This Florida Paradise Has Water So Clear You Can See 30 Feet Deep From Glass-Bottom Boats

Silver Springs State Park

Silver Springs State Park pumps out 550 million gallons of crystal-clear water every day, making it the state’s largest spring system.

Near Ocala in Marion County, this 4,000-acre wonderland is home to clear springs, wild monkeys, and centuries of history. Here are some of the best parts of visiting this Florida gem.

A Spring Through Time

Native Americans lived here over 12,000 years ago, leaving behind pottery and tools that you can still spot through the 99.8% pure spring water. The water’s silvery shine when sunlight hits it gave the springs their name. Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto wrote about these ‘fountains of sweet water’ in 1539.

In 1878, Hullam Jones created the first glass-bottom boat using an old riverboat window, turning this into Florida’s first tourist attraction. Movie makers fell in love with the springs too. Over 100 films and TV shows were filmed here, including ‘Creature from the Black Lagoon’ (1954) and ‘Sea Hunt’ (1958-1961).

Float Through History on a Glass-Bottom Boat

Each boat is named after a Seminole chief, and the oldest one, ‘Chief Osceola,’ has been running since 1935. Through a large 4-by-8-foot glass panel, you can see 20 feet down into the springs.

Watch for 12 different kinds of native fish, underwater caves formed millions of years ago, and old canoes preserved in the 72-degree water.

Paddle Among Wild Monkeys

Colonel Tooey brought rhesus macaques here in 1938 for his ‘Jungle Cruise’ attraction, but the monkeys had other plans. Now about 200 of these fascinating creatures live freely in the park’s forest. You can rent 17-foot Old Town canoes or 12-foot Perception kayaks to watch them.

The monkeys love hanging out in cypress trees along the eastern side of the Silver River, especially between markers 12 and 15.

Explore the Lost Springs Trail

This hidden 2.5-mile path takes you past seven springs that stopped flowing in the 1970s due to changes in the underground water system. The dried-up springs left behind limestone caves and deep sinkholes, some reaching 30 feet down.

Along the trail, you’ll find 12 information stations explaining how the springs formed and why they disappeared. Look up at the ancient live oaks – some over 200 years old – where pileated woodpeckers and barred owls make their homes.

Discover the Underwater Observatory

Step into a piece of history at the underwater observatory, built in 1958 and brought back to life in 2020 with a $1.2 million renovation. This eight-sided building lets you go 20 feet underwater to look through special aquarium-grade windows.

Watch longnose gar and channel catfish swim by, and you might even see manatees in the winter. They kept the original brass handrails and fancy terrazzo floors from the 1950s to preserve its historic charm.

Journey Through the Silver River Museum

Inside a building made to look like an 1800s Florida home, you’ll find over 4,500 Native American items discovered in the springs. Some wooden tools are so well preserved they’ve lasted 10,000 years. A 40-foot timeline wall shows how the springs formed, and you can see pieces of the very first glass-bottom boats.

Photograph Rare Birds at Ross Allen Island

Named after the famous snake expert who ran his reptile institute here from 1929 to 1969, this island is now home to many endangered water birds.

A 1,200-foot elevated walkway includes special platforms every 200 feet for taking pictures. Come early in the day to see swallow-tailed kites nesting in the tallest cypress tree, along with wood storks, limpkins, and bright purple gallinules.

Camp in the Shadow of Ancient Oaks

Choose from 15 premium camping spots under massive oak trees that are over 300 years old. Spanish moss hangs down 40 feet from their branches, creating a magical setting.

Each spot comes with 50-amp electricity, water hookups, and a fire ring placed to keep smoke away from other campers.

Bike the Springs Connector Trail

Ride the 4.5-mile paved trail, finished in 2019, that connects the main springs to a 250-acre prairie. Three covered rest stops, built to look like 1930s spring houses, give you great views of wetlands where birds gather.