Citrus County is truly the gem of
Florida's Nature Coast. Watered by seven spring-driven rivers and wrapped in verdant forest, Citrus County may be Florida’s most natural
attraction and truly is Mother Nature's Theme Park! If variety is the essence of the Florida experience, then from its unspoiled shore on the Gulf of Mexico to its rolling hills and sparkling lakes, Citrus County residents have it all.
So pristine is much of the county that more than 152,000 acres out of Citrus County's 683 square miles have been acquired through local, state and federal funds and set aside to protect it from excessive development to preserve wildlife. This provides for a myriad of outdoor activities from hiking and jogging, to bird watching, horseback riding, camping and more. The cities, towns and communities within Citrus County have set aside greenbelt areas, parks, recreational areas and preserves offering tennis, horseshoes, skateboarding,
world class golf courses, and a host of activities. Extensive clubs, civic groups and religious organizations offer even more recreational opportunities, both indoors and out,
for seniors and families alike.
Located at the hub of Florida’s Nature Coast, 70 miles north of Tampa and St. Petersburg and 60 miles northwest of Orlando, Citrus County
is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico on the west and streams, lakes and thick forest of the Withlacoochee
region to the east. On the northern and eastern borders, the Withlacoochee River presents 45 miles of river front beauty and recreational
opportunity and refreshes the Tsala Apopka chain of lakes, a 23,000 acre bass-rich playground for fisherman and a wetland home for a dozen species of bird and mammal considered rare elsewhere in America.
Along U.S. 19, a string of first and second magnitude springs give birth to Citrus County’s other protean, crystal clear rivers, including the Homosassa, the Chassahowitzka, and the Crystal River. Flowing at a constant temperature of 72 degrees, these spring- spawned streams provide the endangered West Indian Manatee, America’s largest fresh water mammal, with its favored winter home. The people of Citrus County take pride in assisting state and federal efforts to protect this American cousin of the elephant. Large herds of manatee are seen from December through March.
Few Counties in Florida enjoy a better year-round climate than Citrus County. Summer days average 82 degrees, moderated by constant breezes from the lakes and the Gulf of Mexico; while winter lows average 62
degrees.
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Citrus County
