With an abundance of sunny days to be found in Florida, getting out to enjoy nature and take advantage of nice weather is certainly a favorite pastime. Are you looking for some new places to explore? Silver Springs State Park, a unique state park in Florida where you can rent a kayak and see the wildlife up close on Sliver River, is always worth a visit.

Silver Springs State Park is located at 1425 N.E. 58th Ave. in Ocala, FL. It is open from 8 a.m. to sundown, 365 days a year.

This unique state park in Florida which encompasses an astounding 4,000 acres is named after the Silver Spring, one of the largest artesian springs in the United States. To give you a little context, an artesian spring results from pressure underground which brings the water upwards, making it a unique waterway in the state.

Paddling, whether in a kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddle board, is very popular here.

Silver Springs State Park offers the perfect starting point for a relaxing five-mile paddle down the pristine Silver River, where the water is so clear you can see right to the bottom. It really is one of the most popular places to paddle in the state.

One of the main attractions here are the plethora of rhesus macaque monkeys living along the shore. It is so fun to watch them swinging from branch to branch in the trees!

Local legend has it that the monkeys were brought to the area in 1939 as part of the filming of the Tarzan movie. The natural elements of the spring-fed Silver River make this the perfect habitat for them (and kind of outdoor zoo experience for visitors too!)

During the heat of the day, you may get a chance to see both alligators and turtles sunning themselves along the shores of the river, perhaps on a fallen tree.

One note: Although they may look like fascinating creatures, you should never, EVER, approach an alligator! If you see them from your kayak, stay clear and instead snap a quick photo and continue to paddle on by.

If you are lucky, you might even see a manatee swim past you, visible in the slow-moving, shallow waters. Look for them to surface every few minutes to take a breath.

Manatees are very abundant here in the winter months, as their annual ritual is to gather near the warm spring that feeds into the river, the same spot where your kayak trip begins.

Many interesting birds can also be spotted along your journey, including herons, egrets, ibises, and cormorants.

A few companies offer single and tandem kayaks, or canoes, for rent on Silver River within Silver Springs State Park. One such outfit is Discovery Kayak & SUP. For more rental options and activities at this unique, out-of-the-way park, visit the Silver Springs State Park website and Facebook Page.

Have you paddled down Silver River at Silver Springs State Park? Share your thoughts and photos with us!