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
Park entry is $2/pedestrian, and a private kayak/canoe launch fee is $4 on top of that if you bring your own boat (both verified). The standard glass-bottom boat tour runs about $11/adult, $10 for seniors and kids 6-12, free under 6; an extended tour goes for $20-25 and is worth it if your schedule allows, since it's limited to three departures a day, Friday through Sunday only. There's also a wheelchair-accessible boat (the Chief Potackee) available by reservation, weather permitting. Here's the thing to plan around: Silver Springs is one of only two Florida state parks that doesn't allow swimming at all — Homosassa is the other. If your family's whole plan is jumping in and cooling off, this isn't that spring. What it is instead is one of the best introductions to Florida's springs for families who aren't ready to snorkel with young kids, or who just want a gentler, more guided first experience: sit on a boat, look straight down through glass at fish and rock formations 40+ feet below, no wetsuit required. One closure worth checking before you plan around it: the Sea Hunt Deck has been closed since October 2025 and remains closed as of August 2026. The good news: the park's new trail system, including Half-Mile Creek and the Creek Trail, has reopened and all trails are currently open. Neither affects the core boat tours or main paddling route. Florida State Parks also periodically offers free admission days — in 2026 that included February 13-16 — though activity fees like the boat tours and rentals still apply even on those days.
When to go
Winter mornings for the best chance at manatees in the river; any weekday morning otherwise for shorter boat-tour lines and calmer paddling. The extended glass-bottom tour is worth planning a Friday-Sunday visit around if you want that option.
Local tips
Arrive early and get in the boat-tour line right away — boats run continuously through the day so the wait usually isn't long, but lines do build as the morning goes on. Wear real shoes rather than sandals if you plan to walk the trails; they're well-marked but not paved the whole way. If you want a shot at seeing the resident rhesus monkeys, your best odds are actually from a kayak or canoe on the river itself rather than from the boat tour or the paved paths — several families report spotting them along the shoreline specifically while paddling, especially on hot days when the monkeys come down for water. Never approach or feed them regardless of how you spot them.
Rules & restrictions
No swimming or wading anywhere in the park — one of only two Florida state parks with this rule. Do not approach or feed the resident rhesus monkeys; they can be aggressive and carry herpes B, a real health risk. Standard state park rules otherwise apply. Dogs are welcome leashed in the campground, picnic areas, and on hiking trails, but are not permitted on the glass-bottom boats, paddling rentals, or in any buildings including the restaurant and museum. Fishing is prohibited throughout the park. Tobacco isn't permitted on the river.
Good to know
Dogs: Park yes, not in water. Season: Year-round.
Facilities
Glass-bottom boat tours, kayak and paddleboard rentals, museum and gardens, restrooms, café, and picnic areas. Cabins are available for overnight stays. Springside Café serves full meals; Paradise Treats handles ice cream, fudge, and pizza for a lighter stop. There's a museum on site covering the park's long history as Florida's original tourist attraction, plus a gift shop. Some facilities have periodically been under renovation, so don't be surprised if a shop or two is temporarily closed — check current status if a specific amenity matters to your visit. The Silver River Museum and Environmental Center runs on its own separate, more limited schedule from the rest of the park — check current hours if you specifically want to visit it. A campground on site offers tent and RV/cabin sites, with camping guests avoiding repeat admission charges on multi-day stays.
Wildlife you may see
Wild rhesus macaques, alligators, manatees in cool months, turtles, wading birds, and enormous schools of fish visible through the boat floors.
History & background
Glass-bottom boats have run here since the 1870s, making it Florida's original tourist attraction. Six Tarzan films and episodes of Sea Hunt were shot in the spring, and the rhesus monkeys along the river descend from animals released in the 1930s.
Map & directions
FAQs
Can you swim at Silver Springs?
No — Silver Springs is one of only two Florida state parks (along with Homosassa) that doesn't allow swimming anywhere on the property. It's built around boat tours, kayaking, and viewing rather than getting in the water.
Are there still monkeys at Silver Springs?
Yes, descendants of rhesus macaques released decades ago still live along the river. Sightings are most likely from a kayak or canoe on the water itself rather than from land or the standard boat tour. Never approach or feed 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.
Is the extended glass-bottom boat tour worth it?
Many visitors think so — it runs longer and covers more ground than the standard tour, though it's limited to three departures a day, Friday through Sunday only, so it requires planning your visit around those days.
Are dogs allowed at Silver Springs State Park?
Yes, leashed, in the campground, picnic areas, and on hiking trails — but not on the glass-bottom boats, paddling rentals, or inside any buildings.
Is everything open at Silver Springs right now?
Mostly. The Sea Hunt Deck has been closed since October 2025 and remains closed as of August 2026 — call ahead to confirm before visiting. The Half-Mile Creek Trail and Creek Trail, which had also been closed, have since reopened and are currently open. Neither affects the main boat tours or paddling route.
Does Silver Springs have free admission days?
Florida State Parks periodically offers free entry days — 2026 included February 13-16 — though activity fees like boat tours and rentals still apply even then.
Visitor photos
See this week’s shots: Instagram #silversprings · TikTok #silverspringsstatepark
Great for: Family-Friendly · Kayaking
