Three Sisters Springs Wildlife Refuge

The Three Sisters Springs Center manages land access to Three Sisters Springs, a unit of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. We offer shuttle service, walk-in, and bicycle-in access to the refuge.

Note:

There is no water access to the spring from the refuge. Due to erosion; visitors are not permitted to enter the springs from the refuge.
The only parking on the refuge is for handicapped vehicles.

Three Sisters Springs, a unit of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge (CRNWR), is the gem of the Nature Coast. Visitors to the refuge can enjoy wildlife viewing, hiking trails, and bicycling when visiting this beautiful refuge. The boardwalk has viewing platforms to observe the springs and native wildlife. There are also nature trails that offer views of Magnolia Springs, Lake Crystal, and the wetlands. Three Sisters Springs is a world-renowned winter sanctuary for the West Indian Manatee. Over 100 different native and migratory bird species use the refuge year-round.

The 57-acre refuge that surrounds the Three Sisters Springs is an example of a restored wetland habit. Visitors can explore hiking trails to view the Wetland, Lake Crystal, Magnolia Spring, and the scenic boardwalk that surrounds Three Sisters Springs.

Visitors can observe mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians common to a Florida spring ecosystem. Cold winter days bring 100's of manatees seeking warm water refuge into the springs.

US Fish & Wildlife Service volunteers offer guided walking tours and are available to field questions concerning the refuge, native wildlife, and the Florida spring system.

In-water recreation at Three Sisters Springs is accessible by launching a vessel from any of the public boat ramps or kayak launches on Kings Bay and navigating to the spring-run for Three Sisters. Public kayak launches can be found at:

Hunter Springs Park, 104 NE 1st Ave, Crystal River
King's Bay Park, 268 NW 3rd St, Crystal River