Very exclusive, no electrical hook up so great for primitive camping. Bathrooms were great as well…read more We already booked our next trip!

Awesome spot back in the woods, right off the interstate but not easy to find. It's a super cool…read morespot right in the river, surrounded by lush greenery and white sandy banks. River junction has a day use area, as well as primitive camping, complete with fire rings, running water on site, and full bathrooms with showers. Truly a hidden gem!

I've paddled the Emerald Cut a few times now. Initially I didn't like the idea of paying to launch…read moremy own paddleboard. However, it's only $10 now that I have my own life jacket (saving me additional cost of $5 to use one of theirs, as required). Well worth the low cost for some soul-enriching, communing with nature. I have never made a reservation. I normally arrive around 10:30, most recently on a Friday. Parked for free on Baptist Camp Rd. Just a bit of a walk from there with my inflated paddleboard, but I don't mind the extra exercise. You can unload your stuff closer, if preferable. There are port-a-potties available. You can count on there being a line in the check-in office. Various recreation supplies are available there for purchase. The process moves reasonably enough. A reservation will guarantee your entrance, however, and possibly aide quicker personal info collection. I always plan to do the Emerald Cut in roughly 3 hours round-trip, allowing myself several stops to enjoy the surroundings. You do run into (quite literally at times) novice paddlers along the way, which can be a bit tricky, yet not a real nuisance for me. In general, there's friendliness along the waterway. Slighty rowdy, party vibes in some spots, but also opportunities for solace and zen in various nooks. Encountering wildlife, fragrant elderberry, and other captivating flora along this stretch is always gratifying. It's a popular recreation destination for good reason.

This is one of the most beautiful places in Florida! Highly recommend visiting at least once. Being…read morelocal, I've visited a number of times. A few things knock the stars down: - The amount of rules/ regulations is a downside. There are more than any other river we've visited in Florida. It's nerve wracking to make sure you're following every new rule. - Launching and landing at the dock is stressful. It feels rushed and disorganized. - The bathroom situation is DIRE. They have a few porta potties but they're pretty gross. - I've found some of the staff intimidating/ borderline rude. There are a lot of newbies to kayaking/ paddleboarding so patience is a virtue at busy times! It's a hard paddle up stream and coming back it can be easy to lose control around the corners. There are a few spots to be cautious of other paddlers. With that said, it's really stunning. They keep the area very clean and there are a lot of spots to pull off to the side to enjoy the view. I've never done a guided tour, but I've heard they're really well done!

Silver Lake Campground is located within the Croom Tract of Withlacoochee State Forest (Hernando…read moreCounty), and a short 5-mile drive from I-75. This park requires an admission fee or annual pass. The shore of Silver Lake is part of the Withlacoochee River system. The three campground areas are adjacent to the Silver Lake Day-Use Area which has a picnic shelter and a boat ramp. Recreational activities nearby include: boating / paddling / watersports, wildlife viewing, bicycling, hiking, and fishing. Facilities include many miles of trails for hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, and paddling. Seasonal hunting is available in most of the forest, and fish are plentiful in the many lakes and flowing waterways. Full-facility, primitive, and group camping are available at numerous locations. Many day-use facilities are available on Withlacoochee State Forest for picnicking and wildlife viewing. Due to the location of this campground near I-75, road noise may be heard at times. The campgrounds have a bathhouse and a dump station. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring with grate and/or a grill. There are 23 sites (#1-23) at Silver Lake Campground with water and electric with 30 and 50 amp hookup. Maximum of 1 RV and 1 tent or 2 tents per site. Campsites 19, 20 & 21 have enhanced accessibility. The Day Use Area has a pavilion which is available to rent for events. Access to boat ramp and hiking trails including the Withlacoochee State Trail. Day use areas are open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Facilities include fishing, boating/canoeing/kayaking, Leashed Pets are allowed. Only licensed, street legal vehicles are permitted in the complex. The use of horses, go-karts, golf carts, ATV's or dirt bikes is prohibited. Services & Amenities within the park: Bathhouse Bird Watching Boat Ramp Boating Canoeing Campground Host Camping Dump Station Fire Rings Fishing Geo Caching Grills Hiking Hiking Trails Jet skiing Kiosk Nature Study Parking Picnic area Restrooms Sightseeing Stargazing Swimming/Park/Lake Walking Trails, Easy Water for Drinking Water Skiing Wild Life Viewing Less Than 1000 Feet there is a River/Stream and swimming in the river is allowed. Amenities less than a mile away: Fishing River/Stream Horseback Riding Hunting Jogging/Running Picnic Pavilion Trails Bicycle/Mountain Biking Trails Equestrian The information center has QR codes for park maps, trail details and general park/campground information. Paper brochures are also available. A Florida State Parks Annual Pass costs $60 for an Individual Pass (unlimited entry for one person) or $120 for a Family Pass (up to eight people), valid for one year from purchase; additional people with an individual pass pay $2 each, but these passes don't cover camping or special activities like boat tours, and there are separate options for Sportsman Licenses or Foundation Memberships. The Unlimited pass includes entry into most of Florida's state parks for the pass holder(s). The annual pass does not cover: Camping, boat tours, tubing, garden admissions, or other special-use fees. Purchase online through the Florida State Parks website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/florida-state-parks-annual-pass or in person at any state park with a ranger station.

Wait until they are done remodeling and reserve seats on longer tour nothing was open when I went…read morelonger tour booked up for a month

The owner and staff were very friendly, accommodating, and even cut us up fresh wood in the morning…read morefor the open pit fire. The cabin had everything in it and was very comfortable. we packed a cooler with the basic essentials and just moved everything into the refrigerator. The only thing we wish we had brought were some spices, but they can be purchased in a local store. The area is suitable for nice evening and morning walks, and you will especially love falling asleep and waking up to all the little critter sounds. I would highly recommend you bring marinated meats for the barbecue and whatever other food you want to cook there because there are very few good restaurants in the area. The screened porch was especially nice during the buggy times of the day, and we were also able to open the windows which had screens. If you have a freshwater boat, it is the perfect place to explore the surrounding areas. This is a place to go to relax, enjoy nature, and prepare the best barbecue you've ever had. We are definitely going back!

From the owner: cabin rental bait storeread more

This was my very first gator encounter and my first time on an airboat, and honestly, it blew every…read moreexpectation out of the water. From the moment we arrived, the place had this incredible energy -- the kind of spot that instantly makes you think, I'd camp here in a heartbeat. The grounds were beautiful, the amenities looked top‑notch, and the whole atmosphere felt like a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. And the staff? Absolutely phenomenal. Genuine, warm, and the kind of people who clearly love what they do. I hesitated to wander into the camper store since we weren't staying overnight, but now I wish I had -- the whole place had that welcoming, "come on in" vibe. I wasn't sure if the campground and airboat tours were run separately, but everyone we met felt like part of one big, enthusiastic team. Before the tour, the staff came out and gave us a fascinating crash course on gators -- and then we got to hold Luke the gator. Let me tell you, once you hold Luke, something changes. You walk away feeling like you've bonded with a gator. I'm not kidding -- I still catch myself wondering how Luke is doing. Then came the airboat ride. We loaded up, the engine kicked in, and suddenly we were flying across the lake. Our tour guide Kyle was outstanding -- knowledgeable, funny, confident, and able to answer every question thrown his way. For my first airboat experience, I was genuinely impressed by how smooth and skilled he was behind the controls. We spotted plenty of baby gators and even a mama gator. Sure, I would've loved to see a few more, but for the price, the thrill, and the overall experience, it was absolutely worth it. We were on the 12:45 tour, so the time of day may have played a role -- but honestly, I left feeling thrilled. If I could change one thing, it would be knowing ahead of time that tips for the guides are cash‑only. We weren't carrying American cash, and Kyle definitely earned a tip. Adding that note to the FAQ or confirmation messages would be super helpful for future guests. All in all, this was an unforgettable experience -- exciting, educational, and genuinely fun from start to finish. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for something unique, thrilling, and full of heart.

Oh my gosh, this was the best experience we had on our vacation to the Tampa Bay Florida area. Our…read moreguide was knowledgeable funny and engaging. We saw so many alligators, including many many babies. The birds were incredible as well. I would highly recommend swamp fever airboat adventures

Went here on a Friday night with a bunch of neighbors for their special and also had a $5 off of…read moretwo dinners. Their large sampler platter came with grilled and fried fish along with fried shrimp French fries and coke slaw. You have to order at the cashier and pick up drinks there and food is delivered to your table. With 16 people, the delivery of all plates was pretty good and most people enjoyed the food. Ambiance is lacking but we enjoyed the experience

Called over here several times on many different days. As a resort, you would think someone would…read moreanswer the phone. No one ever answers the phone. I was wanting info on staying here for a long weekend. I called over and over. Finally I drove there, was told the owners is not around, and to keep calling, or try back another time. Really, this is how you run a resort etc. No thanks, if there was an emergency...no one would get to you there.