Ray Wayside Park

The park and boat ramp is located at the base of the Bert Dosh Bridge on SR40. It is a pick-up point for paddlers arriving downstream from Silver Springs State Park and a good launch point for boaters wanting to visit Silver Springs by boat or explore the Ocklawaha Aquatic Preserve, a wild and beautiful section of the Ocklawaha.

Location

9564 NE 28th Lane, Silver Springs, FL 34488 (East Highway 40)

Hours: 8 am to sundown

Schedule: 365 days a year

Amenities: Two boat ramps and chute for kayak/paddle launch, dock has lower step section for getting in and out of kayaks/canoes, restrooms, bank fishing (but not from dock), volleyball area, playground, picnic table and grills, large covered pavilion with tables. Reservations required for covered pavilion.

Cost: $5 per vehicle, annual passes available

Contact: (352) 236-2409

Closest Food & Provisions: Sweet Jane’s Country Store (home of the whoopie pie), Jan’s Riverside Café. Many other restaurants and grocery stories located on east SR40 past Silver Spring.

Conservation Significance

  • Gateway by boat to the Ocklawaha River Aquatic Preserve
  • Gator, birds, turtles, deer and sometimes non-native Rhesus monkeys can be seen along the canal and nearby Silver (to the right at end of canal) and Ocklawaha (to the left at end of the canal) Rivers.
  • Pick-up point for kayakers paddling downstream from Silver River State Park.

Historic Significance

  • At the base of the Bert Dosh Bridge, one of several extremely high bridges designed for barges to pass under as part of the now defunct Cross Florida Barge Canal. It replaced the old Delk’s Bluff Bridge, a swivel bridge with a bridge keeper.
  • The area by the bridge was known as Delk’s Bluff, a steamboat landing.
  • A short distance from the site of the Grahamville Ferry, one of the many manually operated ferries that could carry one horse and buggy or a single car. The ferry was removed when SR40 was built in the 1920s.
  • Park, constructed in 1952, was named after Water Ray, June 29, 1863 – June 24, 1938, Pioneer Citizen of the United States
  • The Ocala Boat Club established 50 years ago is located here.

Stops Along the Way

  • Silver Springs Forest East Trailhead, 2.2 miles on the left from SR40.

River sites from Ray’s Wayside to Gores Landing

  • Colby Landing
  • Grahamville Landing
  • Connor Landing
  • Butterbutt Landing
  • Caldwell Landing
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