Silver Springs State Park offers you the opportunity to see an underwater world. At the same time, you get to explore one of America’s largest and most popular springs through the park’s iconic glass-bottom boats. The spectacle in Silver Springs dates back to the 1870s.

The Silver River State Park was established in 1985 after the state purchased the property surrounding Silver Springs to protect it from development. The mainspring has tranquil gardens and antique structures on its borders. They date back to when Silver Springs was a popular stop for Northern steamship passengers.

Silver Springs State Park is a stunning location near Ocala.

In 2013, Florida took over the popular spring attraction, uniting it with a nearby state park and conserving one of Florida’s most beautiful natural areas.

Kayakers have the chance to explore a primitive forest wilderness bordered by some of the state’s best-managed sandhills, which are accessible through trails and populated with welcoming campers on the Silver River.

Even if you kayak the river, the famous glass-bottom boat trip, which began in 1878 and was Florida’s first, remains and is the most incredible way to peer deep into the spring to observe fish and other exciting things.

Silver Springs State Park contains some of the most fabulous state-park cabins, including a fully equipped two-bedroom cottage with a large screened porch, a gas fireplace, and a thick forest. There are also fifteen miles of beautiful forest trails that can be walked or biked on.

A sleeping sofa raises the number of people who can stay to six, and the bathroom accommodates many guests. Two families or three couples might comfortably share these apartments.

Each cottage in the woods is separated from other cabins only by plants and large trees. There’s a fire ring out back for campfires. These structures have large porches and metal roofs, making them look like Florida Cracker houses.

There is also fantastic camping, with lovely tree-shaded spots for tents and RVs. A museum and environmental education center are in a village of historic Cracker buildings that tell the story of Florida’s pioneers.

The covered porches are pretty significant. If there were picnic tables, you could arrange a sit-down luncheon for 40 people on the patio. Instead, there’s a large picnic table, a couple of rocking seats, and silence.

The park is still a popular tourist attraction, and it hosts the annual Springfest, which honors the preservation of all Florida rivers and springs.