eco heritage river tour

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Heritage Eco Boat Tours

• 3266 N Sailboat Ave
• Crystal River, Florida 34428
• (352) 228-6028

Guided Boat Trips/Eco Tours

Heritage river tours.

Tour the St. Johns River with a seasoned guide in DeLand, FL with Heritage River Tours.

Tour the St. Johns River with a seasoned guide in DeLand, FL. Heritage River Tours offers two-hour eco tours which depart from Hontoon Landing Resort & Marina. Cruise down the Hontoon Dead River, cross through a beautiful old logging canal back to the St. Johns and pass Blue Springs State Park, a popular place to spot manatee. On the way back to the marina you'll pass through Lake Beresford. Watch for birds, alligators, manatee, turtles, and more as you experience the scenery of old Florida.

Location Details

Restroom On Board

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• Camping & Lodging

Experiences & Amenities

Experiences.

The trailhead is at the corner of State Park Street and Sailboat Avenue. State Park Street is 0.6 miles north of Crystal River Mall on the west side of U.S. 19. Drive west on State Park Street to the last corner, bear right (straight) down the gravel road and park across from gate. The 7-mile trail runs through a variety of habitats, including pine flatwoods, basin marsh, tidal marsh, wet hardwood hammocks and basin swamps. 

• Helmets are highly recommended for all cyclists and Florida law requires helmets for cyclists age 16 and under.

The "Monroe" (24 passengers) is the vessel for a lower river Eco Heritage Tour. The program is available Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 

• Boat tours depart from the park's administrative office at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. 
• To purchase tickets, visit Crystal River Preserve Adventures or call 855-613-2777.

Sunset Cruise

Boats depart from the park's administrative office for a delightful cruise out to the Gulf of Mexico for a spectacular sunset. Enjoy a fun and relaxing evening retreat in nature with refreshments and snacks provided.

• To purchase tickets, visit Crystal River Preserve Adventures or call 855-613-2777. Times vary, based on sunset.

The Mullet Hole fishing area can be accessed by taking the first driveway on the left after entering the main gate on Sailboat Avenue. This fishing area extends along a canal system that eventually opens into the Crystal River.

The entrance to the Redfish Hole is on the left, off Fort Island Trail near mile marker 4. The fishing area is a half-mile walk from the entrance. This area is an old borrows pit that is tidally influenced. In the winter, it is a good fishing spot for game species like redfish, trout, snook and flounder.

• There is no restroom or potable water available.
• Fishing also is available in the inlet across from the administrative office; restrooms are available.
• All fishing within the park must conform to regulations concerning size, number, method of capture and season. A  fishing license  may be required. Information is available at the Florida Wildlife Commission’s  Fishing in Florida .
• Eco-walk Trail  is a 2-mile loop trail and has 11 Discovery Zones that offer sensory sensitivity tips to increase your outdoor skills. The trail begins in a wet prairie and travels along a swamp edging a hammock. During the spring and fall, neo-tropical birds and hawks can be seen on their migration. Deer, turkey and wading birds frequent the area. The trailhead to the Eco-walk Trail is located at the intersection of North Tallahassee Road and Curtis Tool Road.
• Dixie Shores Trails.  Entrances to the Dixie Shores Trails are located in the Dixie Shores subdivision off Fort Island Trail (mile marker 2.5).
• Fort Island Trail  is off U.S. Highway 19 in Crystal River. These trails are part of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail .
• Lake Loop Trail  is located on the right-hand side of Dixie Shores Drive. The trail is a mile long and winds around three manmade lakes.
• Hammock Island Trail  is located on the left-hand side of Dixie Shores Drive and is approximately three-fourths of a mile. This trail carries you from coastal scrub through a salt marsh and onto a hammock island.
• Churchhouse Hammock Boardwalk and Primitive Trails.  The Boardwalk Trail is one-third mile in length and begins in a mesic hammock that is being restored to transitional pine flatwoods. Habitat restoration is underway to encourage the return of species such as the longleaf pine, gopher tortoise and fox squirrel. The Primitive Trail is three-fourths of a mile long, looping off the Boardwalk Trail and winding slowly to a sawgrass marsh. Florida's *karst limestone topography can be seen at the surface, showing the unique geology feature that typifies where springs begin. The entrance to the Churchhouse Hammock Boardwalk and Primitive Trail is located across the street from the Crystal River Mall on U.S. Highway 19.
• Study this map to learn more about hiking trails at the park. 

*Karst - An area of irregular limestone in which erosion has produced fissures, sinkholes, underground streams and caverns.

Crystal River Preserve State Park offers two canoe/kayak launches. One is located at the Mullet Hole location off of Sailboat Avenue, and one is located in the boat basin at the end of Sailboat Avenue, near the park office at 3266 N Sailboat Avenue. The launch at Mullet Hole enters the Indian River Canal which leads to the Crystal River. The launch at the boat basin enters the Crystal River and leads to the Gulf of Mexico. 

The beautiful Crystal River can be your sparkling backdrop for a quiet, serene ceremony. There is an area with benches near the river and a temple mound majestically in view.

For a more intimate ceremony, climb the stairs to the top of the temple mound where a platform allows for a beautiful view of the Crystal River. The area close to the river can accommodate up to 80 guests. The temple mound platform has seating for only 10 but provides standing room for 20.

Please call 352-795-3817 for more information.

Nature lovers and photographers will love the undisturbed islands, where everything from bald eagles to wood storks make their home in the aquatic and upland environments of the preserve.

Crystal River Preserve State Park is committed to providing a variety of amenities accessible to all of our visitors.

These amenities include:

• Boat tours.
• Dock with a view of the Crystal River.
• Picnic facilities with tables and grills, within reasonable accommodation.

Service animals are welcome in all areas of Florida State Parks.

Paddle the preserve and enjoy its exceptional natural beauty. There are two kayak/canoe launches, one at Mullet Hole and the other across from the administrative office. 

Each trail location within Crystal River Preserve State Park offers parking at the trailhead. 

Well-behaved dogs are welcome at Crystal River Preserve State Park. They must be kept on a 6-foot leash at all times and cannot be left unattended for more than a half-hour. 

• See our Pet Policy .

Crystal River Preserve State Park offers two picnic pavilions located near the boat basin at 3266 N Sailboat Avenue near the kayak launch. The picnic facilities offer tables and grills, within reasonable accommodation. 

The restroom facilities at Crystal River Preserve State Park are located at 3266 N Sailboat Avenue. There are no restroom facilities at any trail locations.