Silver River in Florida

Trip Overview

For Thanksgiving my wife and I kayaked upstream to the springhead so we would have a leisurely paddle back downstream. We put in at Ray Wayside Park. The park is 1/4 mile west of Delks Bluff Bridge, and requires a $5.00 parking fee.

It was an easy paddle with lots of wildlife along the way. We encountered Herons, Cormorants, Ibis, a few Gators, and lots of Turtles. The water is crystal clear. The bottom is easily visible at 30 feet.

The real treat came as we approached the springhead. We encountered a magnificent Bald Eagle and a troop of about 20 Rhesus monkeys. Legend has it that the monkeys escaped about 30 years ago during the filming of some Tarzan movies or a glass bottom boat tour owner put them on an Island to attract tourists and he did not realize they could swim. In any case they were a real treat to see in the wild.

The Silver River is a five star kayak trip.

Accommodations:

Camping at Lake Griffin State Park

Fees:

No

Directions:

At the junction of I-75 and SR 40 (exit 352, old #69) in Ocala, turn east (right) on SR 40 and go 9 miles to the Silver Springs attraction. Continue past the theme park on SR 40 for 3 miles to Ray Wayside Park. The park is 1/4 mile west of Delks Bluff Bridge. A canoe launch is located at the far end of the park just past the boat ramps.