Specialties: Three Sisters Springs Center is the concessionaire for land access to the Three Sisters Springs Unit of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. Most people recommend launching at Hunter Springs Park. The Three Sisters Springs Center managesland access to Three Sisters Springs, a unit of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River has water so clean, you can see straight through it. With more than 560 refuges spanning the country, this system protects iconic species and provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on Earth. Sadly, you may also notice that many have old scars from hazardous boat propellers. Check out our other Florida Manatee stories: Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Search for volunteer opportunities around the country, News about wonderful wild things and places, FWS is taking steps to mitigate climate impacts, Search employment opportunities with USFWS. The admission fee will cover you for the entire day. February 3, 2022. The 232-acre resort is located near Kings Bay and is about one mile from Three Sisters Spring. Swimming is only allowed if swimmers follow strict rules. Time your visit right, and you'll spot one (or more) of the state's most prized inhabitants: manatees. Crystal River, Fish and Wildlife Service conserves land and water on national wildlife refuges for hundreds of species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and fish. They can easily be scared out of their warm water refuges, which can lead to their death. If you are paying attention, you may even have the chance to see a mother and her calf swim through the Three Sisters Springs area. The FWC may close water access to the springs if the surrounding water temperature to dangerously low temperatures to protect the manatees, and ensure they have uninterrupted access to warm water. 1.2 miles away from Three Sisters Cafe. If you want more of a guaranteed encounter where you can get up close and personal (without touching of course!) Address: 123 NW Hwy 19 Crystal River, FL 34428 (from there you get a shuttle to the spring if you intend to access the spring via land). This closure is necessary to protect in-water recreational users and Refuge visitors from conflicts with construction. Your whole family can enjoy the amenities here which include a swimming pool, a hot tub, a playground, cable T.V. The longest course in the area is Juliette Falls Golf Club which is 7,236 yards long. Three Sisters Springs Tips Swimming with Manatees, Kayaking and more, Best Snorkeling Tour to Take of the Spring, Best Places to Kayak with Manatees in Florida, Plantation on Crystal River, Ascend Hotel, best places to kayak with manatees in Florida. There is a spring run which flows into a canal, and then into the Crystal River. Tandem and single kayaks are available for rent half day or full day. The area is a known manatee sanctuary and one of the best places in the state to swim with the animals. Snakes are native to Florida and are important members of the natural ecosystem. During busy times, the area around Three Sisters Spring can feel like an overcrowded carnival. Those manatees are more likely to be injured or killed by a boat propeller in the future. And nothing can be more authentic than to spend time in nature, visiting one of Floridas crown jewels while viewing Floridas most lovable wildlife. Pets are not allowed in the land-based wildlife refuge, except for service animals. Tour routes of great scenic drives on National Wildlife Refuges. When they do these things its not out of aggression, they are just trying to check people out. To provide fish and wildlife-oriented recreationalopportunities. Today, Three Sisters Spring is a beautiful protected area. Golfing is another great activity you can do in while in Crystal River. Id recommend going early! It includes historic homes and cottages, dating back to the 1800s, that have been converted into gift and specialty shops. Last Admission and ticket sale at 3:30 pm EST. What is the location of the public boat ramp closest to the manatee? Here are some natural sights to look for in winter at national wildlife refuges. Plan Your Adventure Cabins Camping Boats/Marinas Full Service Cabins Three Sisters Spring is the most popular destination in the town. (, Class D Walk-in Site - Tent (Lake Ouachita), 26 ft. Tri-Toon Party Barge w/Upper Deck and 115 hp Motor, 25 ft. Party Barge w/Upper Deck & 115 hp Motor, Slip Rental - 11' x 34' Covered Slip w/Electric Hook-Up - B and C Docks, Slip Rental - 14' x 34' Uncovered Slip w/Electric Hook-Up - B and C Docks, Slip Rental - 11' x 30' Covered Slip w/Electric Hook-Up - A Dock, Slip Rental - 14' x 30' Uncovered Slip w/Electric Hook-Up - A Dock, Slip Rental - Transient Slip with No Electric Hook-Up, Photo Essay: Island Adventures on Lake Ouachita, Video: The Historic and Healing Three Sisters Springs, New Years Resolution: Visit an Arkansas State Park Every Month, Stephens Park Recreation Area & Campground, Crystal Ridge RV Park At Ron Coleman Mining, Brady Mountain Recreation Area & Campground, Pirate's Cove Striper Fishing Guide Service, Clampit's Country Kitchen and Meat Market, 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Cabin #: 3, 4, 5 (Cabin #5 is Dog-Friendly), 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath w/ fireplace & spa tub Cabin #: 1 (ADA & Dog-Friendly), 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath w/ fireplace & spa tub Cabin #: 2. By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. Some camping options close to Three Sisters Spring are Rock Crusher Canyon RV Resort, Smith Point Park Campground and Indian Island County Park. It is not permitted to access the water of the Three Sisters Spring by land through the wildlife refuge so the only way to access the spring itself is by water. If their body temp ever falls below 70 F, it can cause stress and make them more vulnerable to disease or death. I want to inspire you on new places to see and fun things to do as a family while juggling it all. Just an FYI, they're more prevalent during the cooler winter months. If you access the spring via land, you must pay an admission fee. We rented from Paddles Outdoor Rentals. It is one of the area's most popular springs, and when you see it with your own eyes, you will know why. Crystal River Kayak Company will take you out to the kayak and say, Three Sisters Spring is not far away, just a short ten-minute paddle. At the dock, youll receive a paddle, safety vest, and a map with easy directions. Animals deploy a host of strategies to survive the cold. Three Sisters Springs Kayak Rentals offers canoe and kayak rentals. On busy days, especially during holidays like Spring Break in March, as many as 1,000 swimmers may visit the area in a single day. Fish and Wildlife Service. Other springs include: Crystal River NWR protects some of the most sensitive wetland areas in Florida. Manatees were originally placed on the endangered species list in 1973 under the Endangered Species Act. The reason for this policy is to help protect the sensitive spring shoreline, and to avoid the devastating soil erosion that would happen with so many visitors. In the meantime, please take pictures and/or a video of the manatee to send to the biologist. They offer comfortable, updated rooms, Wi-Fi throughout the property and continental breakfast every morning. The original plans for the property were to develop the land with condos and houses. The nearby city of Crystal River is the manatee capital of the world. 2023 Discover Crystal River Florida. Crystal River is the largest warm water refuge for manatees in the world. Three Sisters Springs is a breathtaking part of the Crystal River Wildlife Refuge. We may earn a small commission if a purchase is made through an affiliate link, at no additional cost to you. They live in almost all natural environments, especially wetlands, swamps and wilderness areas. On one hand, swimming with manatees helps educate people about manatees, and may inspire people to help protect them. Several dozen commercial businesses have Special Use Permits to operate in the refuge area. If manatees become unafraid of boats, it makes them more likely to be killed by boat propellers. Three Sisters Springs The Three Sisters Springs Center manages land access to Three Sisters Springs, a unit of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. You can launch your boat or kayak using one of the many boat launches in Kings Bay or the kayak launches at Hunter Springs Park or Kings Bay Park. Copyright The Florida Guidebook. Their summer season runs April 1 st - November 14 th. [1] They are in a natural inlet on the east side of Kings Bay. Their sites range from $42 to $52 per night. Does the manatee have a tag attached near its tail? Barriers were built in 1982 to limit boat traffic into Three Sisters Spring. Also a manatee sanctuary, you can take your snorkel to the springs, go for a swim and then pretend you're in the blue lagoon. We were 6 kayaks deep, 13 paddlers in total. During the winter, manatees gather here seeking temperate water near Floridas freshwater springs. You will encounter some manatees all throughout the year. Three Sisters Springs Canal Stabilization Project. West Indian Manatees are an imperiled/endangered species. The pool features tiki bar with a full menu of food and drinks. Three Sisters Springs is the gem of Crystal River, FL. Three Sisters Springs is comprised of three converged cyrstal-blue spring pools - Big Sister, Little Sister, and Pretty Sister. They are protected by state and federal protection laws. Today its known as Lake Linda. Propelled by huge powerful tails they lumber along Floridas waterways, grazing on aquatic vegetation. For those who have wanted to see the manatees from land, the Three Sisters Springs boardwalk is now open. Three Sisters Springs Florida, a 57 acre unique and tranquil haven, is a unit of Crystal River that is located in western Florida. National wildliferefuges provide many opportunities for you to help your community and fish and wildlife by doing what you love. NO LIFEGUARD - SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK. Its best to follow all the rules in order to keep the manatees safe. 19, but as you paddle, it gets quieter. | Contact Us. This would not affect land or boardwalk access though the refuge. Snakes are also found on the riverbanks and in the land surrounding Three Sisters Spring. Navigation. All manatee sanctuaries are also off limits. If they cant return to their warm water spring, they may die from cold exposure. Manatees do technically have teeth, but dont worry. You cannot access the spring by land and go into the water and vis versa. To cut a long story short, the best time to see manatees in the Three Sisters Spring is during the winter months. The temperature is 72 degrees year round. The resort is a beautifully landscaped RV park that is only six miles away from Three Sisters Spring. Lake Ouachita State Park exists, in part, to protect the history of the springs and provide opportunities for visitors to hear its story. We offer shuttle service from the Center to the Boardwalk at Three Sisters Springs as well as walk-in and bicycle-in access from the front gate of the refuge. The best time to see manatees at Three Sisters Spring is in the late fall, winter and early spring, when the weather is coldest. Swimming is allowed inside the spring year-round. My family and I headed out on a quest to see the breathtaking natural springs and hopes to see manatees. All rights reserved. Despite conservation efforts, human presence has negative effects on manatee health and survival. These lakes are the perfect place to enjoy water activities like fishing, boating and more. VISIT FLORIDA is a service mark of the Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation, d/b/a VISIT FLORIDA, registered in the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Manatees are most likely to seek warmth at Three Sisters Springs when water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico drop below 68 degrees. It also has clear spring water flowing through it. Daily tours will take you by bus to the Three Sisters Wildlife Refuge. If youre looking for more amenities during your stay you should check out the Plantation on Crystal River, Ascend Hotel. On the other hand, it is not good for manatees for many reasons. The refuge includes Three Sisters Spring, King Spring/Tarpon Hole area and Warden Key. They can easily die from cold temperatures. This has been in the works for a pretty long time, and while there's still plenty of work to do, it's fantastic that the public now can access the property. Yelp helps you discover popular restaurants, hotels, tours, shopping, and nightlife for your vacation. Located in Citrus County on the Crystal River, these natural inlets are located on the east side of Kings Bay. There is no camping at the park itself but there are several options nearby. They contain three spring areas that contain many sand boils and vents. I was a bit surprised by the paddle to the springs we launched in the bay and then headed into a residential intercoastal waterway before reaching the springs. In many ways it has stopped being a respectful natural encounter, and has become a dangerous circus-type interaction.. Before being protected, it was almost destroyed and lost forever. This Crystal River Wildlife Refuge is the only one of its kind in the whole country. The easiest way to access Three Sisters Spring by water is to go with a tour. If kayaking isnt your thing you can see the manatees and Three Sisters Springs from the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. The event will have live music, food vendors, manatee tours, and fun for the kids! Visitors should help members of their party adhere to the regulations and avoid disturbing manatees, or violating federal regulations. After the canal was created Three Sisters Spring was still a wetland forest. Over the years Three Sisters Spring has become an excessively popular attraction. World-renowned Crystal River is the Gem of the Nature Coast Epic Springs. When people touch or interact with manatees, theyre training them to seek human presence, and lose their natural protective instincts. The spring opens for visitors to have unrestricted water access during the rest of the year from April 1st to November 14th. There is not any camping on-site at Three Sisters Spring. There are various discounts for special groups. U.S. Highway 19, Crystal River, FL. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 22 min to complete. The Three Sisters Spring shuttle continuously run throughout the day. After you are finished exploring the refuge our shuttles will make stops . Access to the land surrounding the spring is jointly owned by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the City of Crystal River. The park also had a playground and restrooms. You may notice other animals in area such as beautiful butterflies as they stop for a moment before flying on their way. In turn the manatee loses its food source. You will want to avoid in getting into any trouble by breaking laws or by hurting a manatee or yourself so follow these rules. Accessing Three Sisters Spring is a bit different than most springs. Crystal River, FL is famous for their natural springs and its known as The Manatee Capital of the World. They look like they are in suspended animation or even asleep. Dredgers dug enormous holes into the wetland. Others dont mean harm, but are oblivious, and may accidentally scare the manatee families by getting too close and overcrowding. Off in the distance, youll spot a roped area marking the entrance to the Three Sisters Springs. Its actually very easy and fun. On my last visit, even the cold couldn't contain my excitement for my trip to this beautiful spring. While working full time, we travel and explore as much as we can. Fish and Wildlife Service manages an unparalleled network of public lands and waters called the National Wildlife Refuge System. Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (last two weeks in August: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.) Manatees are very curious animals and they have been known to be a little rough towards swimmers by banging into them or even grabbing swimmers with their mouth, sometimes by the hair. Located within Crystal River Wildlife Refuge, Three Sisters Spring is a great place to come see manatees in their natural habitat where the seagrass is plentiful and the water is warm. Manatees are very loyal to their locations. Human activity is dangerous to the long-term survival of manatees. The manatees need to be protected and they need a place to come during the winter months where they wont starve to death. At the time of this writing, guided walking tours have been suspended due to COVID-19. 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