Three Sisters Springs

Three Sisters Springs is a protected unit of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge managed for wildlife conservation rather than a traditional municipal or state park.

What It Is Instead
• National Wildlife Refuge Unit: It functions as a federal sanctuary established to protect the threatened Florida manatee and local wetland habitats.
• Co-Managed Property: The 57-acre site is co-owned by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the City of Crystal River, and co-managed alongside the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Seasonal Manatee Sanctuary: From November 15 through March 31, it operates strictly as a warm-water haven where human access is tightly restricted or prohibited to prevent disturbing wintering manatees.

Key Access and Rules
• Land Access: Visitors arriving by land must go through the Three Sisters Springs Center at 917 Three Sisters Springs Trail, Crystal River, and take an accessible city trolley to the boardwalk, as there is no general public parking at the springs. Walk-in access is available.
• Water Access: Swimming and paddle-craft entry directly from the refuge land or boardwalk are prohibited due to erosion control. Water access is only permitted via the waterways from Kings Bay and only during designated non-manatee periods.

NOTE: Business Hours displayed on this listing are office hours only. Please call for accurate entry hours.