Homosassa Springs is a town that is located near the west coast of Florida. The town is named after, and best known for, a warm spring that is located in Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. This outflow of warm water attracts manatees, and the park is known as one of the best places in Florida to view them. Homosassa Springs is also located nearby to a number of other parks and many miles of bays and creeks, providing visitors with a wide range of recreational opportunities and healthy activities.
Hiking
You'll find many places to go hiking near Homosassa Springs, including the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, which has an approximately 1-mile long trail that passes the manatee viewing area.
Other nearby parks, all of which have much more extensive trail systems, include the Crystal River Preserve State Park, the Chassahowitzka River and Coastal Swamps and the Withlacoochee State Forest. All of the trails in these parks are level with little to no elevation gains as you hike through pine forests and marshes.
Cycling
The town of Homosassa Springs also has a number of nearby cycling trails for you to enjoy. Much like the hiking trails, the cycling trails are relatively flat. You will experience little change in elevation as you pedal along them.
Crystal River Preserve State Park has 9 miles of trails that take you through hardwood hammock, pinewoods, and salt marsh. The Chassahowitzka River and Coastal Swamps and the Withlacoochee State Forest also have extensive bike trails that wind through pine land and marsh.
Kayaking & Canoeing
Because it is on Florida's west coast, and because of the extensive salt marshes, rivers and bays that you'll find there, Homosassa Springs has many nearby places that are suitable for kayaking and canoeing.
Besides the many miles of paddling that you can enjoy in these nearby protected waters, there are also a number of small islands where you can stop to explore or picnic on. If you were to paddle about 6 miles east from Homosassa Springs, you will find yourself in the Gulf of Mexico, and there you will find literally hundreds of small islands and sand bars for you to explore.
Obviously, if you are going to paddle out into that maze of islands you will want to at least carry a map, or preferably a GPS unit and some spare batteries. You can start your paddling trip from the Crystal River Preserve State Park, the Crystal River Preserve State Park or the Withlacoochee State Forest.
Camping
If you want to spend some time camping, then you'll be happy to know that there also are plenty of campsites within easy reach of Homosassa Springs.
Both the Withlacoochee State Forest and the Chassahowitzka River and Coastal Swamps' Chassahowitzka River Campground have extensive campsites with and without electric and water hookup for RVs. Withlacoochee State Forest also has at least one campsite that has numerous horse stalls, making it suitable for horse camping.
Fishing
The Homosassa Springs area also has plenty of places where you can go fishing if you like. You'll find two fishing spots in Crystal River Preserve State Park; a canal system that connects to the Crystal River, and the tidally influenced Redfish Hole.
There you can expect to catch redfish, flounder, trout and snook. Another nearby place to go fishing is the Chassahowitzka River and Coastal Swamps. There you'll catch saltwater fish near the Gulf and freshwater fish near the park's various springs and creeks. The Chassahowitzka River itself is known for its largemouth bass.
Make sure you have the appropriate Florida fishing licenses before you go on a angling expedition. Information regarding fishing licenses is available on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's website.
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