Silver Lake Recreation Area
Tallahassee
Canoe, Hike, Kayak, and Swim
Silver Lake Recreation Area is a U.S. Forest Service day-use site in the Apalachicola National Forest, run by the Apalachicola Ranger District. It sits in Leon County about eight miles west of downtown Tallahassee, on the shore of a 15-acre lake in the Munson Sandhills. Those sandhills are deep, dry sands lying over limestone, and the lake, like the other ponds and sinks in this part of the forest, formed where the limestone dissolved and the ground settled. The Forest Service calls it the largest recreation area on the Apalachicola.
From Tallahassee, take State Road 20 west past its intersection with State Road 263. After about 4 miles, turn south on County Road 260 (Silver Lake Road), drive roughly another 4 miles, and turn left at the Silver Lake sign. The street address used by Visit Tallahassee is 4233 Silver Lake Rd. You pass a pay station and ranger hut at the entrance, and paved lots sit just above the picnic grounds and the beach. Paved walks lead from the parking down to the restrooms, pavilions and lakeside tables.
The designated swim area lies off a 250-foot white sand beach on the north shore. The lake is a still, sand-bottomed forest lake, and local tourism groups describe it as spring-fed and unusually clear. The Forest Service doesn't publish depths or water temperatures. OpenStreetMap marks the swim area as unsupervised, and the Forest Service page lists no lifeguards, so plan on swimming without one and keep a close eye on kids. Behind the beach are a bathhouse with showers, flush toilets, 45 picnic tables (each with its own grill), several picnic shelters and a pavilion. A site host lives at Silver Lake year-round.
Entry costs $5 per vehicle, collected by the Forest Service. It is a Recreation.gov Scan and Pay site, so you can pay with your phone through Recreation.gov at the station. Off-highway vehicles pay a separate fee. Silver Lake is open for day use only, with no camping in the recreation area. Alcohol is banned, and only non-motorized boats may go on the lake. One detail on the Forest Service page contradicts itself: the amenity list includes drinking water, while the facility notes say potable water is not available. Bring your own to be safe.
Alligators live in the lake. The Forest Service lists them among the wildlife visitors are likely to see, along with turtles, black bears, turkeys and armadillos, so stay inside the swim area and keep small dogs and children away from the far banks. The Silver Lake OHV trailhead shares the area, and ATVs and dirt bikes use the numbered forest roads nearby, so watch for them on the drive in. The site was closed for a stretch in 2020 during the pandemic. The Forest Service lists it as open. Florida Department of Health alerts for a Silver Lake in Hernando County are about a different lake.
Away from the beach, the Silver Lake Trail starts as a boardwalk from the lower picnic area and loops about a mile around the lake, with bank access for anglers on the far shore. Visit Tallahassee lists it as the 1.3-mile Silver Lake Habitat Trail, which also circles neighboring Andrews Lake. The lake holds largemouth bass, bream and catfish, and a small ramp gives canoes and kayaks a way in. Florida requires a fishing license.
More Information
5 Things to Do in Apalachicola National Forest
With almost 900 square miles of long leaf pine, cypress, swamps, rivers and lakes, the Apalachicola National Forest is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts.
https://www.visitflorida.com/travel-ideas/articles/outdoors-nature-5-things-to-do-apalachicola-national-forest/Apalachicola National Forest temporarily shuts down Silver Lake, Leon Sinks, other facilities
Friday, Apalachicola National Forest officials announced that they are temporarily shutting down some facilities to protect visitors and staff amid the coronavirus pandemic.
https://www.wtxl.com/news/local-news/apalachicola-national-forest-temporarily-shuts-down-silver-lake-leon-sinks-other-facilitiesNational Forests in Florida | Apalachicola National Forest | Forest Service
An official website of the United States government
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/florida/recreation/apalachicola-national-forest-0National Forests in Florida | Project Summary (#55667) | Forest Service
The Apalachicola National Forest proposes to reconstruct the parking area in the Silver Lake Recreational Area. Actions include repaving and expanding existing OHV parking, installing signage and fencing, and enclosing a work shed.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/florida/projects/55667National Forests in Florida | Silver Lake Recreation Area | Forest Service
Visitors most often come to the largest recreation area on the Apalachicola National Forest to swim off the 250-foot white sand beach, walk the mile-long interpretive trail or picnic at one of 45 picnic tables, each of which comes with an individual grill. This family-friendly destination just outside Tallahassee is ideal for a family day of fun in the sun!Boating--Non-motorizedNon-motorized boats float on the 15-acre lake angling for largemouth bass, brim or catfish. The landscape is a mostly longleaf pine and hardwood hammock forest.FishingFish from banks of the lake, which are accesible in many spots via the hiking trail. Nature WatchingBald eagles and songbirds are at home in this longleaf pine forest that also makes room for cypress, tupelo trees, turkey oak and palmettos. Rare species of plants and animals can be found at Silver Lake, but the observant visitor is more likely to see turtles, alligators, bears, turkeys and armadillos.Silver Lake is in the Munson Sandhills, which are composed of deep dry sands that have accumulated over limestone. Because the sand absorbs rainfall so completely, wetlands are relatively rare in this part of the forest. In places, the limestone dissolves and collapses, forming the depressions and ponds, lakes and sinkholes that are common in the area.Walk the TrailThe gentle one-mile loop Silver Lake Trail circles the lake.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/florida/recreation/silver-lake-recreation-areaNational Forests in Florida | Silver Lake Trail | Forest Service
With a gentle one-mile loop that starts as a boardwalk from the lower part of the picnic area, the Silver Lake Trail offers views of the lake from all perspectives and access for anglers to the far shore away from the swimming area.For a list of amenities and other features, visit the Silver Lake Recreation Area web page.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/florida/recreation/silver-lake-trailSilver Lake Habitat Trail | Visit Tallahassee
Located eight miles west of Tallahassee on State Highway 20, Silver Lake is the largest recreation area in the Apalachicola National Forest. Large pine and moss-draped cypress create a beautiful backdrop for a spring-fed lake. People most often visit here to picnic at one of 45 picnic tables, swim off the 250-foot white sand beach, or hike the mile-long interpretive trail. This 1.3 mile long unpaved hike makes a circuit around the twin lakes. Starting at an old-time national forest recreation area, the interpretive path borders Silver Lake, where most recreation activities are centered, and then makes its way around quiet Andrews Lake. Interpretive information enhances this family-oriented trek. Consider bringing a picnic or fishing pole, or your bathing suit on your adventure. Silver Lake is in the Munson Sandhills, which are composed of deep dry sands that have accumulated over limestone. Because the sand absorbs rainfall so completely, wetlands are relatively rare in this part of the forest. In places, the limestone dissolves and collapses, forming the depressions and ponds, lakes and sinkholes that are common in the area. Featured Uses: Walking, running, nature watching, boating, fishing, swimming and dog friendly. Access: From I-10 to Tallahassee go through the intersection of State Highways 263 and 20. Follow SR 20 west approximately 4 miles, then south onto County Road 260. Go about 4 miles and turn left at the Silver Lake sign. Amenities: Picnic tables, toilets, parking, walking trails, and accessible boat ramps.
https://visittallahassee.com/trails/silver-lake-habitat-trail/Silver Lake Recreation Area | Big Bend Scenic Byway
Silver Lake is the largest recreation area in the Apalachicola National Forest. Large pine and moss-draped cypress create a beautiful backdrop for a spring-fed lake. People most often visit here to picnic at one of 45 picnic tables, swim off the 250-foot white sand beach, or hike the mile-long interpretive trail.
https://www.floridabigbendscenicbyway.org/itineraries/byway-central-itinerary/silver-lake-recreation-areaBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read More
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Tallahassee
- Head south on S Monroe St toward Apalachee Pkwy (0.2 mi)
- Turn right onto E Gaines St (1.0 mi)
- At the traffic circle, continue straight onto W Gaines St (0.3 mi)
- Merge onto Stadium Dr (0.5 mi)
- Turn left onto W Pensacola StPass by Wendy's (on the right in 1.8 mi)(2.9 mi)
- Continue onto FL-20 W (3.7 mi)
- Turn left onto Silver Lake Rd (3.2 mi)
- Turn left onto N F R 371 (0.3 mi)
- Turn right (0.2 mi)
Silver Lake seen from the shore of the recreation area in the Apalachicola National Forest. courtesy of The Bushranger↗ (CC BY-SA 4.0↗)
A grassy stretch of shore looking out over the calm water of Silver Lake. courtesy of Unknown authorUnknown author or not provided↗ (Public domain↗)
The picnic pavilion at Silver Lake Recreation Area. courtesy of The Bushranger↗ (CC BY-SA 4.0↗)
Picnic shelters in the day-use area near the lake. courtesy of The Bushranger↗ (CC BY-SA 4.0↗)
The entrance pay station and ranger hut, where the $5 vehicle fee is paid. courtesy of The Bushranger↗ (CC BY-SA 4.0↗)
The entrance to Silver Lake Recreation Area off Silver Lake Road. courtesy of The Bushranger↗ (CC BY-SA 4.0↗)
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