Facility Activities
Crystal River NWR has several activities available to visitors such as wildlife viewing, interpretation, guided tours, environmental education, boating/paddling, fishing and photography.
Know Before You Go
Much of Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge is only accessible to visitors by water. The Three Sisters Springs property provides land access via shuttle service, but no access to the water is provided at this site. The refuge doesn鈥檛 offer any water-access facilities. However, there are several City boat ramps and private ramps (with a fee) that provide access to refuge waters. If you are interested in visiting other parts of the refuge (other than Three Sisters Springs boardwalk), you can use your own vessel, rent a vessel, or book a guided tour. The refuge does not provide guided manatee tours itself, but instead has allotted Special Use Permits to many businesses in Kings Bay to provide them. Click here for a current list of refuge permitted tour operators who offer several different types of rentals and guided tours. However you choose to meet a manatee, remember to keep calm and enjoy the moment! It鈥檚 a privilege and responsibility to make sure we treat this beloved threatened species with the utmost care and respect.
The manatee season at Crystal River NWR begins November 15 and ends March 31. This is when the seven warm water manatee sanctuaries are in effect. During the winter months, manatees come to the springs of Crystal River NWR to conserve the energy necessary to survive the cold Gulf waters. Remember when you are visiting Crystal River, you are visiting the manatees home. The Manatee Manners videos are designed to provide visitors with the necessary awareness that prevents disturbing manatees while engaging in different recreational activities. Please view "" before initiating any recreation activity in Kings Bay.