Crews Lake Wilderness Park has beautiful and well maintained grounds. No fee to enter like some…read moreother wilderness parks. I attended a wedding here and it was a peaceful and serene experience. There is a boardwalk and pavilions for events. The restrooms were also nice and clean. Actually better than some restaurants.

I really love this park!…read more I saw the signs for it & just decided to check it out as I love to visit the Nature parks. This park is exceptionally beautiful. It has an old vintage Florida feel with gorgeous old moss covered trees, kids play areas, an old vintage railroad, tons of biking & walking/hiking trails & a giant Lilly covered pond/lake. I had such a great time the first time I went. There was wildlife everywhere & I got to video some very friendly birds. I went back again & it was even more beautiful the second time, than the first time as it had just rained & all the flowers were blooming. They have a little garden there. It's just so precious. This place is so very beautiful. I keep finding all these different trails, they are obviously working on it & making it bigger with more trails. It's a very peaceful place, Like a forgotten tropical wilderness stuck in time. I have not seen more than 5 people here at once. I love all the Nature Parks for hiking but I have to admit. This one is very special & very unique. I can't wait to return. Highly recommended.

Great for walks. Easy to enjoy the nature. Possibility of seeing wildlife. Easy to get lost if you…read morego off the trail

This is a 2,200 acre preserve with hiking, horseback riding and bird watching opportunities. The…read morepreserve protects groundwater and black bear habitat. Here's the website for the park: http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/areas/annuteligahammock.html

Just a short drive North out of Brooksville, in a historic locale you'll find this off the beaten…read morepath gem. I prefer to call it a hidden gem. You won't find tons of traffic, people, noise or banter. IF that's what ya want, head to the beach! Instead you will find solace. Serenity. Quiet. A place to relax and reflect. The park is 'anchored' by a small lake. No speed boats, just reflections of the clouds above. There are a few small trails to conquer. And a short rickety wooden bridge, not much higher than tall grass, and no longer than a moment. But it's all a portrait of simple pleasures. I will sometimes just sit at one of the rustic wooden picnic tables and wonder how that huge oak got uprooted but still thrives. For me that's a symbol of pure survival, and a reminder to us humans. If you let it, time can slow down or even stand still here. Leave the driving to Mother Nature, and relax. Enjoy!

the lake is completely dried up.a small puddle in the middle is all that is left. very sad to look…read moreat. gone!

Very exclusive, no electrical hook up so great for primitive camping. Bathrooms were great as well…read more We already booked our next trip!

Awesome spot back in the woods, right off the interstate but not easy to find. It's a super cool…read morespot right in the river, surrounded by lush greenery and white sandy banks. River junction has a day use area, as well as primitive camping, complete with fire rings, running water on site, and full bathrooms with showers. Truly a hidden gem!

If you like wildlife this is the place to be in Tampa. This is a great destination for outdoor…read moreenthusiasts. With numerous hiking trails, fishing spots, and picnic areas, this park offers something for everyone. clear waters of the Hillsborough River that runs through the park. The park is well-maintained and clean, with friendly and informative staff. There are also several campsites available for those who want to extend their stay. Overall, Hillsborough state park is an excellent place to relax, enjoy nature and engage in outdoor activities such as kayaking launch. There is a gift shop for light snacks. You will see wild life such as gators, tons of different fish and many different kind of birds. Admission is 6$, they take cash or card

We went glamping and it was a fun Experience. My family found it to be a ton a fun. The AC made a…read moreworld of difference during the angry Florida summer. I would recommend if you want to go camping with training wheels.

Manatee Paddle truly went above and beyond to make our experience positive, exciting, and…read moreeducational. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with genuine smiles, warmth, and encouragement. I was personally a bit nervous since I hadn't paddle boarded much before, but every step of the way we felt supported and truly cared for. Hearing about the family's passion for protecting the ecosystem and the manatees, along with all the helpful tips they shared to optimize our experience, was absolutely incredible. When we got to the dock, we were guided so kindly - Mike even held our shoes in his truck for us! When he noticed me struggling a bit, he took the time to give me multiple tips on how to better move in the water and maneuver the board, which made such a difference. We saw so many manatees, including mama and baby pairs, which was unforgettable. When we returned to the dock and shared how excited we were, Mike went above and beyond once again by recommending another nearby location we could walk to where we ended up seeing even more manatees up close and personal. I would 10/10 recommend Manatee Paddle to anyone looking for an incredible manatee experience. I am so grateful to Mike and his family for making our day so special. THANK YOU!!

If I could give this place 10 stars, I would. Paddle boarding with this crew in Crystal River was…read morehands down one of the best experiences I've had in Florida, and it's because of the people behind the business--Aidan, Mike, and Mandy. From the moment we showed up, they made us feel like family. Aidan was the first one to greet us, and right away you could tell how passionate he is about the river, the wildlife, and making sure every single guest feels confident before heading out on the boards. He has this calm, encouraging way about him that instantly puts you at ease--even if you've never stepped foot on a paddleboard before. He gave us tips, shared fun facts about the area, and somehow managed to keep the whole group laughing the entire time. Mike is the backbone of the operation--the guy making sure all the boards, paddles, and gear are in perfect condition, the one double-checking that everything runs smoothly so you don't have to worry about a thing. It's obvious how much pride he takes in the business, because everything is organized, well-maintained, and set up to give you the best possible experience. He's also just genuinely fun to chat with before and after you head out--one of those people who makes you feel like an old friend after five minutes. And then there's Mandy, who is truly the heart of the operation. She's warm, welcoming, and on top of everything. From making the booking process super smooth to making sure we had everything we needed for the day, she's the reason the whole experience felt so seamless. She checked in with us multiple times, gave us great local recommendations for after our paddle, and just made the whole day feel special. What really stood out to me was how much this team cares--not just about giving people a fun day on the water, but about the environment, the river, and the wildlife that call it home. They take time to educate guests about respecting the ecosystem, and you leave not only having had an amazing adventure, but also feeling like you've learned something important. I've been on plenty of tours and excursions, but very few have left me with such a lasting impression. These guys aren't just running a business--they're building memories for people, and they clearly love doing it. If you're anywhere near Crystal River, don't waste your time looking at other paddle board companies. This is the one. Between Aidan's energy, Mike's behind-the-scenes dedication, and Mandy's incredible hospitality, you won't find a better team anywhere. Do yourself a favor and book with them--you'll thank me later.

Easy to find, very peaceful and secluded. Almost all the other amenities were closed (water park,…read morebeach, food) and the mermaid show wasn't for 2 more hours so we left after our kayak trip.

The price is right but there could be more to do. We went in the middle of storms. We got about an…read morehours worth of time. Luckily the kids got down the slide before everything shut down due to weather. Was a 40 minute wait for them to go down once! Water is fresh creek and freezing which is quite nice really. Would've loved to have done the lazy river and boat ride but no luck due to weather. I know they can't control it but it seems to happen in this spot frequently therefore it would be nice if they had some indoor activities and more shelters so you didn't have to just up and leave every time it pours rain. Wasn't really worth the drive.

We went as a family before the pandemic hit, on multiple occasions and it was beautiful! Great day…read moreand good company :)

Beautiful new state park with kayaking available that shows what Florida looked like before the…read moredeluge of people arrived to live here. The springs are 300 feet deep, so don't expect to snorkel those. The park is still in the process of having trails added so still growing. Primitive and pristine. Old Florida and worth the trip to hike or kayak. Bathrooms were immaculate too!

Silver Lake Campground is located within the Croom Tract of Withlacoochee State Forest (Hernando…read moreCounty), and a short 5-mile drive from I-75. This park requires an admission fee or annual pass. The shore of Silver Lake is part of the Withlacoochee River system. The three campground areas are adjacent to the Silver Lake Day-Use Area which has a picnic shelter and a boat ramp. Recreational activities nearby include: boating / paddling / watersports, wildlife viewing, bicycling, hiking, and fishing. Facilities include many miles of trails for hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, and paddling. Seasonal hunting is available in most of the forest, and fish are plentiful in the many lakes and flowing waterways. Full-facility, primitive, and group camping are available at numerous locations. Many day-use facilities are available on Withlacoochee State Forest for picnicking and wildlife viewing. Due to the location of this campground near I-75, road noise may be heard at times. The campgrounds have a bathhouse and a dump station. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring with grate and/or a grill. There are 23 sites (#1-23) at Silver Lake Campground with water and electric with 30 and 50 amp hookup. Maximum of 1 RV and 1 tent or 2 tents per site. Campsites 19, 20 & 21 have enhanced accessibility. The Day Use Area has a pavilion which is available to rent for events. Access to boat ramp and hiking trails including the Withlacoochee State Trail. Day use areas are open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Facilities include fishing, boating/canoeing/kayaking, Leashed Pets are allowed. Only licensed, street legal vehicles are permitted in the complex. The use of horses, go-karts, golf carts, ATV's or dirt bikes is prohibited. Services & Amenities within the park: Bathhouse Bird Watching Boat Ramp Boating Canoeing Campground Host Camping Dump Station Fire Rings Fishing Geo Caching Grills Hiking Hiking Trails Jet skiing Kiosk Nature Study Parking Picnic area Restrooms Sightseeing Stargazing Swimming/Park/Lake Walking Trails, Easy Water for Drinking Water Skiing Wild Life Viewing Less Than 1000 Feet there is a River/Stream and swimming in the river is allowed. Amenities less than a mile away: Fishing River/Stream Horseback Riding Hunting Jogging/Running Picnic Pavilion Trails Bicycle/Mountain Biking Trails Equestrian The information center has QR codes for park maps, trail details and general park/campground information. Paper brochures are also available. A Florida State Parks Annual Pass costs $60 for an Individual Pass (unlimited entry for one person) or $120 for a Family Pass (up to eight people), valid for one year from purchase; additional people with an individual pass pay $2 each, but these passes don't cover camping or special activities like boat tours, and there are separate options for Sportsman Licenses or Foundation Memberships. The Unlimited pass includes entry into most of Florida's state parks for the pass holder(s). The annual pass does not cover: Camping, boat tours, tubing, garden admissions, or other special-use fees. Purchase online through the Florida State Parks website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/florida-state-parks-annual-pass or in person at any state park with a ranger station.

Wait until they are done remodeling and reserve seats on longer tour nothing was open when I went…read morelonger tour booked up for a month

They've been here since 1947... before Busch Gardens, SeaWorld, Universal, LegoLand and yep, longer…read morethan Mickey. These mermaids ‍ showed Ariel how it's done in Florida waters. Welcome to Weeki Wachee Springs... home of one of the Sunshine State's original roadside attractions. (second maybe only to orange juice stands). If you love clear water, gentle humor, fun costumes, old Florida, a little razzle dazzle and a whole lot of bubbles, you'll get a kick out of the mermaid shows. The mermaids have their own theater and the kids aren't the only ones who get sucked into the fairy tale. The vibes are so laid back, you could be lulled into forgetting how hard these underwater moves are. They make it look easy-but there's some serious athleticism and training, behind all of the underwater fun... and they do it all... while wearing tails! (like Ginger Rogers keeping up with Fred Astaire-but backwards and in high heels) The mermaid show is adjacent to the water park. They share a parking lot and a ticket window. You could make a day out of it. There's a cute gift shop... and random peacocks wandering around... plus photo ops with the mermaids. I love the history of this place-they do a good job sharing it at the show. I'll let them tell you. The show is part of Weeki Wachee State Park. When i went (March 2026), it was $13 for adults-I think $8 for kids and I believe the youngest ones get in free. The water park and paddle boarding are extra but the admission covers the mermaids and I think the river cruise is included. The mermaid shows run a few times a day-and seats fill up quickly, so get there about 30 minutes early on busier days (summer and weekends). It's so Florida-you've gotta go! Have fun!

The mermaid show is the big draw from this "famous " Floridian roadside show. Once privately owned,…read moreit has now been acquired by the State of Florida. We were late for the show, because the website failed to post times and were unreachable via phone, email, or the websites frequently asked questions. We caught the last 15 minutes of the show as it runs from 11-11:30, 1:30-2pm and 3-3:30pm. It's a relatively small park. The mermaid show is cute if you have children under the age of 10 years old. Otherwise, give it a miss. Admission is $13 ea a little less for kids. 4 of us cost about $42 for entrance fees. They have a water slide that was not operating. They have a small "nature " walk. They have a boat that was not running to look at nature and they have a 30 minute animal encounter educational experience with a ranger. She showed and talked about two kinds of turtles, a snake and a small alligator. Walking around they have photo ops to look like a mermaid and after the show you have a chance to photograph yourself with a live mermaid from the show. If you have $50- $100 your kid can have a "mermaid makeover". We were at the park for maybe 1.5 hours. I suppose if the boat was running and the water slide was operating one could spend up to 3 hours. It was an interesting experience. Once is enough.