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 HammockResources
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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.
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.
Footpath through coastal hammockChildren 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.
The coastal hammock as seen from the estuaryTrails
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.
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
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Nearby Adventures
More worth exploring while you’re in this area.
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.
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 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.
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.