Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge

Established in 1941, the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge covers more than 31,000 acres of brackish marshes, saltwater bays, and estuaries at the mouth of the Chassahowitzka River. It was created to protect waterfowl habitats and is currently home to some 250 bird species, 50 or more species of retiles and amphibians, and no fewer than 25 species of mammals, including the endangered West Indian Manatee.

Friends of the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge is a non-profit group dedicated to conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish and wildlife and their habitats in this area. Besides fostering the use and enjoyment of the refuge by the public, they also engage in educational, scientific, and civic activities, while assisting personnel of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, who are responsible for the refuge.

Airboats are a popular mode of transportation within the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge. Citrus County maintains a boat ramp on the Chassahowitzka River that can be used as a launching point for a small fee. A Chassahowitzka NWR Airboat Permit is required, and it authorizes use of airboats in designated refuge waters within Hernando County as well.

The Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge Complex is headquartered at 1502 SE Kings Bay Drive, Crystal River, Florida 34429-4661. The refuge itself is located about 65 miles north of St. Petersburg. It can be reached by taking U.S. Highway 19 north to State Road 480 and following it to the end, where the boat ramp can be found. The refuge begins three miles down river from there.