State Parks / West Citrus County
Abundant wildlife, unimaginable backdrops . A photographers dream.
Click Here to link with the Citrus county park site.
This site includes info for State and local city parks as well.
Their website search tool will match you to a park that should meet your needs.
State Parks in Citrus County, Florida
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
4150 S. Suncoast Boulevard (hwy 19), Homosassa, FL 34446
Hours of Operation:
The park is open 9:00AM - 5:30PM / 365 days a year.
The last tickets are sold at 4:45 p.m.
Ph.: 352-628-5343
The Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park provides visitors with an opportunity to get close to a variety of Florida's wildlife.
In the underwater observatory, guests may watch manatees and varieties of fish swim overhead.
The park also offers Wildlife Encounter programs which guests can interact with snakes and other wildlife.
The park is also home to the Pepper Creek Birding Trail.
For hikers, the Homosassa State Park offers a trail that is a little over one mile long.
The trail features paved paths and an elevated boardwalk system.
Along the trail, guests can find rain shelters and benches.
The hiking trail draws photographers in search of black bears, deer, American alligators, American crocodiles, river otters and more.
Daily Educational Programs at the Park
$13.00 Adults, $5.00 Children 6 -12. Includes state and local taxes.
The Florida State Parks Annual Entrance Pass is accepted and waives the admission fee for one person and the Family Annual Entrance Pass waives the admission fee for two people.
Additional guests may wish to purchase additional passes or pay the daily admission fees.
Group Fees:
Office open Monday - Friday, 8:00AM to 4:00PM.
$9.10 including tax for adults in group ages 13 and over, $3.50 for children 6 through 12.
Children under the age of 6 years old are admitted free.
Group rates are available for groups of 10 or more with advanced reservation.
Two weeks notification is asked.
To make a reservation, call: Ph.: 352-628-5343
Room/Area Rentals:
Office open:
Monday - Friday, 8:00AM to 4:00 PM.
$200 per day: The Florida Room.
$100 per full day: Garden of Springs.
$150 to $750.00 per day: Visitor Center/Event Field.
For reservations and more information, call:Ph.: 352-628-5343
Crystal River NWR
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Office
1502 S.E. Kings Bay Drive, Crystal River, FL 34429
Ph.: 352-563-2088
Activities:
Swimming, snorkeling, boating, fishing, manatee and other wildlife viewing.
Picnic area
No Entry Fee
Scuba Diving
Sorry, No Dogs Allowed
Type of Park: National Wildlife Refuge
Crystal River Archaeological State Park
3400 N. Museum Point, Crystal River, FL 34428
Ph.: 352-795-3817
The Crystal River Archaeological State Park, located in Crystal River, is a National Historic Site that depicts the life of Native Americas.
The state park is home to 61 acres of Native American tribal land.
Throughout the site, guests can find tribal burial mounds, temple mounds and a plaza area. Historians believe this area was used for rituals and ceremonies that drew more than 7,500 Native Americans annually for more than 1,600 years, according to the park's website.
The state park is also home to saltwater marshlands that are home to a section of the Great Florida Birding Trail.
Citrus County lists the park as providing ADA handicapped access for disabled birdwatchers.
Guests may hike and walk with leashed, well-behaved dogs throughout the park.
Hours of Operation:
The park is open daily from 8AM - sundown.
The visitors' center is closed on the weekends.
Admission Fee:
$3.00 per vehicle.
Please use the honor box to pay fees.
Correct change is required.
Limit 8 people per vehicle.
$2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, for extra passengers or if a passenger in the vehicle holds an Annual Individual Entrance Pass then only 2.00 is owed.
Group Fees:
$60.00 per bus or $2.00 per person, whichever is less. Driver is free.
Crystal River Preserve State Park
3266 N. Sailboat Avenue, Crystal River, FL 34428
Ph.: 352-563-0450
A place of exceptional natural beauty, the undisturbed islands, inlets, backwaters and forests of this Crystal River Preserve are especially cherished by nature lovers and photographers.
The park borders 20 miles of the northern Gulf Coast between the two cities of Yankeetown and Homosassa.
Visitors can hike or bicycle along seven miles of trails or study the native wildlife and plants on the two mile interpretive trail.
Anglers can walk down a short path to the Mullet Hole for a relaxing afternoon of fishing.
Paddlers can launch a kayak or canoe into the waters of the scenic Crystal River to see the park from the water.
During the winter, on the third Saturday of each month, the visitor center features nature films at the Redfish Revue Theater.
Park Alert for Crystal River Preserve State Park:
The Church-house Hammock Trail on Hwy 19 is temporarily closed due to repair and maintenance due to trail safety issues, however, Church-house Hammock Trails parking area and picnic pavilion are still open.
All other amenities for the rest of the park are open and available at this time.
Updated as of 5/22/2014.
Admission Is Free
Hours:
The five trail heads are open daily from 8AM - sundown, 365 days a year.
The visitor center is closed on weekends.
Fort Cooper State Park
3100 South Old Floral City Rd., Inverness, FL 34450
Ph.: 352-726-0315
The sparkling waters of Lake Holathlikaha were a welcome sight to sick and wounded soldiers during the Second Seminole War.
In 1836, the First Georgia Battalion of Volunteers built a stockade for the soldiers resting here, enabling the volunteers to hold their own through several skirmishes with the Seminole Indians.
The park´s diverse natural areas provide a refuge for plants and animals, including bobcats, osprey, wild turkey and some of Florida's threatened and endangered species.
Nearly five miles of self-guided trails offer some of the best bird and wildlife viewing in Citrus County.
Park visitors also can enjoy the picnic facilities, a recreation hall and primitive group campground.
Well-behaved dogs on leashes are allowed.
Hours of Operation:
Open daily from 8AM - sundown.
Admission Fee:
$3.00 per vehicle.
Please use the honor box to pay fees.
Correct change is required.
Limit 8 people per vehicle.
$2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers and for vehicles if a passenger in vehicle the holds an Annual Individual Entrance Pass.
Primitive Tent Camping Fee:
$5.00 per person, per night, plus tax.
Call the park at: Ph.: 352-726-0315 for reservations.
Rental of picnic pavilion:
$40.00 per day, plus tax.
Recreation Hall Fee:
$100.00 per day, plus tax.
Paddle-boat and Canoe Rentals:
$5.00 per hour, includes tax.
Due to low lake water levels, paddle-boat and canoe rentals are not available at this time.
Click Here to link with the Citrus county park site.
This site includes info for State and local city parks as well.
Their website search tool will match you to a park that should meet your needs.
State Parks in Citrus County, Florida
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
4150 S. Suncoast Boulevard (hwy 19), Homosassa, FL 34446
Hours of Operation:
The park is open 9:00AM - 5:30PM / 365 days a year.
The last tickets are sold at 4:45 p.m.
Ph.: 352-628-5343
The Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park provides visitors with an opportunity to get close to a variety of Florida's wildlife.
In the underwater observatory, guests may watch manatees and varieties of fish swim overhead.
The park also offers Wildlife Encounter programs which guests can interact with snakes and other wildlife.
The park is also home to the Pepper Creek Birding Trail.
For hikers, the Homosassa State Park offers a trail that is a little over one mile long.
The trail features paved paths and an elevated boardwalk system.
Along the trail, guests can find rain shelters and benches.
The hiking trail draws photographers in search of black bears, deer, American alligators, American crocodiles, river otters and more.
Daily Educational Programs at the Park
- Wildlife Encounters: 10:30AM and 2:30PM.
- Manatee Programs: 11:30AM, 1:30PM and 3:30PM.
- Alligator/Hippopotamus Program at 12:30PM
$13.00 Adults, $5.00 Children 6 -12. Includes state and local taxes.
The Florida State Parks Annual Entrance Pass is accepted and waives the admission fee for one person and the Family Annual Entrance Pass waives the admission fee for two people.
Additional guests may wish to purchase additional passes or pay the daily admission fees.
Group Fees:
Office open Monday - Friday, 8:00AM to 4:00PM.
$9.10 including tax for adults in group ages 13 and over, $3.50 for children 6 through 12.
Children under the age of 6 years old are admitted free.
Group rates are available for groups of 10 or more with advanced reservation.
Two weeks notification is asked.
To make a reservation, call: Ph.: 352-628-5343
Room/Area Rentals:
Office open:
Monday - Friday, 8:00AM to 4:00 PM.
$200 per day: The Florida Room.
$100 per full day: Garden of Springs.
$150 to $750.00 per day: Visitor Center/Event Field.
For reservations and more information, call:Ph.: 352-628-5343
Crystal River NWR
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Office
1502 S.E. Kings Bay Drive, Crystal River, FL 34429
Ph.: 352-563-2088
Activities:
Swimming, snorkeling, boating, fishing, manatee and other wildlife viewing.
Picnic area
No Entry Fee
Scuba Diving
Sorry, No Dogs Allowed
Type of Park: National Wildlife Refuge
Crystal River Archaeological State Park
3400 N. Museum Point, Crystal River, FL 34428
Ph.: 352-795-3817
The Crystal River Archaeological State Park, located in Crystal River, is a National Historic Site that depicts the life of Native Americas.
The state park is home to 61 acres of Native American tribal land.
Throughout the site, guests can find tribal burial mounds, temple mounds and a plaza area. Historians believe this area was used for rituals and ceremonies that drew more than 7,500 Native Americans annually for more than 1,600 years, according to the park's website.
The state park is also home to saltwater marshlands that are home to a section of the Great Florida Birding Trail.
Citrus County lists the park as providing ADA handicapped access for disabled birdwatchers.
Guests may hike and walk with leashed, well-behaved dogs throughout the park.
Hours of Operation:
The park is open daily from 8AM - sundown.
The visitors' center is closed on the weekends.
Admission Fee:
$3.00 per vehicle.
Please use the honor box to pay fees.
Correct change is required.
Limit 8 people per vehicle.
$2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, for extra passengers or if a passenger in the vehicle holds an Annual Individual Entrance Pass then only 2.00 is owed.
Group Fees:
$60.00 per bus or $2.00 per person, whichever is less. Driver is free.
Crystal River Preserve State Park
3266 N. Sailboat Avenue, Crystal River, FL 34428
Ph.: 352-563-0450
A place of exceptional natural beauty, the undisturbed islands, inlets, backwaters and forests of this Crystal River Preserve are especially cherished by nature lovers and photographers.
The park borders 20 miles of the northern Gulf Coast between the two cities of Yankeetown and Homosassa.
Visitors can hike or bicycle along seven miles of trails or study the native wildlife and plants on the two mile interpretive trail.
Anglers can walk down a short path to the Mullet Hole for a relaxing afternoon of fishing.
Paddlers can launch a kayak or canoe into the waters of the scenic Crystal River to see the park from the water.
During the winter, on the third Saturday of each month, the visitor center features nature films at the Redfish Revue Theater.
Park Alert for Crystal River Preserve State Park:
The Church-house Hammock Trail on Hwy 19 is temporarily closed due to repair and maintenance due to trail safety issues, however, Church-house Hammock Trails parking area and picnic pavilion are still open.
All other amenities for the rest of the park are open and available at this time.
Updated as of 5/22/2014.
Admission Is Free
Hours:
The five trail heads are open daily from 8AM - sundown, 365 days a year.
The visitor center is closed on weekends.
Fort Cooper State Park
3100 South Old Floral City Rd., Inverness, FL 34450
Ph.: 352-726-0315
The sparkling waters of Lake Holathlikaha were a welcome sight to sick and wounded soldiers during the Second Seminole War.
In 1836, the First Georgia Battalion of Volunteers built a stockade for the soldiers resting here, enabling the volunteers to hold their own through several skirmishes with the Seminole Indians.
The park´s diverse natural areas provide a refuge for plants and animals, including bobcats, osprey, wild turkey and some of Florida's threatened and endangered species.
Nearly five miles of self-guided trails offer some of the best bird and wildlife viewing in Citrus County.
Park visitors also can enjoy the picnic facilities, a recreation hall and primitive group campground.
Well-behaved dogs on leashes are allowed.
Hours of Operation:
Open daily from 8AM - sundown.
Admission Fee:
$3.00 per vehicle.
Please use the honor box to pay fees.
Correct change is required.
Limit 8 people per vehicle.
$2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers and for vehicles if a passenger in vehicle the holds an Annual Individual Entrance Pass.
Primitive Tent Camping Fee:
$5.00 per person, per night, plus tax.
Call the park at: Ph.: 352-726-0315 for reservations.
Rental of picnic pavilion:
$40.00 per day, plus tax.
Recreation Hall Fee:
$100.00 per day, plus tax.
Paddle-boat and Canoe Rentals:
$5.00 per hour, includes tax.
Due to low lake water levels, paddle-boat and canoe rentals are not available at this time.