From a One-of-a-kind experience to 10,000 years of history, Discover Crystal River, Florida has so much to be shared

GENTLE MANATEE GIANTS
Citrus County's relatively warm, spring-fed waters attract North America's largest manatee gathering each winter. The greatest concentrations are found in the Crystal River, but they can also gather in the Homosassa River as well. A thousand-pound manatee in the wild, often with a baby or two alongside, is unforgettable. They react to the close-at-hand presence of swimmers, divers, and waders with an inherently good nature. Citrus County is the only place in North America where nature lovers can legally swim and snorkel with these docile giants.

BOUNTIFUL BIRDING
Birding in Citrus County can include anything from a flock of whooping cranes following an ultralight aircraft to soaring eagles to nesting sandhill cranes. Of course, there are red birds and blue birds and every other color of the rainbow. Many Citrus County public parks and preserves have huge avian populations. The Great Florida Birding Trail has 445 official sites and 23 of them are in Citrus County. Get started on this story at the official website, FloridaBirdingTrail.com.

EASY PICKIN'S FOR A SEAFOOD SUPPER
Citrus County bay scallops can be found in the shallow Gulf Waters of off the coast during the recreational scalloping season that runs from late June through the latter part of September. The meat from a bay scallop is small, white and tender. Local guides help visitors find and collect scallops and tell them what the harvesting limits and regulations are. Once you've got your limit, take your bounty to one of the county's local eateries where you eat your catch – can't get any fresher than that! Story possibilities include the usual W's plus recipes and beachfront cookouts.

FLORIDA'S FABLED FISHING GROUNDS
Salt or fresh -- amateur or professional -- Citrus County is a fisherman's dream. Folks who want to trailer their own boats find excellent launch ramps and an assortment of waterside restaurants, fuel stops, and boatyards. It's only a short run to the open Gulf and as much adventure as you like. On your own, it's a great experience, ( be mindful of the manatees and pay attention to speed limits) but there's nothing like a charter with an experienced guide to ensure a great day and a great catch.

Anglers seeking freshwater adventure have a good chance of landing a bass that will look like a whale in the photograph if you hold it in front of your body at arm's length. The Tsala Apopka chain of lakes near Inverness is a fantastic place to begin.

A SECRET NO ONE CAN KEEP
What do baseball great Ted Williams, The King, Elvis Presley, and renowned American landscape painter Winslow Homer all have in common? They have all visited Citrus County, Florida. Williamsn, Presley, and Hommer were latecomers to the area compared to the Native Americans who made their way to Citrus County starting around 200 BC. The found the county to be an ideal place for trading, gathering wild plants, collecting shellfish and exploring, the Calusa Indians created a vibrant economic and community center.

The remnants of this culture are on display at the Crystal River State Archaeological Site – a Florida state park located in Citrus County. This six-mound complex is the largest of the Deptford Period in the southeastern United States and is designated a National Historic Landmark. Visitors can take a trail through burial and temple mounds and shell middens. An unusual feature of the site is two upright ceremonial stones or “stelae,” one with the likeness of a human head carved on its surface. The visitors center/museum displays artifacts excavated at the site and linked this with other mound-building groups.

DRIFTIN' AND DREAMIN'
Countless miles of small channels, larger streams, and impressive rivers punctuate the Citrus County shoreline where land and Gulf of Mexico saltwater meet. Canoe and kayak trips reveal a world only seen by water. For a little something extra, try kayak fishing on our saltwater flats or paddle boarding our shore trail through mangrove islands.

HOMOSASSA SPRINGS STATE WILDLIFE PARK
The Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park is a refuge and rehabilitation center for manatees. The Park features other residents as well, including Yuma, a Florida Panther cub who was rescued when he was four days old and brought to the park when he was just a few months old.

There is a nature boardwalk, boat tour, educational programs and a “fish bowl” for underwater sightseeing. The large visitor's center is filled with artwork and educational exhibits and displays.