Florida’s famous City of Mermaids, Weeki Wachee, provides plenty of fun on the water and on nearby trails.
With tens of thousands of acres of conservation land along the coast of Hernando County, Weeki Wachee is a central launch point for adventure on the water and in the woods. Ramble the limerock roads of Chassahowitzka WMA, or paddle the sinuous Weeki Wachee River.
Trails and Parks near Weeki Wachee
Annutteliga Hammock CA - Buffering Chassahowitzka WMA and considered an extension of it, Annutteliga Hammock Conservation Area protects 570 acres of sandhills and scrub while offering several loop hikes.
Bayport Park - Where the highway ends, Bayport Park begins. Perched on the edge of the estuary where the Weeki Wachee River meets the Gulf of Mexico, it offers spectacular sunset views along with its water access.
Bayport-Linda Pedersen Paddling Trail - Following the Bayport-Linda Pedersen Paddling Trail for 1.7 miles through mazes of needlerush along Florida's Adventure Coast, you're immersed in the sights and sounds of a coastal estuary.
Chassahowitzka WMA - Protecting more than 34,000 acres of coastal habitats along Florida's Adventure Coast, Chassahowitzka WMA offers extensive exploration on its network of limerock roads.
Cypress Circle - Showcasing one small corner of Chassahowitzka WMA, Cypress Circle introduces you to both upland and lowland habitats as it circles around a cypress dome. 
Jenkins Creek Park - Overlooking the vast estuary that paddlers tackle on the Coastal Paddling Trail, Jenkins Creek Park provides a trail terminus as well as ample space for anglers to drop a line.
Linda Pedersen Preserve - Offering recreational access to the Jenkins Creek basin and Jenkins Spring, Linda Pedersen Preserve provides fine views and fun activities for families.
Nature Coast Botanical Gardens - An oasis of serenity in Spring Hill, several acres of compact garden rooms make up the Nature Coast Botanical Gardens. Each delights the senses with an ever-changing array of blooms and colors. 
Paddling the Weeki Wachee River - One of Florida's most beautiful paddling trips, the Weeki Wachee River rises from first magnitude Weeki Wachee Springs and winds through lush floodplain forests as it is fed by hundreds of smaller springs along this 5.5-mile paddling run.
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park - Surrounding a sparkling first-magnitude spring, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park has been a draw for tourists since its mermaids first started wooing visitors in the 1940s. 
Weekiwachee Preserve - Named for the river defining its northern boundary, the 11,000-acre Weekiwachee Preserve, along with adjoining public lands, forms the largest remaining Florida black bear habitat along the peninsular Gulf Coast.
Wild Turkey Trace - Along this upland trail in Chassahowitzka WMA, Wild Turkey Trace immerses you in the turkey oaks and pines of the sandhill forest, with the surprise of a boggy marsh along the way.
More near Weeki Wachee
Destination: Adventure (Mar 2019) - Biking, paddling, and even a bit of hiking were in the plans as we explored Florida's Adventure Coast - Hernando County - for activities we could enjoy during warm weather. 
Three Days of Nature Coast Springs (Oct 2014) - Between New Port Richey and Crystal River, explore a variety of springs along the Nature Coast that provide splashing fun in summer and manatee watching in winter.
Nearby: Bayport, Brooksville, Crystal River, Hernando Beach, Spring Hill
