Things to do nearSilver River

Silver River originates at Silver Springs, one of the largest groups of artesian springs in the United States, pumping hundreds of millions of gallons of crystal-clear water daily. That flow gives the river its signature blue-green tint and a steady 72-degree temperature that makes it inviting in every season. The surrounding land is protected within Silver Springs State Park, preserving the old-growth floodplain forest that lines both banks.

Paddlers are the heart of the Silver River experience. Gliding downstream on a kayaking tour, you pass limestone outcroppings draped in ferns, American alligators basking on muddy ledges, and anhinga birds drying their wings in the sun. The river earned fame in the early twentieth century as a filming location for several Tarzan movies, and glass-bottom boat tours once drew visitors from across the country.

Wildlife watching is exceptional throughout the year. White-tailed deer pick their way to the water's edge at dusk, otters roll through the shallows, and the non-native rhesus monkeys that escaped from a tourist attraction decades ago remain one of the river's most talked-about surprises. Turtles line every fallen log from bank to bank.

Silver River offers a rare combination of ecological richness and accessibility that makes it one of central Florida's most rewarding natural destinations.