Silver River Museum & Environmental Education Center, Ocala

About Silver River Museum & Environmental Education Center

The Silver River Museum & Environmental Education Center sits within Silver Springs State Park near Ocala, Florida. Visitors explore exhibits on Native American history, including displays of ancient stone tools and a hands-on interactive exhibit featuring dugout canoes from North and South America and Florida. The museum operates on limited weekend and holiday hours; check the website for the current schedule. The pioneer "cracker" village offers free tours on select mornings each month. The museum charges admission per person, with free entry for children under six. Beyond the museum building, the state park provides trails for hiking and biking, plus opportunities to canoe and kayak on the Silver River. Special events like the Silver River Knap-In prehistoric arts festival feature demonstrations of flint knapping, pottery making, hide tanning, bow making and dugout canoe carving by artisans. Hands-on activities include archery, tomahawk throwing and spear throwing. This combination of museum exhibits, historic village tours and outdoor recreation suits families interested in Florida's indigenous heritage and natural spaces.