Welcome!
Thank you for your interest in the beautiful Crystal River Florida and the rest of Citrus County!
Citrus County Fact Sheet
QUICK INFORMATION ON AN INSPIRING DESTINATION
INVERNESS: HISTORY, HEALING AND FRESHWATER FUN
Approach Citrus County from the east, and you’ll soon see the Historic Old County Courthouse in Inverness. The charming streets around the courthouse have quaint shops and cafes, but as you widen your scope you’ll find a thoroughly modern town with well-established neighborhoods, excellent shopping and the 22-mile Tsala Apopka chain of lakes. Inverness offers history, freshwater fishing, boating, water skiing, golf, upland hunting and some great annual fairs and festivals.
CRYSTAL RIVER: THE JEWEL OF THE NATURE COAST
Historically, and even today, Crystal River’s development has been along U.S. Highway 19, which runs the length of Florida’s West Coast. Here, in a concentrated area, visitors find contemporary shopping, lodging, dining and the beginning of many natural explorations and recreations. The Crystal River itself is broad and deep, and hosts boats of every size as well as anglers on their way to the spectacular waters of the Gulf of Mexico. A nine-mile scenic drive west on Fort Island Trail will take you to the public beach and the Gulf of Mexico. Crystal River offers archaeological sites, boating on tidal rivers and the open Gulf, fishing, golfing, manatee encounters, birding and unmatched eco-tourism.
HOMOSASSA: EXPERIENCE OLD FLORIDA
Don’t feel bad if the names confuse you: Homosassa is the age-old fishing village sitting directly on the Homosassa River, including the big spring that attracts so many manatees. Homosassa Springs is the commercial area along U.S. 19. But they’re so close together that it doesn’t matter what you call them. Do yourself a favor and follow any of the roads leading westward from U.S. 19 along the strip of highway that runs past Homosassa Springs and Crystal River. You will find places to stay, out-of-the-way restaurants and great places to launch your boat or wet a line. Homosassa provides manatee encounters, fishing, eco-tourism, birding, waterfront relaxation and a look at unspoiled old Florida.
CITRUS COUNTY FACTS
Founded: 1887
Location: Approximately mid-state, bordering the Gulf of Mexico, about 70 miles north of Tampa and 60 miles northwest of Orlando.
Lakes: Countless small lakes and ponds, plus these named lakes with boat launches:• Big Lake Henderson• Little Lake Henderson• Lake Holathlikaha• Lake Roussea• Tsala Apopka Chain of Lakes• Lake Hernando
Rivers: Seven outstanding Florida waterways run through the county:• Crystal River• Homosassa River• Halls River• Chassahowitzka River• Withlacoochee River (72 miles of navigable water running through 7 counties)• Salt River• St Martins River
Springs: The county is home to dozens of springs, including beautiful King Spring, Homosassa Spring, Chassahowitzka Spring, and Three Sisters Springs.
