Silver Springs State Park’s glass-bottom boats are located at the headspring waters near the entrance to the park and are based at the site of the former Silver Springs Nature Theme Park. The glass-bottom allows visitors to observe the springs and aquatic life beneath the boat along the Silver River from within the boat. The springs became a tourist attraction in the 1870s; the first glass-bottom boat was built to provide views of the springs in 1878. Silver Springs State Park is a Florida State Park located on the Silver River in Silver Springs, Florida in the Ocala area. Silver Springs is often called the gateway to the Ocala National Forest, the second-largest, most southern National Forest east of the Mississippi. The park contains Silver Springs, Florida’s first tourist attraction featuring one of the largest artesian springs in the world. The park became renowned for the Glass Bottom Boat tours: guided boat rides where guests could travel around the spring on a vessel with a clear bottom in order to view life underwater. Today, visitors still enjoy the Glass Bottom Boat tours on top of the same crystal springs that have been enjoyed for decades and sustaining a wealth of aquatic life. The Silver Springs attraction dates to the 1870s. In 1985 the state of Florida purchased the land surrounding Silver Springs to spare it from development, creating the Silver River State Park. In 1993 the state acquired Silver Springs as well, and in 2013 the state of Florida took over control of Silver Springs, merging it with the adjacent parkland to create Silver Springs State Park. Designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1971, Silver Springs State Park and the surrounding areas offer a wealth of cultural and historical significance.—silversprings.com & Wikipedia
Along with the glass-bottom boats, other activities at Silver Springs State Park include bicycling, canoeing, kayaking, camping, and wildlife viewing. Amenities include the Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center, 15 miles of trails, access to the Silver River, luxury cabins, and a full-facility campground. Silver Springs State Park is a Florida State Park located on the Silver River in Silver Springs, Florida in the Ocala area. Silver Springs is often called the gateway to the Ocala National Forest, the second-largest, most southern National Forest east of the Mississippi. The park contains Silver Springs, Florida’s first tourist attraction featuring one of the largest artesian springs in the world. The park became renowned for the Glass Bottom Boat tours: guided boat rides where guests could travel around the spring on a vessel with a clear bottom in order to view life underwater. Today, visitors still enjoy the Glass Bottom Boat tours on top of the same crystal springs that have been enjoyed for decades and sustaining a wealth of aquatic life. The Silver Springs attraction dates to the 1870s. In 1985 the state of Florida purchased the land surrounding Silver Springs to spare it from development, creating the Silver River State Park. In 1993 the state acquired Silver Springs as well, and in 2013 the state of Florida took over control of Silver Springs, merging it with the adjacent parkland to create Silver Springs State Park. Designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1971, Silver Springs State Park and the surrounding areas offer a wealth of cultural and historical significance.—silversprings.com & Wikipedia
