Silver Springs State Park

Once upon a time in Ocala, Florida, there was a Silver Springs Amusement Park (next to a large water park) which involved glass bottom boats, a petting zoo, jeep rides into the woods with various animal encounters, other boat trips down offshoots of the Silver River where you would see an old Indian encampment, a military fort, the set for a TV show, and much more. Several large bears were kept in another enclosure. There were a couple gift shops, and a large ride next to the Silver River that would spin you around until reaching the top some 30-40 feet above the ground. And during the winter, you could attend concerts by some of the best entertainers in the world.

This amusement park gradually fell apart, beginning with the construction of the Disney attractions to the southeast in Orlando.  It couldn't compete.

At this same time, just down the road, was the Silver River State Park. This park offered trails into the hinterlands, a trail down to the Silver River, canoes and kayaks, biking trails, cabins for rent, spaces for RVs, picnic areas and a museum along with several old buildings, either restored or recreated to resemble life in the area in the late 1800s.

Not long ago, the two parks came together when the State of Florida bought the old amusement park. Together, they are now known as the Silver Springs State Park. There are small tandem trucks to carry people from one area to the other. 

The old Silver River State Park has not changed much and we visited it the other day. We walked down to the river (a little over 1/2 mile each way) and needless to say, took a lot of photographs. When you drive into the park, you'll notice just north of the parking lot is a group of buildings which contains a museum, class rooms, storage areas, etc. That's what you see in the first photograph above. The second photograph is a shot of the middle of the area, and the third shot is an artsy photo (by Lois Anne) of a large live oak tree, which shows how big those branches are. In the distance you can make out some older buildings and we'll be showing more of that encampment in the days ahead.