Well, at least this off-the-beaten-path side trip is new to me. After cruising the St. Johns for 30+ years, the note below from Captains Jim and Vaughn, is the first I’ve heard of Salt Springs. But, sure enough, I checked the charts, and there it was, just as Jim and Vaughn point out below, in the northwestern corner of Lake George.
A study of the charts reveals that this is certainly an anchor off – dinghy in sort of cruising attraction, and it would be a very good thing indeed to have a well functioning chartplotter aboard, so as to avoid the shelf of 1-foot shoals extending out from the creek’s mouth.
Otherwise, this sounds like a really neat place to explore (again, by dinghy), and the SSECN would WELCOME accounts from other cruisers who have visited this stream. Please follow the “Click Here to Contribute Cruising News” link on the upper right of this, and all (except Chart View) SSECN pages, and share your experience!

But, there is another Spring to the North that can be a lot of fun. It’s a nicer facility and spring in our opinion. It’s Salt Springs in the northwest corner of the lake. We anchored out and took two dingies up there last year. There are some no wake zones so we just rafted up and enjoyed the ride along the river. Great day trip! Take your mask and snorkel to this spring. You can dive down into the spring openings, probably 10-12 feet. A longer ride up the river but it’s worth the trip just to see it. Same swimmable temperatures year round….and crystal clear.
Jim & Vaughn Quince

Saw the post about Silver Glen Springs and wondered why Salt Springs wasn’t mentioned. Then, just read the Salt Springs info. I visited there last April and indeed, it is pretty. Captains Quince are correct about the one foot depth at the opening of the `run’. Went agorund in my dinghy, but just jumped over and walked til deeper water. It’s a beautiful ride of about 2 or ? miles up the run and to the pool. There I thru out the anchor in about 2 ft. of water and walked/ swam into the main pool. Plan on returning sometime this April.
`Southern Latitudes’
42′ performance trawler

Saw the post about Silver Glen Springs and wondered why Salt Springs wasn’t mentioned. Then, just read the Salt Springs info. I visited there last April and indeed, it is pretty. Captains Quince are correct about the one foot depth at the opening of the `run’. Went agorund in my dinghy, but just jumped over and walked til deeper water. It’s a beautiful ride of about 2 or ? miles up the run and to the pool. There I thru out the anchor in about 2 ft. of water and walked/ swam into the main pool. Plan on returning sometime this April.
`Southern Latitudes’
42′ performance trawler

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Lake George and Salt Springs Creek

I could not possibly agree more with the sentiments presented below by Captains Bill and Kathleen Root. If you have not cruised the upper St. Johns River from Palatka to the city of Sanford on Lake Monroe, you have, quite simply missed some of the best and most unique cruising in the Sunshine State.
There are myriad opportunities to spend an evening on the hook, about as far removed from civilization as you are likely to get this day and time. The “Seven Sisters” come to mind, as does “Bucher’s Bend.” There are even some superb dining opportunities, and an adequate number of friendly marinas.
The only caveat, as noted below, is that you want to be SURE your diesel tanks are topped off before cruising south from Jacksonville. Diesel fuel can be tough to come by on the upper St. Johns!
We would very much like to hear from more of you who have explored the St. Johns between Palatka and Sanford. Please follow the “Click Here to Submit Cruising News” link on the above, right side of this page, and share your experiences with the rest of the cruising community!

You definitely do not want to miss the lower St. Johns River from Palatka to Sanford. It’s the best part of the river, much nore interesting than the Dismal Swamp. Just be sure you fuel up with Diesel in Jacksonville because diesel can be hard to find farther south. Some marinas that advertise it may not have it when you want it.
Sanford is our home port. There are several marinas in Sanford that will accomodate transients. Each has it’s advantages and disadvantages, and Acosta Creek marina just north of Lake George is run by very friendly and accommodating folks. We stop there every time we go north. Cafe Blue is an extraordinary restaurant located a short cab ride from Acosta Creek that really shouldn’t be missed.
Regarding Silver Glen Springs, I agree that no boat over 25 feet should attempt to enter it. However, there is great anchoring just off the mouth of the river running into the springs, so drop the hook and dinghy in. A little farther south you can anchor across from Blue Springs and dinghy into the park. There are plenty of fine anchorages all along the St. Johns for boats under 40 feet in length and 4 foot draft, and several that will accommodate boats up to 55 feet.
Bill & Kathleen Root
MV BUFFALO GAL
54′ Hatteras MY

Lisa and I did the ST Johns a couple years ago, spent almost a month exploring. The water was a little higher then and we were able to get into Silver Glen Springs with our (at that time) 4 1/2′ draft but it was touch and go even then. If you’re thinking of cruising the St Johns and want to view photo’s you can check out the following posts on our blog.
http://www.favorsgreatloopblog.com/category/our-new-loop-adventure/5-great-loop-st-johns-river-fl/#.URELH6XrbzI
Jim Favors
Kismet
Ranger Tug R27

Click Here To View the Eastern Florida Cruisers’ Net Marina Directory Listing For Acosta Creek Harbor

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Acosta Creek Harbor

Silver Glen Spring Run is a narrow stream that pierces the western banks of Lake George (between Palatka and Astor on the St. Johns River), west of marker #9. These waters rise from natural springs, and are usually crystal clear. This makes the “basin” (mentioned below) a very popular stop for houseboats and pontoon boats. Years ago, a buddy and I spent a very happy afternoon snorkeling these beautiful waters.
HOWEVER, depths here have always been SKIMPY, to say the least! And now we hear below from Captain Betsy Johnson, that the “outgoing” channel is so shallow their 3-foot draft catamaran ran hard aground, and they had to be towed! There was only one channel when last I visited, but clearly that has changed.
So, at least for the time being, the best plan to visit Green Cove Springs is to anchor in Lake George, east of Silver Glen Spring’s mouth, and dinghy into the stream.
Has anyone else tried to visit here lately. If so, we would like to hear about your experience. Please follow the “Click Here to Contribute Cruising News” link to the above right, and share your information!

Over the years, many Loopers have suggested a trip into Silver Glen Springs, off the St. Johns River. That was one of the main reasons we are taking this side trip on the St. Johns River. Once we worked our way in there this week we ended up waiting for TowBoat US for several hours when we ran aground and couldn’t work our way off. We are a power catamaran and draw less than 3 feet. Apparently the water is very low now. Following the channel in was no problem and depths were showing 7 feet or more. But once we got into the “pool” there were many locals already there, on a weekday. We decided we did not want to stay so tried to continue in the markers for the channel heading back out. (They have it marked for an incoming and outgoing channel, as they are so narrow boats can’t pass). OOPS! Once we hit bottom (hard packed sand) we could not get off, and we were right between two markers….could reach out and touch them they were so close.
Our recommendation would be to not go into this spot that has been so
popular in the past. Lesson learned was to be sure to have your tow company (TowBoat US for us this time) paid up. The fact that there was a large TowBoat US banner on one of the abandoned boats in the pool should have
told us something!
We recommend that all Loopers have both TowBoat US and SeaTow (we do), because you never know when you might need them and having both covers you in all areas of the Loop.
A final note: if you do choose to go into Silver Glen Springs, be sure to clean your strainers the minute you are out, or even before. The undergrowth is pervasive!
Betsy Johnson
Rick ‘n Roll
currently lying Hontoon Landing State Park on the St. John’s River

Cruising News:
The markers in the glen are not navigation markers, [even though] they look like nav markers. They are for traffic control. During the summer weekends there may be as many as 2,000 boats day tripping and the LEO need these to patrol and prevent anchoring in the “channel”. There is plenty of depth 6+ on the southside. If you can cross the shallow entrance there is plenty of water in the spring run. 25+ boating into the “Glenn”
Harry Gillean

We did Silver Glen Springs in 2010 but anchored out in Lake George, about 1/2 mile from the spring entrance, and took the dingy into the spring. It is well worth seeing the crystal clear water, Alligators lounging and other
wildlife.
Ray & Linda
SUMMERTIME

We anchored way out from Silver Glen Springs and took the dinghy into the springs. We found the way in to be far too shallow for our 5 ft draft. We enjoyed the springs and found it well worth the effort. A local volunteered to take the women aboard our dinghy back to our boat as he thought the Lake George waters were rough and we would all be wet. We appreciated his concern and enjoyed meeting another boater.
Great side trip!!!
Joy Poole

While it is a beautiful side trip, avoid the “weekend warriors” at all cost. Expect heavy traffic from Sanford to the springs! Several hundred boats packed in with FWC and three county Marine Patrol Units keeping them sorted out isn’t worth it. BTW- it’s designated as a “NO Alcohol Area” once you enter the channel and you’re not allowed to go ashore to the park. Monday ~ Thursday is the most enjoyable.
Frank M Howell

We so enjoyed our sojourn on the St. Johns. We actually turned back to visit Silver Glen Springs along with our friends Beth and Dean on Kismet. We too were worried about the clearance and chose to anchor out in the lake and dinghy in. We almost ran aground in the dinghy but when we reached the springs area there was a huge cruiser anchored in there. We could not figure how it got in but there it was. Apparently the locals knew something we did not.
Swimming in those springs was a real highlight of our Loop. There were large silver fish down in the spring and when the sun hit just right you could see how the springs got their name. We had hiked up to the ranger station to pay an admission fee and were told as long as we came by boat and stayed around the edge of the spring there was no fee.
If I had to do the Loop all over, and we may, I would take the time to swim in every spring.
Rusty and Jan Carlisle

I cruised to Silver Glen Springs twice during the week days during winter/2012, drawing 3 feet in my 24 cabin cruiser with an I/O. I had no problem navigating the water depths, however there is a lot of kelp-like underwater growth near the entrance of the spring, reaching to the surface, probably due to the effects of the warm water. Near the beginning of the stream’s entrance on the left, there is a large, private fishing club. There were three boats present both times near the terminus of the waterway in about six feet of water; two were pontoon houseboat rentals, and the third was a 34’ Mainship with it’s bow on the beach sand. It was unoccupied (possibly except for weekends.) The first trip I launched at Ed Stone Park at Deland, FL(overnight excursions are permitted, but it’s a somewhat long trip through what is similar to the scenic Great Dismal Swamp.) On my second trip, the park ranger suggested a private launch site only a few miles north of the national forest at Moodys rivate ramp ($10 per day, private ramp.) The ranger said the FWC and the local police were `actively enforcing’ alcohol/drugs and absence of clothing issues by those rafting up on the weekends and acting `wild’ which disturbed the national park visitors family atmosphere. The park even has an ice cooler inspection for their guests. I encountered no inspection issues during my mid-week stayovers of two and three days. The park is has a bouyed line of floats separating it from the area accessible to boaters. The National Forest website for this part is
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ocala/recarea/?recid=37199
Gary Koerner

Regarding Silver Glen Springs, I agree that no boat over 25 feet should attempt to enter it. However, there is great anchoring just off the mouth of the river running into the springs, so drop the hook and dinghy in.
Bill & Kathleen Root
MV BUFFALO GAL

Lisa and I did the ST Johns a couple years ago, spent almost a month exploring. The water was a little higher then and we were able to get into Silver Glen Springs with our (at that time) 4 1/2′ draft but it was touch and go even then. If you’re thinking of cruising the St Johns and want to view photo’s you can check out the following posts on our blog.
http://www.favorsgreatloopblog.com/category/our-new-loop-adventure/5-great-loop-st-johns-river-fl/#.URELH6XrbzI
Jim Favors
Kismet
Ranger Tug R27

Silver Glen Springs is one that shallower draft boats may be able to get in to depending on Lake water levels. Local knowledge will help a lot. We anchored out and took out dink in there. There are some pretty large boats in the shallows there and lots of bottom scars near the entrance to prove it. Probably busiest on weekends. It’s our understanding that you can visit the springs without charge as long as you don’t touch land. You can get a short term pass for using the bathroom. No alcohol and don’t dare tie to the trees! We talked with a NF ranger about this place and the rules.
Jim & Vaughn Quince

Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of Silver Glen Spring Run