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Citrus County, Florida is also known as “The Nature Lovers Paradise”. Throughout
the county you will find an abundance of parks, refuges, hiking trails, biking
trails, bird watching areas, and other preserved lands open to the public. Below
are some links to just a small sampling of what you can find close to the River
Ventures tour center. When you come to Crystal River to swim with manatees, be
sure to ask us about other activities for the nature lover.
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters
 The Crystal
River National Wildlife Refuge, was established in 1983 specifically for the
protection of the endangered West Indian Manatee. This unique refuge preserves
the last unspoiled and undeveloped habitat in Kings Bay, which forms the
headwaters of the Crystal River. The refuge preserves the warm water spring
havens, which provide critical habitat for the manatee populations that migrate
here each winter
Crystal River Archaeological State Park
 A
National Historic Landmark, this 61-acre, pre-Columbian, Native American site
has burial mounds, temple/platform mounds, a plaza area and a substantial midden.
The six-mound complex is one of the longest continuously occupied sites in
Florida. For 1,600 years the site served as an imposing ceremonial center for
Native Americans.
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
The park showcases native Florida wildlife, including manatees, black bears,
bobcats, white-tailed deer, American alligators, American crocodiles, and river
otters. Manatee programs are offered three times daily. At the Wildlife
Encounter programs, snakes and other native animals are featured.
Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park
This
site was once part of a thriving sugar plantation owned by David Levy Yulee.
Yulee was a member of the Territorial Legislative Council, and served in the
U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate after Florida statehood. The park
contains the remnants of the once-thriving 5,100-acre sugar plantation.
Crystal River Preserve State Park
 A
place of exceptional natural beauty, the undisturbed islands, inlets, backwaters
and forests of this Crystal River Preserve are especially cherished by nature
lovers and photographers. The park borders 20 miles of the northern Gulf Coast
between the two cities of Yankeetown and Homosassa. Visitors can hike or bicycle
along seven miles of trails or study the native wildlife and plants on the two
mile interpretive trail.
View Our Cancellation
Policy
River Ventures
Manatee Tour Center
498 S.E. Kings Bay Drive
Crystal River, FL 34429
Phone: 352-564-TOUR
(8687)
Toll Free: 1-877-581-8401
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