STATE PARKS, COUNTY PARKS AND WITHLACOCHEE TRAIL:
  Centrally located on Florida’s Nature Coast, more than one-third of Citrus County’s 682 square miles is protected as federal, state or county protected areas. According to biologists, these tracts of parks and wilderness provide habitat to 27 species of mammal, 68 species of bird, 35 species of fish and 41 species of reptile. From the list, 12 species of bird and mammal found in Citrus County are considered threatened or endangered by the state or federal government, including the Florida black bear, the manatee, the scrub jay, the red cockaded woodpecker, the peregrine falcon and the Southern bald eagle.
  The Chassahowitzka National Wildlife refuge is a vast tract of protected coastal wetland filling the southwestern corner of Citrus County and stretching south along the Hernando County coast. The Chassahowitzka is only accessed by water from the village of Chassahowitzka on US19, south of Homosassa. Boating, airboating, diving and fishing activities within the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge are strictly regulated.
  The 47mile long Withlacoochee Trail in eastern Citrus is the newest of six parks and historic sites managed by the state in Citrus County. From Citrus Springs at the north end, the trail parallels US 41 through Citrus County and the Withlacoochee River in Hernando County to its southern terminus at Trilby in Pasco County. The trail is designed for use by backpackers, hikers, equestrians and bicyclists. Almost all of the trail in Citrus County is paved, only 3-4 miles is not paved.
  Two miles southeast of Inverness on Old Floral City Road and the Withlacoochee Trail, Ft.Cooper State Park offers visitors fishing, swimming, canoeing, boating, nature study programs and horseback riding opportunities. Primitive camp sites with corral facilities are also available. An important outpost during the Second Seminole War (1836-1842), Ft.Cooper Park staff offer interpretative programs throughtout the year. A re-enactment of a Second Seminole War battle is staged annually during a March weekend.
  Snaking through the state and county parks in eastern Citrus are the seven lakes of the Tsala Apopka Chain, a world famous wetland mecca for bass fishermen. Many of the state, county and city recreational areas around Inverness provide easy access to the Tsala Apopka wilderness for the fisherman or canoeist.
  The vast Withlacoochee State Forest spans most of eastern Citrus and Hernando counties, offering visitors a variety of nature related activities including hiking, canoeing, hunting and camping. Hunting is permitted on the Citrus Wildlife Management tract during the season.
 

FLORIDA/STATE/LOCAL PARKS & PRESERVES:

Cedar Key Museum State Park Manatee Springs State Park
12231 SW 166 Court SR 320
Cedar Key, Fl 32625 Chiefland, Fl.
352-543-5350 352-493-6072
 
Dade Battlefield Historic State Park Rainbow Springs State Park
7200 C.R. 603 19158 SW 94Th St. Dunnellon, Fl.
Bushnell, Fl. 33513 (352) 489-8503
352-793-4781
 
Devils Den/Blue Grotto St.Marin’s Marsh Aquatic Preserve
U.S. 27A 5990 N. Tallahassee Road
Williston, Fl. Crystal River, Fl. 34428
352-528-3344 352-563-0450
 
Fanning Springs State Park Waccasassa Bay Preserve State Park\Cedar Key Scrub State Preserve
US Hwy.19/98 SR 24
Fanning Springs, Fl. Cedar Key, Fl. 32625
352-463-3420 352-543-5567
 
Fort Cooper State Park Wakulla Springs State Park
3100 S. Old Floral City Road 550 Wakulla Park Drive
Inverness, Fl. 34450 Wakulla Springs, Fl. 32327
352-726-0315 850-922-3633
 
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park Withlacoochee State Forest
4150  S. Suncoast Blvd. 15019 Broad street
Homosassa Springs, Fl. 34446 Brooksville, Fl. 34601
(352) 628-2311 352-754-6777
 
Hunter Springs Park Withlacoochee Trail State Park
Citrus Avenue 12549 State Park Drive
Crystal River, Fl. 34429 Clermont, Fl. 34711
(352) 394-2280
 
Lake Rousseau State Recreation Area and Campground Citrus County Parks & Recreation Department
10811 N. Coveview Terrace 1300 S. Lecanto Hwy
Crystal River, Fl. 34428 Suite 3001
352-795-6336 Lecanto, FL  34461
  (352) 527-7677
 

 

National Wildlife Refuges:

Cedar Key National Wildlife Refuge Crystal River Wildlife Refuge
16450 NW 31st Place 1502 SE Kings Bay Drive
Chiefland, Fl.32626 Crystal River, Fl. 34429
352-493-0238 352-563-2088
 
Chassahowitzka Wildlife Refuge Lower Suwannee Wildlife Refuge
1502 SE Kings Bay Drive 16450 NW 31st Place
Crystal River, Fl. 24429 Chiefland, Fl. 32626
352-563-2088 352-493-0238
 

St. Marks Wildlife Refuge

C.R. 59

Wakulla Springs, Fl. 32327
850-925-6121
 

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