Florida’s original tourist destination, Silver Springs is both one of the world’s largest springs and the name of the community that grew up around it in the 1800s when steamboats followed the snaking curves of the Ocklawaha River up the Silver River to dock at these immense springs.
Nearby: Belleview, Palatka, Ocala, Ormond Beach, Salt SpringsNow adjoining the city of Ocala, Silver Springs is the western gateway to the Ocala National Forest and the Cross Florida Greenway.
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Trails and Parks near Silver Springs
Bear-N-Oak Trail - The Bear-N-Oak Trail at Indian Lake State Forest provides a fascinating look at habitat diversity centered on Indian Lake, a sinkhole lake that connects to the aquifer
Carney Island Conservation Area - At Carney Island, the breeze carries the scent of orange blossoms from some of the northernmost remaining commercial groves in Florida. Lake Weir is a palatable presence, even though the trails stick to the oak hammocks
Cross Florida Greenway - Stretching 90 miles from the St. Johns River near Palatka to the Gulf of Mexico, the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway is a mile-wide recreational corridor with hiking, biking, and equestrian trails as well as paddling and boating access.
Florida Trail, Baseline to SE 64th Ave - 2.7 miles. On a sliver of restored sandhill, the Baseline section of the Florida Trail provides a stroll within a forested oasis surrounded by suburbia. 
Florida Trail, Cross Florida Greenway - 43.8 miles. A prime destination for backpacking and day hiking south of Ocala, the Florida Trail follows the Cross Florida Greenway through woodlands between the Withlacoochee and Ocklawaha Rivers
Florida Trail, Marshall Swamp - 3 miles. Marvel at towering trees in an ancient forest along this Florida Trail segment on the Cross Florida Greenway
Florida Trail, Ocala - 72.3 miles. The birthplace of the Florida Trail and home of the world’s largest sand pine scrub forest, the Ocala section is Florida’s top backpacking destination
Florida Trail, Santos to Baseline - 5.1 miles. History is on display along this segment of the abandoned Cross Florida Barge Canal, from a town demolished nearly a century ago to agricultural land undergoing habitat restoration.
Florida Trail, Western Corridor - 241 miles. With segments linking Withlacoochee State Forest and the Cross Florida Greenway, the Western Corridor provides access to wild spaces between Tampa and Ocala 
Indian Lake State Forest - Purchased to protect an uplands recharge area for one of Florida's largest springs, Indian Lake State Forest centers around a deep sinkhole lake called Indian Lake
Lake Eaton Trail - Gently descending from ancient dunes down to the forested shores of its namesake lake, the 2.3-mile Lake Eaton Trail provides a great deal of habitat diversity in a short hike
Ocala National Forest - Established in 1908 as the first National Forest east of the Mississippi, the Ocala National Forest is a mecca for hikers and campers, and the birthplace of the Florida Trail
Ocklawaha Prairie Restoration Area - At Ocklawaha Prairie, east of Lake Weir and south of Marshall Swamp, trails lead to some of the best birding in the region from levees along the extensive marshes of the river basin.
Paddling Juniper Run - Paddling Juniper Run from Juniper Springs to the take out at SR 19 in the Ocala National Forest, a popular paddling trip along this sinuous, spring-fed waterway that winds through the Juniper Prairie Wilderness.
Paddling the Silver River - What to do on a hot summer's day? Try the naturally air-conditioned Silver River for a paddling trip. 
Silver River Connector - Built to showcase the Cross Florida Greenway, the Silver River Connector is a 3-mile round-trip from the Ocklawaha Visitor Center to Ray Wayside Park.
Silver Springs Conservation Area - Silver Springs Conservation Area protects upland habitats crucial to recharge of Silver Springs. Two stacked loop trails (with a cross-trail on the upper loop) provide several options for hiking.
Silver Springs River Trails - With more than 4 miles of hiking in two trails, the River Trails of Silver Springs State Park are the park's most popular walks, as they lead you to views along the Silver River. 
Silver Springs Sandhill Trail - At Silver River State Park, the Sandhill Nature Trail (which can also be reached from the Sinkhole Trail) is a 1.7-mile loop through a longleaf and wiregrass sandhill habitat.
Silver Springs Sinkhole Trail - On the 2.5-mile Sinkhole Trail, take a hike around a giant sinkhole and explore the uplands above the Silver River at Silver Springs State Park
Silver Springs State Park - One of the world's largest and deepest springs, Silver Springs pours out more than 550 million gallons of water daily, forming the Silver River
Sunnyhill Levee Trail - At Sunnyhill Restoration Area, the Levee Trail provides a scenic stroll atop a levee paralleling both the Ocklawaha River channel and its vast marshes favored by wading birds.