Resources
Resources for exploring the area
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Exploring Silver Springs
Florida’s original tourist destination, Silver Springs is both one of the world’s largest springs.
It is also the name of the community that grew up around it in the 1800s when steamboats followed the snaking curves of the Ocklawaha River up the Silver River to dock at these immense springs.
Now adjoining the city of Ocala, Silver Springs is the western gateway to the Ocala National Forest and the Cross Florida Greenway.
The Western Corridor of the Florida Trail threads through both, providing a linear backpacking route both northeast and southwest of the community.
To see the springs themselves, a visit to Silver Springs State Park provides hiking, paddling, ecotours, and camping along with just relaxing on a deck above the spring basin.
Trails and Parks around Silver Springs
Carney Island Conservation Area As a peninsula in Lake Weir, parts of Carney Island Conservation Area are naturally air-conditioned. Walk 4 miles beneath ancient oaks and expect to see wildlife.
Florida Trail, Baseline to SE 64th Ave 2.7 miles. On a sliver of restored sandhill, the Baseline section of the Florida Trail provides a stroll within a forested oasis surrounded by suburbia. 
Florida Trail, Cross Florida Greenway 43.8 miles. A prime destination for backpacking and day hiking south of Ocala, the Florida Trail follows the Cross Florida Greenway through woodlands between the Withlacoochee and Ocklawaha Rivers.
Florida Trail, Marshall Swamp 3 miles. Marvel at towering trees in an ancient forest along this Florida Trail segment on the Cross Florida Greenway.
Florida Trail, Ocala Spanning 72.3 from the birthplace of the Florida Trail into the world’s largest sand pine scrub forest, the Ocala section is Florida’s top backpacking destination.
Florida Trail, Santos to Baseline 5.1 miles. History is on display along this segment of the abandoned Cross Florida Barge Canal, from a town demolished nearly a century ago to agricultural land undergoing habitat restoration.
Florida Trail, Western Corridor Linking Withlacoochee State Forest and the Cross Florida Greenway, the 241 mile Western Corridor of the Florida Trail accesses wild spaces between Tampa and Ocala. 
Indian Lake Bear-N-Oak Trail The Bear-N-Oak Trail at Indian Lake State Forest provides a fascinating look at karst terrain centered on Indian Lake, a sinkhole lake that connects to Silver Springs via the Floridan aquifer.
Indian Lake State Forest Purchased to protect an uplands recharge area for one of Florida's largest springs, Indian Lake State Forest centers around a deep sinkhole lake called Indian Lake.
Lake Eaton Trail Gently descending from ancient dunes down to the forested shores of its namesake lake, the 2.3-mile Lake Eaton Trail provides a great deal of habitat diversity in a short hike.
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.
Ocklawaha Prairie Restoration Area At Ocklawaha Prairie, east of Lake Weir and south of Marshall Swamp, trails lead to some of the best birding in the region from levees along the extensive marshes of the river basin.
Paddling Juniper Run Paddling Juniper Run from Juniper Springs to the take out at SR 19 in the Ocala National Forest, a popular paddling trip along this sinuous, spring-fed waterway that winds through the Juniper Prairie Wilderness.
Paddling the Silver River What to do on a hot summer's day? Try the naturally air-conditioned Silver River for a paddling trip. 
Silver River Connector Built to showcase the Cross Florida Greenway, the Silver River Connector is a 3-mile round-trip between the former Ocklawaha Visitor Center and Ray Wayside Park.
Silver Springs Conservation Area Silver Springs Conservation Area protects upland habitats crucial to recharge of Silver Springs. Two stacked loop trails (with a cross-trail on the upper loop) provide several options for hiking.
Silver Springs River Trails With more than 4 miles of hiking in two trails, the River Trails of Silver Springs State Park are the park's most popular walks, as they lead you to views along the Silver River. 
Silver Springs Sandhill Trail At Silver River State Park, the Sandhill Nature Trail (which can also be reached from the Sinkhole Trail) is a 1.7-mile loop through a longleaf and wiregrass sandhill habitat.
Silver Springs Sinkhole Trail On the 2.5-mile Sinkhole Trail, take a hike around a giant sinkhole and explore the uplands above the Silver River at Silver Springs State Park
Silver Springs State Park One of the world's largest and deepest springs, Silver Springs pours out more than 550 million gallons of water daily, forming the Silver River
Sunnyhill Levee Trail A linear path along the channelized Ocklawaha River, the Levee Trail at Sunnyhill Restoration Area stretches 7.5 miles from SR 42 north to Moss Bluff.Articles
National Forests in Florida Implement New Fees (7/24/2019) Effective July 26, 2019, fees go up at many National Forest campgrounds, boat ramps, and recreation areas
The new 50 Hikes in Central Florida (10/5/2018) We launched a new full-color edition of 50 Hikes in Central Florida at the National Trails Festival in Deland the first weekend of October. Take a peek inside.