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Yellow grasses green forest

Crystal River Preserve State Park

Crystal River Preserve State Park spans 20 miles of the Gulf Coast between Yankeetown and Homosassa, protecting key manatee habitats along estuaries of the Gulf.

Crystal River      ( 28.908915,-82.636997 )      17.1 miles

Established as an aquatic preserve to protect the sensitive estuaries between Crystal River, a spring-fed major river frequented by manatees, and the Gulf of Mexico, Crystal River Preserve State Park spans 20 miles of the Gulf Coast between Yankeetown and Homosassa.

One of the estuary at Churchhouse Hammock


Resources

Resources for exploring the area

Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover 50 Hikes in Central Florida Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover

Disclosure: As authors and affiliates, we receive earnings when you buy these through our links. This helps us provide public information on this website.


Overview

Location: Crystal River
Visitor Center: 28.908915,-82.636997
Address: 3266 N. Sailboat Ave, Crystal River
Fees: Free
Restroom: At the visitor center
Land manager: Florida State Parks
Phone: 352-795-3817

Open 8 AM until sunset daily. Leashed pets welcome.

Visitor center closed on weekends.

Palms along an estuary


Directions

 
Entrances to the park are along US 19 both south and north of downtown Crystal River. The Dixie Shores and Redfish Hole trails are along Fort Island Trail, while the park’s visitor center is at the end of Crystal Cove Rd. Churchhouse Hammock and the EcoWalk are just north.

About the Park

There are many access points to the preserve. Some are very obvious, like Churchhouse Hammock, a quarter mile accessible boardwalk leading to a 3/4-mile hiking trail through palm hammocks. It’s right across from the Crystal River Mall.

There are also “blink and miss it” parking pulloffs for hikes like Dixie Shores and Redfish Hole along the Fort Island Trail. Together, these tally nearly 6 miles, depending on water levels.

Green forest with path Footpath through coastal hammock


Children will love the visitor center with its touch table and tanks of turtles and fishes, as well as the interpretive 2.3-mile Ecowalk.

Along the road to the Visitor Center are two trailheads. One is for Mullet Hole, where an out-and-back on the Crystal Cove Trail rambles at least 2 miles.

The Eagle Trail, where off-road cyclists have a wild and sometimes wet 7-mile loop through the coastal hammock to explore, has an interconnection to the Ecowalk.

Coastal hammock and grassland The coastal hammock as seen from the estuary


Trails

Boardwalk in verdant forest

Churchhouse Hammock Trail

Providing a peek at the estuary along Crystal River, the Churchhouse Hammock Trail at Crystal River Preserve State Park has accessible and adventuresome options.

Shaded bridge over a wetland

Crystal River Eco Walk

Traversing floodplain forests and mesic flatwoods, the ecological diversity of the Eco-Walk trail is stunning, though at times it may require wet shoes to complete the loop.


Trail Map

Crystal River Preserve State Park Trails
Download map provided below for more details

Related Articles

Leafy forest with trail

Wander into Churchhouse Hammock

June 16, 2011//  by Sandra Friend


Explore More!

Nearby Adventures

More worth exploring while you’re in this area.

View of Crystal River

Crystal River Archaeological State Park

At Crystal River Archaeological State Park, a paved interpretive trail winds through a ceremonial mound complex built more than 2,500 years ago. The park is the home of Florida’s only petroglyph.

Salt Pond at Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve

Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve

The sweep of salt marshes and the salt breeze surround you on a walk through the trail system at Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve, a 413-acre preserve in Yankeetown

Homosassa Springs fishbowl

Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

Looking for manatees? You’ll see them up close at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, where families can get up close to Florida wildlife in a natural setting.

Ruins of the Yulee Sugar Mill

Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park

Beneath a dense canopy of old live oaks, the Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins are a familiar landmark to anyone driving through Old Homosassa – the road snakes past it on the way to the river.

Trail Map (PDF) Official Website

Category: Biking, Central Florida, Day Hikes, Florida State Parks, Hikes, Launch Points, Loop Hikes, Nature Trails, Paddling, ParksTag: Accessible, Archaeological Sites, Birding, Boating, Crystal River, Family-Friendly, Fishing, Florida State Parks, Rivers, Scuba, Springs, Wildlife Viewing

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Our recent park & trail updates in this region

Lengthy boardwalk heading towards mangrove flats

John R. Bonner Nature Park

John R. Bonner Nature Park
Boardwalk framed by live oaks and saw palmetto

George McGough Nature Park

George McGough Nature Park
Leaning sand pines in scrub

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Balm Boyette Nature Preserve
Dock edged by mangroves

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