Silver Glen Springs, Ocala National Forest

As one of the region’s major springs, Silver Glen Springs pours its essence into a stream that flows into Lake George.

Its waters are fed by many smaller springs, some of which you’ll see from the Spring Boils Trail.

Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area is an important archaeological site as well, edged by ancient middens thick with fossilized snail shells.

Swimmers at Silver Glen Springs

Resources

Resources for exploring the area

Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover

Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover

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Overview

Location: Ocala National Forest
Trailhead: 29.247204, -81.643036
Address: 5271 SR 19, Salt Springs
Fees: $12 per person plus $15 vehicle reservation fee weekends and holidays May-Sep.
Restroom: Portalets at the parking area
Land manager: National Forests in Florida
Phone: 352-625-3147

Open daily 8-8. Operated as a concession by Adventure Ocala.

No pets or bicycles are permitted. No potable water is available other than buying water bottles at the entry station.

We strongly suggest you don’t leave anything lying around on a picnic table or chair in the day use area as raccoons have been known to make off with towels, clothing, and food. Bears are known to enter the picnic area as well.

Fishing is permitted downstream from the swimming area. A valid FWC freshwater fishing license is required.

As with other springs in the Ocala National Forest, we’ve found it best to visit early on a weekday, particularly if you want to swim or snorkel.

The entry road will be closed when parking reaches capacity. Vehicle reservations must be made online from May-Sep for weekend and holiday visits.

Directions

From Interstate 75 in Ocala, drive east on SR 40 for 34.5 miles, through Ocala, Silver Springs, and into the heart of the Ocala National Forest, passing the entrance to Juniper Springs about 9 miles before the traffic light at SR 19. Turn left at the light and continue 5.9 miles north to the entrance to Silver Glen Springs on the right, across from the Yearling Trail. From Interstate 95 in Ormond Beach, it’s 34 miles west along SR 40 to reach the same traffic light at SR 19.

About the Spring

One of the beauty spots of the Ocala National Forest, Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area has also been “loved to death” over the decades.

It is extraordinarily busy on weekends, and you’ll usually see a crowd of boats, including houseboats, in the spring run.

Houseboats on Silver Glen Run

Stairs lead down into the water for swimming in the cool spring outflow. The main spring boil rages with tremendous power as it pushes the surface of the water upward.

Its deep sinkhole-shaped vent blows iridescent fossil snail shells upward like confetti, pouring 72 million gallons a day downstream into Lake George.

The main spring boil at Silver Glen Springs

A second significant spring, the Natural Well, is roped off to keep swimmers out. It attracts many fish to its depths.

While you used to be able to look down from the bluff above and see the swirls of fish inside, that is no longer possible.

Fish school in the Natural Well

We were genuinely distressed on our last visit to discover all understory vegetation where the picnic grounds overlook the spring basin removed, which provided cover for wildlife.

Reaching out for answers to the Forest Service, we were informed that this and the massive wood fence built at the same time were done for erosion control.

A new fence was erected well away from the spring

Picnic areas are provided both near the natural well, by the start of the Spring Boils Trail, and near the entrance to the spring for swimmers.

Each has grills, picnic tables, and bear-proof garbage cans. Stay with your food as wildlife will get into it if you leave it unattended.

The fenced areas should not be crossed as they cordon off archaeological sites.

Wildlife shares the picnic area

Hiking

There are two very worthwhile hikes within Silver Glen Springs Recreation Area. The first is an easy one, the Spring Boils Trail.

This half mile round-trip circles the main spring basin and leads into its forested edge to a boardwalk overlooking bubbling sand boils.

Visitors of all ages will love seeing the bubblers.

Looking down at the sand boils from the boardwalk

The Lake George Trail is a 2.3-mile round trip in the opposite direction, towards the shoreline of the largest lake in the St. Johns River.

Multiple overlooks, lush forests, and a bit of lakefront walking at the far end of the trail make this a delightful hike.

Spring Boils Trail A delight to visit, the Spring Boils Trail showcases bubbling springs both big and small, starting within sight of the main springs at Silver Glen Springs before it leads you to coves of tiny bubblers

Lake George Trail Connecting Silver Glen Springs with the river it feeds, the Lake George Trail provides an easy day hike to picturesque views of Lake George on the St. Johns River.

Paddling

Canoe and kayak rentals are available from the concessionaire, or you can bring your own and launch at a designated site down a road leading from the parking area to the spring run.

Rentals cost $20-45 plus a $20 deposit. There is no launch fee to launch your own.

Kayaks and canoes for rent

From the put-in, you can paddle around the spring run basin, which is rather broad. Middens stand along its south shore, while its north shore is a floodplain forest.

If you cross the sandbar and exit into Lake George, the open water is daunting. Hug the near shoreline and enjoy the views across the expanse.

Lake George panorama with purple and blue reflections in water

Looking across the expanse of Lake George from the shoreline

Ocala National Forest Dog Policy Except for service dogs, dogs are not permitted at Alexander Springs, Salt Springs, Silver Glen Springs, Juniper Springs, Clearwater Lake, Fore Lake, Lake Dorr and Mill Dam Recreation Areas in the Ocala National Forest

Pretty prairie in Juniper Prairie Wilderness

The Weeks Act: a Century of Conservation A follow-up to the conservation legacy of Teddy Roosevelt's administration, The Weeks Act was signed by William Howard Taft in March 1911. It authorized the Federal government - for the first time - to purchase private land to protect watersheds throughout the eastern United States.

Trail Map

Explore More!

Silver Glen Springs is one of four first magnitude springs in the Ocala National Forest. Learn more about what you can see and do in the Ocala National Forest.

Hikers on an orange blazed footpath amid pines and palmetto

Ocala National Forest Established in 1908 as the first National Forest east of the Mississippi, the Ocala National Forest is a mecca for hikers and campers, and the birthplace of the Florida Trail.

Slideshow

See our photos of Silver Glen Springs

Nearby Adventures

The Yearling Trail On Pat's Island, discover the landscape and the history that inspired Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings to write her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Yearling in 1938.

Florida Trail, Pat’s Island to Hidden Pond Entirely within the Juniper Prairie Wilderness, this 8.4 mile round-trip in a no-hunting-zone on the Florida Trail in the Ocala National Forest immerses you in the Big Scrub.

Lone pines rising against short pines along a pond

Florida Trail, Juniper Springs to Hopkins Prairie 10.6 miles. Marvel at a mosaic of ancient scrub forest, vast prairies, and pine islands while crossing the Juniper Prairie Wilderness north of Juniper Springs.

Florida Trail, Hopkins Prairie to Salt Springs 9.6 miles. Sweeping along the shoreline of one of the largest prairies in the Ocala National Forest, this section of the Florida Trail lingers on prairie panoramas.

Trail Map (PDF) Reserve Parking Official Website