Why Should You Visit Silver Springs State Park?

Let me start by saying that, despite traveling quite a bit in my life, I found the Florida Springs to be an utter wonder of the World. When you are on the springs, you are transported back in time, to a world that feels far more Jurassic than modern.

If you come during the right time, you might just have the privilege of laying eyes on some of the most majestic and adorable creatures on this earth. It’s not often you get the opportunity to see manatees, since they are sensitive creatures who are particular about where they spend their time. Not to mention, they are quite often toeing the line of endangerment.

Silver Springs State Park offers an affordable and easy way to witness all the glory of the Florida Springs, all within an hours drive of Orlando. 

 

How To Spend a Day at Silver Springs State Park

A day at Silver Springs State Park wouldn’t be complete without getting on the water. After all, you’d be missing out on the most amazing aquatic experience of your life if you didn’t.

The park currently offers three methods of getting on the water. Glass Bottom Boat tours, Paddleboard rentals, Canoe rentals and Kayak rentals. 

The Glass Bottom Boat is a great option if you want to relax and enjoy the ride with little effort. You’ll get the benefit of a tour guide who will take you to see manatees and other wildlife. 

Paddleboard rentals are right for you if you are an experienced SUP-er. 

Between the canoe or kayaks, we chose the kayak. Specifically the new “clear bottom tandem” kayaks. These are not quite “clear” kayaks, which are taking Instagram by storm, but rather they have a plexiglass window on the bottom that allows you to get a glimpse of what’s underneath. These seat 2 adults and it was perfect option for us.

 

How to See the Manatees at Silver Springs State Park

If you want to have the best chance of seeing manatees at Silver Springs State Park, you should aim on traveling during high season for manatees. 

The best chance you’ll get is between December and February, though it is considered “peak season” between November and April. 

Then, the only thing between you and manatees is getting out on the water!

Silver Springs State Park gives you everything you’ll need to get on the water. Like I mentioned before they have SUP rentals, kayak/canoe rentals, and glass-bottom boat guided tours. Plus you can bring and launch your own SUP/kayak/canoe. 

Take the Glass-Bottom Boat Tour

If you’re on the glass-bottom boat, you can just sit back and relax while your captain scopes out manatees for you. 

If you’re on your own – this is where the real magic happens – because you have the chance to get a quiet, intimate moment with manatees you happen to spot. 

So how to spot them when you’re on your own? I have a few tips:

Find a spot with good visibility. Then just stay still and quiet.

This is my #1 tip. 

Once you get to the deep and wide portion of Silver Springs, just pick a quiet spot and stay as still and quiet as possible. 

Listen up for the exhale of a manatee. Odds are there will be several manatees as they often stay close in families. So it won’t be long before one of them comes up for a breather. 

The noise is a little bit similar to the puff of a whale’s blowhole, so if you’re familiar with that noise, keep your ears open. 

If you don’t know exactly what to listen for, just see if you can hear a quick burst of air with some water spray. Then immediately turn to where you heard it and you will probably see an adorable snout poking up out of the water, or water rings where it descended back down. 

Look where the water is cloudy

If you haven’t noticed, manatees are…ehm…quite large. So yeah, no surprise these cuties love to eat. They pull up aquatic grasses from the silty river bottom, thus stirring up the silt and making the water cloudy. Where there are clouds, there may be manatees!

Slowly and Quietly Approach

You can get pretty close to manatees with your SUP or kayak. If you rented one of their clear-bottom kayaks, you can get right above a manatee and watch as it swims under you.

Don’t worry too much about hitting a manatee. If you are moving slowly and keeping an eye out, they should see you coming and duck deeper. The water is ample deep to give them plenty of room. If the water doesn’t seem deep enough for the two of you, excuse yourself immediately and back away.

You’ll earn yourself a spot on my shit-list (and break state and federal law…) if you feed, touch, or harass one of these innocent creatures.

Rent a Stand-Up Paddleboard OR Bring a GoPro

Silver Springs State Park has really gorgeous, clear water. This makes it very easy to see manatees swimming around you. 

You’ll have the best visibility of the manatees if you’re on a SUP since you will be at a higher angle and have an easier time looking down without too much refraction of light in the water.

That is why I recommend that if you are taking a kayak or canoe, bring a GoPro. You can get really cheap ones nowadays (like this Hero 8 bundle ), and they all have waterproof capability. Get yourself a stick handle and you’ll be ready to see manatees in all their glory both in the moment and for a lifetime!

How Much Does it Cost to Enjoy Silver Springs State Park?

It won’t break the bank to get the once in a lifetime experience of visiting the Florida Springs. However, Silver Springs State Park does charge admission. It costs $8 per vehicle (2-8 people), $5 for a single-occupant vehicle or motorcycle, $2 for pedestrians, bicyclists, etc.

• Want to take the glass bottom boat tour? It will run you $12 for adults and children under 6 ride for free!
• Boat/SUP rentals will cost between $10 and $30 per hour depending on the package you choose. 

I strongly recommend you reserve your boat tour or boat rentals here before you arrive. It’s very easy and makes it ultra clear what you will be getting. They even include photos of the boat you’ll be getting so you can prepare! 

 

• If you want to bring your own vessel, a $4 per vessel launch fee applies.
• Want to host an event here? Renting a pavilion can cost as little as $40 on top of admission.
• Silver Springs State Park does allow overnight camping. If you choose to camp, it costs $24 per night plus applicable fees. See more info here. 
• They even have cabins you can rent for the night! They cost $110 per night plus taxes and fees.

Please note this article was written in January 2022. For latest pricing and information, check out Silver Springs State Park official website https://www.floridastateparks.org/silversprings  and their rental/booking website https://silversprings.com/ .

Another Note: As of January 2022 I’m super disappointed to see that they may have temporarily limited rentals of the clear-bottom kayak! Hopefully they bring them back soon, but I would give them a call to see if you could get your hands on one!

What Animals Live in Silver Springs State Park?

During your visit, you’ll be able to see some of the best variety of Florida wildlife you can find in the state. 

Of course, you’ll be able to see our beloved Manatees. During our visit we saw plenty. And – yes – alligators do enjoy the warm spring water here. 

Manatees and alligators may enjoy the spotlight by tourists, however I promise you’ll be wowed by the number of aquatic birds, turtles, and fish that populate the river’s crystal clear waters.  

 

The coolest reason to make a trip to Silver Springs State Park? You guessed it – the monkeys. A family of over 300 Rhesus macaques still occupy the forests surrounding the river. Sure, they may carry disease, but you’d be lucky to catch a glimpse of them in the distance. You likely won’t be catching anything from them. Visit soon, before they are removed from the park.

 

Are You Allowed to Swim in Silver Springs State Park?

Unfortunately swimming is not allowed at Silver Springs State Park. 

However, please see this as a blessing, not a curse. 

It tends to be quieter and more serene for this reason. Not to mention, the natural splendor is preserved far better this way. You’ll have crystal clear visibility since human swimmers aren’t stirring up the sediment. And if it’s not clear – then good news – you might be very close to a manatee!

Most importantly, allowing the manatees full reign of the underwater realm makes them safer and more comfortable! Thank you for not swimming 🙂

 

My Overall Impression of Silver Springs State Park

I have to say, I was extremely impressed with Silver Springs State Park at the time of my visit.

I last went in February 2021 – during COVID – and even with the closing of services such as shuttle transport, I thought the place was extremely professional and my visit went smoothly.

They have great entry signage, a huge parking lot, and friendly staff at information kiosks as soon as you arrive, so you won’t get lost.

The only thing that was a little confusing to me was that we had to pay admission at the kiosk through the main iconic archway, but then park closer to the other side of the parking lot to pick up our kayak rental.

In relation to other State Parks I’ve been to, I would say this is in my top 10 of being well run, despite not being too busy!

So what do you think? Will you be making a visit anytime soon? If you have any questions comment below or reach me at @themonthlymigrant on Instagram! Happy paddling!

 

Thinking of moving to Florida? Check out my article, What It’s Like to Live in Fort Lauderdale, FL.