While You’re in Crystal River
Make a day of it! Come pick fruit in the morning while it’s cool, then spend the afternoon with the manatees. Crystal River and the rest of Citrus County are full of spring-fed water, wildlife and history, and these favorites are all nearby.
Make a day of it! Come pick fruit in the morning while it’s cool, then spend the afternoon with the manatees. Crystal River and the rest of Citrus County are full of spring-fed water, wildlife and history, and these favorites are all nearby.Hours, fees and seasonal closures change, so please check each official page before you go.
Places to explore
Three Sisters Springs
Stroll the boardwalk around three clear springs and watch for manatees, especially on cold winter mornings.
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
The only national wildlife refuge set aside for the Florida manatee. The visitor center on Kings Bay is a great first stop.
Kings Bay manatee tours
Swim, snorkel or paddle with a permitted local guide, and learn your “Manatee Manners” first.
Hunter Springs Park
A city park on Kings Bay with a small beach, a spring-fed swim area and a waterside boardwalk.
Crystal River Preserve State Park
Trails, paddling and bird-watching where spring-fed rivers meet the Gulf.
Crystal River Archaeological State Park
A National Historic Landmark with Native American mounds, a small museum and wide marsh views.
Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
Walk down into the Underwater Observatory to watch manatees and fish, then meet native Florida wildlife.
Rainbow Springs State Park
One of Florida’s clearest springs, with gardens, waterfalls and the Rainbow River.
Withlacoochee State Trail
A long, flat, paved rail-trail for biking, walking and skating through small towns and forest.
Area photos are cropped and resized from the credited originals. Photos marked CC BY-SA are adapted versions shared under the same CC BY-SA license as the original; see each photo’s credit for its version and source.
More ideas for your trip: Discover Crystal River, the official Citrus County visitor site.
Start your day at the orchard
Pick your own blueberries, peaches, pears and more, then head out to the springs. Pick days and hours are posted on our Facebook.