Silver Springs State Park: Best Time to Visit, Cost, and Fun Activities

Silver Springs State Park in Silver Springs, Florida is one of the largest springs in the entire country. The park is home to a long list of amazing excursions and tours, and if you’re visiting Florida, this park is a must-see stop.

Silver Springs State Park is over 4,000 acres in size and includes a spring, river, and forest. It’s an amazing place to learn about Floridian flora and fauna with hikes, boat rides, and guided tours. The park has a rich history and a large variety of plants and animals.

One of the special things to do at Silver Springs State Park is take a clear-bottom boat ride around the spring, allowing you to see the life underneath the water! Read on to discover the full history of the park and all of the amazing things you can do while you’re visiting.

History of Silver Springs State Park

The Silver Springs area of Florida has a profound history that dates back over 10,000 years. Many people have enjoyed this sector of Florida for a variety of purposes. In fact, in 1850, this shore was a commercial trading hub, and steamboats would pull up for the purpose of moving supplies. It’s hard to imagine this beautiful, protected land used for industrial use.

After the Civil War ended in 1865, the Silver Springs started to be honored for its beauty. Adventurers by steamboat and railroad would stop in the Springs to explore the amazing forests and stunning waters. There’s a lot to explore in the area, so it’s rightful that they became a tourist destination.

In 1870, the glass-bottomed boat was created by Hullam Jones and Phillip Morrell. They made the bottom of a rowboat clear so that they could see what was underneath the water. This is now a staple of the Silver Springs State Park, which offers glass-bottomed boat tours on a daily basis!

Things To Do At Silver Springs State Park

There are a lot of things to do at Silver Springs State Park! The park is home to not only the Silver Springs but also the Silver River, which means the park is full of awesome things to do.

Visitors to the park can plan on doing any number of standard state park activities, including hiking, biking, and camping. You can also rent kayaks and canoes directly in the park. However, Silver Springs State Park is also home to some pretty unique adventures.

Silver Springs State Park’s claim to fame is its glass-bottom boat tours. Visitors can take a half-hour or extended tour of the springs in a glass-bottom boat for under $30. Tours start at $12 per person, making it easy and cheap to explore the deep blue waters of the springs. You’ll not want to miss this!

Silver Springs State Park is also home to a few different dining options. There are a number of restaurants within the park, providing delicious and accessible options to visitors. Stop by the Springside Restaurant for a burger and fries, or head over to Paradise Treats for a scoop of yummy ice cream.

Hiking

If you’re coming to Silver Springs State Park to hike, there are some great trail options for you! The park has five defined trails, each differing in intensity and length. Here’s a quick overview of the trails you can hit while you’re visiting Silver Springs State Park.

Creek Trail

Creek Trail is the newest trail at Silver Springs State Park. It’s a 3/4-mile loop that will take you to the only tributary at the park!

Spring Connector Trail

The Spring Connector Trail is an awesome walk for folks looking to get a couple of miles in. One way, the trail is 2.3 miles, totaling over 4.1 miles roundtrip. The trail connects a few different nearby trails, making it a great option for folks wanting to explore.

Sandhill Trail

The Sandhill Trail is a 1.7-mile loop that’ll lead you through some of the gorgeous terrain offered at Silver Springs State Park.

Sinkhole Trail & Old Field Loop

The Sinkhole Trail and Old Field Loop Trail at Silver Springs State Park are both upland trails. The Sinkhole Trail is a bit longer, looping 2.2 miles, while the Old Field Loop is just under one mile around.

Swamp Trail & River Trail

Both the Swamp Trail and River Trail will take you to see the beauty that is Silver River. The Swamp Trail is just under two miles, while the River Trail is 1.3 miles. Both are looping trails.

Events

If you’re planning on coming to town, keep an eye on the Silver Springs State Park events calendar. The park hosts a wide variety of events throughout the year, so if you and your family are stopping into town, you may want to time it with some special fun! They celebrate holidays and host craft shows throughout the year, so be sure to check the calendar for an updated schedule.

If you’re looking to have a special event in Florida, consider choosing Silver Springs State Park as your venue. They host weddings and other parties all year round, so check out their Wedding & Catering page for more details about renting out a space.

Wildlife At Silver Springs State Park

Silver Springs State Park is known for being home to a wide variety of wildlife in the trees, forests, and beneath the surfaces of the water. Birding is extremely popular here, so keep your head in the clouds as you stroll the beautiful property!

As you explore the uplands of the park, it’s common to run into deer, armadillos, and foxes! You’ll also very likely see some Sherman fox squirrels running around the acreage. There are coyotes and black bears on the land, as well, though it’s unlikely you’ll spot them. As always, if you come into the proximity of wildlife, give space and proceed cautiously.

The river is home to some of the most amazing wildlife found in the park. Manatees, alligators, and turtles live in the water. On your glass-bottom boat ride, you’ll very likely see quite a few different varieties of fish, as well! Expect to see a lot of Floridian wildlife while you’re at the park.

Best Time To Visit Silver Springs State Park

Silver Springs State Park is located in north-central Florida. Florida is warm all year round, with some intense temperatures during the summertime. Not only that, but visitors flock to Florida on summer breaks.

With that in mind, the best time to come to Silver Springs State Park is during the Florida off-season. March and April, as well as September and October, are less busy and feature temperate weather. However, the Silver Springs State Park is open seven days a week, all year round (including holidays!), so whenever you can visit, it’ll be waiting for you!

Cost of Visiting Silver Springs State Park

Visiting Silver Springs State Park is not very expensive! In fact, it only costs $8 per vehicle to enter the park. However, the park offers some equipment rentals and tours, which will add a few bucks to your trip’s totals.

Glass-bottom boat tours range from $12-25, depending on the length of the tour and the time of the trip. There’s a child and senior discount, as well. For a half-hour tour, adults can expect to pay $13, with children and seniors costing $12 a head.

Paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes can also be rented for varying amounts of time. A one-hour self-guided paddlesport rental will cost between $30-45, while full-day rentals cost between $60-75. The Silver Springs State Park gives a full breakdown of costs, as well as a page to make reservations.