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Citrus County Florida Activities & Recreation

Enjoy Your New Home & Enjoy "Mother Nature's Theme Park"

Kayaking with Manatees

Fishing:

Citrus County is one of the prime fishing spots within the state of Florida having pristine and productive estuaries. Our Gulf of Mexico coastline is famous for spotted sea trout, redfish, cobia (seasonal), grouper, spanish mackarel, sheephead, shark, black drum, jack crevell, bluefish, and tarpon. In 1993 the world record tarpon was caught right here in Citrus County! When it comes to fresh water fishing Citrus and surrounding counties have it all. Lake Tsala Apopka, Lake Rousseau and the Withlacoochee River offer outstanding fresh water fishing for large mouth bass, blue gills, stump knockers, and brem. Fish from the Gulf of Mexico, from piers, by boat, or local fishing guides will bring you directly to the reefs, grass beds and flats. Public boat ramps provide easy access to all of its major waterways.

Boating, Kayaking and Canoeing:

With seven "Outstanding Florida Waterways" to its credit (Withlacoochee River, St. Martins River, Salt River, Halls River, Homosassa River and Chassahowitzka River), Citrus County offers endless boating opportunities on both salt and fresh water. As if seven rivers weren't enough, we have 22 miles of inland lakes and coastline on the Gulf of Mexico. Canoeists and kayakers enjoy the new Citrus County Canoe and Kayak Trail, which extends eleven miles from the Crystal River to the Chassahowitzka River. The trail is clearly marked and conveys you through some of the county's most picturesque areas.

Out to Fort Island Trail Beach

Diving and Snorkeling:

Crystal River and Homosassa Springs are known as the home of the largest herd of wintering manatees that enjoy the protection of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. You are welcome to enjoy an awesome experience by snorkeling with the manatees while observing applicable regulations.

Bird Watching:

From the unspoiled coastal salt marshes at Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, to the St. Martin's State Buffer Preserve, to the Withlacoochee Bay Area of the Cross Florida Greenway, you may find herons, egrets, wood storks, oystercatchers, gulls, shore birds and pelicans and ospreys and Falcons just to name a few. Our coastal waters are teaming with loons, mergansers, ducks and white pelicans. In winter, eagles, harriers, and swallowtail kites are often found. Citrus County is fortunate enough to have been designated for reintroduction of the very rare and majestic whooping crane. Inland, you'll spot scrub jays, burring owls, all the woodpeckers and edge birds found in open habitat. Red shoulder and red tail hawks are common. The Citrus Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest, a major section of this central ridge, is home to a large population of the endangered red cockaded woodpeckers. The Backman's sparrow can be found here also.

Bicycling Citrus County

Camping:

Enjoy the natural environment. Choose from primitive camping, tent camping, recreational vehicle or renting a cozy cabin. During your stay, take advantage of the many recreational or educational opportunities offered in "Mother Nature Theme Park."

Cabins:

Citrus County offers a selection of lodge and cabin locations along the Tsala Apopka chain of lakes to scenic areas on many rivers leading to the Gulf of Mexico.

Recreational Vehicles:

There are many public and private facilities to accommodate your recreational vehicle.

Primitive Camping:

You can pitch your tent in a small clearing in the forest or on other public lands with designated private campsites along the established hiking trails. Combined with an extensive trail system, the 41,222-acre Citrus Tract of Withlacoochee State Forest offers terrific opportunities for back-to-nature backpacking.

Boating and Fishing Citrus County

Golf:

Sand. Water. Hazards. Trees. Roughs. Hills. Valleys. Ahhh ... a golfer's dream. Challenges are everywhere when you golf in Citrus County. With over 661 square miles of nature's wonderland, this unspoiled, uncrowded gem in the heart of Florida's Nature Coast offers many public courses that beckon to both serious and casual golfers. Be sure to pack your clubs when you move into your new home in Citrus County Florida.

Hiking, Biking and Horseback Riding:

There are many ways to immerse yourself into the "natural order of things".

The Withlacoochee State Trail is a 46 mile paved trail through Citrus, Hernando and ending in Pasco county. Open from sunrise to sunset every day of the year it is available for cyclist, runners, roller blades and anyone looking for an opportunity to enjoy an uninterrupted self propelled trip through central Florida's scenery. There are picnic shelters and benches along the way for a respite. The Withlacoochee Trail will soon be part of the Cross-Florida Greenways, connection undisturbed pathways throughout the state.

Explore Natural Springs

Hiking:

You will enjoy a wide range of terrain's, such as sandhill, scrub, hardwood, hammock, hydric swamp, and marsh. Educational paths, interpretive nature walks and hiking trails each feature their own unique combination of ecosystems, flora and fauna.

Biking:

Bicycle or roller-blade the popular Withlacoochee State Trail. Formerly a railroad right-of-way, this 47-mile trail is paved its entire length through Citrus County with bike/blade liveries along the way.

Horseback Riding:

Ride through the scenic Withlacoochee State Forest, taking the 14-mile one-day trail or a 24-mile two-day trail.

Fishing Piers in Citrus County

Historic:

Mysteries are uncovered at the 14 acre State Archaeological Site located in Crystal River, dating back to 500 BC History enthusiasts may choose to explore Old Homosassa and The Yule Sugar Mill ruins, the remains of a pre-Civil War sugar plantation. South of Inverness is Fort Cooper State Park, which was a post during the Seminal Indian War in the 1830's. Those interested in historic architecture must visit the city of Inverness with its restored courthouse, built in 1912.

Dining:

Whatever type of dining you crave can be found in restaurants along the Nature Coast, from 5 star seafood restaurants, to ethnic to sandwiches to good style home cooking.

Lodging:

The Nature Coast has an abundant of lodging facilities from bed & breakfast to 5 star hotels and everything in between.

Antiques:

Gulf of Mexico Sunset

Plan to spend a few days uncovering unique antiques and delectable collectibles. Citrus County has dozens of shops ready to take you on an excursion to the past. You'll find friendly shopkeepers, happy residents, a beautiful environment and thousands of unusual items to add to your collection. There are several certified appraisers in the county, eager to talk with you about their favorite subject. Citrus County has more than 30 antique shops, plus an entire indoor mall devoted to antiques and collectibles.

This page and all of the many pages about Citrus County Florida which we are offering you here on our site are meant to help you learn about our wonderful area. Where you build your new home is very important and we wish to provide you with as much information about the Citrus County Florida area as you need. If you have any additional questions or would like to know anything else about our area, please call us at 800-853-2363 and we would be more than happy to help you.

Information from various sources who also promote Citrus County, Florida. We thank them and share the same desire to inform you about the great area we live and work in, Citrus County, Florida.