Should you go?
Silver Springs is one of the largest artesian springs on Earth and Florida's original tourist attraction — the glass-bottom boat tours have run since the 1870s and remain genuinely worth doing. The main spring pumps out an entire river of gin-clear water.
Know before you go: there is no swimming at Silver Springs. This is a look-down spring — boats, kayaks, and paddleboards over water so clear the bottom 30 feet down looks touchable. Watch for the famous wild rhesus monkeys along the river.
Visiting
Pedestrian entry around $2 per person (vehicle rates differ — verify current fees), 8am to sunset. Glass-bottom boat tours and kayak/paddleboard rentals are separately priced inside the park. Paddlers can launch their own craft for the river run.
Local tips
Book the extended glass-bottom tour if available; the short loop undersells the river. Paddle early for wildlife — monkeys, gators, and manatees in cooler months.
Map & directions
FAQs
Can you swim at Silver Springs?
No u2014 swimming is prohibited. Silver Springs is for glass-bottom boats, kayaking, and paddleboarding over the springs.
Are there really monkeys at Silver Springs?
Yes u2014 a wild rhesus macaque colony, descended from animals released for boat tours in the 1930s, lives along the river. Do not feed or approach them.
Is Silver Springs worth visiting?
Yes, as a boat-and-paddle experience rather than a swim day. The glass-bottom tour over the main spring is a bucket-list Florida classic.
Visitor photos
See this week's shots: Instagram #silversprings · TikTok #silverspringsstatepark
Great for: Family-Friendly · Kayaking — in Central Florida