Silver River Camping and Kayaking

We took our second “dry run” camping trip with the trailer to Silver Springs State Park – a chance to test systems, settle into a rhythm, and see what worked. I brought the kayak. The dogs came too, of course.

The campground has a kayak launch, but it some with a catch: a half-mile walk to reach it. Before committing to hauling the kayak, we decided to scout it out the first evening.

That turned into an adventure all its own.

The dogs immediately took off down the trail like they had somewhere important to be. Despite the heat, they never slowed—trotting with purpose while I half-walked, half-jogged to keep up. Regis has long legs and I had the feeling I was the least prepared member of the group.

By the time we reached the launch, the dogs were thrilled, we were sweaty, and I had my answer: yes, the haul would be worth it.

That evening, we settled into the quiet of the campsite. Birdsong carried through the trees as the light softened. I laid out a mat for the dogs, envisioning a cozy setup. They ignored it completely and stretched out on the rocks instead—perfectly content, as always, doing things their way.

Early the next morning, I committed.

I strapped wheels onto the kayak and made the half-mile trek back to the launch, this time with purpose. The effort faded the moment I pushed off into the water.

The river was calm, the kind of calm that invites you to slow down whether you intend to or not. I drifted nearly three miles downstream toward Wayside Park, carried more by the current than by any urgency to paddle.

Wildlife appeared quietly, as it does when you’re willing to move at the river’s pace. Limpkin calls echoed from the shoreline—distinctive, almost haunting—and Wood Duck pairs slipped through the shadows along the banks. Moments like that are why I bring the camera… and why I keep coming back.

At the end of the paddle, Regis was waiting at Wayside Park, completing what felt less like a “dry run” and more like a reminder of why we do this at all.

Below is a video from that morning—one of those quiet, memorable stretches on the water, with a few of the wild residents who made it special.

At the home front, we have been seeing manatees frolicking and resting in the marina where Regis keeps his boat.