CITRUS COUNTY. A PLACE THAT WILL PLAY YOUR HEARTSTRINGS. Citrus County, Florida THE WATER LOVER S FLORIDA. Escape into shady solitude under the oak

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1 THE WATER LOVER S FLORIDA CRYSTAL RIVER HOMOSASSA INVERNESS Citrus County, Florida CITRUS COUNTY. A PLACE THAT WILL PLAY YOUR HEARTSTRINGS. Escape into shady solitude under the oak hammocks of ancient forests. Discover creatures whose size is overshadowed only by their gentleness. Paddle down a gentle stream and observe the splendor of rare birds and a diverse ecosystem. Land silvery tarpon amid grassy flats. Experience quaint shops and fresh seafood in Crystal River, Homosassa, Inverness and Floral City scenic towns brimming with history. Visit Citrus County the heart of Florida with so many experiences to touch your soul. Updated December, 2010

2 FISHING A Great New Angle Few places can boast the variety of fishing experiences that Citrus County offers the eager angler. The salt waters of the Gulf of Mexico yield snapper, snook and grouper. Redfish and saltwater trout swim near the shore in the coast s grassy flats, where sportfishermen also catch massive tarpon throughout the season. Farther inland, fishermen shatter records as they land enormous bass from the Tsala Apopka lakes and Withlacoochee River in eastern Citrus County. For fishing license information, please visit BOATING 25,000 Reasons to Visit With over 25,000 surface acres of pristine lakes and rivers, not to mention the Gulf of Mexico, Citrus County is a true boater s paradise. The 22-mile Tsala Apopka Lake chain borders the east side of the County while the west side offers the Gulf of Mexico and seven rivers that are designated as Outstanding Florida Waterways. From powerboating to lazy drifting, waterskiing to sailing, Citrus County provides exciting opportunities for boaters of every interest. B oat rentals are very easy to find, as are unique aquatic adventures like meandering down the Withlacoochee River or swimming in 72 F spring water. For paddling enthusiasts, the Nature Coast Paddling Trail runs from the Crystal River to the Chassahowitzka River following the 7th segment of the Florida Circumnavigational Paddling Trail. Short day trips, overnight excursions or just a couple hours on this trail provide a unique paddling adventure. SNORKELING AND DIVING Get Out and Dive In The calm Gulf, consistently 72 F springs, spring-fed rivers and a variety of aquatic life make Citrus County an ideal destination for snorkeling and all experience levels of diving. Whether you are interested in snorkeling with manatees near Crystal River or diving into the cavern at King s Spring, the County has the perfect place for your aquatic adventure. Citrus County s amazingly clear springs have underwater visibility of up to 100 feet, an impressive range for viewing equally impressive marine life. The many dive shops and guide services throughout the County can ensure the excellence of your trip.

3 PRE-SORTED STANDARD HOMOSASSA SPGS, FL PERMIT #140 MANATEES Over a Ton of Tenderness Manatees love Citrus County almost as much as the people who visit, and they can be found in spring-fed rivers and estuaries along our Gulf Coast. Temperate springs keep these vegetarian mammals in the area all year, and the warm water draws even more manatees to Citrus County each winter, making it the site of North America s largest manatee gathering. And though they grow as large as 3,000 pounds, you will marvel at their gentleness. Citrus County is the only place in the United States where people are allowed to snorkel with these beloved creatures. Visitors can help preserve these gentle giants by not feeding them and by observing posted signs. Guide services make drifting with the manatees easy and safe for you and for them. So grab a snorkel and interact with these endangered wonders. No matter how you reach them, you ll leave touched. CRYSTAL RIVER HOMOSASSA INVERNESS Citrus County, Florida 9225 West Fishbowl Drive Homosassa, Florida

4 HIKING AND BIKING An Exciting Trail Mix The many parks, preserves and forests of Citrus County are rich with well-marked trails in whatever length suits your riding or walking expedition. Many begin at information stations or kiosks. The County contains many different types of terrain to traverse, including flat expanses, rolling land, sand dunes, oak hammocks and sun-drenched beach. Several preserves, the State Forest and the Withlacoochee Bay Trail offer enjoyable equestrian, bike and foot trails. The Withlacoochee State Trail is 47 scenic miles long, traveling through historic Hernando, Inverness and Floral City with a parallel equestrian trail. Bikes can be rented along the trail. BIRDING An Avian Adventure Citrus County has virtually every temperate and subtropical avian ecosystem. The waters of the Gulf of Mexico attract both migratory and resident waterfowl, some of which are never seen inland. The gently rolling hills of central Citrus County are ideal for spotting upland birds. And the freshwater lakes in eastern Citrus County support another large and varied bird population. Eighteen designated birding trails make expeditions easy, and whether you prefer biking, boating or hiking, Citrus County offers many options to lengthen your bird list. Serious bird watchers come from all over the world, and with Citrus County s number and variety of rare, threatened and protected species bald eagles, whooping cranes, sandhill cranes, eagles, herons, pelicans, terns, plovers, red-cockaded woodpeckers and many more it s easy to see why.

5 PARKS AND PRESERVES The Greater Outdoors HISTORY AND MUSEUMS 2,200 Years of Natural Attraction D ozens of parks and preserves make Citrus County the perfect place for campers, hikers, boaters, birders, fishers and all other outdoor lovers. Lose yourself for weeks in the 41,222 acres of the Citrus Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest, or spend an enjoyable afternoon observing native animals at the Homosassa Wildlife State Park. Enjoy an outing with the family at Fort Island Gulf Beach with its wonderful Gulf vista and fishing pier. There s truly a park for everyone. GOLF We Have What Drives You C itrus County has great golf year-round. People from all over the world come to play on quality grounds amidst the sun-soaked scenery. There are resorts with private courses, membership clubs that welcome visitors and many very well-maintained, top-ranked public courses. This is definitely a destination that understands the serious golfer, and players of all skill levels are assured an excellent day on the links. C itrus County is a treasure trove of historic locales and captivating museums. Relics of the area s first Native American visitors are displayed at Crystal River Archeological State Park, where mounds from about 200 B.C. mark the site as one of the oldest settlements in Florida. Fort Cooper State Park gives visitors an interesting glimpse into the tribulation of the Second Seminole Indian War. The fort met action in 1836, and it was used strategically throughout the war. The Old Citrus County Courthouse in the County Seat of Inverness dates to 1912 and is one of only three in the state that hasn t been altered over the decades. Many more museums and historic parks can be found in Citrus County, with sights to suit interests from Civil War ruins to printing presses. Plus, Floral City features two locations on the famed Florida Black Heritage Trail, providing a great glimpse into the lives of the area s early African-American residents. You can also absorb history at a more leisurely pace with a walk among the shops of Inverness and Crystal River or by strolling beneath the historic Heritage Oaks of Floral City, a National Historic District.

6 SHOPPING AND DINING Quaint Shops, Meal Stops Unique shopping and exciting dining are two great reasons to come to Citrus County. A multitude of antique shops and boutiques lines the streets of Crystal River and Inverness. Take a piece of the past home with you, or discover something new in a distinctive specialty shop or art gallery in Old Homosassa. When your shopping excursion inspires your appetite, Citrus County restaurants are ready to serve. Relaxed dining venues feature fresh-daily seafood from local waters and area dishes that delight. MEETINGS, REUNIONS AND GROUP TRAVEL Great for Groups, Made for Meetings A wide array of group amenities makes Citrus County a destination of distinction. Affordable resorts abound, offering their skilled service, conference centers, meeting rooms, ballrooms and state-of-the-art equipment that group travel demands. The natural beauty of the area and its many available activities make it the right choice for an enjoyable, productive trip for parties of many sizes, purposes and proclivities. SCALLOPING Dive for Dinner Every year from July 1 to mid-september, scalloping comes to Citrus County. Part snorkeling experience, part treasure dive and part saltwater fishing trip, scalloping along the unspoiled shores of Crystal River and Homosassa provides a salty adventure to fishers of all ages. Citrus County s bay scallops rest under about five or six feet of water, just offshore along the grassy lip of the Gulf of Mexico. All it takes is a snorkel, a mask, a mesh bag and a saltwater fishing license to get in on the action! HUNTING Fun in Your Sights Citrus County, like other places in the U.S., has a wild deer population that must be kept under control by harvesting. Upland birds are plentiful, and a combination of resident and migratory waterfowl provides plenty of action and good yields. And other game animals, including Osceola turkey, wild boar, rabbits and squirrels, can provide an enjoyable hunting challenge. Please contact the Citrus County Visitors & Convention Bureau if you have any questions about your trip