The Silver River flows from Silver Spring to the Oklawaha River. This ten mile round trip to Silver Spring and back starts near the confluence with the Oklawaha River. The put-in is about five miles east of Ocala, Florida, off of Hwy 40, at the Silver River State Park on the west side of the Delks Bluff Bridge (which crosses the Oklawaha River). FYI: there is a $3.00 per vehicle entry fee to the park. However, there is plenty of parking, a nice launch area and restroom facilities.

The put-in drops you onto the Silver River about an eighth of a mile west of the confluence, so you actually have the choice of paddling either river. Even if you don't plan on paddling on the Oklawaha, you should still paddle down to the confluence; it is pretty neat to see the clear water of the Silver mix with the murky water of the Oklawaha. It only adds about a quarter mile to the trip. Plus, it gives you the right to say you paddled the entire length of the Silver.

The journey starts by paddling upstream toward the spring itself. In most places the water does not flow more than about one and a half, to two, miles per hour. This is actually a good thing sense it is better to take on the more challenging leg first. Even so, there are a few things you can do to minimize the strain of paddling upstream. First, paddle to the inside of all the bends. Water flows fastest where it is deepest and the river is always deepest on the outside of the bends. Next, if you follow another paddler very closely (a few inches apart), you can actually draft off of their boat. The same way race car drivers do during a race. Lastly, do not try to accelerate up the river. Instead, relax and paddle consistently at a comfortable pace. You will get there; after all, you have all day to make the trip.

One of the first things you will notice about the river is how deep the holes are at each bend. Some appear to be over thirty feet deep. Even better is that some of the largest longnose gar I have ever seen live in these holes. Sometimes you can see them hovering just below the surface, waiting for a meal to drift down stream. It is quite impressive to cruise over a fish that is almost half the length of your boat! But, that's not all. Keep an eye out for huge largemouth bass and schools of brim. In fact, do not be surprised if schools of brim follow you up and down the river. Some tour boat captains feed the fish in an effort to give their customers a more exciting experience. As a result, the brim swim all around your boat hoping for a handout.

The majority of wildlife that lives along the river have become accustom to human presence. It is not uncommon to paddle within several feet of great blue herons, cormorants, anhingas, turtles, hawks, river otters and even alligators. Very exciting, but it brings up the issue of observing from a distance. Quite simply, keep your distance! For example, an alligator that is used to human intrusion is more likely to be aggressive than one that has not seen a human ever before. Though alligators are not known for attacking kayakers, you never know. Please use good sense when paddling in the wild, it will be more enjoyable for you and the animals.

There are animals along this river that I have not seen elsewhere, such as sandhill cranes, wild turkeys, and gallimules. But, perhaps the most interesting animal found along the banks are the rhesus monkeys. During filming of the old Tarzan movies, the monkeys were released into the trees to give the river more of an African feel. Some were never recaptured and left to prosper. As far as I know, it is the only place in Florida where there are wild monkeys roaming the forest. Have you ever watched an intelligent animal in the wild? It's quite fascinating. They look back at you with the same interested look that you have. The most joy, however, comes from watching the babies play in the trees with their siblings and peers. I could sit and watch them for hours, but there is much more to see upstream.

About a half of a mile downstream from Silver Spring, you start to see the tour boats that take people out on the river from the amusement park. Once at the spring, you will suddenly notice that you are not in the wilderness anymore. The amusement park surrounds the spring. In fact, the first time I made the trip, arriving at the spring was a bit anticlimactic. It felt like paddling up into Disney World. The next few times I paddled the river, I stopped short of the amusement park, preserving the wonderment of what I had just experienced during the trip upstream. However, regardless of the park, the wildlife still remains. In fact, the largest alligator in the entire river lives just a few hundred yards downstream from the spring.

As awesome as the Silver River is to me, I cannot help think what it must have been like for the first steamboaters that ventured upstream so many years ago. At one time, steamboats used to travel its waters carrying tourists from places such as Palatka and Jacksonville. There is a particular spot along the first half of the river where an old steamboat skeleton lies half buried in the river bank. At first glance, it appears to be old tree trunks laying in a peculiar pattern, but closer inspection reveals otherwise.

From the gently swaying eelgrass beneath your boat, to the orange bellied turtles, there is wonder everywhere you look along the Silver River. Whether you are in a kayak or canoe, this is a trip you will never forget. A mask and snorkel are a nice addition, a waterproof camera is a must, but as always, have fun and be safe. Take your time and enjoy what the Silver has to offer.

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