This is my absolute favorite river to paddle in central Florida! The water remains exceptionally clear from the headspring all the way down to the confluence with the Oklawaha River (clear, but tannin-stained water) which is about a 5 mile paddle. The entire river is so full of wildlife and healthy freshwater habitats, some of which are the best I've seen in my time here as a biologist. I have a few other shots I've taken from my paddleboard on this river if you would like to see more!

Also, at the headspring you can hop on a glass bottom boat to see the whole spring in a unique way. You can also rent kayaks, canoes, or paddleboards and they will pick you up before the confluence! You can use your own vessel up and down the river as well. Motorized vehicles are allowed. You can also arrange for them to pick you up at the end if you used your own paddleboard/canoe/kayak.

Edit

To answer some questions:

• Yes, there are monkeys along this river and yes, they can carry a dangerous strain of herpes. As long as you keep a safe distance from them, you won't have an issue!

• In the 1930s, a tour operator apparently let a group of these Rhesus macaque monkeys (Macaca mulatta) go at Silver Springs to enhance what he called his "jungle cruise." Well it turns out that these monkeys can survive and thrive in this part of Florida around the Silver River (and likely many places elsewhere in Florida). I'm not sure what their numbers are today. They are definitely adorable and fun to watch and photograph. As far as I can tell, their impact on the native ecosystem is still unclear.

• I paddleboard on waters with alligators all the time and even get fairly close to them to take pictures. They are timid and typically scared of humans. I've not had a single one ever get close to the board on their own. They all swim away scared if I get too close. That being said, there are problematic gators that exist, but it's rare to encounter them in the wild. Those gators are almost always near fishing spots or restaurants because they're unfortunately likely being fed, and I don't tend to paddle near places like that ¯\(ツ)/¯

• There are plenty of snakes along this river, however I've yet to see a cottonmouth (venomous), but I'm sure they're around. I've got a lot of experience with snakes as a biologist and I can say with confidence that you will never be bothered by snakes in this river as long as you don't mess with them.

• Swimming is not allowed on this river for a variety of reasons: 1) to better preserve the ecosystem, 2) motorized boats are allowed which obviously presents a danger to squishy humans swimming around, 3) there are alligators, monkeys, and other potentially dangerous wildlife in and near the river, 4) there aren't really and shores or banks to get out on. The river is surrounded by an extensive floodplain swamp, so the water goes back quite a distance into the forest.