Hi there!
If you go to Silver Glen Springs in Ocala National Forest, you can see one of the prettiest springs in Florida, hike through a beautiful forest to the second largest lake in Florida (more views!), and do a leisurely walk to see bubbling springs!
This makes Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area one of the best places to visit in Ocala National Forest!
Ocala National Forest can make for a perfect stop as a part of an epic Florida road trip if you will be driving through the Orlando area.
It’s located a 1.5 hour drive or so north of Orlando.
ð Save this post for later! Save on Pinterest! ðð
The main attraction of Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area is Silver Glen Springs.
According to Florida state parks, there are over 1,000 springs in Florida!
So a “very Florida” thing you need to do during your Florida road trip is a stop for some Florida springs… and Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area can be perfect!
There are many “recreation areas” in Ocala National Forest, and Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area is one of the best!
For more Ocala National Forest springs, you can choose from Silver Glen Springs, Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs, and Salt Springs. You can also choose from more springs near Orlando.
And now, I did swimming, snorkeling, and hiking at Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area, and here’s what you need to know!
ð Save this post for later! Save on Pinterest! ðð
1. Silver Glen Springs
The main attraction of Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area is Silver Glen Springs!
Yes… ðĪŠ
Silver Glen Springs is not only one of the prettiest springs in Ocala National Forest, but it is also one of the prettiest springs in all of Florida!
Make a trip to Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area just to see the amazing water color of the springs, or experience it more by getting in the water!
There are a number of picnic tables around the springs so you can make it a picnic with views of Silver Glen Springs!
Stop by the Publix grocery store before you go to Ocala National Forest! You can find grab-and-go food there, or you can pick up your favorite picnic items.
Can you go swimming at Silver Glen Springs?
Yes, you can swim in Silver Glen Springs!
There is a designated swimming area for Silver Glen Springs.
According to the U.S. Forest Service, the water temperature of the Ocala National Forest springs are a constant 72 to 74 degrees year-round, and this includes Silver Glen Springs.
This means that in theory, you can go swimming at Silver Glen Springs any time of year.
In terms of water temperature, the 70s can be considered warm enough for swimming for many people!
As long as you can handle coming out of the water wet to a cooler air temperature, then you can go swimming in Silver Glen Springs any time of year – summer, spring, fall, and even winter!
It really just depends on your tolerance for colder water and just how much you want to go swimming!
You can also go snorkeling at Silver Glen Springs and you have a chance to see lots of fish.
There’s also a spot where you can see a deep hole.
This hole is a good snorkeling spot at Silver Glen Springs!
There could be areas of a spring that are shallow enough that you can stand.
And there may also be areas that are deeper where you can’t reach the bottom.
This is why you should definitely consider bringing a personal open water swim buoy or another kind of float so you don’t have to constantly be treading water!
ð Add a personal float to your Florida springs packing list! This way if you are in deeper water you won’t have to constantly be treading water!
See more for your trip to Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area:
2. Spring Boils Trail
Spring Boils Trail in Ocala National Forest is around a half mile round trip and your “destination” is a bubbling spring!
This is one of the trails at Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area.
You will take the path down to Silver Glen Springs, and then once down at the springs, walk off towards the right and continue on the trail.
If you want a chance to see a bubbling spring (aka “spring boils” or “sand boils”) then you can walk the short trail from Silver Glen Springs!
They are called boils because it looks like it’s boiling.
It is said that this is the beginning of a major spring in the making, and it’s likely what Silver Glen Springs looked like 1,000 to 2,000 years ago!
You can’t swim at the bubbling springs you see at the end of the Spring Boils Trail.
You can make it a hiking + snorkeling kind of Ocala National Forest trip!
Go for a hike, and then as part of your post-hike recovery, you can go swimming in the springs!
Although, the Spring Boils Trail is more like a leisurely walk since it’s relatively short.
ðī
3. Lake George Trail
Lake George is the second largest lake in Florida.
Lake George Trail is around 2 miles round trip and your “destination” is views of the second largest lake in Florida! (No springs to be seen on the trail, though.)
You’ll find this trail at Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area.
If you want a nice hike through the forest surrounded by classic Florida scenery, then you can do the Lake George Trail!
You will take the path down to Silver Glen Springs, and before you arrive at the springs, you’ll see a sign for Lake George Trail.
Follow the trail, and you will end up at the shoreline of Lake George!
ð Save this post for later! Save on Pinterest! ðð
Camping at Silver Glen Springs?
There is no campground at Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area.
So while there are campgrounds in Ocala National Forest, you can’t go camping at Silver Glen Springs.
Cost to go to Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area
You can just drive through Ocala National Forest, and it will be free.
But to go to Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area, there is an entry fee.
There is a weekday rate and a weekend rate.
The cost to go to Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area is around $8 per person during the week and around $11 per person on the weekend. See current fees.
And that’s a bit about making a trip to Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area!
I went to Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area in May 2022. Your experience may vary!
- Things to do in Ocala National Forest
- Ocala National Forest springs
- Juniper Springs
- Alexander Springs
- Salt Springs
- Salt Springs campground
- Florida Caverns State Park
- Florida Caverns State Park campground
HAPPY VISIT TO SILVER GLEN SPRINGS RECREATION AREA!
ð Save this post for later! Save on Pinterest! ðð
There are partner websites included in this post. I may earn a commission.