Citrus: Headwaters, Marshes and Nature Trails

The St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve encompasses wetlands, coastal marshes and tidal creeks. Its plant life includes five seagrass species: Shoal Grass, Manatee Grass, Turtle Grass, Widgeon Grass and Star Grass. As low-impact recreational activities, the Preserve promotes stand-up paddleboarding, sailing, kayaking and canoeing, as well as swimming and snorkeling. Crystal River is also one of the rivers and paddling waters of Citrus County.

Water Landscapes and Manatees

At Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, protecting West Indian manatees is a primary mission; visitors can observe wildlife there. Large parts of the refuge are accessible only by water. If you plan to visit these areas, check access conditions before your trip, as they may change. Three Sisters Springs drains into Kings Bay via a spring run more than 3,200 feet long. Three Sisters Springs also includes more than two miles of trails across 57 acres. This offers two distinct ways to experience the site: a specifically described waterway and a defined trail distance.

Trails Through Different Habitats

The Withlacoochee State Trail is 47 miles long and is a paved rail-trail. It is suitable for cycling, running, walking and skating. Crystal River Preserve State Park offers a different landscape: it covers more than 27,500 acres of scrubland, pine forests, hardwood forests, salt marshes and mangrove islands. A seven-mile trail in the park runs through pine flatwoods, basin and tidal marshes, wet hardwood forests and swamp areas. Hiking, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and birdwatching are available in the park year-round. The trail descriptions offer different scales: a 47-mile paved rail-trail or a seven-mile route through several habitats.

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park has a 1.1-mile paved trail and an elevated boardwalk around Homosassa Spring. The Underwater Observatory lets visitors observe fish and manatees beneath the spring’s surface. The park also offers hiking, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and birdwatching year-round. Visitors looking for both a trail and an underwater perspective can find both as part of the visitor experience here.

Culture and History

The museum at Crystal River Archaeological State Park displays artifacts from the archaeological site and offers insights into the way of life of ancient coastal residents. Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its remains include a steam-powered mill that processed sugarcane into syrup, molasses and rum.

The Seminole Heritage Trail at Fort Cooper State Park is a 1.5-mile loop. Four interpretive panels explain the history of the Seminoles and the challenges they faced. The same park has nearly five miles of self-guided trails for bird and wildlife viewing; Lake Holathlikaha is used for fishing. Three exhibits at the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum showcase 12,000 years of history in Citrus County and Florida. The museum is free and open to the public during its opening hours, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; check the hours before your trip.

Events and Choosing a Hotel

The Florida Manatee Festival is a two-day annual event held in January in Crystal River. The program includes manatee tours, music, food vendors and local arts and crafts. Check the specific event dates before your trip, as dates and programming may change. When choosing a hotel, it helps to decide what you want to focus on during your stay: water and wildlife viewing, trails, cultural sites or a festival date.

Explore more destinations: Inverness, Crystal River, Lecanto, Homosassa, Hernando, Floral City, St. Lucie, Escambia.

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