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Citrus County lies in the Gulf Coast Lowlands known as the Springs Coast Region.
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The physical make-up of this region from the Withlacoochee River on the north to the County's
southern border is a coastal marsh and includes salt marshes, lagoons, fresh water swamps and
hammocks. The coastal zone is in the St. Martin's Aquatic Preserve, Crystal River Preserve State
Park and the Cliassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge. There are two access roads to the Gulf in
the County: Fort Island Trail (Rt. 44 west of US 19) and the Withlacoochee Bay Trail at the Cross
Florida Barge Canal.
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Five of the seven designated Florida Scenic Rivers are in the coastal section of the birding trail
system. They are: the Withlacoochee River, the Crystal River, the Salt River, the Homosassa River,
and the Chassahowitzka River.
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This unique coastal plain offers unusual opportunities for birding both by canoe/kayak and by
motorboat The rivers are motorboat navigable most of the time, but it is recommended to check
tidal charts for the best time, especially on the Chassahowitzka River.
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Section I boundaries nm from the Withlacoochee River on the north to the Citrus/Hernando border
on the south, with US 19 as the east boundary and the Gulf of Mexico on the west.
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The coastal section is divided into two parts: Water Trails and Land Trails.
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Water Trails
- Oystereatcher Trail (Withlacoochee Bay Spoil Islands, Office of Greenways and Trails)
- Kings Bay Trail (Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge)
- Mason Creek Trail, Homosassa (Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge)
- Chassahowitzka River and Chassahowitzka NWR Trail (Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge)
- Nature Coast Canoe Trail (Crystal River to Chassahowitzka River)
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Land Trails
- Withlacoochee Bay Trail (Felburn Park, Office of Greenways and Trails)
- Eco Walk (Crystal River Preserve State Park)
- Crystal Cove Trail (Crystal River Preserve State Park)
- Crystal River Archaeological State Park
- Ft. Island Trail (Crystal River Preserve State Park)
- Pepper Creek Trail (Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park), Bluebird Springs
- Rook's Trail at the Homosassa Tract, Division of Forestry)
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