ray wayside park

We recently used the boat ramp at Ray wayside park to explore silver river and silver springs state park. Ray wayside has a nice boat ramp and a canoe launch as well" there are bathroom facilities and picnic pavilions available. Silver river was awesome. We had quite the wildlife experience. Seeing: alligators up close, ospreys, a bald eagle, and even two troupes of wild monkeys. Great day on the river!

This place is still about the same as it has been for years! I like it, we used to leave from here when we went on group canoe trips. Well maintained. Great place to have a family gathering.

it was nice when it was free. we would like to watch the people fish and watch the boats come and go. we would eat our lunch there.

Great playground, busy boat launch. Plenty of parking, nice picnicking pavillion as well. No swimming!

On April 19, 2013 we took a 3 hour river cruise with Captain Nick. His brochure was at the Holiday Inn Express in Silver Springs when we checked in. We cruised the Silver River right into the Silver Springs attraction where the glass bottom boats are. Along the way Nick showed us wildlife and told us the history of the river. It was so interesting and informative. We loved seeing herons, turtles, alligators, fish and other waterfowl from the comfort of his boat. We highly recommend taking a river cruise with Captain Nick.

boat dock was in good condition. Many people launch kayaks and canoes from this point which sends you down the Silver River. Nice spot to see birds, alligators and maybe even a monkey or two.

We put our kayaks in during the week and no one was there. The kayak launch ramp was poor so we used the boat ramp. The restaurant facilities only had one stall each for men and woman and it's conditions was OK.

Ray Wayside Park is located just off East Highway 40 in Marion County just outside Silver Springs. It’s easy to miss the turn-off so keep an eye out for the small sign along the highway. The $5.00 entrance fee is well worth it. Ray Wayside is well maintained with a large boat ramp for motor boats, a smaller launching area for canoe/kayak access and long seawall where anglers gather. Parking is ample and loading/unloading areas are provided. Picnic areas with grills abound with large historic oaks under which to relax with a great playground and bathrooms available close-by. The launch area leads to a narrow canal that takes you right out to the Silver River, a spectacular natural wonder. If you head left you’ll go downstream toward the Ocklawha River, if you turn right you’ll head upstream against a near 3 mph current toward the Silver River State Park and springhead. There are often downed trees so shallow-draft boats are a must. Call 352 671 8560 for more information.