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Spring Boils Trail
From the depths of the Floridan Aquifer, water bubbles up through sand to form tiny tributaries and large spring runs. Here at Silver Glen Springs, the Spring Boils Trail is a short, gentle walk back to a cove of tiny bubbling springs at the base of a hill, creating a waterway flowing into Silver Glen Run.
Information on Silver Glen Recreation Area
Both a popular day-use recreation area and an important archaeological site, Silver Glen Springs showcases the delicate balance between enjoying the outdoors and preserving precious resources. With constant 73°F crystal-clear water, Silver Glen Springs is a popular swimming hole. Bring your snorkel and meet the fish face to face!
Silver Glen Springs was once a village site, and is now home to enormous middens - ancient "trash" heaps full of fossilized snail shells and ancient items of everyday lives - beneath a canopy of live oaks. A walk around the interpretive trails brings this past to life. The 3-mile round-trip Lake George Trail meanders through the woods and often provides a cool breeze. A visit to Jody's Spring beneath a canopy of palms along the Spring Boils Trail is another enjoyable walk and only 0.75-mile round-trip.
Please note: This recreation area is especially busy on summer weekends. The concessionaire closes the parking area when it is full.
This site is operated by Adventure Ocala.
General Information
General Notes:Amenities
- Interpretive site
- Picnic tables
- Toilets
Background
- Silver Glen Springs is a first magnitude spring that maintains a year round water temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit. The spring discharges about 65 million gallons of water per day that comes from two large vents. The spring and run encompass about 22 acres of water. The springhead is 200 feet in diamter and the spring run flows 3,300 feet into Lake George, the second largest lake in Florida.
- The water flowing from the spring has been one of the best in ecological quality from among Florida’s 600 springs. The water coming from the vents is high quality but the quality changes as the water flows into the spring run. Already designated as critical habitat for the manatee, the spring and run have the potential to serve as a major manatee refuge. However, manatee use has been limited due to a high degree of human activity and damage to aquatic vegetation.
Wildlife
- Bears frequent this area, and raccoons and crows are known to steal food and shiny objects left on picnic tables. Don't leave your table unattended when you go swimming or for a hike!