Silver Glenn Springs Florida
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Silver Glen Springs, Florida

ByBrit on the Move

Silver Glen Springs is one of Florida’s most popular and well-known springs. It is a massive spring of crystal-clear water frequented by many snorkelers and boaters. It is located in the Ocala National Forest. Accessible from the Silver Glen Run off of Lake George, this spring is a local favorite, and here’s why!

Silver Glen Springs

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Why Visit Silver Glen Springs

If you’ve never swum in the spring before, here are some reasons to visit Silver Glen Springs:

  • The water is crystal clear, and the bottom is sandy.
  • Paddling is a great way to explore here, and you can rent kayaks and canoes.
  • Enjoy a picnic or grill in lush tropical surroundings.
  • Go hiking, snorkeling, or floating.
  • View the schools of fish beneath you. 

Most importantly, if you can find the right spot without too many people, you’ll feel like you are in the Caribbean. There’s nothing comparable to relaxing for a day in a natural spring. No sand, no sharks, and no saltwater!

Florida Springs Etiquette – Leave No Trace Behind

It’s everyone’s right to visit Florida Springs. However, we all have a moral duty to leave them as we found them or better for others to enjoy. Here are some simple steps to ensure that our springs are kept pristine:

  • Plan Ahead & Prepare: Know regulations (like springs protection zones), check the weather, and have appropriate gear.
  • Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces: Stick to trails; avoid creating new paths.
  • Dispose of Waste Properly: Pack out everything (trash, food scraps, cigarette butts).
  • Leave What You Find: Take photos, not plants, rocks, or shells.
  • Minimize Campfire Impacts: Use designated rings and ensure fires are cold and out.
  • Respect Wildlife: Observe from a distance; do not feed animals.
  • Be Considerate of Others: Keep noise down and remove all personal items (chairs, toys, kayaks) daily.

Specific Florida Springs Actions

  • In the Water: Don’t stand on vegetation or kick up silt; use mushroom anchors instead of hooks; trim boat motors in shallow areas; avoid landing boats on banks.
  • On Shore: Fill holes in the sand; don’t climb trees or use rope swings.
  • Boating: Turn off propellers when waiting for swimmers to pass to protect vegetation and wildlife.

Go The Extra Mile

  • Pick up any trash others left
  • Report any violators
  • Report any distressed wildlife

The History Of Silver Glen Springs

Silver Glen Springs is an important archeological site in Florida‘s history, so you’ll find a lot of evidence of early human settlement here.  There is archaeological evidence of the first natives from 3,000 years ago, and some remains of settlements from more than 10,000 years ago.

Here, you can find a large mound of shells, considered the remains of animals and humans who inhabited those lands. In 1930 and 1940, many of these shells were extracted to create roads, and now they are protected to preserve their history.

In 1989, divers discovered a network of tunnels measuring 2000 linear feet.

Silver Glen Springs & Silver Glen Run

The Spring

The actual spring is at the end of the Silver Glen Run. There’s a swimming section at the top where no boats are allowed. This is also the section you access by land. It gets packed here, just as busy as the section where all the boats tie up.  Take a look for yourself; this photo is on a non-jam-packed day. The water is stunning and pristine, and this is a large spring. The water is a constant 73°F, crystal-clear with a sandy bottom. Plenty of space exists to swim, float, snorkel, and soak up the rays. The challenge is that it’s so popular that it gets crowded. It’s also worth mentioning that SCUBA diving is not allowed this spring.

Silver Glen

Photo Credit: Adventure Ocala

Note: There is no longer one-out-one-in entry at Silver Glen Springs on busy days. What this means is once it reaches capacity the gates close – period. And, the reservation system for parking is temporarily unavailable.

The Run

The Silver Glen Run is the section off of the Jakege cone that connects the spring. Follow the run-up to the top to reach the actual spring. I love the run and loathe the spring. I’ve been to many springs, and Silver Glen is my least favorite by a long shot. It’s not that it’s not beautiful; it is. However, once you get up the run to the spring, you’ll be met by row after row of boats tied together. It’s loud, obnoxious, and frankly tacky. I know that some will say this is harsh. However, this has been my experience. 

The run is quieter; although there is a lot of traffic coming in and out, it’s much less packed than the actual spring. The number of boats permitted up the run should be limited. Most springs do this to preserve the manatees; this one sadly does not.

Accessing Silver Glen Run

Most people access Silver Glen Run from Lake George, but you can access it from the park and paddle down. Another thing to remember if you hang out in the lower section of the run is that you are in alligator territory. Not that they aren’t everywhere – they are. But they prefer the lake over the spring. It’s also worth noting that most gators keep their distance due to the noise and traffic. Yet, once in a blue moon, a hand-fed gator gets too close for comfort. Park rangers do monitor alligators, and they are kept at bay. The bottom line is to pay attention to your surroundings and enjoy the run.

Pro Tip: If you are boating up the run, you need two anchors to moor. You can’t stabilize your boat on the sandy bottom with just one anchor.

Under The Water At Silver Glen Springs

About Lake George

Lake George, or Lake Welaka, is located in Volusia County and is considered one of the largest freshwater lakes in Florida. It is the second-largest lake in Florida, behind only Lake Okeechobee. Lake George covers 46,000 acres and is 14 miles wide by 6 miles long. Boaters visit Silver Glen Springs from the St. Johns River and Lake George. 

Lake George Cover

Image Credit: TampAGS, for AGS Media

Lake George’s salt content is very unusual compared to the area’s feeder springs along the St. Johns River. This mix of fresh and saltwater provides a sustainable habitat for marine life, including Atlantic stingrays, various mullet species, striped bass, and blue crabs.

The blue crab population in Lake George is so vast that it supports one of the only freshwater blue crab fisheries in Florida. The nearby town of Palatka hosts an annual Blue Crab Festival worth checking out if you love blue crab!

The Location Of Silver Glen Springs

Finding Silver Glen Springs’s exact location may seem easy; you must go west of Marion County and reach Lake George. However, few people know that it is located on the edge of Lake County and within the Ocala National Forest. This spring is near Salt Springs, an unincorporated community in Marion County.

Address: 5271 Florida 19. Salt Springs, FL 32134.

Getting to Silver Glen Springs

Silver Glen Springs is over 60 miles from major cities like Jacksonville, Gainesville, and Orlando.  However, it is closer to Daytona Beach and Port Orange.  You can fly outside Florida to Daytona Beach International Airport or Ocala International Airport.

Are you in Florida and don’t know how to get there? Here are the main routes that you can take from one of the big cities or nearby areas:

  • Orlando: Starting on I-4 Express, you should detach from FL-414 W, continue on FL-429 N, cross towards FL-44 E, and reach County Rd 439. Then, you should look for FL-19 N/ Main St and go straight to Silver Glen Springs.
  • Jacksonville runs from Federal Highway US-17 S to State Road FL-19 S. It’s a long route with few detours.
  • Gainesville: Start from State Road FL-20 E, cross County Road 20A in Putnam County, go to County Rd 315 S, and follow County Road 310 to FL-19S.
  • Daytona Beach: At Daytona Beach, take I-95 N, merge onto State Road FL-40W, and cross State Road 19.
  • Ocala: This is the easiest route. Just take State Road FL-40 E and cross at FL-19 N.

Silver Glen Springs By Car

Silver Glen Springs sits on the edge of the Ocala National Forest; it’s an easy drive from anywhere in Central Florida.  The entrance to this spring begins from the Yearling Trail. Parking spaces are limited, and it gets packed on the weekend. If you plan to visit by car on the weekend, you must arrive early. And by early, we mean 8:00 am.

Silver Glen Springs By Boat

Most people boat to the spring. There are a few reasons why. First of all, Silver Glen Run alone is worth your attention. Secondly, Silver Glen Springs is a boating spring. Everyone in Florida knows that this place is a boating place. 

You can launch from the St. Johns River and connect to Lake George or from Lake George. 

Silver Glen Springs & Silver Glen Run

Boat Ramps on Lake George With Access To Silver Glen Springs

Astor Boat Ramp

  • 55400 Butler Street, Astor, Florida 32102
  • Hours: Dawn To Dusk

Bass World Lodge Boat Ramp

  • 209 Browns Fish Camp Road, Crescent City, Florida 32139
  • Hours: Open 7:00 am to 5:00 pm Labor Day until Christmas for the rest of the year, open as late as 8:00 pm.

Drayton Island Ferry Public Boat Ramp 

  • 122 Drayton Island Ferry Road, Georgetown, Florida 32139
  • Hours: 24 Hours

Lake George Boat Ramp, aka Volusia Wharf – Blue Creek Lodge Road Public Boat Ramp

  • 58300 Lake George Road, Astor, Florida 32102
  • Hours: Dawn To Dusk

M-Port Marina and Boat Ramp

  • 30600 NE 96th Place, Salt Springs, Florida 32134
  • Hours: Dawn To Dusk

Nine Mile Boat Ramp

Note: For small boats only.

  • At the west end of Nine Mile Point Road, turn south to the boat ramp. Pierson Florida 32180
  • Hours: 24 Hours

Shell Harbor Park & Boat Launch

  • 1800 Shell Harbor Rd, Pierson, FL 32180
  • Hours: 24 Hours
Shell Harbor Park & Boat Launch

South Moon Fish Camp Boat Ramp – On St Johns River

  • End Of Camp South Moon Road, Astor, Florida 32102
  • Hours: Varies by day

FAQs About Silver Glen Springs, Florida

How much does it cost to get into Silver Glen Springs?

Fish In Silver Glen

As with many state parks in Florida, there are some admissions and fees to pay to use the facilities. Silver Glen Springs offers various options depending on a person’s needs.  You only pay to go in the spring if you access it via land. If you boat to the spring, there’s no admission cost.

Daily Admission: ~$12–$14.50 per person.
Weekend and Holiday Requirement: Vehicle reservations are required from May to September, often costing an extra $20 per vehicle

Ocala National Forest Springs Hopper Pass.  This day-use pass is $70 + tax per person and is suitable for 12 months from the date of purchase. It provides access to recreation areas managed by Adventure Ocala, including Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs, Silver Glen Springs, Clearwater Lake, and Wildcat Lake. Available at Alexander Springs, Juniper Springs, and Silver Glen Springs. $70 + tax on an annual pass to the Ocala National Forest that will allow you to enter the following places:

Juniper Springs
Salt Springs
Clearwater Lake Wildcat Lake
Alexander Springs Lake, Wildcat
Silver Glen Springs
$16 or $38 canoe rental

Are there alligators in Silver Glen Springs?

Silver Glen

There are many Alligators in the Silver Glen Springs area, the St. Johns River, and Lake George.  The rangers have control over these species to prevent accidents.  However, we always recommend that you be vigilant.

Can you pay at the gate to get into Silver Glen Springs?

Fish In Silver Glen

Yes, you may be able to pay at the entrance with cash, debit, or credit cards. In addition, you can use your annual pass to enter the Ocala National Forest.  On the other hand, you can buy the ticket by using their app.

Closing Thoughts

Florida has many state parks for the whole family, and Silver Glen Springs is no exception.  This natural park is the perfect opportunity to explore earthly paradises. Remember that this is one of the busiest springs in Florida, and if you are not arriving by boat, you will need to beat the crowds to get in. Lastly, Silver Glen Run is the best section if you want to avoid the crowds altogether.

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2 Comments

  1. I don’t know how long it’s been since you were out at Silver Glen Springs but there are now Manatee Docents that try to educate you on the laws of not touching the Manatee and staying at least 25 feet away from them. please put this in your blog so we can HELP SAVE THE MANATEE! THANK YOU

    Reply

    1. Hi there,
      It’s been a couple of months but I go there regualrly… I can certainly add this info:) I am in the process of updating all the springs content to share the leave no trace etc so this will be a good add :)
      Thanks Nikki

      Reply

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