Most people think of manatees when trying to describe Crystal River, Florida, but there’s more to this coastal town than just the gentle giants that inhabit King’s Bay and the surrounding waterways. Situated along the beating heart of the coastal marsh, Crystal River is located along Florida’s Nature Coast about an hour and a half north of Tampa and roughly an hour and 15 minutes southwest of Gainesville.
Kings Bay, with its numerous springs and constant 72 degree temperature, is the headwaters of Crystal and Salt Rivers, which flow about 6 miles out to Crystal Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Home to a resident population of nearly 400 manatees, Kings Bay offers fishing and boating opportunities. Nestled along the populated portion of the bay are numerous canals and coastal homes with character, but as one delves toward the coast they are met with a sprinkling of hardwood hammocks and a seemingly endless expanse of salt marsh. This is an important habitat and nursery for many different species of fish, birds and crustaceans.
About a 15 minute drive from town center along County Road 44/W Fort Island Trail is Fort Island Beach and Fort Island Gulf Fishing Pier. This is a great location to take the family to the beach for swimming, shelling, kayaking and fishing, and is very popular for watching sunsets. Located across the pass is the decommissioned Duke Energy’s Nuclear Power Plant which is undergoing a dismantling process expected to be completed sometime in 2027. The views alone make Fort Island Beach a very scenic and unique destination.
On your way to the beach you can explore several hiking trails located in and around the town such as Crystal River Preserve State Park, Crystal River Archeological State Park and Withlachoochee State Trail. For the shoppers in the family, head over to N. Citrus Ave and explore dozens of local shops. Feeling hungry? This coastal town is also home to great food like Dans’s Clam Stand on N Sunshine Path, Crackers on NW 6th St and Pecks Old Port Cove about a half hour drive down North Ozello Trail, all of which are perfect for tackling the hunger you’ll have worked up during the day.
No trip to Crystal River would be complete without a visit to Three Sister’s Springs, but if you don’t want to visit by water, which in my opinion is the best way to visit, you can visit the surrounding boardwalk at Three Sisters Springs Center to view the springs. Prices vary from summer to winter, there is no public parking, and if it’s not cold out, chances of seeing manatees are pretty slim. So if you’ve been trying to find a reason to take that side-trip to Crystal River, plan a trip today. There’s plenty to see and do.
