The Silver River has a rich and colorful history from Paleo-Indians 12,000 years ago, to European contact 500 years ago, to the early 1800's when it first became a tourist attraction and shipping center.

History as a Florida State Park is not quite as extensive! The land was purchased by the State of Florida in 1985 and management went to Dept of Recreation and Parks in 1987. Also in 1987, through the wide spread help of grantors and community supporters, the Marion County School District opened the Silver River Museum and Environmental Education Center on park property. Marion County school children in grades four and seven are required to participate in an environmental education program at the Center.

Silver River State Park opened to the public in 1987, but there was nothing here other than the Education Center. When Park Manager Robert LaMont arrived in 1996 he had one Park Ranger and one OPS employee. There were no roads, ranger station or camping - the "park" was almost 5,000 acres of just plain land, albeit beautiful Central Florida ecology.

The main park entryway off State Road 35 (Baseline) was completed in 1999 and that was the beginning of several years of growing!The Ranger Station and campground were completed in 2000 and work was begun on the first 6 cabins, which opened in 2001. By this time, the Park staff had grown to a Park Manager, Assistant Park Manager, 5 rangers, 1 Admin. Assist, and several OPS employees.

The last four cabins were completed in 2002 while work was begun on the picnic area and playground. In 2003 the picnic area was completed and the canoe/kayak launch was opened in 2004. The years 2005 and 2006 were a big sigh of relief as we "relaxed" in our construction efforts and watched our visitation numbers skyrocket.

Currently we are in the process of getting a Visitor Service Provider in the park to provide a shuttle service to the canoe/kayak launch and rentals. We are also in the planning stage for equine trails on the north side of the park. From 1985 to today, even with all the recreational development, our prime concern has been to use the land gently and responsibly to insure the resource is here for the enjoyment of generations to come.