Vintage postcard of the Silver Springs theme park
Silver Springs is the largest limestone artesian spring in the world. About a half a million gallons of water per day flow out of an underground cave into a large bowl 400 feet in diameter and 40 feet deep. From here the water flows for 5 miles through the state park which is essentially an undeveloped wilderness and on into the Ocklawaha River (Timucua Indian word meaning "dark water") which then empties into the St. Johns River and hence on to the Atlantic Ocean.
Silver River
The state park was set aside in 1996 to preserve ten distinct ecological communities that include sandhill, scrub, oak hammock, swamp and floodplain forests. According to the park brochure: "Deer, turkey, gopher tortoises and birds are abundant, while coyote, fox and bear are occasionally seen. Aquatic wildlife abounds with alligators, river turtles, otters and many species of wading and diving birds."
White ibis perch in a dead tree above the river
The Seminole Indians considered the springs to be sacred and there is abundant evidence that various Indian tribes have inhabited the headwaters of the Silver River for the past 12,000 years. In the 1820's a fledgling tourist trade began when curious visitors started to make their way to this area and pole their boats along this exotically scenic stretch of river. Before the War Between the States this area became a major plantation area growing vegetables, tobacco, and oranges.
Nature trail leading to the river
By the late 19th-century an enterprising young man placed a sheet of glass in the bottom of a rowboat and a new business sprang into being. The Silver River has been famous for over a hundred years for its glass-bottom boat tours which still attract visitors to this out of the way spot from all over the globe.
Red-shouldered hawk
The park has four excellent hiking trails and boasts a modern 59 site campground. Their are also modern cabins, an excellent museum, picnic grounds and a canoe/kayak launch.
Floodplain jungle
There is much to keep the visitor engaged and occupied at Silver River, so I'd suggest that folks dedicate two whole days to take it all in. This is one of Florida's newer state parks and it shows, with many modern amenities and up to date interpretive information. This is a park that I highly reccomend.
White ibis perch in a dead tree above the river
The Seminole Indians considered the springs to be sacred and there is abundant evidence that various Indian tribes have inhabited the headwaters of the Silver River for the past 12,000 years. In the 1820's a fledgling tourist trade began when curious visitors started to make their way to this area and pole their boats along this exotically scenic stretch of river. Before the War Between the States this area became a major plantation area growing vegetables, tobacco, and oranges.
Nature trail leading to the river
By the late 19th-century an enterprising young man placed a sheet of glass in the bottom of a rowboat and a new business sprang into being. The Silver River has been famous for over a hundred years for its glass-bottom boat tours which still attract visitors to this out of the way spot from all over the globe.
Red-shouldered hawkThe park has four excellent hiking trails and boasts a modern 59 site campground. Their are also modern cabins, an excellent museum, picnic grounds and a canoe/kayak launch.
Floodplain jungle
There is much to keep the visitor engaged and occupied at Silver River, so I'd suggest that folks dedicate two whole days to take it all in. This is one of Florida's newer state parks and it shows, with many modern amenities and up to date interpretive information. This is a park that I highly reccomend.
2 comments:
Dessert is one way to describe the wondrous flavors of the Golden State.
I like your blog. We are thinking of moving to the area and it looks like there are alot of things to do in nature.
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