Silver River State Park

One of Florida's most popular state parks, Silver River State Park sparkles as a family destination for outdoor recreation. With a deeply shaded campground and modern cabins, large picnic pavilions, and opportunities for day hiking, mountain biking, and canoeing and kayaking along a pristine, twisting, winding waterway, this is a park that appeals to all ages. Walk softly down its many trails and you’ll see deer, fox squirrels, and gopher tortoises roaming the sandhills and scrub. Bicyclists are welcome to roam a trail system of more than 12 miles. On weekends, the Pioneer Village — a collection of homes and farmstead structures from ...

One of Florida's most popular state parks, Silver River State Park sparkles as a family destination for outdoor recreation. With a deeply shaded campground and modern cabins, large picnic pavilions, and opportunities for day hiking, mountain biking, and canoeing and kayaking along a pristine, twisting, winding waterway, this is a park that appeals to all ages. Walk softly down its many trails and you’ll see deer, fox squirrels, and gopher tortoises roaming the sandhills and scrub. Bicyclists are welcome to roam a trail system of more than 12 miles. On weekends, the Pioneer Village — a collection of homes and farmstead structures from Florida's pioneer days — and the Silver River Museum provide a playing and learning experience for the kids. The museum is the repository of many fossils found in the Silver River, including mastodon and saber-toothed cat, and is a must-see despite a small additional fee. It covers local history from archaeological digs unearthing villages pre-dating the Spanish conquistadors to 1940s movie-making magic underwater in the crystalline first-magnitude springs upstream.

About the Expert

Sandra Friend has written 12 books about Florida, including the Explorer's Guide (Countryman Press) series to Florida.