Crystal River is situated around Kings Bay, which is spring-fed by a cluster of more than 30 springs, designated as a first-magnitude system. Because the water stays a constant 72 degrees, this area is a popular area for West Indian manatees to winter in.
Incorporated in 1903, in 2016 about 3,138 people were living within the city limits. US Hwy. 19 separates Crystal River in a north-south direction, with Kings Bay on the west side and most public works on the east side of the road.
Quick Crystal River History
The northwest edge of Crystal River is home to a National Historic Landmark consisting of the Crystal River Archaeological State Park. This pre-Columbian Native American site containing burial mounds, temple mounds, a plaza area, and a sizeable shell midden is worth a visit from anywhere.
Next to the Archaeological Park is the Crystal River Preserve State Park, with a fantastic historical boat tour each Monday, Wednesday and Friday run by the Park’s Friends organization. The boat tour allows visitors the opportunity to see the islands and temple mounds of the time gone by. It can make it easier to visualize how this historic society operated. There are interpretive exhibits. Coincidentally, the archaeological excavations began in 1903.
Downtown Crystal River is charming, with the 1800s and 1900s buildings in good condition housing small retailers and restaurants. There is quite a bit of waterfront development that includes parks, housing, and businesses.
Crystal River is most famous for its winter manatee population, which has reached over 1,000 manatees on occasion. A boardwalk and viewing center has been constructed around Three Sisters Springs, perhaps the most famous location to view manatees in the world. There is a robust manatee tour trade, as well as sunset cruises and fishing expeditions. Kayak rentals, tours and more are part of the waterfront community. You can find links to Manatee Tour Operators and more here.
Browse Crystal River Articles:
Metamorphosis at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
Manatees in Crystal River Once the Gulf of Mexico water temperatures drop to a chilly 68°F, Florida manatees flock to Crystal River on Florida’s Nature Coast. This iconic species gathers in the 72-degree warmth of the Idiot’s Delight Springs, located at the mouth of the Three Sisters Spring Run in… Read More
Saving Crystal River
Crystal River was frequented by pre-Columbian Native people who enjoyed abundant fishing in the crystal-clear water. The cluster of 30+ springs in Kings Bay constitute a first magnitude springshed, with a coastal marshland ecosystem north and south. Kings Bay is Florida’s second largest spring. The diversity of wildlife that make… Read More
Brewing a Captivating Cup of Awesome
The Cattle Dog Coffee Roasters Story When James Cook was five years old, he would get up early every morning to make the coffee for his grandpa. He would push the button on the coffee maker they had set up from the night before. No one could have imagined what… Read More
Entrepreneurial Inspiration, Nature Coast Style
What do you do when your livelihood is completely disrupted? Even with an emergency plan, many small businesses on Florida’s Nature Coast were unprepared for the changes brought about by the Coronavirus, or COVID-19, to our area in mid-March. On March 20, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis ordered all Florida restaurants… Read More
Metamorphosis at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
Manatees in Crystal River Once the Gulf of Mexico water temperatures drop to a chilly 68°F, Florida manatees flock to Crystal River on Florida’s Nature Coast. This iconic species gathers in the 72-degree warmth of the Idiot’s Delight Springs, located at the mouth of the Three Sisters Spring Run in… Read More
Scoreboards added at Citrus County Park Ballfields
Citrus County Parks and Recreation has installed eleven new scoreboards at ball fields in Central Ridge District Park (Holder, FL) and Bicentennial Park (Crystal River, FL). The project was funded from the Capital Improvements Fund (CIP) and had a budget of $65,000. Total expense was $44,282.44, for a savings of… Read More
Florida Manatee Festival Postponed
After continued meetings with City and County (Health) Officials, as a condition of the permit to conduct the festival within the parameters in consideration of Covid 19 guidelines/protocol, the 2021 Florida Manatee Festival has been postponed to March 27-28, 2021. The Festival team was hoping for significant improvement in Citrus County infection numbers and hospitalization… Read More
Chamber Calls for Action in Community Diversity Meeting
The Citrus County Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with The New Church Without Walls, presents community initiative Building A Diverse Community: Moving from Words to Actions. As a community, we’ve spent a lot of time TALKING about diversity and ways to promote a successful future. Now it’s time to move… Read More
Maze of Darkness at Just Amuse Me
All of the creepy things that go bump in the night are gathering at Just Amuse Me (JAM) Entertainment Center for the Halloween season. This fun-filled place in the Crystal River Mall has added to a spooky maze to their family-friendly games and Underground Cantina restaurant offerings several evenings… Read More
Superheroes Masquerade Party October 10
This weekend kicks off Halloween fun at Just Amuse Me (JAM) Entertainment Center. JAM is hosting a Superheroes Masquerade party on Saturday, October 10th from 7 to 11 pm. Live music, costume contest, haunted maze, Popular reggae-style band, Propaganjah, is scheduled to play live at the Superheroes Masquerade Party… Read More
Saving Crystal River
Crystal River was frequented by pre-Columbian Native people who enjoyed abundant fishing in the crystal-clear water. The cluster of 30+ springs in Kings Bay constitute a first magnitude springshed, with a coastal marshland ecosystem north and south. Kings Bay is Florida’s second largest spring. The diversity of wildlife that make… Read More
M-CORES Task Force Holds Local Public Meetings
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will facilitate each of the upcoming Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance (M-CORES) Task Force meetings and public engagement options this month. M-CORES Task Force Holds Local Public Meetings for Members Meet to Review and Refine Draft Report The meetings will once again… Read More
Save Our Waters Week 2020
Citrus County’s 25th Annual Save Our Waters Week (SOWW), sponsored by Keep Citrus County Beautiful, Inc., will be September 19-26 with the theme, “25 Years Protecting Our Waters.” The week, which promotes public appreciation and awareness to save our irreplaceable waters, features nine activities of which four are offered… Read More
Brewing a Captivating Cup of Awesome
The Cattle Dog Coffee Roasters Story When James Cook was five years old, he would get up early every morning to make the coffee for his grandpa. He would push the button on the coffee maker they had set up from the night before. No one could have imagined what… Read More
In Case You Missed It: Libraries Are Open
All five branches of the Citrus County Library System are open to the public for access to primary services including shelf-browsing and reading, check-out of materials, reference and information services, and computer and Wi-Fi use. In Case You Missed It: Libraries Are Open Additionally, some technology classes and other… Read More
Family Fun Night scheduled for Bicentennial Pool
Are you looking for something fun for the whole family to enjoy? Come make a splash at our last Friday Family Fun Night of the summer season at Bicentennial Park Pool on August 7, 2020 from 6-8pm. Friday Family Fun Night offers an extended open swim time for the whole… Read More
Crystal River Archaeological State Park
The northwest edge of Crystal River is home to a National Historic Landmark consisting of the Crystal River Archaeological State Park. This pre-Columbian Native American site containing burial mounds, temple mounds, a plaza area, and a sizeable shell midden is worth a visit from anywhere.
This 61-acre Native American site was occupied long before Columbus came to America; in fact, evidence has been found that puts native peoples living at this site from the Deptford period (800 BC), the Swift Creek-Santa Rosa culture and up to the late Fort Walton period (1500 AD). It is one of the longest continuously occupied sites in Florida with many stories to tell.
Native peoples who lived at, and visited, the site that houses the CR Archaeological Park were able to hunt and gather food from the sea (oysters, saltwater fish), land (deer, bear, beaver), and marsh (turtles, freshwater fish) in this area.
These native peoples built six large middens, mostly consisting of oyster shells and bones from fish and animals that provided their food, layered with sand and plant debris.
Some of these mounds were used to bury the human remains also, and it is believed that over 7,500 Natives lived or visited here. Evidence of trading with other tribes has been found. This is a peaceful place to visit, with explanatory displays, demonstrations and trails to roam. There are several archaeological finds, and activities to help history come alive.
Crystal River Preserve State Park
Next to the Archaeological Park is the Crystal River Preserve State Park, with a fantastic historical boat tour each Monday, Wednesday and Friday run by the Park’s Friends organization. The boat tour allows visitors the opportunity to see the islands and temple mounds of the time gone by. It can make it easier to visualize how this historic society operated. There are interpretive exhibits. Coincidentally, the archaeological excavations began in 1903.
Today the Florida Public Archaeology Network of USF has an office at the Crystal River State Preserve. 
An historic and nature-viewing tour is available at the Crystal River Sate Park, put on by Friends’ of the Park, it offers another view into ancient civilizations, the opportunity to see native wildlife and a relaxing cruise that supports the park and its activities.
The City of Crystal River
After the Second Seminole War and the Armed Occupation Act of 1842, twenty-two men filed for land in Crystal River. Several families moved to the area after the Civil War. The turpentine industry brought more people to the area, with William Turner being a noted early resident.
If you’ve ever written with a Dixon pencil, you are using a piece of Crystal River’s history. The cedar mill that made the planks those pencils were made from was located to Kings Bay in 1882. Those boards were shipped to New Jersey to make Dixon pencils.
1888 brought the railroad to Crystal River, providing a way for wealthy northerners to come to Crystal River to sport fish and starting the area’s thriving tourism business.
The Crystal River Nuclear Plant
During excavations for the Florida Nuclear Power Plant in 1969, scientists discovered rhinoceros and mastodon bones, as well as the shells of an extremely large armadillo and a large land tortoise.
The power plant was completed and licensed to operate in December 1976, and operated safely for 33 years until shutdown in September 2009. It was the third plant built as part of the 4,700-acre River Energy Complex (CREC) that includes four fossil fuel power plants.
In 2009, the Crystal River nuclear plant was shut down for “routine maintenance.” During the maintenance, the reactor was cracked and determined to be inoperable. In 2014, the plant was closed.
Attracting Visitors to Crystal River
The Plantation Inn and Golf Resort was built in 1962 along the banks of the pristine Crystal River. In 1975, W.W. Caruth Jr. purchased the property, impressed with its beautiful natural setting and Old South charm. Today, this beautiful resort offers fine dining, manatee and scalloping tours, fishing charters, a riverside pool area, three golf courses, and an on-site spa. It has plenty of history in the area and is a premier place for getting away on the Nature Coast.
Crystal River Trolley stop 
The Edwards House 
Heritage Village 
Cattle Dog Coffee Roasters Crystal River location. 
On eo fth ecute downtown Crystal River shops.
Crystal River’s Charming Downtown
In 2015, Crystal River became a Main Street community.
The downtown area has many repurposed historic homes that now house shops, restaurants, galleries, and service businesses.
The area near Citrus Avenue and US 19 is home to Heritage Village, which encompasses the Eubanks Edwards House (c.1900) and several early rental cottages. Directly across Citrus Avenue, quaint businesses welcome visitors and residents. Historic buildings, quaint lighting, and colorful landscaping welcome shoppers daily.
Manatee Tours and Three Sisters Springs
Over the years, Crystal River has become most well-known for its manatee tours. Citrus County is the only place one can swim in the water with manatees legally. There are many tour operators that provide complete packages for this amazing encounter. Some of our favorites can be found here.
Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River is one of the most beautiful places to see manatees and it was saved from development in 2010 and became part of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. Boardwalks have been built around the Springs and now you can visit daily 8:30-4:30 for a fee. Trolley tours take visitors from the boardwalk area to downtown Crystal River as part of the $7.50 admission fee.
Several public parks are located throughout Crystal River. Hunters Springs was recently updated and given a beautiful boardwalk and kayak launch, along with playground equipment and picnic provisions. The only fee is for parking and the manatees are easy to spot from the boardwalk.
Festivals and Events celebrate Crystal River
There are many festivals and events held in Crystal River throughout the year. To see what’s happening now, check out NatureCoaster’s events page.
