It is the largest artesian spring in the world and the site of the oldest commercial tourist attraction in Florida, and was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1971.

It changed hands several times over the years, with various operators introducing boat rides and building related attractions of varying scientific and entertainment quality.

That year, the State of Florida bought the underlying land, while private businesses continued to operate the attractions and concessions.

Environmental issues such as nitrate runoff, related to development in the region, adversely affected the park's health and tourist revenues declined.

On January 23, 2013, the Florida Cabinet announced the state would take over the facility after the end of the 2013 summer season, and that the park operators would receive a $4 million buyout of their lease.

Several years after the American Civil War, the springs began to attract tourists from the North via steamboats up the Silver River.

[4] Silver Springs gained national attention through journals and guidebooks, and became a mandatory stop on the "grand tour" of Florida.

In the 1930s Colonel Tooey, a concessionaire who operated the "Jungle Cruise" boat ride, established the first troop of wild rhesus monkeys on an island in the Silver River.

Paradise Park became a popular attraction for Black American tourists, and closed in 1969 after Silver Springs became integrated.

The sale did not include independent concessions such as the Ross Allen Reptile Institute and Tommy Bartlett's Deer Ranch.

ABC wanted to control all the attractions, and in June 1963 gave Bartlett a 30-day notice to move his business or sell it to them.

Media attention was drawn, as Bartlett said his lease had been extended to January 29, 1967, before Ray and Davidson sold the park to ABC.

[19][20] In 1984, ABC sold the land occupied by Silver Springs and Wild Waters to Florida Leisure Attractions.

Visitors are taken into the forest to see wild animals, such as the rhesus monkeys, or entertainment artifacts, such as the tree house built for use in filming the 1930s Tarzan movies.

The boat tour took guests 1 mile down the Silver River to a small island where zookeepers showcased native animals.

A weekend concert series was begun,featuring the top Country and Pop musical acts of the era.

All shows were hosted and emceed by Hall of Fame deejay Freddy Carr, who became known as "The Voice Of Silver Springs".

The largest expansion in Silver Springs history, this project developed the attractions of "World of Bears", "Big Gator Lagoon", "Panther Prowl", "Kids Ahoy!

In March 2002, SmartParks failed to pay the $1.2 million annual lease payment to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

[22] The attraction was redesigned to show guests Florida history, and was named the Fort King River Cruise, opening in the summer of 2004.

To prevent storm runoff from carrying pollution into the springhead, the parking lot will be moved from the area along the waterway.

[27] The park's profit margin over ten years fell from 23.5% to a meager 5.3%, and Palace wanted out of their lease before they began losing money.

[28] During the 1997-1998 expansion of Silver Springs, "Big Gator Lagoon" and "Panther Prowl" were added to Cypress Island.

[31][32] Ross Allen Island was closed in March 2013 in preparation for the State of Florida's takeover of the park in October that year.

Located between the glass-bottom boat dock and the World of Bears area, attractions here have included the Twin Oaks Mansion, built in 1997–1998 in antebellum style; Kiddie Korral, Giraffe exhibit, and the Silver River Showcase Theater.

[33] The "Wings of the Springs" show was located in the outdoor Silver River Showcase Theater, near the Giraffe exhibit.

Opened in 1991, this boat tour started where the television series Sea Hunt was filmed and continued one mile down the Silver River.

This show featured non-venomous snakes and gave visitors a chance to interact with and learn about many such species from around the world.

On that voyage, historical scenes and exhibits from Silver Spring's past are featured, including replicas of a Seminole Indian village, 1830s Fort King Army stockade, and a pioneer "Cracker" homestead.

Silver Springs, their glass-bottom boats, and the surrounding town of Ocala are all mentioned in the song "Glass Bottom Blues" by Las Vegas singer-songwriter Russell Christian.