Paddling

The Silver River flows five miles from the head spring to its confluence with the Ocklawaha River, completely within the confines and protection of Silver Springs State Park. The river offers a wide, wild and scenic paddle through Florida’s heartland. Explore the Silver River!

CHOOSE YOUR WATERSPORT

Paddle one of our rental canoes, kayaks or stand-up paddleboards five miles downstream on the pristine and unspoiled Silver River, from the head spring to Ray Wayside Park. We’ll provide your transport back upstream. Or choose from shorter, one and two hour, out-and-back excursions.

KAYAKS

For an unforgettable adventure, rent one of our kayaks. We offer single and tandem kayaks, in both sit-in and sit-on styles, so you can fly solo or share the experience.

All of our kayaks come equipped with back supporting seats to ensure your comfort.

canoeS

Go old school! Canoes are a great choice for a leisurely and family-friendly float down the river. Because you’re seated above the water, you have an excellent vantage point for spotting wildlife both below and above the waterline. And the stability of a canoe makes it the ideal watercraft for photography.

Our canoes can seat up to three people.

stand-up paddleboards

Experienced or first timer, all are welcome to enjoy this hot, new watersport on the Silver River. Come appreciate wildlife and the outdoors as you improve your balance, stamina and strength.

PADDLING Options

Hourly Paddle:

Explore beautiful Silver Springs for an hour or two or more. Select the tree-shaded, circular Fort King Waterway route or a straight, out-and-back paddle the head spring. The route and pace is yours to choose!

SILVER RIVER Paddle TO RAY WAYSIDE:

Journey five miles from Silver River headwaters to Ray Wayside Park on S.R. 40 with return van transportation provided. Allow 3 to 4 hours to complete this paddling excursion (max 5 hr rental). Return van transport is available for purchase for those with their own boats as well. Please see online reservation calendar for latest arrival time for this paddle.

Please Note:

Rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis. For individual or small group rentals of 9 or fewer boats, reservations are not required, but are strongly encouraged. Larger groups must reserve in advance to ensure vessel availability. All rentals include paddles and life jackets. Prices do not include sales tax.

MAXIMUM WEIGHT PER VESSEL:

Single Sit-in 300 lb
Single sit-on 300 lb
Tandem Sit-in 507 lb
Tandem Sit-on 575 lb
Clear Bottom Tandem 450 lb
Canoe 750 lb
Crystal Clear Tandem 400 lb

We do not allow pets onboard rental watercraft. Service animals are permitted.

Private Vessels: If you’re bringing your own vessel (kayak, canoe, stand-up paddleboard), there is a $4 launch fee per vessel, plus park admission of $2 per person. Transport services from Ray Wayside Park are additional.

Important Shuttle Info: If the law requires your child to be in a safety car seat, you must provide the seat for us to transport to Ray Wayside so it will be waiting for you at the end of your trip.

Save time: Fill out the Pre-Arrival online Waiver before you arrive. It will be automatically emailed and/or texted to you after you make a reservation.

In order to participate in this activity, one must have the ability to enter and exit the watercraft independently or with the assistance of a companion, remain seated and balanced using adaptive support if needed, and paddle through the water in a stable and controlled manner independently or with the assistance of a companion. In the event of a capsize, one must have the ability to get out from under the watercraft independently and right oneself and remain face-up in the water with the aid of a personal flotation device. Must have the ability to follow verbal and/or visual instructions independently or with the assistance of a companion. Must have the ability to withstand exposure to the outdoors for as long as one chooses to attend. Must have the ability to traverse uneven and unstable terrain for up to 1,000 feet independently or with the assistance of a companion.