Text and Photos by Henrylito D. Tacio
Florida, which spans 170,310 square kilometers, is totally flat land in the Southeastern region of the United States. It boasts a lot of fine beaches but doesn’t have a waterfall to speak of. Fortunately, it has a lot of springs scattered all over the state.
During my recent visit to Florida, where I stayed with my sister Marilou and her husband David Eplite in Sanford, I had the opportunity to go to Silver Green State Park located in the Ocala National Forest. It is operated by Adventure Ocala.
We left at around 10 in the morning and arrived at almost lunch time. It was a long trip with lots of curves before we reached our destination. But the trip was worth it since I had the pleasure of seeing the countryside.
Silver Glen Springs is described as a “first magnitude spring” that maintains a year-round temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit. One of the largest artesian springs ever discovered, it is a favorite destination during summer months; people flock to the place where the concessionaire closes the parking area when it is full.
This popular day-use recreation area is an important archaeological site. It was once a village 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. The areas are sacred sites for native Americans.
According to the person whom we talked to during our visit, the spring discharges about 65 million gallons of water per day that comes from two large vents. One vent is in a conical depression in the eastern portion of the swimming area and the other is a limestone cave opening on the southwestern flank, called the “Natural Well.”
The spring head is 200 feet in diameter and the water flows into Lake George, the second largest lake in Florida, which joins the St. John River.
“The water flowing from the spring has been one of the best ecological qualities among Florida’s 600 springs,” said the guy, whose name we failed to get. “The water coming from the vents is high quality but the quality changes as the water flows into the spring run.”
You follow a zigzag walkway when entering the spring. There are several picnic tables; ground charcoal grills are also available. You can just find a place where you are most comfortable during your stay. There are sufficient shaded areas where you could put your stuff down on the ground.
Near the swimming area, which is about 60 meters wide, is the vent but you cannot see the hole unless you’re in the water. Some areas are very deep although there is a large shallow area (knee deep on kids). Most of it is about chest deep for adults. The entry point is shallow. Not far from the swimming area are boats.
If you have snorkel with you, use it to meet fresh and saltwater fish in the area face-to-face. Among those you can see are striped bass, blue gill, and largemouth bass.
Diving or scuba diving is also not allowed. Swimming is allowed only within marked boundaries to avoid damage to sensitive underwater habitats.
Most of the spring pool area has sand and limestone on the bottom, with areas of aquatic grasses.
Kayaks and canoes are available for rent, ranging from $20 to $45. You can buy goggles and tubes at the store, where you can also pay the entrance fee of $12 per person. The parking fee on weekends and holidays is $15.
There are some rules to be followed though when you are inside the state park. For instance, you are responsible for your own safety. So, they advise you to watch for natural hazards when you are in the forest. If you hike off trails, you do so at your own risk.
Even swimming in the spring is your own free will. In fact, the management enforces a no-swimming rule. The reason: the waters of Silver Glen Spring are home to alligators. Alligators are dark colored with a broad, rounded snout and are usually found in freshwater. Crocodiles, which most Filipinos are familiar with, are grayish-green and prefer coastal, brackish and salt-water habitats.
In 2017, a 13-foot alligator was pulled from the Silver Glen Springs recreational area. Insiders say the gator had been spotted in the water for a few weeks by visitors. Two alligators were previously killed in the springs.
Despite the presence of alligators, people still come to the place. “If there is an alligator, it would be cool to see, but at the same time scary,” swimmer Josh Windover was quoted as saying by Eyewitness News.
Fortunately, there was no alligators at the time my sister and I were swimming in the area.
Bears also frequent the area. Raccoons and crows are reported to steal food and shiny objects left on picnic tables. As such, the management advises not to leave the table unattended when you go swimming.
Manatees, the official marine mammal of Florida, also call Silver Glen Springs home during the winter season. “During the cooler winter months, manatee sightings are frequent, as they take a liking to the springs’ warmer waters,” the staff said.
According to the website of the US Department of Agriculture, the spring is designated as critical habitat for the manatee, and the spring and run have the potential to serve as a major manatee refuge.
The waters are also home to large turtles.
There is a walking trail you can follow. It is a round-trip walk along the shoreline of Lake George. The hike offers views of the lake framed by live oaks overhung with Spanish moss.
The almost five kilometers interpretive trails meander through the woods and often provide a cool breeze.
Silver Glen Springs is located about 10 kilometers north of SR 40 along SR 19 along the eastern edge of the Ocala National Forest. The recreation area entrance is directly across from the Yearling Trail trailhead and lies north of the Juniper Wayside area. – ###
