Silver River Good for Kayaking & Canoeing?
The Silver River offers one of the most scenic paddling experiences in Florida. From the launch at the park's main entrance, kayakers and canoeists paddle through forest where you may see alligators, turtles, wading birds and rhesus macaques, and occasionally a manatee in winter. The river is calm with a gentle current, making it accessible to beginners. Kayak, canoe and paddleboard rentals are available from the park's outfitter (a single kayak was $30 for the first hour on October 9, 2026), and a two-hour guided paddle is offered.
What Hiking & Biking Trails Are at Silver Springs State Park?
Free with Park EntrySilver Springs State Park's new trail system opened in 2025, with most trailheads at the camping entrance (1425 NE 58th Ave.). Loops include the 2-mile Mesic Loop through pine forest and oak hammock, the 1.3-mile Sandhill Loop through longleaf pine, the 2.3-mile Flatwoods Loop and the 1-mile River Loop to a Silver River overlook, and the Silver Trail connects all the entrances. Mountain bikers have 4.5 miles of dedicated trail and can use about 10 more miles of hiking trail. Look for deer, wild turkeys, gopher tortoises and Sherman's fox squirrels.
What Wildlife Can You See at Silver Springs?
Silver Springs is a good wildlife viewing destination. The clear water of the Silver River makes it possible to spot fish, turtles and alligators from the surface. Wild rhesus macaques live along the riverbanks (about 190 in fall 2015, per UF/IFAS); keep your distance and never feed them. The park has a large population of limpkins and is on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. Manatees are occasional, mostly winter visitors, so don't count on seeing one.
Where Can You Eat Near Silver Springs?
The SR-40 corridor between Silver Springs and downtown Ocala offers a range of dining options for visitors. At the park's main entrance, the Spring Side Cafe is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Along East Silver Springs Boulevard, you will find family restaurants, barbecue joints, Mexican restaurants, and fast-casual chains. For a broader dining experience, downtown Ocala is a short drive west and features locally owned restaurants, craft breweries, coffee shops, and the dining options around the downtown square. Picnic pavilions within the state park are a popular choice for families bringing their own food.
What Shopping & Nearby Attractions Are Worth Visiting?
The Silver Springs area connects to several other attractions worth exploring. The Appleton Museum of Art, located on the College of Central Florida campus along SR-40, is a short drive west. The Silver Springs Shores community south of SR-40 has neighborhood shopping centers with grocery stores, pharmacies, and local shops. For more extensive shopping, the Paddock Mall and various retail centers are located along SR-200 in southwest Ocala, and downtown Ocala features boutiques, antique stores, and specialty shops around the historic square.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do at Silver Springs State Park?
Silver Springs State Park offers glass-bottom boat tours, kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding on the Silver River, hiking and mountain biking trails, wildlife viewing, picnicking, camping and cabins, and the weekend Silver River Museum. Swimming is not permitted. Glass-bottom boats have run here since the late 1870s and remain the signature attraction, floating over Mammoth Spring and other feeder springs with fish and turtles in the clear water below.
How much does it cost to visit Silver Springs?
Admission is not free. On October 9, 2026, Florida State Parks listed $8 per vehicle (2-8 people), $5 for a single occupant and $2 per pedestrian or extra passenger, while the park concessionaire says the main entrance on State Road 40 charges $2 per person (children 5 and under free); check at the gate. Glass-bottom boat tours cost extra: $17 for adults and $15 for seniors 55+ and children 3-12 for the 30-minute tour, or $35/$30 for the 90-minute tour. Kayak rentals started at $30 for the first hour for a single kayak. Campsites were $24 a night and cabins $110 a night, plus fees.
Can you swim at Silver Springs State Park?
No. The park concessionaire's FAQ says swimming is not permitted at Silver Springs. To see the spring-fed water up close, take a glass-bottom boat tour or paddle the Silver River in a kayak, canoe or on a paddleboard.
What restaurants are near Silver Springs?
The Silver Springs area along SR-40 has a variety of dining options. At the park's main entrance, the Spring Side Cafe is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and picnics are welcome. Along the SR-40 corridor between Silver Springs and Ocala, you will find fast-casual restaurants, barbecue spots, and family dining. The nearby Silver Springs Shores community also has local eateries. Downtown Ocala, a short drive west on SR 40, offers a wider selection of restaurants and cafes.
Is kayaking at Silver Springs good for beginners?
Silver Springs is excellent for beginner kayakers. The Silver River has a gentle current, no rapids, and the water is calm and clear. Kayak, canoe and paddleboard rentals are available at the main entrance, and a two-hour guided paddle is offered for those who prefer a structured experience. The short route is the 1.1-mile Fort King paddling trail around Ross Allen Island (one to two hours); the long one is 5 miles downriver to Ray Wayside Park with a shuttle back. You may see turtles, wading birds and monkeys, and in winter, occasionally a manatee.
Are there wild monkeys at Silver Springs?
Yes, wild rhesus macaques live along the Silver River. According to a University of Florida IFAS publication, a boat-tour operator known as Colonel Tooey released about six in the 1930s and about six more around 1948 (not, as often claimed, the makers of the Tarzan films), and there were about 190 in the park in fall 2015. You may spot them along the riverbanks from a kayak or boat. Keep your distance and never feed them: Florida rule 68A-4.001 prohibits feeding wild monkeys.
What is there to do near Silver Springs besides the state park?
The Silver Springs area offers several attractions beyond the state park. Silver Springs Shores has neighborhood parks and community amenities. The Appleton Museum of Art is located just west along SR-40 on the College of Central Florida campus. The Santos mountain biking trails are a short drive south. Downtown Ocala, a short drive west on SR 40, features restaurants, shopping, galleries, and the Ocala Downtown Historic District.
Plan Your Silver Springs Visit
From glass-bottom boats and kayaking to hiking trails and wildlife viewing, Silver Springs is one of Florida's most rewarding natural destinations.