Silver Glen Springs is located in Ocala National Park, and it is just slightly over an hour from where we live (near Wekiwa Springs). It is a beautiful spring that is great for snorkeling and floating, especially on a hot summer day. There is an area where lots of boats anchor up and enjoy the day. It is similar to going to a popular sandbar in terms of the number of boats. So, you have the option to arrive by boat or car.
We just went to Silver Glen over the weekend and had a great time. Let’s walk through what our day looked like.
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Boat Ramp
We launched from Butler Street Boat Ramp in Astor, FL. This is a good location to launch from for getting to Silver Glen Springs but the experience I have had at this boat ramp each time we have gone is not good. After this past time, I have officially declared to my husband that I’m not going to that ramp ever again. We’ll see if that sticks, I said that in the midst of prime boat ramp anxiety, but I still feel that way days later.
Things that I do not like about this boat ramp:
- People did not know what they were doing – People were taking 10-15 minutes at the ramp. What?! One guy got out and started prepping his boat when it was his turn to launch. Why did you not do that during the 20-minute wait you just had? At the end of the day, a couple was struggling to get their pontoon on the trailer. It looked like it was their first time using it. And I’m understanding of that but practicing at a very busy boat ramp on a Saturday in August is not the time. Those were just a couple of examples; I could keep going. If you are that person who likes to go to boat ramps and watch what is happening, I highly suggest this one.
- Not enough parking – The parking lot for this extremely popular boat ramp is small. And if you park on the shoulder, you will risk getting a ticket or towed.
- Not enough space to tie off your boat – There is one floating dock between the two ramps that you could tie your boat off to. But if you do, then you are blocking the next person from launching their boat there. And a lot of people do this, causing the ramp to move slowly. And since parking is such an issue, it can take a while for people to finally get back and move their boat. There is a bigger floating dock to the side that would have been perfect. But they put railings all around it, making it a dock for people to hang out on rather than one the boats can use. The only space you can go to get out of the way is a very small amount of shoreline on the sides.
- It is always a long line to launch your boat, and the line moves slowly (see all of the above reasons)
There is one positive and that is that there is a bathroom. It’s not next to the boat ramp though, it is by the parking lot.
My biggest tip if you come to this boat ramp is to get here EARLY. As early as you can. We didn’t get there until 9:15 this past time that we went. That was too late, we needed to leave when it was still dark out. But even if you launch early, you may still experience a wait when you come back in.
Places to Stay
After the chaos of launching the boat, I was taking note of any hotels on the water that had boat docks for next time. I will happily pay to stay somewhere and avoid that boat ramp all together. I took note of a few, but I think the one that looks like the best option with good reviews is Big River Marina and Lodge. Keep in mind, this is a lodge on the river, this is not a luxury resort.
There are also short-term rentals in the area that would be a great option if you prefer.
Or another idea is to rent a houseboat from Holly Bluff Marina. We were meeting family at the springs that had rented a houseboat and we loved it. It is now on my list to rent a houseboat for the weekend. At the springs, it was so nice to have a bathroom, a kitchen, a porch, and somewhere to go with air conditioning when needed. And they spent the night at the spring Saturday night so once the crowds cleared out, I am sure it was so nice to explore in the evening and early morning.
Getting There from the Ramp
Once you have launched, head north on the river and you will hit Lake George. The entrance to the springs is on the north end of Lake George. You will probably see several other boats heading there if you go on a weekend.
Silver Glen Springs
Rules: At the entrance to the spring, there is a sign with the rules. I recommend reading those because they are strictly enforced. There is a new rule since the last time we were there and I am in support of it. The rule is that music cannot be blasted. It has to be kept at a volume that you can hear but not people 5 boats away. There is an exact rule on the sign but that is my general gist of it. In the past, this was a big issue at Silver Glen Springs, people would blast their music so that the entire spring had to listen to what they had chosen.
Boat Parking: On a weekend, there are going to be a lot of boats. If you’re able to, I recommend going there on a week day, it is much more relaxed. But on a weekend, be prepared for lots of boats. Similar to the boat ramp, I recommend getting there early. Or you could consider going there at the end of the day. Around 2 or 3, it started clearing out and it was beautiful.
Floats: This is the perfect place to spend the day floating! So, make sure you bring yours. We always bring our Bote water hammock but next time I would like to bring a couple of small, individual floats too. We met family at the spring this past time we went and one of them had the Sunchill float and another had the Calobana float. Both are popular options now, I saw lots of people with those.
Snorkeling: Make sure you make your way over to the spring itself sometime during the day. If you or your kids like to snorkel, bring your snorkel mask and flippers. This is the mask we bring for the kids and their flippers.
My older two went snorkeling with my husband for a little bit but they said there were not many fish to look at. I was not surprised by this given how many people were there that day, I’m sure the fish were waiting for later to come back out. My youngest son and I floated in the spring area while we waited for them to snorkel.
Temperature: The temperature of the spring is 72 to 73 degrees year-round. So yes, that is on the chilly side. But on a hot day in the summer, it feels great.
Cost: If you go by boat, there is no fee to go. We have never been charged. But if you arrive by car, it looks like there is a charge of $14.50 per person (5 and under are free).
Overall, we love coming here. My preference is always to be able to go during the week over a weekend (this applies to anywhere we go with the boat) but you will have a great time no matter when you go. Just make sure to follow the rules, pack your float and snorkel mask, and bring lots of sunscreen! And if your kids are with you, bring some cash for the snow cone or ice cream boat that comes through.