Hiking Silver Springs Forest Conservation Area

Location and Hiking Trail Maps with Nature Viewing Information and Photos

Silver Springs State Forest Conservation Area
Marion County
Near Ocala, Florida
Entry Fee: None
Traffic: Light
St. John’s River Water Management District (SJRWMD) Official Page

Map of red blaze trail at silver springs state forest conservation area

PDF Trail Map – Red Blaze ^
Interactive Trail Map at AllTrails (red blaze) >

Map of White Blaze Loop at Silver Springs Forest Conservation Area

PDF Trail Map – White Blaze ^
Interactive Trail Map at AllTrails (white blaze) >

Background and Purpose of the Area

I met a friendly guy from St. Johns River Water Management District at Silver Springs State Forest. He said that SJRWMD was working to slow the flow of water from Sawmill Creek into the Silver River. So the idea is to keep the river clearer while also preserving water to (potentially) pump back into a local, Marion County aquifer.

He also said this land was recently owned by Rayonier, a timber company. This would account for all the service roads, great for biking. More on that….

Biking or Hiking Silver Springs State Conservation Area

About half of the trail system is made of service roads. These are packed well and great for biking. In fact, following the White Blaze Loop, I was struck by how searing white the trail appeared in the sun. All trails are firm with no sweet sand and quite flat.

I also hiked the Red Blaze Trail Loop – over 11 miles starting at a white blaze entrance with way points marked at AllTrails.

Golden Sunrise

Entrance is easy with plenty of parking either from either County Road 315 or from 326. The White Blaze Loop offers 6 miles of great hiking or biking from either end of the conservation area.

The trails are wide, used by SJWMD vehicles, so you won’t need to swat away spider webs or worry too much about mosquitoes. The packed earth is ideal for relatively easy biking as well as hiking, and the grassy, off-loop trails are well-maintained with mowing.

Also, both the red and white systems are well marked. I hiked both and could hardly believe I was the only person there on a Sunday. If you want a great outdoor opportunity not far from town, this is ideal.

More than Service Roads

Unmarked trails are easy to access without getting lost. And you are sure to encounter an abundant variety of flora including wildflowers. Also, you may spot an abundance of animals. Springs, particularly on the red loop, attract a variety wildlife including feral hogs, deer, bear, bald eagles, and waterfowl such as ibis and egrets. Just be careful – I’ve spotted a Florida bobcat too!

Autumn livens up in yellow, orange and red thanks to copious sugar maple and deciduous vines.

And watch for the little things. Among the photos below is also an odd find, an Arrowhead Orb Spider (Verrucosa arenata) notable for the yellow arrowhead shape on its abdomen. I also had the good fortune to find a large flower rose gentium – Marsh Pink. See both in images below.

Trail Images Below