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    Chassahowitzka River Campground

    3.5 (59 reviews)

    Chassahowitzka River Campground Rafting/Kayaking Photos

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    Darby H.

    I just went for the day to kayak and had a great experience. I went on a Monday so it might be different on a weekend or during the summer, but they had plenty of available kayaks without needing a reservation. Everyone was friendly (especially the younger guy with a beard working boat rentals) and everything went smoothly. You rent the boats all day (until 5:30) so you don't have to worry about hourly. After 1:30 it's $5 off. There were plenty of places to kayak or boat to and can get out to walk or swim around. It is very spacious and it's not a loop so you can choose how long you want to ride for. I did hear one of the employees tell a customer that there were manatees nearby and that they should go up to the manatee and put their hand in the water to pet them. As most people know (I'm sure as well as this employee) manatees are very protected and this is actually illegal, so please don't encourage this. Otherwise, it was a fantastic trip for a day of kayak and I will definitely be back. I enjoyed it more than places like Weeki Wachee where it's an exact length and it gets crowded.

    Capt. Phill
    Rhonda W.

    One of my favorite places to kayak from. Don't miss this hidden gem. Only $5 to park. They have a GREAT store, right on the water. Very reasonable prices for drinks and snacks (cheaper than DG actually). Say hi to Phill ("Capt. Phill") in the "yak shack". He is so helpful and friendly,.. and is the area's fishing and diving expert. He will make your visit so much better with his knowledge of the area and the local fishing info.

    Primitive camp site. Running water and only a short walk to the restrooms and showers.
    Iain H.

    Bathrooms very nice and clean. Lots of mosquitos, noseums and biting flies, bring some insect repellent containing Picaridin NOT deet.

    Launching pad
    Alex L.

    For those looking to experience natural Florida's wildlife and beauty, forget Disney world; grab a kayak and explore its natural rivers! I drove down from Buffalo, NY in February to escape from the Polar Vortex with 6 kayaks and a group of enthusiasts and the Chazz river (what it's referred to locally) was one of the many we hit during our kayaking adventure through Central Florida. The campground was nice, but we mostly used the park as a launching pad for our kayaks. There was no fee to use the campground. The river itself was wonderful to kayak through. We encountered a few gators, but they're docile and scared of you...so you shouldn't fear them, but you definitely shouldn't feed them! Definitely don't miss this gem if you're going through Florida. Rent a kayak and explore this river!

    Jeff M.

    Beautiful place! First place we hit with our new RV and we'll definitely be back!! The river is great for kayakers and is perfect for fishing or just paddling around seeing the springs and all of the manatees. Not sure about how abundant they are year round but Christmas week 2017 they were everywhere...and very friendly! The bugs (no-seeums) were very plentiful and made an otherwise perfect scenario a little uncomfortable at times...especially in the early evening. I can only imagine that they get worse in the summertime. The campground itself is a little tight but there are enough trees and bushes around to provide some privacy. A few potholes on the dirt/gravel roads make it slow going with your rig. Hopefully those are addressed in the near future. The bathrooms were clean...the staff was friendly and helpful. Lots of dogs but unlike some other reviews, it appears to me that all the owners clean up after their dogs. Poop bag stations w/ trashcans all around. Thoroughly enjoyed this place. Looking forward to a return trip!

    Kayla L.

    Found this place through a local's recommendation. The staff is really friendly and the price for the kayak is relatively cheap compared to other more touristy place. Also, there's less people and hence its really nice to be able to kayak and enjoy the nature. There's also the famous seven sister springs but unfortunately I can't dive so I didn't went to see it. I saw some manatees really up close, flying fishes (forgot the names), birds and there's many different paths one could take on this river. Unfortunately, I didn't bring my phone while kayaking. Would highly recommend anyone who would like to see manatees or just a relaxing day!

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    2 years ago

    Great experience lovely place to paddle! We saw quite an animals and wildlife and the staff was friendly and helpful.

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Love this place! The springs are beautiful and truly one of a kind :-) definitely recommend checking it out

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    Photo of Alex L.
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    12 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    Awesome place and awesome campground. Springs are beautiful. Definitely would recommend checking it out

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    3 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Friendly people and nice quiet campground. Restrooms and facilities were very clean. We walked to the little store and rented kayaks.

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    Photo of Adam B.
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    8 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Great place for the family. Clean and comfortable. Went tent camping and the whole family had a blast.

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    5 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Absolutely gorgeous area and super clean campground. Go kayaking on the beautiful river nearby.

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    7 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    7 years ago

    This place sucks. No one answers the phone or returns messages or emails. Don't waste your time with this place!

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Chassahowitzka River Campground

    Is it safe to swim here with dogs? Alligators are a concern.

    Yes, it's safe to swim with your dog here.

    Are dogs allowed in the camp ground?

    I believe so, I saw a pet waste disposal station.

    View All 3 Questions

    Review Highlights - Chassahowitzka River Campground

    i ran USF's Canoe and Kayak club back in the late 90s/early 2000's and this was my go-to river for my club.

    Mentioned in 15 reviews

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    Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park - Front Entrance To The Park

    Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

    4.6(244 reviews)
    6.1 mi

    Even though Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is still recovering from the…read moreimpacts of Hurricane Helene, our visit was outstanding and absolutely worth the stop. The staff and volunteers clearly care deeply about the park and its mission, and their dedication really shows. While a few areas are still in the process of being repaired, the park remains beautiful and full of life. The wildlife viewing opportunities are excellent, and the park does a wonderful job showcasing Florida's native species in a natural and respectful setting. Seeing the manatees up close was a highlight, and the underwater observatory provides a truly unique perspective you won't find in many places. What impressed us most was how well the park is being maintained despite the storm damage. Paths are clean, signage is clear, and the staff members we encountered were friendly, knowledgeable, and happy to answer questions. It's obvious that a lot of hard work is going into restoring everything while still making sure visitors have a great experience. If anything, visiting during this recovery period gives you an even greater appreciation for the park and the people who take care of it. Their resilience and commitment to conservation are inspiring. If you're traveling through the Homosassa area, this park is absolutely worth your time. It's a special place that celebrates Florida's wildlife and natural beauty, and we're already looking forward to coming back once the final restoration work is complete.

    Originally, we road-tripped north almost 2 hours to experience a rare opportunity to swim amongst…read moremanatees in a natural setting. When we arrived we found out that the manatees had migrated away from the springs about 2.5 weeks ago. Disappointed we drove about 6 miles south and happened upon Homosassa Springs State Park, where they have 3 resident manatees that live in the springs year round. This small state park, was devastated by the hurricane several years ago. They have photos showing how high the waters were and many buildings are still closed. We had to wait for the tram to take us across the way to the park, they also have a boat to get there in a unique way. However, the water was too low to enjoy the boat ride. The park has about 3-4 manatees during the off season and you just have to look for them as they live in a natural setting. Eventually we found them a bit down river from the springs. Once in a while you'd see their nose pop up for air. They are such beautiful creatures. There is also a small zoo with a black bear, flamingoes, a white tailed deer, reptile case, an array of birds, and a variety of wild cats. They used to have a hippo but she died about 10 months ago. Definitely worth the $13 entry fee. It's a cute and well maintained park that is about at 75% of its operating capacity due to closed buildings that have not yet been renovated following Hurricane Milton. Although, we were disappointed to miss out on a once in a lifetime experience to *actually* swim amongst manatees, being able to see them in their natural habitat was truly special.

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    Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park - Vertical Gator

    Vertical Gator

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    River Adventure Tours - Turtle

    River Adventure Tours

    4.7(20 reviews)
    6.4 mi

    My friends and I have been using River Adventure Tours over 5 years now for our annual scalloping…read moreadventure! A day out on the water with this outfitter has always been super fun regardless of the number of scallops caught. My group has gone out with a few different captains, all of which have been knowledgeable & safe. The booking process is pretty easy. I always book online - you can even sign the waiver through their website so there is no paperwork to take care of when you arrive at the dock. The boats are comfortable for the short ride out to the scalloping site and we always bring along a well stocked cooler of drinks and snacks to enjoy during our trip. All the snorkel equipment needed to dive for scallops is included in the tour. In general, the equipment is nice and well maintained. The conditions have been a little different every year I have gone - sometimes we catch a lot, sometimes a little. The captain has always dived with us to help search for scallops and moves to new locations as necessary. Cleaning the scallops after returning to the docks has always been easy - sometimes there is a group of high school students who will clean them for you for a fee. If they aren't around, there is a station to clean them yourself, and the captain has always been around to help / walk us through the best process. We will be back again!

    Came to Homosassa just to visit and check it out. Found this place online, called and booked my…read morepaddle board. When I arrived it just a lil shed you check in at- the worker that helped me was, she was amazing! More than a worker a line of hot spots along the water information center! Yes this girl had all the details to guide me safely on the water as well as back to the shop at the end of my tour! I have already told people to book here and go on the Homosassa river- serious beautiful experience! Thank you! Best 420 Day ever!!!

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    Halls River bridge

    Chassahowitzka River Campground - rafting - Updated June 2026

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