Citrus County, Florida
Crystal River and the Nature Coast for those who want to explore like a local.
Citrus County Insider is a visitor desk for Crystal River, Homosassa, Inverness, and the Gulf: springs, manatees, waterfront tables, and a weekend that does not pretend this is Orlando.
The desk
Come for the water.
King’s Bay is a bunch of springs that turn into the Crystal River. Homosassa has its own spring, a wildlife park, and a river town that still smells like bait. Inverness is inland: the square, the rail-trail, Fort Cooper. Fort Island Gulf Beach sits at the end of a marsh road. Pick a weekend, pick a place to sleep, and go.
If you are choosing days, start with the manatee notes. Three Sisters is a boardwalk from land and a different trip from the water. Homosassa Springs is the stay-dry look. Fort Island is the Gulf road. Ozello is marsh and boiled shrimp, if you leave daylight.
Wildlife rules, park repairs, and kitchen hours move. This publication does not invent phone numbers, rates, or opening times. Confirm before you go.
In this issue
Four ways into the county
Start with the water
Three Sisters, Hunter Springs, and the Gulf road.
Most first visits orbit Crystal River: a permitted manatee tour or a boardwalk at Three Sisters Springs, a swim at Hunter Springs Park, and—if the wind lies down—the drive out Fort Island Trail. Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is the land-based insurance policy. Official maps beat dock lore.