RV Campground for Florida Manatee's

From what I've read the area around Crystal River, FL is great for Manatees. Check the site below for campgrounds in that area. We stayed at Rock Crusher last winter during our first snow birding trip and will be staying there for a month next winter. We plan to check out the manatees during our stay there.

http://www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/Florida/Crystal_River.html

Below is manatee info for the general Crystal River area.

http://www.crystalriverflorida.net/crfo/todo/manatee/manateetour.htm

Below is a site for Citrus County, FL. There is info about manatees there too.

http://visitcitrus.com/

We stayed at Rock Crusher Canyon RV Park in Crystal River last winter for 2 weeks. We hired Manatees in Paradise to see the manatees. Great time and wonderful people that are committed to the manatees.

We stayed Jan.& Fed. 2013, at Rock Crusher. We enjoyed watching Manatees almost everyday during our stay. We were told of a bridge that was a good place to view them. When the water warmed up in morning they traveled out to sea to feed and late afternoon made the trip back to warm springs for the night. On one occasion we were allowed to view them from a place called 3 Sister Springs. These Springs are closed to public, except for a few times it's open to the public. We plan a trip back this winter.

In Southwest Florida, Fort Myers has a manatee park just off of I75 at the power plant. It is an excellent way to get up close to see the manatees and the park is well cared for. No matter what the weather the manatees love the warm water discharge from the power plant. Its worth the stop. There are so many local places to camp here. We are full time at Gulf Air, an encore park in Fort Myers Beach that fits our needs perfectly but check out all the parks to find one that may suit your individual needs. When we are out traveling we use Passport America and RVPARKY apps to find new and compatible parks for us. From our home port here we are only 5-6 hours to Key West. On your way there check out Jolly Roger park in Marathon. One of our favorites for being on the water and nearby everything. Once you get to Key West we recommend Boyds RV park. It is undeniably the best in the area.

MANATEE SPRINGS SP Chiefland Florida


We camped there and saw lots of them

We kayaked in Manatee Park in Ft. Myers. Actually we learned to kayak there. They have kayaks to rent and instruction is available. Remember it is illegal to have any interaction with them. It is a great experience being in the water with them!

Blue Springs state park (about 30 north of Orlando) There were so many you could not count them. In the winter months (Nov-March) you are not allowed in the water as they seek warm water safety there.

Nice park if you dont have the train rushing through every 2 hours like we did.

rr2254545 wrote:
MANATEE SPRINGS SP Chiefland Florida


We camped there and saw lots of them

I was wondering how I missed this park when I have reserved several of the Florida state parks for this trip. At first I thought it may have been due to this park only having 30amp's then I found the following note. My trip is at the end of May/2014.

"Alerts and Important Information
Site

Please be advised that this site will be closed February 1, 2014 until further notice due to new construction of new facilities within the park."

I second Blue Springs State Park, but if you are a kayaker, go to Crystal River, and paddle out in Kings Bay to the Three Sisters Springs.
The tour boats take swimmers out, but the boats can't get into the springs, However a paddler can paddle right in, and you can either get out of your boat and swim around with them or just stay in your boat and paddle around with them. The water is crystal clear too.

If there are any paddlers here that want some good places to paddle with them, shoot me an e-mail


Jack L

x2 for Manatee Springs. Wasn't over thrilled with the campground, as we hit it on a Weekend with no reservations. But got in. All in all it was very nice. And deer came right up to our sight. Nice