Silver Springs State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Silver Springs State Park |
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IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
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 Silver Springs State Park
Location in Florida
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| Location | Marion County, Florida, United States |
| Nearest city | Silver Springs |
| Area | 5,000 acres (20 km2) |
| Governing body | Florida Department of Environmental Protection |
Silver Springs State Park, once known as Silver River State Park, is a cool Florida state park. It's found on the Silver River in Marion County. This park is home to Silver Springs, which was Florida's very first tourist attraction.
The Silver Springs attraction started way back in the 1870s. In 1985, the state bought the land around Silver Springs. This was done to protect it from being built on. This land became the Silver River State Park. Later, in 1993, the state also bought Silver Springs itself. For a while, private companies still ran it. But in 2013, the state took over completely. They combined Silver Springs with the nearby parkland to create Silver Springs State Park.
Contents
History of Silver Springs State Park
The Story of Silver Springs
Silver Springs has been a popular spot for a long time. People have visited these beautiful springs since the 1870s. It became famous for its clear waters and unique glass-bottom boats. These boats let visitors see the amazing underwater world.
How the Park Was Created
In 1985, the State of Florida bought about 5,000 acres of land. This land was around Silver Springs and was undeveloped. The goal was to stop buildings from being put there. In 1987, this land became Silver River State Park. The same year, Marion County Schools built the Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center on the property.
Not much else was added to the park until 1999. That's when the state started building a ranger station, a campground, and a place to launch kayaks. In 1993, the state bought Silver Springs. They planned to take over running it eventually. Different companies managed the attraction over the years.
Finally, in January 2013, the state took full control of Silver Springs. They combined it with Silver River State Park. This created the Silver Springs State Park we know today.
Amazing Animals and Nature
The park is full of exciting wildlife! You might see nine-banded armadillos, white-tailed deer, and wild boars. There are also wild turkeys, foxes, and even American alligators. Look closely for Sherman fox squirrels and gopher tortoises. Sometimes, you might spot coyotes, bobcats, and even Florida black bears.
The Rhesus Macaques
A group of non-native rhesus macaques lives in the park. They were brought here in 1938 by a tour boat operator. He wanted to make his "Jungle Cruise" ride more exciting. There's a story that they came from Tarzan movies filmed nearby. But that's not true! These monkeys are allowed to stay in Florida because they have helped with science studies.
The river here has many different kinds of plants and animals. It's one of the most diverse waterways in Florida. More people are visiting the park now that it's part of the state park system. It's important to protect the river grasses and wildlife from too much damage.
The Silver River
The famous Silver Springs in the park flows into the Silver River. This river is about 4.5 miles long. It flows east from the springs until it reaches the Ocklawaha River.
Fun Things to Do at the Park
One of the most popular activities is riding the Glass-bottom boats. These boats are located where the old Silver Springs Nature Theme Park used to be. They offer an amazing view of the underwater world!
You can also enjoy many other activities like bicycling, canoeing, and kayaking. The park is a great place for camping and watching wildlife. There's a museum and an environmental center. These are open on weekends and major holidays. The park has 15 miles of trails to explore. You can also get to the Silver River from here. For overnight stays, there are 10 fancy cabins and a campground with 59 sites.
Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center
The Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center is a special place. It's run by the Marion County Public School System with the Florida Park Service. The center has a village of old-fashioned 19th-century farm buildings. These include houses, a meeting house, sheds, and a blacksmith shop. There's also a museum about the area's nature and history.
During the week, schools use the center for classes. On weekends, it's open to everyone! In early November, the center hosts "Ocali County Days." This is a fun event that shows what life was like in the 19th century. It has displays, talks, and performances with people dressed in old clothes. It's a very popular yearly event!
Park Hours
The park is open every day from 8:00 am until sundown. If you are camping, the gate stays open until 10:00 pm on Fridays.
