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Citrus County Natural Attractions
Florida's Animals in the Wild!
By Larry Larsen
Citrus County has plenty of man-made attractions, but nature lovers will especially enjoy several special places that have minimal development and maximum draw. Spring-fed rivers, pristine marshes,
wildlife refuges, and
 several state parks make the Crystal River/Homosassa Springs area the place to go in Florida's outdoors.
Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park is a refuge and rehabilitation center for manatees and other
Florida animals (and a few international non-native animals) that is well worth visiting. There's a lengthy nature boardwalk that allows visitors to
tour the various animal enclaves throughout the park. It ends at the famous sight-seeing "fish bowl", an underwater viewpoint which looks through aquarium glass directly out at the
abundant fish in the springs.
They offer a boat tour around the springs and
educational programs via guided tours through hundreds of animals and birds in natural settings. The visitors' center is filled with artwork, exhibits and displays.
 Monkey Island on the Homosassa River adjacent Homosassa Riverside Resort is a boater's attraction that has been in place since the 60's. I remember
fondly visiting the resort and watching the antics of the monkeys on the small island back in the 70's. It had a neat lighthouse on it along with some huts,
trees and both spider and squirrel monkeys.
Five spider monkeys enjoy their tropical island these days and boaters cruise by to provide a constant
source of viewing entertainment for the primates that are fed twice a day by the property owners (Riverside Resort). The river acts as a natural barrier
to the monkeys who prefer not to swim off of it. The playful monkeys delight hotel guests and boaters alike.
 Given the above, the most popular natural attractions are the manatee encounters which take over Citrus County spring runs (rivers) in the late
fall and winter months. The largest herd of West Indian manatees in the United States migrates here to join up with a resident population, and in certain areas
visitors can swim, observe or snorkel with the gentle endangered giants in their natural habitat here. In fact, Citrus County is the only place in North
America where carefully monitored tours with organized interaction are offered!
 Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River is a strong draw for manatee in the coldest months. To experience a
manatee encounter at its finest, visit during the colder weather and mid-week when crowds are minimal and accordingly water visibility is normally at its best.
Other interesting attractions in the area are The Marshes of St. Martins, the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife
Refuge, the Withlacoochee State Trail, and Fort Cooper State Park. For more information, contact Citrus County Visitors Bureau, (352) 628-9305 or visit the website www.VisitCitrus.com.
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