Chassahowitzka Springs

Locals just call it "the Chaz." Unlike almost every other spring in this guide, you cannot drive to Chassahowitzka, walk down a boardwalk, and step into the water. The springs sit about a mile upriver from the nearest road, reachable only by boat or kayak — and that single fact is exactly why the Chaz still feels wild. There is no parking lot at the head spring, no concession stand, no roped swim area. Just a narrow, glass-clear, jungle-lined river and a handful of springs feeding it.

You launch from the Chassahowitzka River County Park at the campground on Miss Maggie Drive, paddle west into the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, and work your way up the spring runs to landmarks with names like The Crack, Seven Sisters, and Blue Spring. The water holds 72°F year-round, so in winter the manatees move in — and on a still morning, the upper river is one of the most beautiful paddles in Florida.

• Location: Chassahowitzka (Citrus County), ~8 miles south of Homosassa
• Launch / address: Chassahowitzka River County Park, 8600 W Miss Maggie Dr, Homosassa, FL 34448
• Access: Boat or kayak only — the springs are ~1 mile upriver, no road access
• Hours: Daylight hours; rental boats out by 8 a.m., back by 4:30 p.m.
• Parking / launch fee: $5 per vehicle to park; boat launch free once parked
• Water temperature: 72°F year-round
• Magnitude: First-magnitude spring group (combined springs feed the river)
• Phone: 352-382-2200 (campground / rentals)

The launch is the Chassahowitzka River County Park, operated alongside the Chassahowitzka River Campground at the end of W Miss Maggie Drive, off US-19.

• Tampa: about 1 hour 15 minutes (US-19 / Suncoast Parkway north)
• Orlando: about 2 hours
• Ocala: about 1 hour
• Gainesville: about 1 hour 30 minutes

Pay the $5 parking fee at the county park; once you've parked, launching your own boat or kayak is free. There is a boat ramp, dock, parking, restrooms, and a general store on site. This is the only public access point — plan to be on the water here, not at the springs themselves.

Chassahowitzka is a spring group, not a single vent. Several springs boil up along the first mile or two of the river and its side creeks, and together they keep the run cold and clear. The headspring (Main Spring) sits at the very top of the navigable river; the most popular destinations are reached by paddling up from the county-park ramp:

• The Crack — A narrow fissure spring you reach in roughly 30–60 minutes of paddling each way, often via the Baird Creek / Crab Creek route. Clear, deep, and a favorite cool-off and snorkel spot.
• Seven Sisters Spring — A cluster of vents up a shallow side run.
• Blue Spring and Crab Creek Springs — Side-creek springs off the main river.
• Ruth Spring — A smaller vent along the system.

The upper runs are shallow and narrow — too shallow for most motorboats — which is what keeps the springs quiet and the snorkeling clear. Bring a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard for the springs themselves; larger boats stay on the lower river.

• Paddling — The main event. Rent at the campground (single kayak $35/day, tandem kayak or canoe $45/day, paddleboard $50/day, plus tax; reserve at 352-382-2200) or bring your own. The lower river is easy enough for beginners; the spring runs reward patience and a shallow draft.
• Snorkeling & swimming — The Crack and the clearer spring vents are the spots to cool off. There's no developed swim area — you swim where you paddle.
• Manatee viewing (winter) — In the cooler months, manatees move into the warm spring water. Give them space; the river is a designated refuge.
• Fishing & birding — The river and the surrounding Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge are rich with wading birds, ospreys, and fish.

The Chassahowitzka River Campground at the county park has 53 full-hookup RV sites and 28 primitive tent sites, plus a general store and boat rentals — so you can launch at first light without a drive. Reserve at 352-382-2200.

• Chassahowitzka River Campground — On-site RV and tent camping at the launch; the most convenient base for an early paddle.
• Old Homosassa (~8 miles north) — Riverside cottages and resorts along the Homosassa River; see our Homosassa Springs profile for options.
• Crystal River (~20 miles north) — Full-service hotels if you're combining the Chaz with a Crystal River manatee trip.

There is no restaurant at the springs — pack water and food for the paddle. For meals before or after:

• Old Homosassa village (~8 miles north) — Riverfront seafood: Riverside Crab House, the Florida Cracker spots, and the Freezer Tiki Bar.
• US-19 in Homosassa — Standard quick options near the highway.

• There is no road to the springs. You must paddle (or boat) about a mile upriver. Plan for a half-day on the water, not a quick swim stop.
• Go early and on a weekday. Mornings are calmest and clearest; the lower river gets motorboat traffic on weekends.
• Pack everything in. No facilities, food, or fresh water upriver. Bring sunscreen, water, snacks, and a dry bag.
• The upper runs are shallow. A kayak, canoe, or paddleboard reaches the springs; bigger boats can't.
• Winter is manatee season. Keep your distance and never chase or touch them — the river is a manatee refuge.
• Watch the rental clock. Rented boats launch from 8 a.m. and must be back by 4:30 p.m.
• It's a wild river. Alligators, snakes, and strong sun are part of the Nature Coast — supervise kids and respect the wildlife.

• It's a remote, self-supported paddle. Cell coverage is spotty, there are no facilities upriver, and the spring runs branch confusingly — carry a map (or the paddleflorida.net map), water, and a charged phone in a dry bag.
• Manatee and idle-speed zones are enforced. The river is a refuge; obey posted speed and no-entry zones, especially in winter.
• Don't count on motorboat access to the springs. The upper runs are too shallow; attempting them damages the bottom and strands boats.

Last verified: June 3, 2026. Chassahowitzka Springs are accessible by boat or kayak only, launching from the Chassahowitzka River County Park (8600 W Miss Maggie Dr). Fees, hours, and rental rates are set by the campground/county park and change seasonally — confirm at 352-382-2200 before visiting.