Silver Springs State Park River Trail Launch — Attraction in Ocala

I love paddling on Silver Springs; however, whoever runs the launch needs to really seek cadjuster and customer feedback and make some changes.

I have been paddling at SSSP for several years. I am a single paddler who has some physical limitations. In the past, I could easily navigate launch/return via Wayside with Paddling Adventures.

Yesterday, both launch and return were a HORRIBLE experience. To make it worse, it was PACKED; which, magnified the areas of opportunity to improve.

There's a small, single hut for check in and it has been outgrown. Move it! The only people in that area should be the people lining up to launch.

Beware if you're a BYOB! The launch is not friendly. Take TWO SETS OF KEYS and leave one set in your pocket!! Make sure the other set is a dummy set and plan to just leave them there. Keep reading to understand!

As a single, I was told to leave my boat alone in the "yard" and get in a ridiculously long check in line. Then, I was asked to leave my keys at check in. My issue, when I dropped my boat in the "yard", I had a concern for theft. Again, there was a massive herd of people. I needed to get back in my car to retrieve my paddle, vest and sunscreen. As a result, I had to get back in line AGAIN just to check in my keys. I waited in line TWICE for over an hour total just to launch. As a BYOB, I'm not even sure why they wanted my keys. Guess what, when you get back....you wait in another long line again to pick up your keys. That's why I recommend keys you can leave behind! While in line for this 3rd time, the trash can shares the same space. It smelled and there were flies and bugs everywhere.

After retrieving my items from my car, I had to choose between floating with my kayak cart or dragging my kayak through a ridiculously zig zag, rope line over roots. I drug my boat. See pics!

There's ABSOLUTELY, no help at launch or take out. No one to even ask for it. Take out is up a very rough, unbalanced, slippery and wet incline. Not easily navigated by foot much less when dragging or carrying a boat. Once to the top, Paddling Adventures then asked me to drag my boat from there to their vans! Thankfully, another paddler helped me or I would likely still be there. See pics.

As a single kayaker with physical challenges, I probably won't ever return to this park due to the way it's managed and...

Easy loop to unload, stage and launch your boats with adequate signage and portable potties including ADA in front of the ticket booth. Biggest issues are disoriented visitors who don't read signs nor follow directions driving in foot traffic, or walking in vehicular traffic, wherever, clogging traffic and stopping the flow. Silver Springs park does a great job herding first timers along, uses volunteers for helpful information and tips. But be aware of standing in lines that go nowhere because...

Wonderful Florida state park...one of our all time favorites. Well marked trails lead you though swamps, hardwood and softwood forests along the Silver River. Great opportunity to see white tail deer, gopher tortoises, various birds and even armadillos. The park has a launch ramps for kayaks too. The Silver River has many turtles, fish and alligators...fun to watch at a safe distance. Multiple visits are highly recommended. Much more information on the Silver Springs State...