You may have read my blog posts about exploring Silver Springs or paddling the circular path of Fort King Waterway toward the head spring. This time, I decided to see what was around the riverbend and explore the vastness of Silver River. On this paddle, I saw an incredible array of animals. Getting face to face with a cormorant, manatees right underneath my board, and monkeys staring at me from the bank. It was an extraordinary paddle, but not for the faint of heart. I would consider this an intermediate paddle due to the length and strong current. So follow me downriver, and off we go!
I dropped in at the launch spot near Silver Springs State Park. I had my own board, so the fee was only $6.00. And as I mentioned before in other posts, the receipt would get me into the State Park as well. This is an extensive paddle, so I suggest bringing a cooler with extra snacks and water, clothing layers, and sunscreen. After dropping in, I turned right, right before the Ross Allen Bridge, to follow the path of Fort King Waterway. On this path you will see to your left remnants of the old theme park and luscious vegetation.
It was fun to watch the glass bottom boats pass under the bridge as they headed off for a day of work.
When you meet Silver River, veer to the right. It is about 4.6 miles from where Fort King Waterway meets Silver River to the Ocklawaha River, which is near Ray Wayside Park.
*Note* Paddling this way, you will be going with the current, meaning you will be fighting it on the way back. I did it, but it was quite a strong current I will admit. If you drop in over at Ray Wayside Park, you will have to fight the current heading out but will get to ride it back. If you decide to drop in at Silver Springs but only want to enjoy the ride down, they have a shuttle service available. With a watercraft rental and shuttle ticket, it ranges from $55-$70. If you BYOB, it is only $15.00 for the shuttle. Again, I decided to go all in and paddle all the way to the Ocklawaha River and back.
I love paddling this place in the fall or winter. Since it is a nature preserve, you aren't allowed to hop off into the water. So I find this paddle much more enjoyable in the cooler months. Also, the vibrant color of the leaves paired with the crystal blue water is quite a sight.
There is so much wildlife to see along the river, from various species of turtles to blue tilapia, anhingas and cormorants (both not fearful when I got up close), blue herons, white ibis, gators, manatees, and monkeys!
Yes, I did see about 6 gators on my paddle, but they were off to the side on the banks or on islands of floating eelgrass sleeping. I always live the motto that I am a guest visiting their home and always give appropriate space.
There is a herd of manatees that live a Silver Springs year round, but more migrate to the spring in the winter. I saw 6 on my paddle. I first saw a group of three, then two groups of two later. One looked like a mom and her calf, though it probably was a few years old.
When looking to spot manatees, you want to listen for the sound of a lengthy exhale. Imagine if you were to hear water and air coming out of a whale's blowhole. This is usually the manatee coming up for air, which they do regularly.
There is a second drop in place for watercrafts at the Silver Springs State Park River Trail Launch. This is an entrance to the river for those camping at the Silver Springs Campground and no entrance fee required. There is a half-mile jaunt from the parking lot area to the water. If you need to stop off for a break when paddling this river, you can pull your watercraft up to the boat ramp and use their porta potties.
Near this launch is where you can see the monkeys. It is literally marked on Google Maps.
The monkeys are of the Rhesus species. They were part of the park attraction in the late 1930s, but it is said a hurricane destroyed their enclosure, and they got loose.
Now, they live on this specific part of the river. If you want to see the monkeys, the best time to paddle by the area is in the afternoon. You will hear running, with sounds of broken branches, as they are used to greeting visitors. It sounded and felt like the scene when the monkeys rush at Jane in Tarzan.
While it is cool to see these creatures, keep a healthy distance from the shore. The monkeys have a very contagious strain of herpes, and a local told me they can swim. Again, my motto of giving everyone their space on the river works not only for gators.
But in a different interaction, it was funny how close the cormorant let me get him, not even phased.
There was a beautiful moment when a huge flock of white ibis soared above me while the sun cast a golden light. It felt like that moment with the swans in The Notebook.
There are mile markers on the river you can use to reference where you are and your progress.
Not far after the 3.7-mile marker, if you are coming from Silver Springs, there is a large log covered in eelgrass and other vegetation you will have to paddle over. It is a narrow slip but is very doable. I just stay on the front tip of my board so my fin doesn't get caught.
As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, the current is quite strong, and to me, seemed stronger the closer I got to the river. Also, just like I experienced on the Santa Fe River, where the river bends is where the current really shows its power.
I got on the river about 9:30 am and with little pit stops for pictures and animal interactions, made it to the Ocklawaha River by 12:30 pm. My friend and guide for Ecoventure Tours, Josh, has a great video of seeing the distinction of the clear spring waters pushing back against the brackish water of the river. When I reached it, the water was altogether pretty cloudy, and you could only faintly see the difference in color. This could be because of rainfall, time of year, or other factors.
Then began the challenge of the journey back, this time against the current. There were some tough spots, due to the strength of the current, but it felt similar enough to when I paddled against it on the Santa Fe River. I usually stay low and sitting on my board driving my paddle deep into the water.
This is probably one of the longest paddles I have done, and completing it felt so invigorating. Also, I got to see so much beautiful wildlife and take in a full day of serenity of Florida's natural beauty.
I have visited this spring multiple times, but it was so great to explore deeper into the wildness that is real Florida.
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