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State parks in Citrus, Hernando and Pasco County: admission, camping, kayaks and boat tours
Springs, manatees, trails, a lighthouse island, and campgrounds in the state forest. This page lists every state park in the three counties, what it costs to get in, what's there, and where you can camp, paddle, or take a boat tour.
Checked against Florida State Parks, the Florida Forest Service, and the other sources listed at the bottom. Parks post closures and alerts often, so check the park's own page the day you go. Last reviewed: October 5, 2026.
The short version:
- Does Florida State Parks offer a senior discount for camping? Yes. Florida residents 65 and older get 50% off the base fee for regular campsites. There's no senior discount on day entry.
- How much does it cost to camp in Florida state parks? It varies by park and is shown when you book. In the state forest here, campsites ran $15 to $25 a night on the last published fee schedule, less for seniors.
- Do any Florida state parks have cabins? Yes, 21 of them statewide. We didn't find a state park cabin in Citrus, Hernando, or Pasco, so check the reservation site.
- Are there kayak rentals in Crystal River? Yes. Crystal River Preserve State Park's rental service says kayaks return in November. Weeki Wachee and Werner-Boyce Salt Springs rent them now.
- Are there manatee boat tours available in Crystal River, Florida? The state park runs river tours from Crystal River Preserve. As of October 2026, Homosassa Springs' boat ride is paused for low water.
What it costs
Florida State Parks says on its frequently asked questions page that it doesn't give seniors a discount on entry. Three parks here are free. Three charge $3 or $4 a car. Homosassa Springs and Weeki Wachee charge $13 per adult.
An annual pass is $60 for one person or $120 for a group of up to eight. Honorably discharged veterans get 25% off, and veterans with a service-connected disability get a free lifetime pass. The annual pass doesn't cover Homosassa Springs or Weeki Wachee, which charge their own admission, or boat tours.
Parks in Citrus County
- Crystal River Preserve State Park, Crystal River. Free. A 7-mile loop trail, a kayak launch, fishing, picnicking, and river boat tours. 352-795-3817.
- Crystal River Archaeological State Park, Crystal River. $3 per car, paid in an honor box with exact change. An archaeological site with paved paths, picnicking, and a museum open Thursday through Monday.
- Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, Homosassa. $13 for ages 13 and up. An underwater observatory where you can see manatees in winter, manatee programs at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., and native wildlife. The boardwalks are wheelchair accessible, and the park has manual wheelchairs.
- Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park, Homosassa. Free. Sugar mill ruins, with exhibits and a picnic pavilion with grills.
- Fort Cooper State Park, Inverness. $3 per car, honor box. Nearly 5 miles of trails, fishing on Lake Holathlikaha, and a paved path to the Withlacoochee State Trail. Accessible restrooms, parking, and sidewalks through the picnic area.
Parks in Hernando County
- Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee. $13 for adults. Live mermaid shows, a spring, and swimming at Buccaneer Bay in season. The park's accessibility page says all public areas are fully accessible, and the Mermaid Theater is wheelchair accessible. 352-610-5660.
Parks in Pasco County
- Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park, Port Richey. $4 per car, or $2 on foot or bike, cashless. The main entrance is at 8737 U.S. 19 North, near the Walmart. Short trails, an accessible boardwalk, a kayak launch, and fishing. Swimming isn't allowed.
- Anclote Key Preserve State Park, 3 miles offshore of Tarpon Springs. Free, but you can only get there by private boat or ferry. An 1887 lighthouse and beaches. Since October 2024, the dock, boardwalk, and lighthouse have been closed for storm repairs, so check the park page before you go.
The trails
The Withlacoochee State Trail runs 47 paved, mostly flat miles through all three counties, from Citrus Springs to near Dade City. It's free and open from 8 a.m. to sunset.
The Withlacoochee Bay Trail, part of the Cross Florida Greenway near Crystal River, is a 5-mile paved trail from U.S. 19 out to an observation deck on the Gulf. It's free.
Camping and cabins
Does Florida State Parks offer a senior discount for camping?
Yes. Florida residents 65 and older get 50% off the base campsite fee. So do Florida residents with a Social Security disability award or a 100% disability rating from a government agency. You'll be asked for proof when you arrive.
The reservation rules say the discount covers regular family campsites only. It doesn't cover the $7 nightly utility fee, primitive sites, group camps, or boat slips. That matters here, because the state park camping in these three counties is mostly group or primitive sites, at Fort Cooper, Werner-Boyce, and Anclote Key.
How much does it cost to camp in Florida state parks?
Each park sets its own rate, and you see it when you book on the Florida State Parks reservation site or by calling 800-326-3521. There's a $6.70 reservation fee. Florida residents can book up to 11 months ahead.
For campsites with water and electricity, the closest choices are in the Withlacoochee State Forest, run by the Florida Forest Service. In Citrus County, Holder Mine near Inverness has campsites with concrete pads, electricity, and water. In Hernando County, the Silver Lake and Cypress Glen campgrounds near Brooksville have electric and water sites. The forest service warns Silver Lake gets constant interstate noise, and calls Cypress Glen quieter.
The forest service's fee schedule lists $15 a night without electricity and $25 with it, and $10 and $15 for people 65 and older, people with a 100% disability, and veterans. That schedule is dated 2016, so check the current price on the state forest reservation site or at 877-879-3859.
Chassahowitzka River Campground near Homosassa is run by Citrus County on water management district land. Citrus County's tourism office lists 53 full-hookup RV sites, 28 tent sites, boat ramps, a store, and boat rentals.
Do any Florida state parks have cabins?
Yes. Florida State Parks says 21 of its parks have cabins, at $30 to $180 a night, with a two-night minimum. We didn't find one in Citrus, Hernando, or Pasco on the parks' pages, and we didn't find cabins at the state forest campgrounds here either. Search "cabin" on the reservation site to see which parks have them.
Citrus County's tourism office lists private cabins on its where to stay page. Pick "Cabins" in the category filter.
Kayaks and boat tours
Are there kayak rentals in Crystal River?
Yes. Crystal River Preserve Adventures, the state park's rental service, said in October 2026 that its kayak rentals come back in November. It rents pontoon boats Thursday through Sunday now. Call 855-613-2777.
Two other state parks rent kayaks now:
- Weeki Wachee Springs: Weeki Fresh Water Adventures, the park's only kayak and paddleboard rental, for a 2.8-mile float down the Weeki Wachee River. Rental fees and booking are on the park's paddling page.
- Werner-Boyce Salt Springs: Salty Dog Kayak Rentals, Thursday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A single kayak is $27.99 for two hours. The launch is about 150 yards from the parking lot. (813) 540-5778.
If you have trouble getting in and out of a kayak, ask when you call whether they have a launch with something to hold on to, or a sit-on-top kayak.
Are there manatee boat tours available in Crystal River, Florida?
Crystal River Preserve Adventures runs river tours from the state park. Its own site lists daily departures at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m., and a sunset tour on Fridays. The park's boat tour page lists a different schedule, so call 855-613-2777 to confirm. Manatee season in Crystal River runs from November 15 to March 31.
Two other parks normally run boats, but as of October 2026 both were paused for low water. Homosassa Springs' boat ride from the visitor center isn't running, and Weeki Wachee's Wilderness River Cruise is paused during the day. Call before you plan around either one.
Just outside the area
Rainbow Springs State Park in Dunnellon is in Marion County, just past the Citrus line. It has a full-hookup campground, and its paths are steep and uneven in places. Since April 29, 2026, every visitor needs a day-use reservation, and parking is limited through February 4, 2027 while the lot is rebuilt.
Also worth reading
- Recreation for seniors: the overview of this whole section
- Beaches and paddling: Gulf-side parks, swimming, and kayak launches
- Fishing: licenses, lakes, the Gulf, and boat ramps
- Bird watching: shorebirds, wading birds, and free guided walks
- Seafood markets, waterfront dining and rentals
Sources
- Florida State Parks: frequently asked questions; annual pass; reservation information; park pages for Crystal River Preserve, Crystal River Archaeological, Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife, Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic, Fort Cooper, Weeki Wachee Springs, Werner-Boyce Salt Springs, Anclote Key Preserve, Withlacoochee State Trail, Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway, and Rainbow Springs, including park alerts as posted October 2026
- Florida Forest Service: Withlacoochee State Forest recreation and Croom tract pages; passes and reservations; fees on Florida Forest Service managed lands (revised April 14, 2016)
- Southwest Florida Water Management District, Chassahowitzka River Campground update (September 23, 2025); Discover Crystal River Florida, Chassahowitzka River listing and where to stay
- Crystal River Preserve Adventures; Weeki Wachee Springs accessibility and kayak rentals; Salty Dog Kayak Rentals