Located in homosassa, fl, this park was nestled on the banks of the chazzahowitzka river a. There is a group of springs just northeast of the boat ramp, the largest one is referred to as the main spring, classified as a 1st magnitude spring discharge over 100 cubic feet per second, and is. Chassahowitzka river paddling, west central fl, by kayak, canoe. On the chassahowitzka river chillin homosassa, florida. Chassahowitzka river maggies crack and baird creek. So rudy and i took a road trip up to the chassahowitzka river this last weekend to do some exploring and get out of dodge for a little while. It was the desire to explore the backwater springs and the culture of the state that led me here. Though the majority of people who visit florida dont know of the chassahowitzka, its a rather wellknown location amongst many local wildlife and paddling enthusiasts. It places you right in the middle of one of the most pristine environments on the nature coast.
About the complex chassahowitzka is managed as part of the crystal river complex. The chassahowitzka river ecotour has teh appearance of the amazon rainforest in miniature. The chassahowitzka river is a tidal river influenced by the gulf of mexico, but its main source of freshwater comes from multiple springs. Chassahowitzka river, july 2018 explore florida waters. The chassahowitzka nwr is located approximately 65 miles north of st. The 5milelong 8 km river is home to hundreds of species of birds including the bald eagle, and is a common refuge for the west indian manatee. This campground really brought me back to my childhood and the places my parents would take me as a kid. At the end of the scenic trip was the crack, a legendary, and quaint. How to paddle from tampa to the heart of florida in one day asn. Experience the best of natural old florida on the chaz. Although it was very cold for us florida folks and way too cold to be o.
The river is just gorgeous and it was so much fun to go kayaking with my family down it. Chassahowitzkas hidden jewel the crack spring youtube. Data are tidally affected astronomical tides cause significant cycles of approximately 24. These data are based upon the latest information available as of the date of your request, and may differ from the published tide tables. A boat ramp, maintained by the citrus county, provides a launching point for boats on the chassahowitzka river for a small fee. Experience the best of natural old florida on the chaz authentic. The small town of chassahowitzka is located about 60 miles north of tampa, 100 miles west of orlando. A national wildlife refuge complex is an administrative grouping of two or more refuges, wildlife management areas or other refuge conservation areas that are primarily managed from a central office location. The chassahowitzka river offers wildlife viewing, swimming in springs, and a variety of scenery that makes this one of the most pleasurable kayak trips in florida. Otters, manatees, turles, and mullet all can be seen seasonally. While the rest of the country is shoveling out beneath the snow, the floridians. So far, from our experiences on the river, weve witnessed all sorts of motor boats speeding through the shallow waters of the chassahowitzka river on their way to the chassahowitzka national. Chassahowitzka river campground this is the perfect campground to go to if you want to be outdoor.
The chassahowitzka river is a springfed river located in southwestern citrus county, florida. Purchased in the early 1990s, this property is part of a large greenway of public lands that protects the chassahowitzka swamp ecosystem and wildlife resources. Turn right at signs for the chassahowitzka river campground. This is the only public access on the chashowitzka river. The crack have steph will travel florida travel blog. Kayaking on the chassahowitzka river along floridas. Chassahowitzka, chassahowitzka river tide table for the. It is surrounded by a national wildlife refuge and bird sanctuary. Chassahowitzka river campground was one of the first campgrounds we visited in our new rv. Chassahowitzka river campground changing lanes chassahowitzka river campground was one of the first campgrounds we visited in our new rv.
If youll look for it, youll notice a narrow exit called the crack that leads to a. The headwaters of the river start approximately 100 feet upstream from the chassahowitzka river campgrounds boat ramp. At the end of the scenic trip was the crack, a legendary, and quaint, small spring known and loved by locals. Chassahowitzka river campground rv park camping canoeing. Use our boat ramp and kayaking launch on the chassahowitzka river. It is primarily undeveloped except for some camps grouped along the shore about 2 miles down stream accessible by boat only the dense sub tropical forest is. Chassahowitzka river camping campgrounds tent camping. Chassahowitzka, fl three day weather forecast accuweather. Our adventure continues, read part one here, with a mother manatee and calf right in front of the boat launch and docks. We have jon boats, canoe and kayak rentals on site for paddling, bird watching or fishing. Chassahowitzka river campground, homosassa, fl gps. Chassahowitzka river and nwr central florida kayak trips.
This 157mile stream originates in green swamp in hernando county and flows north to the gulf at yankeetown. North of us by about 10 miles near crystal river is high octane, usually quite. Due to the tide being out it was a little shallow, but we managed to paddle most of the way up to a point that we could walk in some beautiful water to our calves and ankles with a nice sandy bottom. Locals call it the chaz or the chassahowitzka river, a waterway that. David and kim strickland are the fourth generation in the strickland family to own and operate the chassahowitzka hotel. Thank you for your consideration of the chassahowitzka hotel for your accommodations. Located on floridas west coast, in citrus conty, the chassahowitzka river is a beautiful waterway in a very remote location. Further up the crystal clear river was a spring called bairds creek. The vast expanse of salt marsh, hardwood swamps, crystalclear springs and.
Facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a page. Dolphins and underwater caves on the chassahowitzka river. The hotel was originally started by davids greatgrandparents ben and eliza smith and acquired its name in 1910. We are located in a more rural setting and thus have a truly limited night life. Chassahowitzka river kayaking part two northwest florida. The chassahowitzka river and its springs would be considered deep in the florida backwoods. Chassahowitzka river springs and culture nomadruss in. Pronunciation of chassahowitzka with 1 audio pronunciation, 1 meaning, 1 sentence and more for chassahowitzka. On the third day of our trip to central and south florida, we chose to paddle to maggies crack spring on the chassahowitzka river. The clear shallow river runs from the head springs through the 30,000 acre chassahowitzka national wildlife refuge to the gulf of mexico.
Chassahowitzka river maggies crack and baird creek report. The chassahowitzka river and the crack have steph will. The chassahowitzka river is a springfed river located 16 mi. The chassahowitzka river campground and rv park has rv sites, cabins and tent camping. Todays sea temperature in chassahowitzka, chassahowitzka river is 24. Our lodge can accommodate groups as large as 50 people and sleep 12 people overnight.
The stream has many limerock areas and associated swamps. The crack is one such place, and you can be floating there within a few hours if you dont leave during rush hour. Chassahowitzka river campground 8600 w miss maggie drive chassahowitzka, fl 34448 phone 3523822200. The last time we went to the chaz, we spent several hours hanging out at the caves in seven sisters springs and didnt have much time to explore the rest of the river, so we wanted to go back and see some of the other springs that we didnt get to. The family operated the hotel from 1910 to 1969 when the family closed the business. There is only one boat ramp providing access along the river and it is located at the chassahowitzka river campground at 8600 w. Turn right at signs for the chassahowitzka river campground and follow to headwaters. Lush vegetation, hidden creeks and springs make for an intriguing paddle. Kayaking the chassahowitzka river, the chaz, takes you over turquoise springs.
Video of the spring run and the crack, a very scenic and unique spring that feeds the chassahowitzka river. The chaz lodge is located three miles into the beautiful chassahowitzka national wildlife refuge. The scenic chassahowitzka river our favorite paddle ride was the trip up baird creek, a beautiful canopied ribbon of clear water flowing into the chaz. The florida cracker family wanted to share one of their favorite experiences riding out the chassahowitzka river to the gulf of mexico. Chassahowitzka river lodge 8501 west miss maggie drive, homosassa, fl 34448 email. Tammy paull hebert is with dana sharp at on the chassahowitzka river chillin. The chassahowitzka river is a pristine freshwater spring fed tidal river that connects to the flats on the gulf of mexico. The chassahowitzka rivers headwaters, several tributaries and springs are within this tract and are known locally for their great sportfishing and crabbing. In 1941, approximately 31,000 acres,000 ha of its saltwater creeks, freshwater tributaries, and hardwood hammocks were recognized as chassahowitzka. A citrus county campground and boat ramp are located a few miles west of us 98, at the end of miss maggie drive. Get your 3day weather forecast for chassahowitzka, fl. There is nothing like seeing old florida at its best.
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