Silver Springs
Ask any Floridian about Silver Springs and 2 things are likely to come up, glass bottom boats and monkeys. The glass bottom boats have been attracting visitors to Silver Springs for decades. While the rhesus monkeys have only become an attraction more recently.
Location
Silver Springs State Park is located on the outskirts of Ocala and the Ocala National Forest in northern central Florida. There are 2 parts to this state park, the springs and the campground.
Springs
At the springs, you will find glass bottom boat tours, kayaking, shops, restaurants, and many walking paths. The 30-minute glass bottom boat tours run frequently and are $11 for adults and $10 for kids. You can pay more for a 90-minute tour. It doesn’t run as often. The boat tours take you over different springs and the head waters of the Silver River. You will see an underwater cave, a dug-out canoe, statues, and more.
Another attraction of Silver Springs is the kayaking. You can put in your own boat for $4 or you can rent one of the parks’. If you are camping in the campground, you can put in your boat for free. Just tell them! Once on the Silver River, you can paddle yourself over the springs or go down the Fort King Paddling Trail. The paddling trail is about a mile long. Look and listen for monkeys while on your journey. They can frequently be seen and heard close to the river.
Monkeys
The rhesus monkeys were released on an island in the Silver River years ago. At the time, park employees didn’t know that these monkeys could swim. The monkeys ended up swimming off the island and their population grew. Today, there are at least 3 troops in the Silver Springs area. Part of the attraction of Silver Springs is coming to look for the monkeys. Like I said before, they can be seen frequently on the river banks.
During our recent visit, my husband found a troop on the move while hiking the Swamp Trail on the campground side. They were all moving from one side of the boardwalk to the other. He got pretty impressive video.
There are rhesus monkey safety advisory signs all over both parts of the park. The monkeys can be aggressive and there is now a Florida state law prohibiting the feeding of the monkeys. Are you guaranteed to see a monkey during your visit to Silver Springs? No! They are wild animals and therefore are very unpredictable. I will say that you will have a better chance seeing or hearing the monkeys if you’re on the river or on a nature trail near the river.
Campground
The campground is the other side of Silver Springs State Park. It has back-in sites, pull-through sites, and some full hook-up sites. All of the sites are spacious and semi-private. Most sites are shaded. All sites have water, electric, a picnic table, a grill, and a fire pit. There are 2 bath houses, which are very clean and well kept. They were some of the nicest bath houses we’ve ever seen at a state park.
The campground roads are paved, making biking very easy. The park is very bicycle friendly. You can even bike on the trails. Our kids loved biking everywhere! There are bike racks at the playground, bath houses, and the museum.
Museum
The campground also has a nice picnic area with a small playground and restrooms. It is right next to the Pioneer Cracker Village and the Silver River Museum. The Pioneer Cracker Village is only open twice a month, while the Silver River Museum is open most weekends. There is a $2 fee to enter the museum, which is run by Marion County Schools. The museum has 2 rooms and is very well done. It will take you about an hour.
Trails
Silver Springs also has multiple hiking and biking trails. The River Trail takes you to the Silver River, where you will find a kayak/canoe launch. This trail is about 1.2 miles long round trip and is a very easy walk. The Swamp Trail is about 1.9 miles long round trip and takes you to a river overlook. There is a short boardwalk over the swamp. This is the area where my husband saw the monkeys. The Swamp Trail is also very easy and mostly shaded.
A lot of people come to Silver Springs State Park for the glass bottom boat tours, but it has so much more to offer. You won’t be disappointed. Keep your eyes open for monkeys!
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Disclaimer: The views expressed in this post are strictly my own. I did not receive compensation.
