BY KAREN MILLER, (published May, 2021, reprinted with permission by the Amelia Islander Magazine)

Recently my husband Troy and I decided to take a weekend trip to Ocala with our friends Jane and Doug to visit two of Florida’s most beautiful springs, Rainbow Springs and Silver Springs. Located in the heart of “Old Florida,” these springs are rich in history, and chronicle the world of tourism back in the mid-century.

There are many relics of Rainbow Springs State Park’s past as a kitschy tourist attraction, featuring man-made waterfalls, its entrance walk, dining terrace, and the remains of the aviary and animal cages from the 1960s. The attraction operated until the mid-1970s, when it was forced to close because of a steady decline in business. In 1990, the property was acquired by the State of Florida to be managed as a state park.

Rainbow Springs, located in Dunnellon, is the headwaters of the Rainbow River, and a great place to swim, snorkel, and kayak. The water is clear and cold at 72 degrees, but invigorating for sure! Troy and I did some snorkeling while Jane and Doug walked the trails leading to the various waterfalls located in the park. Underwater, we were able to see turtles, fish, and forests of aquatic grass that provide food and habitat for he many creatures that live there. The park also has a campground with full amenities, and is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail.

Our next stop was Ocala’s Silver Springs State Park, boasting one of America’s largest springs, and famous for its glass-bottom boats. Boat rides are only $12 per person, and are operated by knowledgeable and entertaining tour guides. The main spring is surrounded by serene gardens and historic structures reminiscent of the days when Silver Springs was a major destination for Northerners arriving by steamship. The park is still a favorite Florida tourist attraction, and home of the Springsfest, celebrating protection of all Florida springs and waterways.

From our boat we were able to see alligators and birds, including a rookery of anhingas, up close and personal, in addition to fish and turtles swimming beneath our boat. Silver Springs does not allow swimming, and you probably wouldn’t want to swim with alligators anyway, but they have some nice trails throughout the park which we enjoyed after our boat ride. Silver Springs also has a campground and cabins, and because it’s so popular it’s best to make reservations well in advance. In addition, there are beautiful gardens, picnic areas, and covered benches.

Just down the road from Silver Springs is the Appleton Museum of Art, which we visited on a rainy afternoon that weekend. The Appleton is home to over 18,000 pieces, along with exhibitions and programs for visitors of all ages. Definitely a must-see while you’re in the area.

Ocala is about a 2-1/2 hour drive from Fernandina Beach, and close to many other points of interest including the Florida National Scenic Trail, Salt Springs, Juniper Springs, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic Site, and the Yearling Trail. There are plenty of “Old Florida” style motels along with numerous AirBNBs for your weekend adventure.

For more information about Rainbow Springs visit https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/rainbow-springs-state-park, and for information about Silver Springs, visit https://www.floridastateparks.org/silversprings. To see what’s going on in Ocala (and there’s a lot!) visit https://www.ocalamarion.com/.

Visit Amelia Islander Magazine for more Backyard Adventures and other articles about life and events on the island.